Muck Boots.

Not the cheapest but excellent. Good range to choose from too.

 

^^^
+1.

Should have added that I've worn the same pair in excess of 15 years for both shooting & fishing which is probably near enough to all-year-round. To look at, they are practically straight out of the box.

 

Muck Boot fan too though one fishing club I'm in has a very close factory that some members go to and they like. https://www.grubswarehouse.com/

 

Aigle Parcours 2 ISO . Best welly you’ll ever walk in . Still made in France ,( unlike le Chameau who moved manufacturing to North Africa ) . All day long comfy with walking boot traction . I’ve wearing them for 4 years now , I’ve got the Neoprene lined boots .

 

Aigle Parcours 2 ISO . Best welly you'll ever walk in . Still made in France ,( unlike le Chameau who moved manufacturing to North Africa ) . All day long comfy with walking boot traction . I've wearing them for 4 years now , I've got the Neoprene lined boots .

Agree with all of the above. I use mine every day in the winter and have done for the past 6/7 years.
If you're planning on spending any length of time in them or walking a fair bit , they're well worth the money IMHO
Can't recommend them highly enough.
Just purchased replacements from COUNTRY ATTIRE for £127 although they only have a couple of size 44s , 91/2 uk left in stock.
I'm a size 9 in a shoe but buy 91/2 in walking boots , I get the 91/2 in these.
Hope this helps .
Tight lines, Ronnie

 

Grubs seem to be good value and well made.

https://www.charlies.co.uk/grubs-fr...BgQaDzr0zLrPmcETUzA3PxifqOz-uJJVguNVXorZ7pFy6bMebDpGwcfbBoCNTAQAvD_BwE#267=1751

 

I like my Hoggs of Fife Field Pros. The vibram soles are rigid and good for walking miles.
B

 

+1 for Hoggs.

 

Walkabouts are good, Le Chamaux are very good if you have a fat wallet

 

Aldi boots seem to cut the mustard, I was surprised but very pleased.

 

I love wellies and good shoes 💕💕 Its Always been Aigle or Le Chams for me till 4 years ago...My last 2 pairs of Aigle ISO Paracours 2 both lasted 6 and 9 months before leaking ( both pairs)...Aigle's customer service was abhorrent as regards a replacement despite receipts etc.....so never again for me 😡 although I accept it's only 2 pairs from same retailer in short time..( batch issue I guess)....and my only issue in 25 years of Aigle wellies

Le Cham quality isn't what it was in my opinion, but they will be my next pair of " posh" wellies as they are still class and the best out there, life is 5 to 10 years per pair

I currently wear have a pair of Decathlon Neoprene Wellies for £100ish.....excellent for the last 3 years and still like new, just as good and comfy as Aigle ,(oh my replacement pair of Paracours the heel is very worn despite minimal use, but that's the walking along Dam walls that's to blame ! )

I also have a pair of Grubbs Frost Line neoprene wellies... warm, sturdy but look sh!t they are very rigid and stiff compared to Le Chams, Agile and the Decathlon boots.. ..so not for me. ..as the comfort isn't there

My advice is get Neoprene lined wellies ( thickest neoprene possible as it won't be too hot ) and the best quality possible Le Chams or Aigle despite my bad experience as its just a one off and I was unlucky, my mates all swear by Aigle .....

Once you enjoy a good pair of boots there is no going back....🤣

 

Oh ! That’s not good hear Rob . I’ve not bought a pair for 6/7 years but I hope you were just unlucky 😳 and that they haven’t dropped in quality!!
But after two pairs leaking I fear the latter.
Tight lines, Ronnie

 

I actually think I was just unlucky with the Aigles and it was a batch issue ....

I've never had a problem with Aigle before and nor have my mates so it seems to be a one off.

I guess it's a pretty much a 50 - 50 split with the lads I know Aigle or Le Cham....everyone claims each brand is the "best" wellies.🤣🤣🤣.

