What's Wrong With Hunter Wellies These Days?!

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Cheshire Chestnut

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Years ago when I was a kid I used to get Hunter wellies for about £30-£40 a pair and they lastest a full winter. They were just wellies, good for the yard and riding in - nothing special and certainly not the hyped up rubbish they are now!

I thought I'd give them another go, despite me now hating that the likes of Topshop and Schu have jumped all over them and branded them as 'fashion festival must-haves'. After paying £90 for them, they split within 2 weeks near the heel.

I took them back and was given a new pair, only for the same to happen. A jumped up teenager in Schu was quick to point out that they are 'fashion wellies, not farm wellies'. Well, in all the years I've worn them (long before Topshop even clapped eyes on them) they have always been hard wearing FARM wear, never been this bad quality.

Can anyone else see a difference in them (apart from the over inflated price tag)?
 
Quote from Wikipedia:

'Hunter has since seen strong growth with international distribution in over 30 countries, however problems have arisen with the quality of the boots since production moved to China from Scotland. Many owners have complained about the very short life-span of the new Chinese boot'

Explains it all. Such a shame.
 
MADE IN CHINA :(
Another high end label relying in its name to outweigh the poor quality of its products.

I've got an old pair which are still going strong despite much abuse and being left out in rain hail and shine.
 
The old hunter people are one making them under the name Century. Look exactly the same and cost around £50. Mine are just entering their second Winter and are holding up perfectly.
 
mattydog said:
The old hunter people are one making them under the name Century. Look exactly the same and cost around £50. Mine are just entering their second Winter and are holding up perfectly.
Click to expand...

Excellent!! Will look up them now, the big company that bought the actual Scotish Hunter out did it because they were in debt. I could tell they were different as soon as I'd worn them for an hour or so. Will be ordering the Century ones or some Seeland ones - they're meant to be really good and the same price.
 
mattydog said:
The old hunter people are one making them under the name Century. Look exactly the same and cost around £50. Mine are just entering their second Winter and are holding up perfectly.
Click to expand...


Thanks for that, would never have known!

I too have been disappointed. Having had a pair of hunters for years (at least eight, possibly ten) and wearing them loads they finally gave up last spring. I bought a new pair of Hunters and within six months they had split on the side of the foot. The only consolation was that as a midget I had bought the children's ones and therefore they hadn't cost me a fortune. Currently wearing some hand-me-downs outgrown by a teenager!
 
i lived in my hunters when i was younger, now though they are just too expensive, plus i can't get them up my rather fat calfs!! anyone know where i can buy wide fitting wellies? :-)
 
my mum bought a second hand pair when she was a teenager and a good 40 years later they still don't have holes in.... I had some new ones that died after 3 months. I used to work in a tack shop and when we were sending back numerous pairs of hunters back, hunter wouldn't accept them if they had 'excessive wear'. Which apparently most of them had!? Ridiculous!
 
Honey08 said:
Basically nowadays they're Chinese tat aimed at festival goers rather than outdoor types.
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Exactly this. I have Aigles now. If I can buy something not made in China (especially without breaking the bank) then I will. My Aigles were s£70ish and made in France. Hunters are more, and made in China.

You only need to look at the range of chavtastic tat they make now to see that their targeted market has changed. For example http://www.mandmdirect.com/01/detai...rendon-Neo-Short-Wellington-Boots-Bitter-Choc
 
hnmisty said:
Exactly this. I have Aigles now. If I can buy something not made in China (especially without breaking the bank) then I will. My Aigles were s£70ish and made in France. Hunters are more, and made in China.

You only need to look at the range of chavtastic tat they make now to see that their targeted market has changed. For example http://www.mandmdirect.com/01/detai...rendon-Neo-Short-Wellington-Boots-Bitter-Choc
Click to expand...

Oh Christ, no idea why these are even made and dread to think who'd buy them... :(
 
Just bought a pair of Seeland wellies and am really pleased with them, warm lining and very comfortable. They cost less than £50.
 
Herts05 said:
Just bought a pair of Seeland wellies and am really pleased with them, warm lining and very comfortable. They cost less than £50.
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Are they easy to ride in? I always worry that they won't bend. Can't find a shop to try them on so I'd just have to order them online for her and hope for the best! (ordering her 'something horsey' on behalf of her BF, who will get all the credit no doubt!)
 
