- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Bought my pair of Dunlop from Mole Valley Farmers , they have lasted three years and still no leaks . Only issue for me is that I find them heavy , so the search is on again for some lightweight ones x
Muck Boots Wellie Review
- Thread starter Charlie
- Start date
I've tried Dunlop, Muck Boots and Hunters. The Dunlops (2 pairs) split within 3 months as did the really expensive Hunters. The Muck Boots have given the best service, generally splitting after 12 - 18 months. I've decided to stick with them as they are medium priced and seem to do the job. Used every day from around the end of October through to March.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
I only had the Muck Boots 7 months which is not good. I refuse to pay full price for any wellies and wait for the sale! Money appeared in my account this morning, so good service from that point of view. The boots not for me, once bitten. xx
- Location
- Monmouthshire, Wales
Many years ago on my mountain leader course we had to learn about all manner of outdoor gear as part of the syllabus. The course mainly covered walking boots but much of it is equally appropriate to wellies. Choosing the right sole can make a big difference to how it performs.
The tread of a boot and a the material from which it’s made have a big influence on comfort and grip. A deep tread with wide gaps between cleats is best for rough and slippery ground. The idea is that the mud works it’s way out as the sole flexes. Narrow treads like the Dunlop boots, or shallow treads, just don’t shed the mud so they are likely to clog up and slip on muddy ground.
Some boots have square heels, others are more rounded. A rounder heel is more comfortable to walk on but often has a shallow tread on the heel. This makes it more prone to slip when going downhill, so there’s a compromise to be made when considering a rounded heel.
Stiffer soles are more comfortable as the foot doesn’t flex as much. Some walking boots have a stiff shank that goes from the heel under the sole of the boot. This adds comfort but still allows the boot to flex and shed mud.
When Holly was a pup, and before joining any forums, we had a long search for boots. A saddler in Cardiff was very wise in ‘the way of the wellie’ and shared some of his wisdom. Apparently the original Hunter boots were made in Scotland from several bits of rubber and were indestructible. A few years ago they outsourced manufacturing to the Far East and the new Hunters were just injection moulded like cheap wellies. This is why Hunters now fail very quickly. Not worth the money.
The tread of a boot and a the material from which it’s made have a big influence on comfort and grip. A deep tread with wide gaps between cleats is best for rough and slippery ground. The idea is that the mud works it’s way out as the sole flexes. Narrow treads like the Dunlop boots, or shallow treads, just don’t shed the mud so they are likely to clog up and slip on muddy ground.
Some boots have square heels, others are more rounded. A rounder heel is more comfortable to walk on but often has a shallow tread on the heel. This makes it more prone to slip when going downhill, so there’s a compromise to be made when considering a rounded heel.
Stiffer soles are more comfortable as the foot doesn’t flex as much. Some walking boots have a stiff shank that goes from the heel under the sole of the boot. This adds comfort but still allows the boot to flex and shed mud.
When Holly was a pup, and before joining any forums, we had a long search for boots. A saddler in Cardiff was very wise in ‘the way of the wellie’ and shared some of his wisdom. Apparently the original Hunter boots were made in Scotland from several bits of rubber and were indestructible. A few years ago they outsourced manufacturing to the Far East and the new Hunters were just injection moulded like cheap wellies. This is why Hunters now fail very quickly. Not worth the money.
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
I’ve had my muck boots for over 3 years now and they are still going very strong. I wear them everyday over the winter and have never had any issues.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
After over a month, my Muck Boot saga is now finally over. I'm now 100% with @Charlie : DO NOT BUY THESE unless you purchase in person and can be sure of what you're buying. If you want to buy online because of a good sale, make sure you never want to return them. What a complete and utter pain in the backside.
Here is my reply to their customer service, which took 10 days to send me a pdf return shipping label by email and did not have any option for someone like myself who does not have access to a printer:
Hello,
Thanks for your reply. After a lot of legwork, I was able to find somewhere to print out the label, so I’ve now returned the boots. I’m currently in a rural area – which I’m guessing applies to many of your customers – and there is no “UPS store”. There is a petrol station which accepts UPS packages if they already have the label on them, so no printing facility.
I had a return from Amazon that I sent the same day as the MuckBoots return: received the return confirmation immediately telling me I had 28 days to drop my package off, nothing to print, just go to the Hermes location (that same petrol station), flash the QR code at a reader (QR code sent to me by email or directly from my Amazon account) and the self-stick label printed out. Whole process took 1 minute plus the 15 drive to the petrol station.
Contrast this to the MuckBoot system where I made a request for a return, received an email from MuckBoots with the pdf label over a week later (after five email inquiries from me), had to put the pdf on a thumb drive and then search for somewhere to print it, slather the piece of paper with the printed label with clear tape because I didn’t have a “UPS plastic sleeve” and THEN take it to the petrol station/UPS pick up. So 10 days, multiple emails, multiple phone calls and multiple trips in the car all the while being advised by MuckBoots that the return had to be completed within 14 days and that my refund wouldn’t hit my account for at least 28 days. Again, all instant with Amazon. I know Amazon is the Evil Empire, but their system does work.
