Just over two years ago we invested in a pair of gardener Wellington boots, and we are extremely disappointed by these poor quality Hunter wellies.
When they first arrived, I was very pleased them. They felt rugged, and they were very comfortable. They had a reinforced sole that you could use to dig holes with because the spade wouldn’t damage them.
But sadly, they’ve lasted a little bit over two years. You can watch the video below where I talk about the boot, and the sustainability of purchasing so-called premium products.
As a customer that takes sustainability very seriously, I will no longer be buying any products from Hunter. They have a poor quality product and their customer support has been nothing short of appalling.
Poor quality Hunter wellies: customer support transcript
As part of my complaint, I sent Hunter a long, courteous email saying that we were loyal customers. Between my wife and I, we have several expensive pairs of wellies. I received the following response – I’ve removed the Brand Ambassador’s name:
Thank you for contacting us.
We are sorry to hear about your issues experienced and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Our warranty period covers 24 month from date of purchase.
Unfortunately, as your boots are out of our warranty period, we are unable to offer a replacement.
For the inconvenience we would like to offer you a 25% discount for your next order of full price product of our website. This discount is applied to your email address and will be deducted automatically at checkout.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
(Name removed)
Brand Ambassador
That, to my mind, is not an apology. They’re sorry I paid them for a premium boot, that it’s now faulty and an inconvenience. As a follow up email, I asked Hunter why their product was poorly made, and that I had lost faith in their brand. The same Brand Ambassador replied:
We are sorry that you are feeling this way.
Unfortunately, if the boots are out of our warranty period we are unable to offer a replacement.
Our offer for the 25% discount still stands and can be used at any time.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Kind Regards,
(Name removed)
Brand Ambassador
I am perplexed by the lack of customer service from a brand that has worked so hard to create this image, and that they are so flippant and happy to lose a customer.
Consequently, they are dead to me as a brand and I will never support them by buying another one of their products. Spending hard-earned money on products that are produced by companies that don’t care about you as a customer is not something that sits well with me. And it’s not just me, they’ve alienated and lost as a customer.
Please leave a comment below if you’ve had a bad experience with Hunter (or a good one) and also feel free to recommend other brands that you’d recommend.
I also have totally lost faith in Hunter. My first pair for dog walking in the winter lasted 10 years. My new pair which I didn’t hesitate to buy lasted a very disappointing 6 months. These where then replaced by hunter. That pair lasted 3 months which yet again where replaced in February 2020.
Today I noticed this pair are also letting in water and have split at the seems again. I only wore them March and April and the last 3 or 4 days again just for dog walking. I won’t ask for another replacement as I know they won’t last as they are no longer well made. Compared to my first pair the product is very cheap and flimsy put together now.
Thanks Tilly. We’ve also sadly lost all faith in the brand. Some of my wife’s Hunter boots are also taking strain with minimal use. It’s a shame when good brands with quality products deteriorate like this.
It’s time to find a replacement brand.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
When I was a full time gamekeeper I bought Hunters because they were the most comfortable for a full days wear. However they never lasted very long, the Hunter wellies didn’t wear out they just split usually by the heel.
I have found some very cheap wellies that just go on and on.
Thanks for sharing your experience John. Hunter wellies have no durability. It’s a shame.
Hi, Spotted your blog about wellies as I am trying to source a decent pair at a reasonable price ( call me tight but I really dont wish to pay more than £25 for a decent pair of wellies, I dont want them to look good, just to be practical). I had a pair of Trespass wellies which split down the back seam after 1 year. I wrote to them but got no response other than the usual covid excuses. They are PVC but I repaired them with some rubber tape and evostik and they are holding out. I spotted a pair of Dunlops on Amazon described as being made of Rubber material for £13.99. Really? For that low price I would not expect rubber but PVC which is less durable than rubber. I am convinced Amazon are not being 100% truthful here, perhaps there is some rubber in them but do you have any experience of this? I see proper rubber Dunlops elsewhere for around £40 or more and they usually have a name for them such as Purofort. So Im sure these on Amazon are not good quality. Did you get to see those Canadian boots and if so can you share the details? Thanks in advance.
