Good boots

[Ja9]

I usually potter around the garden in wellies,but like boots if I need to any proper digging.My trusty chunky leather boots that I wore to uni 30 years ago have finally given up even after surviving a flood. I haven't worn steel capped boots but wondering if I should.I really want a boot that will be flexible enough to be comfortable but nice and sturdy.Any ideas please?

[Glutton4...]

I have two pairs of second-hand leather hiking boots, that I alternate to keep them in best condition. Sounds daft, but it works for me, as they get time to recover after bad weather and abuse!

These are the boots that someone has bought for a hiking holiday, worn for a week, and never gone hiking again. They pay upwards of £180 a pair, break them in, get blisters, and sell them on that well-known auction site for about £25. Go for the leather ones with v!bram soles and g0r3t3x linings, and you can't go wrong.

I often find I still have mine on in the evening, as they're so comfortable I forget to change out of them. The added bonus, is they have great foot and ankle support, and go a long way to saving your back, as they help make you stand properly. Win/Win!

[Alison]

I would actually recommend safety boots, they've saved my toes on a number of occasions. They're a pair of old site rigger boots and have lasted me almost 20 years now, look a bit scruffy (well very now!) but are absolutely brilliant and very comfy. Also, no laces to be fiddling with when my hands are cold and wet. The only down side is that they are fur lined so too warm in summer but essential to me at this time of year.

[Martin H]

On the allotment, I wear either
- my old hiking boots, waterproof, tough leather and as comfortable as ever, or
- my old golf shoes, waterproof and as comfortable as ever
depending on the time of year and the jobs I'm up to.

[sparrow100]

I've got some sturdy half-wellies. They are cheap and I don't expect them to last forever, but so far they have done really well. I have some great warm socks to put in as wellies aren't the warmest. All the mucker boots/rigger boots I have bought in the past have split becaise of all the bending at the toes that gardening involves.

[Bigmallly]

I recently bought 2 pairs of these & wished I had bought some years ago:

Rigger Boots

[Kier]

I have been wearing aldi boots for about a month steel toe caps and steel mid sole just bought my second pair as I wear them all day 5 days a week, £14.99

[WendyC]

I have a pair of Muckboots. Unlike wellies they are warm in winter but never get sweaty.

[marchogaeth]

I recently bought 2 pairs of these & wished I had bought some years ago:

Rigger Boots

And how long do they last? My OH likes riggers but gets through them at a rate of knots. Also anyone come across riggers below size 6 (not kids).?

[Glutton4...]

That's the very reason I don't wear Riggers - I am a size 5. Small sizes are not easy to find, and are expensive when you do find them. I have a much coveted pair of genuine St!hl Chainsaw boots in a size 5 (€b@y). I rarely wear them, as they weigh as much as I do, but I'll never part with them!

The aforementioned auction site, and the miriad of previously-owned sites, are great places to look.

Forgot to say - they always come up a size (or more) bigger than they say, in my experience.

[Scarlet]

Same here! Size 4 (sometimes 3 in boots) so no riggers for me! Kids sized boots are too narrow.

[Bigmallly]

And how long do they last? My OH likes riggers but gets through them at a rate of knots. Also anyone come across riggers below size 6 (not kids).?

I think size 6 are the smallest adult size for men. Don't know about ladies.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I recently bought 2 pairs of these & wished I had bought some years ago:

Rigger Boots

Me too. I wear them for work or the plot. Really easy on and off with no laces to bother with and good lugs to pull them on with

[Bigmallly]

Just noticed you can get these in sizes 3, 4 & 5

Womens Ground Works Honey Leather Safety Boot | Shoe Zone

[Bigmallly]

On the topic of boots, these are a god send:

Shires Plastic Boot Jack | Pets Perfect