hard wearing wellies that will last

[chimpy leon]

I have been wearing wellies that are supposedly quality ones by the likes of Aigle, Muck and Grub. The thing is they only last a max of 18 months until they start falling apart and start letting water in. This which surprises me as 90% of the time it’s only dog walking through marsh, fields and woodland. I rarely use them as a work boot and hardly ever for extended hikes.
Is there something good out there that will last? because I’m tired of paying through the nose for expensive crap that needs replacing prematurely. Surely a £100+ pair of wellies should last a bit longer than this.
cheers,
Le

 

[Martti]

Sievi Light Boots should cost around £60 and are favoured by many hikers and hunters in Finland. They also have excellent policy regarding minor or major defects (even without a receipt), at least in Finland.

 

[dwardo]

I had Grubs Stalkers for years and they only failed after I stood a little too close to the fire
They had excellent Vibram soles and were very comfy. Unlike full rubber boots the neoprene helps reduce sweaty foot. I actually still have them and use them for gardening where I don't need water-proof.
So far as lasting I had them for about 3 years before the fire incident and I used them daily for dog walking and many a woods trip.

 

[chimpy leon]

Sievi Light Boots should cost around £60 and are favoured by many hikers and hunters in Finland. They also have excellent policy regarding minor or major defects (even without a receipt), at least in Finland.

The basic, plain rubber ones look suitable. Possibly a bit floppy but can’t be any worse than a pair of Dunlop’s I had that came apart after one winter.

 

[chimpy leon]

I had Grubs Stalkers for years and they only failed after I stood a little too close to the fire
They had excellent Vibram soles and were very comfy. Unlike full rubber boots the neoprene helps reduce sweaty foot. I actually still have them and use them for gardening where I don't need water-proof.
So far as lasting I had them for about 3 years before the fire incident and I used them daily for dog walking and many a woods trip.

Out of all of them, my Grubs fenline lasted the longest before leaking and possibly the most comfortable but I’ve been a bit cautious with the neoprene as mine leaked where the neoprene joined to the rubber. Not bad boots though, will have a look at the stalkers.

 

[Janne]

Le Chameau are the ones that last longest for me.
I have a habit of inspecting them from time to time, and if I see a weakening area, I repair it pronto with inner tube repairpatches and that nice glue.

they seems to start breaking where the arch is, on the inside middle.

 

[Paul_B]

I work work part time farmer. She mentioned a wellie that she bought and said was the most comfortable footwear she has. Wears it all the time, well perhaps not. Certainly on the farm and dog walking, she has 3 pet dogs and a working collie.

I'll ask tomorrow at work what they are. Come in standard and warm version.

 

[Woody girl]

I rather like muk boots. Just thought I'd throw that in the mix for consideration.
Don't often wear wellies but if I had to I'd buy these. Had a second hand charity shop buy pair for a few years but the soles were so worn they were a bit slippy. Eventualy replaced with something a lot cheaper for the odd time I need them nowadays..... they are not as comfy by a long way.

 

[Laurentius]

I can't remember where I got my current wellies from, maybe a garden centre, anyway the only reason they leak is because I have trodden on sharp things that have pierced the soles. So as they are not 100% waterproof anymore I combine them with sealskin socks, which also are not 100% waterproof but that is another story.

 

[TriggerRover]

My uncle, old boy farmer, swears by nora wellies for lasting.

They're not 'fancy' though

 

[MartiniDave]

I've given up on the expensive types. I now get Dunlops from a local market for about £12 a pair. I tend to get about 18 months out of them before they split. Far from fancy, but it works for me.

Dave

 

[sunndog]

Farmer here. I've settled on Skellerup Quatro Wellies as the best combo of comfort warmth and hard wearing

Not quite as comfy as muk boots but last twice as long. My current pair has a chunk gouged out of the outer rubber exposing the neoprene and somehow they still don't leak

 

[Broch]

I thought all the wild wome

I rather like muk boots. Just thought I'd throw that in the mix for consideration.
Don't often wear wellies but if I had to I'd buy these. Had a second hand charity shop buy pair for a few years but the soles were so worn they were a bit slippy. Eventualy replaced with something a lot cheaper for the odd time I need them nowadays..... they are not as comfy by a long way.

I thought all the wild women of Exmoor wore wellies with the toes cut off

 

[Insel Affen]

Speaking as a tubby chap with big calves, are there any decent full length wellies out there which would fit my@ 53cm and have enough room to tuck my trousers in?

 

[chimpy leon]

Farmer here. I've settled on Skellerup Quatro Wellies as the best combo of comfort warmth and hard wearing

Not quite as comfy as muk boots but last twice as long. My current pair has a chunk gouged out of the outer rubber exposing the neoprene and somehow they still don't leak

I was looking at Skellerups before I started this thread but being recommended by a farmer is surely a good endorsement
To be honest the comfort for me mainly comes from not making my feet and trousers soaking wet every time I walk the dogs.

Good recommendations folks, they are much appreciated.

 

[sunndog]

I was looking at Skellerups before I started this thread but being recommended by a farmer is surely a good endorsement
To be honest the comfort for me mainly comes from not making my feet and trousers soaking wet every time I walk the dogs.

Good recommendations folks, they are much appreciated.

I get two maybe three winters out of a pair. But that all winter every day 9+hrs a day....plus however often I wear em through spring and autumn.

The absolute best I've had were the leather lined le chameau when I was keepering years ago. Supremely comfortable and very long lasting but the price is outrageous these days

 

[Kadushu]

If I kneel down in them, I can split a pair of wellies in a few weeks. I've never had more than 6 months out of any footwear that I use for work. As others have said, I've given up on expensive stuff and just buy something reasonably comfortable.

 

[Overlander30]

Speaking as a tubby chap with big calves, are there any decent full length wellies out there which would fit my@ 53cm and have enough room to tuck my trousers in?

I hvae similar sized calves to you and swear by Skellerup Quatro sport. One of the only wellies that actually fit.

 

[Ruud]

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).

 

[Paul_B]

Found my cheapo wellies yesterday and they're terrible. How can you guys walk sloshing around in wellies? There's too much volume in the foot area on all the wellies I've ever owned. With no means to tighten it up I find them uncomfortable to wear for more than tent to toilets if very muddy on a site.

Are there any wellies without the excess volume in the foot? Any that grip and stop the foot moving?