Having had both brands I can honestly say there is nothing in it.....Le Chams are seen by most as " higher" end and are definitely slightly more expensive but Aigle are just as good ( if not better now)

 

Aigle and Le Chameau are two popular makes of comfortable, high-quality, neoprene-lined wellies, but they are both approaching the £200 a pair mark these days! So, to throw a curved ball into the mix, I bought a pair of the Invicta wellies from a UK firm called Gumleaf. https://www.gumleaf.com

They are a similar style (and colour) to the Le Chameau Vierzonord, but have a wider calf fitting and they're around 3cm taller too, so fit me better in the leg than the Vierzonord, which come up a bit short on me. They also have a Vibram sole.

Gumleaf has a range of wellies to choose from if you happen to be shorter and/or slimmer in the leg. The various height and calf width sizes are shown on their website, which I found was helpful when comparing the various different models. The Invicta model fits my feet well (I have to use a boot jack to take them off - but this means they stay on when I'm walking through mud, so I'm happy to make that particular trade off!). I find they also give pretty good ankle support for a wellington boot - which is something quite a few natural rubber wellies don't seem to do. Soft rubber boots may be comfy, but a bit of ankle support is good when walking over rough ground where there's a risk of turning your ankle. Once again, it's a trade-off I'm happy with.

Unfortunately, the first pair Gumleaf sent me had a manufacturing fault, but a quick email (with a couple of photos of the issue) sorted that, and I was immediately given a return label to send them back and exchange them for another pair, which arrived two days after I'd posted the defective pair (next day delivery on return) - so I can't fault their customer service in that respect.

So far I like them and they seem to be lasting OK, but I do clean them off between visiting different sites (biosecurity) and treat them with Armor All rubber protectant from time to time to stop the rubber drying out and cracking. However, as with most footwear, what suits one person may not suit (or fit) another. So it's not a recommendation, but a suggestion.

 

My approach now is farmer or builder welly designed to be worn all day every day for work not pleasure or show. Go to an agri merchant who stocks a wide range of brands and try them on. Warmth comes from wooly socks.

I used to have an issue with painful insteps which meant I kept trying different brands but not with my latest belgian farmers wellies.

 

Over the last 30 years there have been long periods when I've worn wellingtons all day, almost every day, due to working outdoors, often in and around water. I've tried many different makes, types and models during that time. I found the neoprene and 'plastic rubber' type ones I've tried, while being comfortable and warm, eventually suffer from the neoprene leg separating from the 'rubber' foot, which means they're fit for the bin! I also find neoprene wellies take longer to dry off than rubber ones, so are more difficult to disinfect (and rinse off afterwards) when having to follow biosecurity protocols (disinfecting between visiting different sites).

I've found neoprene makes a very good lining for a wellington though - I once tried leather-lined Le Chameau zip sided boots; comfortable but no good for hard work as the leather became wet with sweat and didn't dry out fully in time for the next day. I find neoprene-lined, natural rubber wellies to be the best compromise as an all-round wellington for work and leisure use. The neoprene lining provides a degree of comfort and warmth, and dries out a lot quicker than leather.

I also find that natural rubber wellies are easier to repair if they meet some barbed wire or other sharp object. I've found that the less-flexible PVC type wellies are difficult (if not impossible) to repair if the damage is in an area that flexes when walking, as the repair glue peels off. However, natural rubber does need to be treated with a preservative such as 'Armor All rubber protectant' (available from places like Halfords) a couple of times a year when the rubber starts looking a bit 'dry', to prevent it drying out and cracking. Also, be sure to keep natural rubber wellies out of direct sunlight when they're not in use (don't leave them sitting in a sunny porch!).

I've tried cheaper versions and expensive versions and found, within reason, you usually get what you pay for, and your money often goes as far (a replacement pair of cheaper ones being required every year, rather than every two or three years, or longer, for higher quality ones).

