Hello all,

So - as the sun has disappeared behind the clouds again and there are once again puddles all around, I have decided it's about time my other half had a good pair of dog walking wellies - its his birthday coming up so why not I personally have some Hunters which were kindly bought for me, however if I'm honest next time I need some I will go for the ones with the adjustable sides (so you can more easily tuck your jeans inside them!).

Anyway - I've read various reviews about Hunters going slightly downhill quality-wise recently as they have focussed on fashion rather than practicality and durability.

So - does anyone have any experiences of how long they last these days and opinions on the Original Adjustable versus the Balmoral Neoprene?

http://www.hunter-boot.com/original-adjustable

versus

http://www.hunter-boot.com/balmoral-neoprene/dark-olive
The Neoprene ones I believe are better for winter as they're warmer...?

Want to get my other half some that really last and are good all year rounders...

Views welcome from fellow daily dog walkers

Thanks all!

Just to throw another option out there, my friend's a horsey person and said how wonderful her Mudruckers are for dog walking etc. I had a look at them in person and they do look lovely - and soft as opposed to a standard wellie. She has 2 pairs, short and long.

Not sure about where's best to buy them or what the range is but hers are like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180576530933? ... 762wt_1270

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mudrucker-Ridin ... 728&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Mudrucker- ... 728&sr=8-2

(And all extraordinarily out of my price range )

I have a pair of original short, I only got them last summer, but I think they're super quality. As far as I can tell, the originals are as good as they've always been. My previous pair I went non-hunter due to cost, but they cracked in the frozen weather mid-winter just as I stepped into a puddle of freezing water. Worst experience ever. I'll never go back now, and I've even got the fleece insert for winter. If you're concerned about warmth in winter, they're as warm as uggs with the fleece insert!

Teddy likes to eat wellies, she says she has no preference as to make
luckily my OH's wellies came from B&Q - they now have customised fretwork courtesey of Ted
Needless to say my 20 year old hunters are kept well out of reach.

Myhttp://www.muckbootcompany.com/men/ou ... fault.aspx
Myself, OH, daughter and SinL swear by these. They last a good few years and are used for daily stable duties in bad weather and winter (you can put them on without socks and they feel fine), dog walking, gardening, fishing. The tops will fold down if it gets a bit warm.

I've given up with the traditional wellie. I first moved on to muckboots but found they didn't last very long. The most comfortable boots for walking that I have are these ... http://www.easy-wellies.co.uk/burford-l ... 6r2qkeulg5 - I love them!

I'm a Muckboot fan - although I prefer the "Derwent" to the "Tack" as it has a much more rugged sole for better grip.

My OH has a pair of the "Tay" model and loves them:

http://www.all4gardening.co.uk/ScProduc ... y_697.aspx

Liz x

I settled for Aigle (parcours?) a few years ago (having gone to get hunters..) and walk comfortably on all terrain for miles in them. They have a walking boot type sole so good grip etc, side adjustable gusset thingy too.

Speaking on behalf of your other half ... Don't buy him any wellies. I'm sure he would much prefer the promise of "if it's raining you will take the dog for a walk!"

I know that if my wife was to say that to me, I would be a very happy man indeed. Though, I really can't see it happening anytime soon.

I've got these http://www.croftequestrian.co.uk/index. ... ts_id=2386 and think they are fab. Moomin is now 2 1/2 and I have worn them almost every day for walks and apart from a good polish they are as good as new. That is a whopping 10 p per day and I am sure they have a lot more wear.

I have an aversion to 'rubber' boots and although I have proper hikers I can't be bothered with the fuss of laces. I have worn them with shorts and skirts and they have survived 2 festivals so far and will be coming with me to Carfest in August (sadly Moomin won't as no dogs allowed )

Can you tell I love them?

Anna

I love my hunters!! They were bought for me about 3 years ago by my hubby and they are great. I have the fleece inserts and they are super cosy!! I don't mind the rain because I know I get to wear my hunters!

Found this very useful as we needed new pairs too!

BTW do not recommend Joules wellies, fell to bits very quickly.
Also Muck boots very good but split after a couple of years though still not leaking in even if look rather ratty.

Being a country doodle walking person pink short hunters for summer (which we dont seem to have anymore) and muck boots for winter. I have better grip in muck boots and they really are cosy. My hunters are fine for quality and really do get worn 3 times a day.

I love my hunters which I have had for about 15yrs and still going strong
in winter I prefer these http://www.countryfirstdirect.co.uk/pro ... php?id=752 as I find them warmer, have had them for 5years and although they have had a lot of wear they are still totally waterproof.

Sorry, not much help as I have a pair out of the kids section in Asda, with the union jack on lol. xxx