hard wearing wellies that will last

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Duggie Bravo

Settler
Jul 27, 2013
532
124
Dewsbury
Maybe slightly off-topic but does anyone canoe with wellies/muckboots? We canoed some rapids late September in Sweden this year and for next year I'd like to wear one pair of footwear to do it all, canoeing and the camping part. It was a bit of a faff to change footwear and my feet were pretty cold during the days (I'd rather spend money on something with a dual purpose than specialist-canoeing shoes).

With Scouts we say no wellies, they will fill with water, when kayaking/canoeing.

I wear Palm Gradient Boots, which are ankle high(hiking boot height), also available as a shoe.


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Nativewood

Forager
Feb 9, 2015
105
28
Caledonia
I know plenty folks that have gone canoeing through all weathers in Muckboots, myself included, although I found them too warm. I no longer canoe and now have green Noras which have worn well this last year but I cannot speak to longer use.
 

chimpy leon

Full Member
Jul 29, 2013
548
145
staffordshire
A bit of a thread resurrection here but I just thought I’d report back on the Skellerup Quattro‘s that I bought off the back of the recommendations here back in beginning of winter 2019.

First of all thank you Sunndog for recommending them.

Three winters in of daily use and they are still going strong and may even last me a fourth. I’m now well into unprecedented territory with how long rubber footwear lasts with me. They are Still very comfortable and 100% waterproof.

If your after a pair of wellies I can’t recommend them highly enough. Once these ones do finally decide to give up, I’ll be getting another pair of the exact same from Skellerup.
 

chimpy leon

Full Member
Jul 29, 2013
548
145
staffordshire
I found those Dunlop things only lasted me a few months before they started to fall apart. And they weren’t particularly comfortable during that time - The sole was way too thin and had zero ankle support.
Started to let water in after a very short amount of time too. About a dozen or so wears.

These dunlop things are the main reason I upped my budget and started spending money on wellies. They are False economy for someone who wears them a lot.

For me they couldn’t be further from “hard wearing wellies that will last”.
 
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grizzlyj

Full Member
Nov 10, 2016
181
126
NW UK
Husqvarna wellies have a steel toe and sole so weigh a bit, fit my wide feet, aren't the tallest but I find the sole to be super grippy on wet rock. I'm on my third pair in maybe five years? Orange is always nice :)

Grubs do a lace up ankle boot which are ok, the Palm ones were a bit narrow for me, these have a Vibram sole but I'm sure I paid about £69 two years ago, not the £135 they are today! https://www.grubswarehouse.com/product-page/ptarmigan
 

Danceswithhelicopters

Full Member
Sep 7, 2004
936
328
Scotland
I think another factor is the change in manufacture either by moving abroad or by cheapening the production method. Fond memories of a quality, long lasting boot are not reflected in what they are currently offering. Hunters is a great example. Total overpriced cast non-natural rubber crap that is purchased only for the label.

I have a pair of Polis issue Dunlops. Seen more death and blood than I'd care to remember but still going over 30 years later. Now only suitable for kids splashing wellies.

I currently have a pair of mid range Aigles with the strap and gusset for the larger gentleman's calf. Perfect. In brown so not too industrial or country set in look. I'd cry if I had to buy the leather lined Aigles... I'd also expect to be carried on a Palanquin on the muddier bits for that money.

I've looked at the Decathlon Solognac hunting boot range and they are suspiciously like the French made Aigles. A good price but not tried by me.

As for canoing, I know they say not to for entrapment, filling with water and difficulty in getting them under you when using a kneeling thwart but you see then on all sorts from happy campers to instructor types. I suppose it is do as I say not as I do.

I think a shorter, low volume sailing boot style seems to be the chosen type. Easy to kick on and off, flexible, cheap and good for baffing round camp and a shallow launch.

I went for the canoe trousers with built on feet... An epiphany!
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
8,064
7,855
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Tim Gent (author of Canoe Camping) advocates wellies for canoeing but, whereas I like some of his ideas, I think this is irresponsible folly. The argument is that, if you go in, the water in your wellies is no heavier than the water around them so can't drag you down. But, that's not the point. It's like trying to walk (possibly in fast moving water), or even swim for a self rescue, with two small buckets of water tied to your feet - you're still trying to move another kg of weight on each foot!

Fast water self rescue techniques tell us to keep on our backs, feet up and facing downstream, arms out making steering adjustments, until we can hit for shore; I think that would be pretty much impossible with wellies on.
 

grizzlyj

Full Member
Nov 10, 2016
181
126
NW UK
I went for the canoe trousers with built on feet... An epiphany!
I looked at a kayaking dry suit a while ago, the salesperson said it's a good idea to put an extra pair of neoprene socks on the outside or any sand between your suit and your footwear will wear holes.
If you're not that fussed about grip when onshore, or walking in the same footwear as paddling for more than a few yards, I think Crocs would be hard to beat?
 

Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
1,981
975
Canada
I like Grubs. Mine have lasted yonks, though the Vibram tread is smoothing out a bit now. You can wear them all day every day, no problem.

The sole peels off occasionally as they are close fitting when they fit right and you have to get a toe in to get them off. But, a bit of Shoo Goo or similar and they are back to functioning. They don't leak though, even when the sole is flapping about.

I need a new pair, but they don't ship by the look of it; which is a bit frustrating.
 

bigbear

Full Member
May 1, 2008
1,061
210
Yorkshire
Have been a very happy user of both Nokia Bogtrotters and Le Chameau for decades, and thats how long they last.
I find cheap wellies are floppy and rub me feet, so for me it is buy nice or buy twice, your mileage may vary….
 

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