Men’s Hunter Field Wellies with split seams after 6 months. Quality has deteriorated
Hi Leslie, have a look at my posting last October. Cheap Dunlop PVC wellies are fine [look to spend around £10 to £13] – I am a sailing instructor and have lived in them for days on end! Natural rubber is more comfortable – greater flexibility, less affected by ambient temperature – look for Le Chameau or Aigle – my wife has been wearing a pair of Aigles for dog walking foer years and they are very hardwearing and comfortable – but they are similar pricey to Hunters at £120- £150 region [but on a cost effective basis they are great value]. Dunlop also do a range called, I think, Purofort which is aimed at industrial markets [eg abbatoirs] – try looking in industrial health and safety suppliers. Hope this helps – ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD ANYONE BUY HUNTER WELLIES
Good points John. Both my wife and I are over Hunter in a major way.
I started using the Dunlop Purofort wellies last year, and so far they’ve been excellent, with no signs of deteroriating: https://myhomefarm.co.uk/hoggs-of-fife-dunlop-purofort-plus-wellington-boot-review
We’re also getting Dikamar wellies soon and we’ll be posting a review of those in the weeks ahead.
Just about everyone that has posted here has had a similar experience. Poor quality, overpriced products.
My Hunter wellies have been worn for approximately 8 weeks. They have a split in them. I have been going around in circles with the Non-Customer Service Department who do not read my messages. They merely send a pacifying message as a way of stalling and placating me, without addressing the issue of their shoddy product.
I will not buy Hunter again. They are the same mass produced rubbish of much cheaper brands but with a label that makes you pay thrice as much… do not buy Hunter. Waste of money.
I have now purchased Dunlop Blizzards which are excellent, and also Grubb boots, (short) which are also excellent.
Hello Mars,
I have only just read your comments here.
I could not agree with you more.
I have just left a comment on Trustpilot regarding a long standing (unresolved) problem.
Their so called customer service leaves a lot to be desired and they don’t deserve to stay in business. Time will tell if they do.
Stay safe and well.
Jo Birch
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
Just got my well stored Hunter wellies out to do some power washing.
Aghast they are all cracked on the ankles.
They are over 24 mo this old but havent have 24 hours wear.
Absolutely dismayed. Why are they so expensive if they behave like cheap run of the mill?
Sorry to hear about your wellies. It’s a shame to see a brand like Hunter sell out in a bid to make money over producing high quality products, and frankly there’s no excuse for the premium price tag given the poor quality boots they now produce.
I will never buy Hunter boots again.
I agree with the above customers. I lived on a farm for 35 years and bought 2 pairs of Hunter wellies in that time. Since then I have moved and have a very large garden and go for frequent walks. During the past 6 years I have had to buy 3 replacement Hunter wellies. Each pair has split down the leg and ankle part of the boot. So disappointing, because they cost a fortune , which is fine if they last, but now they are made in China or Asia and they are rubbish.
Thank you for your feedback and comment Maggie.
It is very disappointing to see a brand such as Hunter “sell out” and to no longer provide a high-quality, long-lasting product. As you’ve correctly pointed out, spending a lot of money on a product is fine, provided that it lasts a long time which is in line with our “buy well, buy once” ethos. This is sadly no longer the case with Hunter.
Out of curiosity, have you found a replacement brand?
Barbour
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
Hi. I have just sent Hunter an email as my boots that I’ve also have for just over 2 years are falling apart. I don’t have confidence they will give me a replacement from your experience. Let’s wait and see. Thank you for writing this blog.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Michelle. Our boots were also a tad over the 2-year warranty period and they refused to budge. I have seen so many comments on other websites and social media, and it’s surprising that Hunter have not tried to address the issue of quality and longevity of their products.
Please let us know what Hunter get back to you with. It’ll be very interesting to see.
I too am bitterly disappointed with the quality of my Hunter wellies. After a few years of “occasional” wear they are now splitting at the seams and letting in water. I certainly didn’t expect to pay a premium price for such a poor quality product. I wrote to Customer Services and have received no response whatsoever – disgusting in this day and age when companies who really care will do anything to ensure the customer experience is a good one. They need to review their processes and quality control – just because they were made “trendy” by a couple of celebs doesn’t mean they can rip everyone else off!
Since posting about Hunter, I’ve astonished by how many people have had the same experience. I don’t know how they hope to survive as a business.