Copied from Wikipedia ;

"2007-Present. The move to international manufacturing

Spring 2007 saw the relationship between Hunter and the Royal Horticultural Society further strengthened by the launch of a new range of RHS wellies at the Chelsea Flower Show in London in May.[20] Hunter also set up the 'Century' Division to handle its global range of safety boots, and to develop new products in this sector. A little over a year later, Century Safety was acquired by the Tigar Corporation for an undisclosed sum.[21]

Hunter Boot Ltd enjoyed a record season in summer 2007 announcing, in August, an 85% sales increase against the same period in 2006[22] Despite this, Hunter remained faced with major financial challenges regarding production. High manufacturing and fuel costs that contributed to the company's move into administration in 2006 remained prominent and, like many UK manufacturing businesses, Hunter was forced to consider whether it was commercially viable to keep making boots in the UK. The company also had to negotiate a volatile relationship with its landlord and an expensive and inefficient 96-year-old factory. Eventually, alternative supply sources were sought and developed in Europe and the Far East and plans were made to exit the Dumfries plant and relocate the company HQ to Edinburgh.[23] This move was finally made in September 2008. The Chinese made gumboots are visually similar to the original Scottish made gumboots apart from the addition of an internal seam. Some manufacturing efficiencies have also been made including the removal of the latex dipping process, making the boots virtually identical to those from many other manufacturers.

Hunter has formed many relationships and collaborations with other brands in 2008, further extending its reach into the USA, festival and fashion markets, while also contributing strongly to charity organisations. The company have produced bespoke versions of the classic Hunter Original boot for Jack Wills, WaterAid,[24] Cowshed[25] and Fortnum & Mason,[26] as well as a trench coat designed by Suzy Radcliffe, owner of denim brand Radcliffe.[27]

In September 2008, following the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Hunter Boot Ltd sent specially made gold wellington boots to every member of the Great Britain Olympic team who won a gold medal at the games.[28]

In January 2009, Hunter announced that would be collaborating with London-based luxury fashion designer Jimmy Choo for a limited edition black wellington boot, embossed with signature Jimmy Choo crocodile print and containing gold rivets and a leopard-print lining. Another boot was then launched in 2011.[29][30]

Hunter has since seen strong growth with international distribution in over 30 countries.

Problems have arisen with the quality of the boots since production moved to China. Many owners have complained about the very short life-span of the new Chinese boot. [31] "
 
I also try to avoid buying Chinese made products. Almost impossible but I do my best.
I would imagine that manufacturing costs of Chinese Hunter would be substantially less than the UK cost. However the price to the consumer does not reflect this. And as pointed out by previous poster they cost more than better quality products made in Europe.
I guess making a long lasting product at high production costs doesn't generate much revenue.
 
I was lucky as found an original pair of hunters on ebay - they are stamped with the name of the Scottish factory they were made in.

Even though second hand, they have lasted 2 winters so far and have high hopes they will get me through this winter too!
 
I sent Hunter Boot a long polite letter about the shortcomings of their "Original" Boots which to be honest are little more than a CHEAP COPY they sent me a pair of Balmoral Bamboo Carbons FOC and they seem to be holding up Okay. I have a pair of Seeland wellies that are for summer Use nylon lined and they are pretty good and a lot taller 18".
 
Cheshire Chestnut said:
Years ago when I was a kid I used to get Hunter wellies for about £30-£40 a pair and they lastest a full winter. They were just wellies, good for the yard and riding in - nothing special and certainly not the hyped up rubbish they are now!

I thought I'd give them another go, despite me now hating that the likes of Topshop and Schu have jumped all over them and branded them as 'fashion festival must-haves'. After paying £90 for them, they split within 2 weeks near the heel.

I took them back and was given a new pair, only for the same to happen. A jumped up teenager in Schu was quick to point out that they are 'fashion wellies, not farm wellies'. Well, in all the years I've worn them (long before Topshop even clapped eyes on them) they have always been hard wearing FARM wear, never been this bad quality.

Can anyone else see a difference in them (apart from the over inflated price tag)?
Click to expand...

Made in China and not aimed at the outdoor market anymore
 
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