Esseintes Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I'm after a new pair of leather-lined boots and was looking for some advice. My first choice was to try to locate a pair of the pre-Balmoral Hunter Sovereigns (i.e. made in Dumfries and not China), but that has proved impossible. That left the Le Chameaus (apparently now made in Morocco) and the Chinese Hunters. I've had Aigles before, but the rubber perished - don't think it liked cow muck. Everyone I know with the Chasseurs really rates them, but I appear to be in-between sizes in them (either too short in the foot or too loose in the heel); I also prefer the colour and look of the Balmoral Sovereigns (and they're available for £100 less). Has anyone had recent experience, good or otherwise, of the Chinese Hunters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esseintes Posted October 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 No-one tried the Balmoral Sovereigns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I haven't tried them ,but I do know that a lot of my friends have moved away from both Hunter and Le Chameau boots because of quality problems in recent years, added to poor customer relations in getting the problem sorted out. I have some Seeland neoprene lined boots I got from BushWear a few years ago and despite heavy wear they are superb. I believe they cost me about £50-60, never have been able to get my head round paying £200+ for wellies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esseintes Posted October 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I see that Seeland also do a leather-lined boot, but they have pretty strange-looking soles. Also heard good things about their quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Seeland boots IMO are better than either Hunter or Le Chams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I've a pair of the leather lined Hunter Sovereigns, RRP £300 approx, I paid £150 in one of the Sportsman's sales, the boots are excellent in every way, the only thing I would say that is difficult to gauge is the size when ordering on line, I'm usually a UK 11 but my boots are a good 1/2 size bigger than normal but it gives me the chance to wear a pair of Vision neoprene boot socks which works out Perfect for me,As I said the boots are excellent but I wouldn't want to give £300 for them, I've a pair of Toggy (wander's) neoprene full zips @ around £100 or less and they are every bit as good, I've gave them several years of abuse and they've plenty left in them yet to tell you the truth I've bought my son a pair too I thought they are so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanielchris Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I had a pair of the new Hunters with the zip Down the side! ( can't remember the proper name) had them a week and they leaked. Ok i thought £150 wellies must be a one off! Sent them back and the next pair were exatly the same!!! I've had Hunters for years!! NEVER AGAIN! :( Aigle all the way now for me!!!! Each to there own! Good luck with your new purchase! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I bought Hunter Balmoral Bamboo/carbon and loved them so much I talked a mate into buying a pair. He was first to send his back within the year, then I sent mine back. He's since thrown his second pair away (still within warranty) and I won't wear mine through water. Fine in mud but wet feat otherwise. I then bought a pair of neoprene wellies from the bay for £25 and so far so good. JF p.s. I'm always a size 10 but took an 11 in the Hunters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Fox Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) I have just bought a new pair of le chameau chasseur & I love 'em - I had vierznord before and they have lasted 4/5 Years, and I practically live in them, they are like waterproof slippers I nearly went for the Sov's - but my pals reckon they look like Nazi marching boots Edited October 30, 2011 by Devon Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esseintes Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) I nearly went for the Sov's - but my pals reckon they look like Nazi marching boots I quite like them, perhaps I have a hitherto-undiscovered uniform fetish: Although I prefer the older Sovereigns: Better to my eyes than the Le Chameaus: Seelands look rather odd: Edited October 30, 2011 by Esseintes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 I bought some Hunters at the end of summer, I wear them most days to walk the dog and have been shooting 4 times in them. I would'nt say they are hard used, Yesterday the right boot leaked, Which made the afternoon uncomfortable. Its a great let down. I dont think i wouild bother with another pair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 My seeland 12mths old but only seen about 40days of wear.comming away from the heel along the seam, only found out it was there when i washed my wellies in a puddle before getting into the motor, could of been like that for months? Back to the trusted ten quid placa neds from Yorkshire trading 'proper wellies' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutty Boots Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Get yourself a pair of Muck Boots & then you'll have toasty warm feet & a spare £100 plus to buy yourself something else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esseintes Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Can't get on with Muck Boots - shape of the heel is uncomfortable for me. Warm though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Can't get on with Muck Boots - shape of the heel is uncomfortable for me. Warm though. are they waterproof the side bits i mean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esseintes Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 are they waterproof the side bits i mean Yes, they're waterproof until it goes over the top ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) Yes, they're waterproof until it goes over the top ... seen plenty people using them shooting/fishing, think i'll pop out tomorrow & get a pair Edited October 30, 2011 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Yep...... Im going back to muck boots. I was getting a good 12 months out of muck boots and expected more out of more expensive wellies. WRONG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexbb Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I have the Neoprene Chameau and have found them the most comfortable and warmest wellies I have ever owned. My cousin has the leather lined ones and on a visit to Scotland in Nov last year he could not feel his toes after half a day out in the field. For Hunters there is a good mail order shop that tends to offer slight seconds( off colour or misplaced logo) at greatly reduced prices. may be worth looking at. John Norris www.johnnorris.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thestoat Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 (edited) hi Gents, Try the hoggs leather lined full zip welly. I love my pair and for £95 pounds you can't go wrong! They are from William Powell and they are selling them at cost price. Edited November 14, 2011 by Thestoat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_falconry1 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Go for the le chameau neoprene lined, had a long conversation with a few people including my uncle who is a leather buyer for the shoe trade, and told me he had spoken to a chap who deals in le chameau and said there is no difference in leather or neo lined chamies apart from the price. ive had neos for years and just had a second pair this year and still find the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esseintes Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I think you're right in saying they're the same, lining-excepted (as are the fur-lined ones), but I've found neoprene to be too hot when it's not so cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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