I’ve just finished reviewing some Hogg’s of Fife Dunlop Purofort boots and the review will be posted on Tuesday. So far, they’ve been excellent.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
Hunter have totally lost the plot on rubber technology – to talk a little technically, their products now have zero ozone resistance [ozone is present in the atmosphere in minute [parts pe billion, ppb] quantities, bur enough to attack natural rubber unless additives called ‘antiozonants’ are included in the mixture. Since relocating their production eastwards to China or other Asian sites, their products have been characterised as of non-existant ozone resistance – a nonsense for products aimed at outdoor activities!! As a rubber industry professional of 40 plus years standing, , I would recommend Le Chameau or Aigle as competent high-end manufacturers who know what they are doing in Natural Rubber, or alternatively use Dunlop PVC wellies as a perfectly good ‘cheap and cheerful’ alternative.
Thank you for the detailed insights John. Very interesting. I’ve just ordered a pair of Dunlop wellies as replacements. The price tag on Le Chameau and Aigle is currently more than we can spend on wellies.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
Hi there.. I spent 8 years contacting hunter and emailing back and forth about 3 pairs.. yes THREE pairs of Hunter wellies that did not last two years between them! I sent photos.. resent photos… offered to walk into their Edinburgh offices with them personally…. but they stalled and stalled… they ‘lost’ my photos… the emails… there was a new company changeover (apparently about 5 times!) so I’d have to start all over again with my boot details…. then they said as I was by then 3 years over warranty.. i was too late. So 8 bombarded their fb page.. Instagram page… linked in ceo page…. and repeated same letter of complaint about my crappy boots… now I have 7 pairs of hunters dating back from the 80S.. I have bought at least 5 pairs as gifts for friends … so I’d say I’m a loyal customer… but the6 didn5 give a damn till I covered their PR. Pages with accusations. Then some one eventually called me And as a ‘ curtesy’ agreed to s3nd me ONE new pair. I was so exhausted ( dealing with Lyme and co infection and all the nasties they bring! ) I just accepted the one pair… at least I had a non leaking pair to wear when walking through fields and streams…. and was glad I was done with dealing with HUNTER. BUT WOULD YOU Adam and Eve it?! Barely six months later… both boots began to deteriorate in the same places around the ankle again.. and then the holes appeared and I’m back to bloody leak8ng boots just as winter ???? Heads this way. I’ve not warn them much in the summer either… Bloody disgraceful. I’ve been in contact with them again… after three emails with photos and details and a copy of the last email from the previous hunter minion who sent me the last pair… they’ve just told me I will be getting a new pair… but they may not be the same style (?! As far as i can tell women’s balmoral neoprene only come in one style, two colours!) I’ve asked them to call me to explain… but I won’t hold my breath! ????. I have my pair from the 80s… they have lasted all this time… sadly too small fir me… but why change manufacturers if it’s making them with substandard rubber. It’ll cost them more in the end!
Wow. That is shocking. I do, however, admire your perseverance, and it’s disgraceful that the new pair lasted six months. Ridiculous. I don’t understand how companies can continue functioning this way.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
Ps.. le chameau definitely the way to go…. according to my friends… they last forever… and apparently customer care brilliant!
The issue with Le Chameau is the price tag. My new pair of heavy duty Dunlop’s arrived today. I’ll unbox tomorrow and we’ll put together a review. At first glance, they look incredibly robust and durable.
Bought my first pair of Hunters just over two years ago – A very expensive purchase I thought. They have only had light wear dog walking but I have just noticed they have started to crack across the top and on the ankle. I was going to complain as they are not value for money and cheaper ones have lasted longer. It is a shame because the brand is high profile and will continue to attract customers unaware that the are not paying for a quality product. Thank you for the suggestions of alternatives – it is not worth buying another pair.
Thanks for the comment Diane. I have seen endless comments on our site and on social media about the poor quality of Hunter boots. Honestly, I’m surprised that they’re not losing market share and that they’re not suffering as a business. For brands like Hunter, repeat customers must be essential to their survival. A real shame.