I also find I need two pairs of wellies; one that fits my foot size accurately (so my feet aren't sliding around in them) for warmer weather when wearing 'ordinary' socks, and one a size larger to accommodate thick, fleecy, thermal socks in winter. Tight-fitting footwear tends to lead to cold feet in winter, as it reduces blood circulation around the foot - fleecy thermal socks don't work if they're crammed in and the air is squashed out of them.

I hope the above comments are useful. I'm sure other people's experience may vary, depending on the amount of time they spend in wellingtons, and the type and amount of wear the boots get.

 

I worked outside in Argyll in high rainfall for many years. Like many farmers and shepherds I used Nora Dolomite wellies. Excellent grip and no lining so they dry quickly inside. Other heavier Nora models are also good. All are a sensible price.

 

Another vote for Aigle.

I get 3 years from a pair wearing them a lot. They fit me better than le Chameau and seem to last longer.

last pair came from Decathlon for £90. Im always on the lookout for cheap pairs…….I stockpile them.

As has been said avoid the leather lined super posh ones.

 

What it comes down to in the end , is that there isn’t one manufacturer that will be 100% fit for purpose for the varied uses that we may individually , put the boots to . It’s alright finding one that fits in the shop , but the test is when you’ve been stood in them all day long , and have a long slog back to where you started .

one thing I’m trying to work out though is DuBarry boots , does the neckerchief for your dog come with the boots or do you get a discount boot voucher with the dog neckerchief ?

 

What it comes down to in the end , is that there isn't one manufacturer that will be 100% fit for purpose for the varied uses that we may individually , put the boots to . It's alright finding one that fits in the shop , but the test is when you've been stood in them all day long , and have a long slog back to where you started .

one thing I'm trying to work out though is DuBarry boots , does the neckerchief for your dog come with the boots or do you get a discount boot voucher with the dog neckerchief ?

For the record, I was laughing at the last paragraph; the first paragraph I agree with fully. Finding a good, comfortable fit is often down to trial and error after we've parted with our money and taken our footwear home; but with higher quality boots now approaching £200 a pair, how much trial and error can someone afford? Then again, I suppose there's always eBay if you want to cut your losses.

Oh dear - free P&P - a fundamental mistake imho. You need to try them (and alternatives) on!

Trying footwear on can easily be done via mail order, providing you don't wear them outside or damage them before returning them within the specified trial period. So, just like an old-fashioned shoe shop really, but with a much longer turn-around for an alternative pair if you find the ones you've chosen don't fit and you want to try another size/make/model.

Going to a shop to try footwear is a good idea in principle; however, it does restrict your choice to what that shop has in stock at the time. Remember the days when there were probably two or three shoe shops in the area where you lived, so your choice was probably limited to Clarkes, K, or Hush Puppies? If you wanted a larger choice, then it was most likely a trip into the nearest large town or city. These days we have internet shopping, and a returns policy, plus the ability to find the best price available at the time.

Another vote for Aigle.

I get 3 years from a pair wearing them a lot. They fit me better than le Chameau and seem to last longer.

last pair came from Decathlon for £90. Im always on the lookout for cheap pairs…….I stockpile them.

As has been said avoid the leather lined super posh ones.

Aigle Parcours (when they first hit the market) were one of only two pairs of wellies I've ever owned that leaked after a few weeks of wearing them. I found them a bit short in the leg for a 'knee length boot' too, so I cut my losses and binned them (they were cheaper in those days!). I'd been happy enough with Aigle boots prior to that, but I've not bothered with them since.

As for looking out for bargain priced 'prestige make' boots, I do that too... mainly as I wear them so often that I get through them quicker than most, so having a spare pair or two in stock makes sense. A couple of years ago there seemed to be a lot of brand new Le Chameau wellies (of many different models) for sale on eBay for considerably less than the RRP. I wondered if this might have been due to a 'stock clearance' after closing their French factory and moving production to Morrocco?

Whatever the reason, I made hay while the sun shone and ended up with a couple of pairs of £300 boots for less than £80 each (after a bit of haggling with the seller). I save these for 'best' for when I'm just tootling around the countryside on a wet day. £300 for a pair of wellies... I ask you! They're nice enough, but not £300 of nice in my opinion; but for less than £80 I think they're very nice indeed!

