Wellies or boots

Kran

Just looking for recommendations if anyone has any. I had a pair of Toggi wellies which are fairly comfy but got torn on barbed wire, then I had a pair of Muck boot wellies which were a bit loose fitting but not bad either. They have gotten so squeaky that I could nearly call a fox with them at this stage. I’ve never worn boots and always gone with wellies for the fields of ****e that is my usual ground but I’m open to suggestions too if anyone finds boots better than wellies. Budget around 150 but I’d spend more if it’s worth it.

cookimonster

For definite use on wet ground, water logged, and ditch crossing I use wellies (usually for rough shooting farm land or bogs). I use sealand neoprene.
For stalking, rabbits and foxing I tend to use boots, Hiax / Mendels, even on dry ground, as I like the ankle support and are perfect for shallow water crossing. Even if you get a boot full of water they will keep you warm.

smallfry

Buy good quality boots and good quality gaiters. You will never go back to wellies.
I have Gri Sport Ranger boots and find them excellent. https://www.grisport.co.uk/walking-boots-c78/ranger-p962

cavan shooter

Dunlop purofoot because 100,000 farmers can't be wrong.

J.R.

I have wellies, waders & boots...get use for all three.

I will wear the boots whenever I can - the first choice - as they provide great support & warmth & grip. If wet I use gaiters with them. This is usually for about 9 months of the year.

On really wet, boggy, marshy ground I wear wellies....usually during very wet winter & spring weather.

Out duck shooting in really wet weather or setting out decoys in deep ponds I use waders....only wear them a handful of times throughout the year.

Limerick Sovereigns

Buy a pair of sealskinz socks for inside your boots. Best 30 euros I ever spent.

deerhunter1

Meindl Douvre forget the wellies, nice and high and bone dry and confortable,

had new wellies Aigle and perished after one year,two weeks out of warranty and the company wouldn't entertain me:mad:.

Bought the Hunter Balmorals last august sole came away and leaked replaced under warranty, took a credit note ad bought a pair of boots instead. Todays wellies dont have the quality in them pure ****e,wearing a pair of meindls with gators for three years now,stalking and rough shooting, comfortable tireless wear the best, neverf buy wellies again

Gravelly

deerhunter1 wrote: »

Meindl Douvre forget the wellies, nice and high and bone dry and confortable,

had new wellies Aigle and perished after one year,two weeks out of warranty and the company wouldn't entertain me:mad:.

Bought the Hunter Balmorals last august sole came away and leaked replaced under warranty, took a credit note ad bought a pair of boots instead. Todays wellies dont have the quality in them pure ****e,wearing a pair of meindls with gators for three years now,stalking and rough shooting, comfortable tireless wear the best, neverf buy wellies again

How is the fitting with the Meindl Douvre - would you go half a size up, or is the usual size good?
Will they be ok going through calf-high water with gators?
Thanks.

deerhunter1

Gravelly wrote: »

How is the fitting with the Meindl Douvre - would you go half a size up, or is the usual size good?
Will they be ok going through calf-high water with gators?
Thanks.

I take size 9 shoe and 9 in a boot, they are a perfect fit, they are fully waterproof up to the top, you need to get a wider gator to go round the boot as they are high, I walked in water up above my shin and bone dry

Gravelly

deerhunter1 wrote: »

I take size 9 shoe and 9 in a boot, they are a perfect fit, they are fully waterproof up to the top, you need to get a wider gator to go round the boot as they are high, I walked in water up above my shin and bone dry

Thanks - had been looking at them online but was balking at the cost, might be time to pull the trigger on them!

Kran

smallfry wrote: »

Buy good quality boots and good quality gaiters. You will never go back to wellies.
I have Gri Sport Ranger boots and find them excellent. https://www.grisport.co.uk/walking-boots-c78/ranger-p962

Is there much effort in treating and cleaning the boots and gators. I’ll have to go for them anyway because they must be worth the effort if so many people use them.

Grizzly 45

deerhunter1 wrote: »

Bought the Hunter Balmorals last august sole came away and leaked replaced under warranty, took a credit note ad bought a pair of boots instead. Todays wellies dont have the quality in them pure ****e,

Hardly surprising with Hunter...Ever since they get their boots made in China and became a fashion statement their quality went downhill. Forever chopping and changing these days. But at least it wasn't just you that had problems.

Go a pair of Le Chameau. Expensive as Hell,but if you aren't yomping thru cow ****e on a farm every day, and clean them after use.They are the most comfortable,well fitting wellie I've ever worn.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5315699/Hunter-slammed-peeling-boots-customer-service.html

smallfry

I have a pair of Le Chameau wellies aswell and like Grizzly says they are a great wellie. But I find that I still go for the boots and gaiters 99% of the time. I have seen hunting buddies having to empty out their wellies beside me and still be dry in my boots.
On the treating and cleaning, this is essential and I try to do it a few times during the season. If you can, its better to let the boots dry slowly rather than directly over a heat source as apparently this hardens the leather. I use the Harkila Mink Oil and wait again a few days before using them.
I havn't settled on a definite favourite gaiter but so far the Berghaus are winning.

HW100S

I have these Dunlop-Purofort-Terroir-Pro
https://www.safetydirect.ie/9613/Dunlop-Purofort-Terroir-Pro-Wellington/product.aspx
12 months in and no major sign of wear yet. I'm not a heavy user few hours every week.
They are extremely comfortable. Tight around the calve so quiet when walking.

J.R.

I also have a pair of Le Chameau wellingtons with neoprene lining. Most comfortable wellie I've ever worn and lovely and warm.

I have them now for 10 years and they are still perfect.

