Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot Review

Our review: A classic for good reason – this smart welly gets you fashion points but is also a durable, waterproof choice

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Hunters are a classic for a reason. These tall, rather elegant wellingtons have become a bit of a fashion statement in the past decade, and myriad colours and pastel, matte and even glittery incarnations are now on the market. First introduced in 1956, the Original Tall boot is handcrafted from 28 parts and built on the brand’s original last.

First impressions

Hunter’s Original feels like the ultimate all-rounder welly at first glance – it’s not prohibitively heavy at 800g per boot and has solid toe and heel boxes and a more forgiving rubber shaft around the leg. These slim boots are cut more like riding boots than hefty wellies and look very smart. The rubber does feel thin to handle, and there’s no insulation to speak of.

Fit

The Hunter Original Boot is very comfortable from the get-go and is easy to slip on and off. We’d recommend these boots for anyone with narrow or regular feet – if you have wide feet you’ll want to look for a roomier model. This is another slim-cut boot but there is a strap at the calf if you do want to adjust the fit. The Original is light enough that you won’t really notice you’re wearing it even if you’re on your feet for hours at a time. There’s little insulation or breathability, though, so you’ll end up with cold toes in winter and sweaty feet in summer.

Are they grippy?

The Hunter Original offers an average grip – you won’t slide around on muddy surfaces but we wouldn’t walk long distances over hill and dale in these boots.

Suitable for...

Hunter wellies make for an excellent summer festival model. Are you paying for fashion over function with Hunter’s bestselling Original? Perhaps – but these smart boots do look great, and are comfortable to wear. This was one boot we’ve been able to test out over a decade, and our hard-worn pair are still waterproof and going strong, so there is durability here, even if we’d have preferred better insulation.

Facts at a glance: Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot

• RRP: £94.99
• Weight: 800g per boot
• Materials: rubber
• Lining: cotton/polyester

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