My new pair of Dunlop boots arrived last week. I’ll be reviewing those in the coming weeks. As a first impression, they look really well made.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
My last pair hunters lasted 10yrs unfortanly the heels worn down.so decided to buy another pair had them 2yrs the sole hardly worn yet cracked around ankle area so dissapointeted the rubber is poor quality for such expensive wellies
I own a new company which makes a top quality wellington boot which is designed in Canada and hand-made in India using only pure natural rubber. I have worn them through the harsh Canadian winter and they are now on their second Canadian winter and are still in perfect shape. I am planning to market these boots in the UK and I would be most happy to send you a pair to try out.
Thank you for contacting us James. We would be interested to review your boots. Please contact us by sending an email to contactus@myhomefarm.co.uk
I had same problem my Hunter Boots. I purchased a year and half ago but only started wearing a month ago when got a dog. They started pealing and splits started appearing I was so shocked. I have emailed Hunter and sent pictures you can see there is no wear in the tread so they can see they have hardly been worn. I have not got my receipt as my daughter paid for birthday present. Hunter have washed there hands off any responsibility I’m so shocked. Never again purchase Hunter they are a disgrace.
So sorry to hear this Deborah. You, like scores of people we’ve heard from, have wiped their hands off Hunter. It’s really disappointing to see the brand crash and burn as a result of cheap manufacturing and non-existent customer service. There is absolutely no reason to continue supporting them.
Do what I did…threaten to fire out social media comments, write to The Field, Shooting Times, Country Life etc and they relented.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
Similar experience for me .
I was gifted a pair and unfortunately mislaid receipt as I moved house .
I did find it although 3 years after purchase date .
The boots started to get white patches very soon after I received them .As a result they were not worn much .
They were stored and cleaned as recommended but the condition of the boots worsened, the top layer peeled off !
My experience with customer service was also appalling.
Nobody ever gave me a proper explanation as to why this happened.
As a previous person has stated their response was a standard apology .
I asked for a manager to review the case . I was assured I’d hear within 72 hours. That didn’t happen so I had to contact them again.
The manager didn’t even read my emails as my problem was still not addressed.
I asked again for a reason and was given the recommendation for storing the boots . I explained that I had cared for the boots as recommended. I was once again given the standard apology and told to contact customer service with any further comments. In other words two emails to a manager,no questions answered, nobody accountable and no resolution or follow up care given .
I stated I’d join the long list of complaints but they didn’t care .
Extremely poor product and service!
Thank you for your comment Deborah and for sharing your poor experience with Hunter.
I completely agree; their customer service is appalling and they simply don’t care. After multiple complaints, they offered us a 20% discount on our next purchase. Absolutely laughable.
Was a pair of full length zip balmorals (neoprene). £195…lasted six months before cracking around the toe bend. Complained and was given some guff around not being able to claim on warranty for GDPR reasons as I was not the account holder (the person who gave me them had had the temerity to die, which I had explained, so was unable to exume their grave and ask them in person). Kept stalling and stalling until I threated to splatter them over every social media site and country publication, and they relented and said they’d honour the warranty…BUT now they only have one pair of boots in stock (leather version at £350). Not a single pair of tall wellies on the Hunter website apart from them. They keep putting some on for a couple of days (with zero stock levels) then taking them down again. So I can’t exercise the warranty, which they say I need to do by the end of next month. Customer services worse than useless and clearly based in China as they only send emails in the middle of our night. Never, ever again. Le Chameau (although they seem to have offshored to Morocco) or Aigle from now on. A proud British brand wrecked. Nice on, Mr Private Equity.
We’ve just posted our review of the Hoggs of Fife Dunlop Purofort Plus Wellington Boot, which I’ve replaced my Hunter Gardener boot with. If you’re interested, please check it out here: https://youtu.be/q5G_zXXkzA0
[…] mentioned last year how disappointed I was with the poor quality of my overpriced Hunter Gardener wellies. Three months ago, I purchased a pair of Dunlop boots and have been wearing them over the winter. […]
Exact same story here. The same pair lasted me forever and when it came time to replace I did so with a very smart pair of Balmorals which split, cracked and leaked within a year. They were replaced by Hunter but the second pair did the same thing.
Hunter said my warranty began from the date of the original purchase so I have a pair of one year old boots I cannot wear which cost a ridiculous amount of money (more fool me) and I have nothing but a sour taste in my mouth. I am so disappointed.