 

I have a pair of Muck Edgewater II for dog walking . Terrible in mud and wet grass !!

 

Where I bought my last pair

https://www.moleonline.com/catalogs....com/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=1863&product_list_order=price_desc&q=boots

Plenty of choice there, 130 different models, 116 in stock. If you go to one of their stores they will have a good selection of different models in stock at the store but not in all sizes - they will get what you want if not at that store in your size.

 

I was just talking to Gumleaf - they're not far from me (and sound like nice people), so I might drop in and try some boots on.

One thing I always found with wellies and fly fishing (when using them in shallow water/small streams), was that any buckle, like you find on most of them, will attract a fly line when stripping line. I cut the buckles off my old Hunters.

The Gumleaf Saxon is neoprene lined, so it's really designed as a winter boot, but if standing in water it would seem perfect for all-year fly fishing, and it has no buckles. Sizes are generous, so no need to oversize compared to your normal shoe size - they are generous in the calf too. It might have been mentioned that they have Vibram soles, so they'll be grippy, hard wearing and good if you want to walk in them.
.

 

Don’t buy Cotswold Grange wellies from go outdoors, mine split in several places on the sole with light use. Unfortunately by time Covid was over the warranty had expired and they wouldn’t accept them back.

 

Personal perspective is I would never by Aigle again. Comfy yes, but punctured by a blackthorn after about 3 months. When stood in winter on York stone pruning roses I would freeze after a few hours. Standing on ladders was uncomfortable as the soles were too soft, and using a garden spade( with a tread) was a no go!
they were the most expensive wellies Id bought by far at the time and they didn’t last a winter, the rubber also sliced open on the edge of a piece of stone. Beyond repair , I couldn’t even walk through dewey grass without getting soaked.

Great for you to get out of your Range Rover and shoot a few pheasants. But not if your more likely to be a beater .
I’ve met too many round here who found Aigles didn’t live up to the price

An ex bought me la chameux zipups from the factory in France as a Christmas present , she measured my calf’s and they made up to my size. When they came they were too slack they went back for refit.
I died when I found out what she spent on wellies. I thought it was ridiculous!

During winter I wear wellies daily and they have to be warm and comfortable. I can spend 8 hours on York stone and up ladders pruning or stood in water pointing stone work… my feet need to stay warm.
I got so many years out of that pair and worked out roughly how much they cost per use and on that basis they were the cheapest wellies I ever had.
I still have them for rough work when iam doing stone masonary or working with cement and I now have a three year old neat shop bought pair for when I’m meeting clients.

My ex upped sticks and moved on from my life for pastures new, thankfully the wellies didn’t, I’d have really missed them😁.

if your only using them at weekends over winter then they are probably an expensive option, but if you use them a lot and your work relies on them ,they are a bargain!
Pom

edit: those wellies have also done Helvelyn striding edge and consiston old Man … and before anyone says you shouldn’t go up fells in wellies , Chris Bonnington does !

 

I'm sporting Le Chameus Vierzonord Neoprene Lined Boot, very very comfortable, soft rubber and zero leaks but they aren't that old so time will tell. Feet have been very cosy, just sweating is my problem but I don't feel it in this climate you might in sub zero though. They moved their manfucaturing though to Malasia if I remember correctly and it took 3 pairs before I got ones without something wrong, mainly bubbles or marks in the rubber. I sized up 1 shoe size to account for thick socks, this wasn't needed as they drown me so advise to get you own size.

 

I went over to Gumleaf yesterday and bought some boots - the Saxon. They are true to size, if not a little on the large size, which after four hours of use yesterday afternoon I found to be perfect. There's plenty of calf room in them and they're the easiest to get on and off of any wellies I've owned. If you're between sizes they recommend going for the smaller size - most often, any returns (which are free) are for a smaller size. They're made in Europe too, so no need to prop up the CCP.
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