As they are natural rubber they need a spray of silicone about twice a year to keep natural rubber supple.

https://www.lechameau.com/gb/product-care/

I also have a pair of Le Chameau high Mouflon boots for the last ten years. Lovely and warm and comfortable and still perfect. .....although sometimes I find them a little heavy on a long hike.

I just treat them with Dubblin wax two or three times a year which keeps them perfect. It's a cheap treatment, used mostly for football boots but I find it great, easy to apply, lasts a long time and cheap (about €2 a tin) and available from all hardware and shoe repair shops.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/expert-advice/how-to-apply-dubbing-wax/

solarwinds

"I also have a pair of Le Chameau wellingtons with neoprene lining. Most comfortable wellie I've ever worn and lovely and warm.

I have them now for 10 years and they are still perfect."


I did to, a great boot very comfortable for all day wear. The only problem is our new dog decided he needed to eat the zip off one of them and put his teeth through the sole.
I looked at replacing them and todays prices would make your eyes water. BUT any boot that lasts over ten years is a good investment.

Vegeta

Have both and tend to reach for the wellies more because the land is always soaked here.

cz223

Mendil Douvre all the way with gaiters. Was always a wellie man but saw smallfry getting along so well with the boots and gaiters (yes i was the one emptying out the wellies) took the plunge and dont think ill ever go back to wellies. the comfort and support of boots wins the argument for me ...they are so good even smallfrys new pup was trying out his pair:P:P:P:eek::eek:

Feisar

Have a look at the Scarpa Terra GTX's a great pair of boots.

John Farmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/108409313#Comment_108409313

Yes, I have the Dunlop purofort wellies, couldn't complain about them, many farmers wear them.

justbehindit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118757849#Comment_118757849

I have to agree here, there's not a better pair of wellies than the Dunlop puroforts

JP22

I have used both over 30 years when game/rough shooting.

I spent 30 odd years in army issue boots (some were pure crap, later/current issues were far better) so for me my first preference any day of the week is a good pair of boots and gaiters. I still have a good pair of military boots (Haix I think) and never had an issue with them. Good boots need care, plenty of good polish and a good application of waterproof dubbing a few times a year.

Best pair of wellies I ever had and I still have and use them is army issue Fire Brigade Wellies, excuse the pun but they are as tough as old boots. In the shed so off hand I can’t remember who makes them, heavy duty rubber, oil/chem resistant, fire resistant, steel toe caps, tight fitting above ankle (no slipping up/down like trad wellies) similar to horse riding boots.

Whichever you choose, rule number one - footwear needs to be cared for and looked after (dubbing, polish, etc) and rule number two - don’t ever wear new/newish socks, always use ones that are well worn in. One light pair with a second medium pair over them is really comfortable.

The pigeon man

Dunlop purofort are a great wellies. Ligh warm and flexible.

Grizzly 45

Got a pair of Le Chameu Ceres.They are designed as a farm boot with self-cleaning sole treads that they designed with Michelin tyre company. They weigh about as much as a pair of trainers which makes a difference if you are on your feet all day out working. Are on the pricey side at 150 euros plus shipping on Flea bay.But compared to some of the yokes I've worn over the years,these are now a standard for me.

Feisar

On the boots/wellies question I've gone back to wellies after trying boots for a couple of seasons. They just don't work for the rough shooter IMHO.

Got him!

Some comments on Hunter Boots.

Had them all back from the day they were Uniroyal Hunters to Gates Hunters to the Hunter Boot company

Had original tall to Balmorals etc.

The recent Balmoral absolutely cut the heels off me !!! Ended up putting Duct tape along the inner seam to save my heels. Then they began to leak!!! Never again. Contacted Hunter and they said I may have been wearing the wrong socks hence the heel problem!!

A onetime great product now manufactured as cheaply as possible in 'god knows where' to meet the needs of the fashion parade. No longer for the 'HUNTER'.

I've move to Aigle and , while they're not cheap either, they are warm ,& comfortable.

I'm a wellie man in winter and a boot man in summer/ autumn.

Cheers!!

John Farmer

I in recent months obtained Hunter Argyll wellies as a second pair of wellies, last pair left, I must say so far so good !!

17hmr1

Bekina stepliteX are great,I've them nearly as year now and would buy again.I think the most important thing if wearing wellies is getting good socks that don't hold moisture and don't slip down.I bought 5 pairs from a outdoor shop,dear at 10e a pair but they keep my feet dry and warm,sadly can't remember name of shop and socks I don't think have any logos.

Most of the year if I'm heading out the land is wet or very damp and I'm crossing ditches so wellies are worn.

deeksofdoom

I've had a pair of hunter balmorals for the last 8 years, I found them good but the rubber had started to perish so they are patched with tractor tube patches at the moment.

I have a pair of meindl dovre extremes very comfortable boot but not the thing really for walking through cow shity boggy fields they get destroyed and you have to clean, dry and treat them properly or the leather will break down. I also have a pair of german paraboots and they are great too on par with the meindls and half the price.

I'm in the market for new wellies, what are the muck boots like do the neoprene tops of the boots get destroyed on briars and thorns and hard going?

J.R.

deeksofdoom I'm in the market for new wellies.......

I bought a pair of Le Chameau Ceres the year before last.

These are a really comfortable wellington...you could wear them all day.

They have great threads for grip and the wide gaps between the threads means that muck falls out easily and doesn't stick

I'd highly recommend them.

https://www.sportsden.ie/clothing/footwear/le-chameau/le-chameau-ceres-neoprene.html

Got him!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118786881#Comment_118786881

Balmorals from 8 years ago and before would have been good stuff. I had a pair or Balmoral Bamboo Carbon ( with the red lining ) about 10 years ago and they were the biz!!Proper rubber that could actually be patched if needed. Pity they dropped the standard and began making crap to increase profits!!