h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I keep buying wellies to wear for walking the dog, and within a couple of months they end up splitting somewhere around the foot area, rendering them as useful as a pair of sandals. This has been going on for several years now, I've lost count of the number of pairs I've bought.

I wouldn't say I'm hard on them. In general they are worn for around half an hour at a time, twice a day, sometimes longer at the weekends. In the winter a lot of those walks are on pavements, or I go to a local recreation area with a nice path running through it. It's not like I'm going cross country. I don't wear them every day necessarily, just when it's wet or snowy. My latest pair have probably made it through around 50 half hour wears.

Anyone got any suggestions to keep my feet dry for longer?

Deb

buy standard green / black wellies from a farm shop or from a builders merchants.
Not fashionable but they are hard wearing.
Also probably not as comfortable as the more expensive ones so invest in some decent socks.

I swear by my long Hunters but they are horribly expensive. However they are comfortable to wear and don't wear out quickly, so for me they represent value. But... they really are horribly expensive.

I did buy Hunters once before, they lasted about 4 months before they split down the back seam on one boot. Hunters told me they were fashion wellies and replaced them with ones they advised would be more durable, and they did last about 8 months, but that's because when I got them it was late spring and I barely wore them until autumn. I think I need to look at the more expensive end of their range - the ones I had were under £30.

Part of my problem is I'm a short-arse so long wellies are too high and so uncomfortable.

The other problem is I don't really want to be looking like a farmer when I'm walking the dog in the park, but I'm coming round to the idea that farmer wellies might be my only option for something guaranteed to keep my feet dry all year round!

Thanks folk.

Deb

I would go for a walking type boot not wellies, if you are going to spend a fair whack on money on footwear, get two pairs, a wet pair and a dry pair

Actually that's not a bad idea. I don't really need dry walking boots, I just wear trainers, but waterproof walking boots might be a good solution. It's certainly something else to investigate.

Deb

Try decent rubber riding boots they should last 2+ years standard kit for grooms and riding instructors long wearing reasonable price and they don't split

Bob, years ago in my teens I used to ride and I can still remember that slight feeling of claustrophobia induced by not being able to get my riding boots off

Deb

Get a bigger pair I dont have trouble

get one of those boot removing devices - I love mine

Ooh, good idea.

Deb

"Boot removing device" I thought he was a chef?

Actually I could do with one of those too

Deb

Ant & Dec?



Oh, sorry. I thought you said 'wallies'.

I'd second the hiking boot suggestion. A reasonable pair of them should last you a few years, no problem. Mine usually last 2-3, and that's probably with a good deal more wear than you'd be giving them for dog walking.
Much more comfy than wellies, too, and more versatile.

Good suggestion but so much longer to clean however much more comfortable and a lot safer in ice and snow and in rough country