Wellie Review # part 1

I've spent a large portion of my life wearing wellies.  I have worn everything from red 80's Dunlop, cheep flappy green boots that rubbed the backs of my knees to a very smart pair of Le Chameaus.

My beloved Neoprene-lined Chasseur by Le Chameau were given to me for Christmas about 15 years ago.  I have freakishly wide calves and small feet and the boots had to be exchanged more than once before we could get a size to fit.  

My battered old Chameau's, not bad for 15 years old.

Once fitted the boots were amazingly comfy, supportive, protective and very warm in winter.  I had many adventures in them; walking, beating, yard work, riding (not recommended for general safety reasons) and latterly working on the land.  They have been brilliant work-horses but the Neoprene had become damp, the rubber outer had recently started to split and the water was coming in at a pace (as I found out when the feed room flooded recently!) so it was time for a new pair.

• Fit:  True to size on the foot many size and width combinations available.
• Sole:  All terrain grip (think tractor tyres!)
• Quality:  Fantastic with great customer service for repairs.
• Price:  £250-£300

The reason that prompted my wellie review!

I have purchased several pairs of Hunter Welly Boots over the years and I still ask myself why!!  They may be wellies but they are more for casual fashion use than regular agricultural use.  My first pair in Navy blue fell apart within six months, the heel and part of the sole came clean off.  I then bought a pair in a funky sky blue boots but with my massive calf's I always struggled to wear them with anything thicker than jodhpurs as they are so slim fitting.

So instead I sent all my Hunter originals to the charity shop and purchased a pair of Huntress boots cut for wider and shorter calf's.  They feel thin as they are non lined and have little support in the foot bed but they are good enough for summer use and easily repaired with a bike puncture kit.

• Fit:  Original is very slim fitting, the Huntress has a wider calf.
• Sole:  soft and flexible but ergonomically constructed with a short heel.
• Quality:  Some quality issues, seen more as a fashion boot.
• Price:  Aprox £40

My current spare/summer wellies, with repair!

With the house purchase going through I couldn't warrant spending £250 on new Chameaus and I needed something warmer and more robust than basic Hunters.  So I started trawling the internet and tack shops for inspiration and it started me thinking "what exactly was I looking for?"

In the past I had also bought leather "country boots" that were also semi-suitable to ride in from Toggie and Ariat, however the constant mud, wet, being over-dried, left-in-a-heap lifestyle meant they were not terribly waterproof after a time.  I needed something that could be used in the mud and wet, tolerate being hosed off yet being warm and supportive enough to ride in...oh and within a budget of up to £70.

The Result

My new purchase arrived yesterday; Hunter Balmoral - Adjustable Equestrian Neoprene, wellies built for riding in!  First impressions are good.  The size advice was to order your normal shoe size, 5 for me, but because of my usual calf issue I got a size 6 that has the next leg width up.

• Fit:  Normal shoe size.
• Sole:  Riding safe, supported, smooth with a heel. So far I have found this great on all terrain, not slippy as I thought them might will a flat sole.
• Quality:  So far so good.
• Price;  Usually £100-£130 although Hunter have certain colours in their Sale range for £84.  I got lucky paying £65 for brand new pair on Ebay!

I hacked out today, an hours ride with 50% walk and trot roadwork and 50% faster work in the woods, working in fairly short stirrups and getting out of the saddle for much of the trot and canter work.  I felt secure, there was no sagging or twisting of the boot and he foot bed did not bend around the stirrup like some cheaper boots.

An old pair of Orthaheel Sports insoles I have owned for a few years.
They are quite ridged and something you have to get used to

During a short test in the garden on Friday I realised the size 6 was too deep for my feet so I added a sports orthopedic insole.  This added a little padding and secured my foot within the boot.  So far I think the combination is really going to work for the usual horsey chores, riding and walking the dogs...but further testing is needed and I will report back on these over the coming months to see how they stand up to riding and everything else I can throw at them!