Give it Some Wellie!

We all know that farmers and country-dwellers of every variety count wellies as an essential part of their wardrobe. I personally love my wellies and have in the past been told off for literally wearing them everywhere. I’ve always known that wellingtons boots are a best-selling line for Mole Valley Farmers and regularly top their ‘Top 5 Products’ list, but was amazed to discover that last year the group sold over 100,000 pairs! That’s a lot of rubbery footwear.

It prompted me to find out a few facts:

The most popular variety of wellie is the Border Welington; a functional green model with a slip-resistant sole, a basic type that is suitable for day to day farm work and just about everything else. They’re not the sexiest of wellies, but they certainly do the job and at a fraction over £10 they’re a bargain too! Of the 100,000 pairs of wellies sold last year, 40,000 of them were Border Wellingtons.

For people who are likely to be in their wellies all day (farmers and gamekeepers spring to mind) a popular choice is the top of the range Aigle brand. These fantastic wellingtons are at the opposite end of the market to the Border wellies, they can be lined with neoprene (to keep feet warm and dry) and feature cushioning, gussets and snap-buckles. If you’re going to be in your wellies all day every day, you could do worse than invest in a pair of these long-lasting boots.

True farmers will scoff at a more recent introduction to the Mole Valley Farmers wellie range; the colourful varieties supplied by Joules. Surprisingly, unusual colours such as blue, pink and even chocolate are now becoming more popular than the traditional green.

For customers who seek no-frills boots, the range is completed by the Dunlop Purofort model; referred to as a ‘traditional heavy duty agricultural knee boot’ and available only in green, these boots mean business. A similar but lighter alternative for farmers is the Nora brand of wellies – not only resistant to a multitude of farm-based acids and manures, the Nora Dolomite wellington features a ‘tractor tread’ sole for extra grip in slippy conditions.

Discerning wellie connoisseurs will say that no review of wellington boots is complete with a mention of Le Chameau. These are the Rolls Royce of wellies and, as their advertising suggests Le Chameau boots feature exceptional design and craftsmanship. They are usually lined with leather or neoprene and are priced at £100 - £150 per pair. They are however unbeatable quality and, from personal experience, I can testify that they last years and years. A great investment if you can afford it and a wonderful choice for people wearing their wellies every day.

I asked customer services staff about their wellie recommendations; bearing in mind that they receive a lot of feedback (good and bad) about the range and know a thing or two about which wellie to wear in each countryside situation. The results were unanimous – Argyll or Aigle. Both middle-of-the-range brands, Argyll boots tend to be seen as a traditional choice that has for a long time been popular with farmers and also dog walkers and ramblers thanks to their good deep tread. Customers have commented on how hard wearing they are.

For dog walking, shooting, leisure activities and general wear, you can't do better than Aigle. Customers have been pleased with the fit; here is a testimony from one of our customer services team members:

“Aigle wellingtons are superb quality and keep your feet warm and toasty due to the neoprene lining. They are also great for the larger calves as they are adjustable. The tread on them is quite deep, therefore they last longer. They are lightweight and very comfortable – you don’t feel like you are wearing wellies. Unlike most wellingtons they also support your ankle well, which is more than most flimsy rubber wellies do. Aigle wellingtons are thick rubber so have the support. People buy them for a variety of different reasons, we have had them bought for general walking, day-to-day dog walking, shooting, farming…… all sorts.”

When looking for a new pair of wellies, I always used to go for the cheapest I could possibly find. Cold weather and poor circulation meant that I sought out the cheapest possible neoprene wellingtons and, before I discovered Mole Valley Farmers, I purchased them online from an obscure third-party. However, the quality and tread-depth of my wellies meant that they usually only lasted a year; even when subjected only to casual wear and dog walking. I do truly believe that you get what you pay for.

When my bargain basement wellies sprang a leak last year because the sole had worn so thin, I decided to go for a pair of medium-priced Seeland neoprene wellies, which were on special offer at Mole Valley Farmers at that time. They’re still going strong and show no signs or wear or tear, so I am now a convert to investing in good quality wellies and saving money in the long run. With special offers appearing on wellies every month; I really would recommend the Mole Valley Farmes range of wellingtons to everyone.

Wellies make great presents, as long as you know the recipient’s size, and I recently recommended ‘his and hers’ wellies as a wedding present. Even if you do have the misfortune of buying the wrong size, our returns policy makes it easy for you to return them for an exchange or refund; just make sure that you return the wellies in their original packaging, unworn and in a resaleable condition.

From functional to fancy and with something for every pocket, we’re bound to have a great replacement next time your trusty wellies wear out. Happy splashing!