Suffice it to say, I wouldn’t purchase directly from the MuckBoots website again.
Add to that the reason for my return – shoes not as described and not even as depicted in the photo on the box they arrived in – and I’m done with MuckBoots in general. They look great in photos and I love your website (or I did love your website) but at least in my case, your excellent marketing unfortunately is not backed up by product or service.
By the way, I know that whomever is receiving this is not responsible for the shortcomings I’ve described, so no ill will meant to you at all. With that in mind, please feel free to pass along my email to whomever deals with customer feedback.
Best wishes,
Emily
Here is my reply to their customer service, which took 10 days to send me a pdf return shipping label by email and did not have any option for someone like myself who does not have access to a printer:
Hello,
Thanks for your reply. After a lot of legwork, I was able to find somewhere to print out the label, so I’ve now returned the boots. I’m currently in a rural area – which I’m guessing applies to many of your customers – and there is no “UPS store”. There is a petrol station which accepts UPS packages if they already have the label on them, so no printing facility.
I had a return from Amazon that I sent the same day as the MuckBoots return: received the return confirmation immediately telling me I had 28 days to drop my package off, nothing to print, just go to the Hermes location (that same petrol station), flash the QR code at a reader (QR code sent to me by email or directly from my Amazon account) and the self-stick label printed out. Whole process took 1 minute plus the 15 drive to the petrol station.
Contrast this to the MuckBoot system where I made a request for a return, received an email from MuckBoots with the pdf label over a week later (after five email inquiries from me), had to put the pdf on a thumb drive and then search for somewhere to print it, slather the piece of paper with the printed label with clear tape because I didn’t have a “UPS plastic sleeve” and THEN take it to the petrol station/UPS pick up. So 10 days, multiple emails, multiple phone calls and multiple trips in the car all the while being advised by MuckBoots that the return had to be completed within 14 days and that my refund wouldn’t hit my account for at least 28 days. Again, all instant with Amazon. I know Amazon is the Evil Empire, but their system does work.
Suffice it to say, I wouldn’t purchase directly from the MuckBoots website again.
Add to that the reason for my return – shoes not as described and not even as depicted in the photo on the box they arrived in – and I’m done with MuckBoots in general. They look great in photos and I love your website (or I did love your website) but at least in my case, your excellent marketing unfortunately is not backed up by product or service.
By the way, I know that whomever is receiving this is not responsible for the shortcomings I’ve described, so no ill will meant to you at all. With that in mind, please feel free to pass along my email to whomever deals with customer feedback.
Best wishes,
Emily
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
I had exactly the same experience (not the printing) problem as you @Emily_Babbelhund when I returned a pair of Muck Boots. As I read your post all the same memories flooded back (it was about 2 years ago). I would never consider another pair. They weren’t anything like the picture on the website, looked and felt horrible on my feet. The farce of getting them returned was unbelievable. They obviously haven’t improved or taken any heed of people’s feelings
Had a pair of midline grub boots in August. The have done 6to 8 miles a day in real had conditions and be warm comfortable and dry. I think they have been good value so far.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
@Emily_Babbelhund what a nightmare, that's just not good enough. I have to say I bought mine directly from Muck Boots so complained directly. My boots split after a few wears, they were absolutely rubbish in wet muddy weather. I had slipped and fallen several times, no grip at all. They requested several photo's of different parts of the boots, outlined by them which I duly sent. I returned them at their expense and had a refund that day. For customer service I have no complaint. I would never buy Muck Boots again. I appreciate many people have and love them. A bad experience is enough for me. I'm back to Aigles, I'm on my second pair which have fantastic grip and I don't slip or fall in them. I walk many miles a day, through rivers/streams, up very steep hills and generally through rough terrain in Scotland. You can't beat them as far as I am concerned. xx
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
In addition to my fun polka dot wellies (which are quite comfy for the beach or pavement but not quite the thing for rocky paths), I also got a pair of Aigle Varios. They are so comfy for all kinds of walking. I'm super happy with them so far.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Mine are Aigle. I’ve had them five years now and they are still going strong 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Aigles have done @Sophiedoodle really well.
I got a pair for myself in a sale and laid them aside but they ended up on Sophie's feet
She is on her second pair now. Great boots.
I got a pair for myself in a sale and laid them aside but they ended up on Sophie's feet
She is on her second pair now. Great boots.
I use Merrell Eventyrs (the zip up ones) as my wet weather/apres ski boots (because I am the least stylish person at the resort...). They are light (easy to pack!), grippy, warm and very waterproof. I've done so much walking in them on holidays and with the dog.
The main issue is that sometimes they are too warm for Sydney!
The main issue is that sometimes they are too warm for Sydney!
Beanwood
Administrator
I have a similar pair, bought them at a very good price from amazon, totally waterproof, and very warm. The only slight niggle is they are a bit rigid, so not great if the ground is uneven. I have poor ankles so need my feet to flex instead.
They would have found it hard to cope with the stuff we're been through here,. All the paths are mires and have been for months and you are walking in inches of water a lot of the time. This is the worst winter ever for water here it's incredibly bad. Lots of dog walking places have become impassable and we are all very restricted in our movements. It's dangerous to go to some places. They look nice