Advnture Verdict
A handsome, hand-made, high-end tall wellington boot, with a legacy look and feel.
Pros
- +
Stylish
- +
Adjustable cuff
- +
Many colors
Cons
- -
Can get sweaty
- -
No turn down option
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Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots: first impressions
Designed for full weather protection in above freezing temperatures, Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots are a heritage product that’s been around since 1956.
They look simple, but it takes three days for Hunter’s factory elves to assemble the natural rubber boot from its 28 hand-cut parts. The boot is put together by hand on Hunter’s proprietary last before being vulcanized.
The Original Tall is lined with polyester to prevent that clammy rubber boot feeling. Wear it with Hunter’s sock, which rolls over the cuff to prevent wear on the boots or your calves (because your usual hiking socks probably won’t be long enough). Our guide to the best hiking socks also includes some longer ones.
But how did they fare when we tested them out in the real world for our best wellingtons buying guide?
• RRP: $160 (US) / £115 (UK)
• Gender specification: Men’s and women’s versions available
• Sizes: Men’s 7–13 Women’s 5–11
• Insulation: Polyester
• Colors: Men’s Dark Olive / Arctic / Moss Green / Black / Navy Womens Black / Navy / Tundra Gray / Olive Green / Military Red / Yellow / Hunter Green / Bitter Indigo
Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots: on the trails
The original Tall looks a lot like an English riding boot, with clean lines and simple good looks. I was thrilled that this boot fits comfortably around my wide calf. I didn’t use the top of the calf buckle but wearers with narrower calves will be glad to have it.
The inch-high heel – a legacy detail from an era when most wellington wearers were on horseback, with their feet in stirrups for a large amount of time – was imperceptible when I was walking.
The sole is grippy and the boot has good underfoot support. It’s made for rain, and because it’s not insulated, performs best in moderate rather than freezing temperatures.
The Original is also a great-looking welly, so don’t just save it for chores around the garden. Make it your wet-weather work boot. And wear it out on the town on days when, without a good rain boot, the weather would keep you in or soak your feet.