It’s shocking how many of these stories there are. They’ve lost us a customer and scores of other people we’ve had comments from.
I am just in the process of returning my wife’s one year old Balmorals which have split around the rear ankle area and also on the front above the ankle. Cannot believe how poor the customer service was when I chatted to a representative this afternoon. I totally agree that we are all being sold poor quality mass produced products based upon a name and a heritage which bears no relation to the current business. It’s verging on criminal!
Can’t say that I have high hopes that the replacement pair, should they arrive, will be any better but at least my wife can get another year out of them before they get replaced by one of the suggestions above.
Good luck all, I think we’ll need it!
Agreed. The quality of their products matches their customer service. There’s a level of contempt in their responses. I’m so over Hunter as a brand! Good luck and I hope you get your replacement boots.
Hi all …. I’ve just read your comments re Hunter Wellington boots and just wanted to say I totally agree with everyone of you. I always loved Hunter for their quality (20 years ago) their fit and of course their amazing choice of colours. Sadly for the past 12 years I have experienced nothing but appalling quality… non lasting more then 6 months occasional wear in wet weather. So in 2020 I finally gave up on the fashion wellies and bought the £200 heavier less attractive boots …..and within 9 months (only wearing them on dog walks within my local park a couple of times a week) on the wet muddy days …, these too have split in so many areas on both boots …. Hunter should be ashamed of their products. Their customer service is a sham ….. they continually apologise by suggesting this is a one off faulty product. Hunter no longer are capable of producing a Wellington boot that will last beyond a season and I have a garage shelf full of welly’s to prove this point. What is it going to take for them to finally produce the quality they had been lacking for 20 years???
FASCINATING to read this! I am a horse owner so wellies are essential wear for most of the year. I find the original Hunters so comfy and fit my difficult-to-fit feet to a T. I have been wearing them since the early 1970s and they USED to be WONDERFUL—when made in Scotland! My first couple of pairs lasted about 10 years each with heavy wear, then a replacement lasted about 4 years, then just over a year (They had a year warranty then). I wrote and complained and the reply was they couldn’t do anything and I probably hadn’t looked after them properly ie not stored correctly or the wrong temperature. They are WELLIES for goodness sake, and live in the garage so WERE in cool conditions and not stored incorrectly…FUME!
I vowed never to buy them again and got a cheap pair from Tesco’s (which lasted over 2 years but weren’t so comfortable to walk in)
I was about to invest in Le Chemaux ones – very expensive but am told they are worth it – and was grumbling to the shop assistant about Hunters when she told me they have ‘improved’ and now have a 2 year guarantee. As they had them on Sale and I DO like the fit on me, I gave them one last try……
Original tall wellies purchased Septmeber 2016 – split and leaked May 2018
(Pair 2) June 2018 Managed to get a new pair under warranty (and BOY did I have to jump through hoops and send all sorts of pics!)
(Pair 3) August 2019 – same problem, returned wellies and new pair sent
(Pair 4) May 2020 – split on seam at foot – due to Covid they DIDNT want old pair back, and went on just a couple of pics this time
(Pair 5) March 2021 – IT HAPPENED AGAIN! SCREAM! I didn’t expect them to change them, but to my surprise they accepted a couple of pics and my order number and ANOTHER new pair arrived today!
I am not at all confident these will last either – and I really wasn’t expecting them to send another pair as the ones I bought and paid for were back in September 2016 so I have…so far…had 4 1/2 years warranty with all the exchanges (I am waiting for them to realise this!)
They didn’t want the damaged pair back, so I glued the split with Stormsure glue as I was fed up with wearing a plastic bag on my foot while I waited to see if they would send more – I don’t know how long it will last (good stuff Stormsure) so they will be a good backup for when the inevitable happens and the new ones fail too!
NO WAY will I part with good money to buy any more Hunters – but if they keep sending new ones `I will keep wearing them!
It is so very frustrating, and sad, as these Wellies were brilliant when made in Scotland – I have been wearing Hunters for 50 years! No longer though when they refuse to replace them under warranty that’s the end- (all the failing ones are stamped ‘made in Indonesia’ !)
A miracle might happen and these might last………Oh, I just saw a pig fly by!
Wow Jude. That’s crazy, and the amount of these horror stories is worrying. I got a pair of Dunlop Purofort wellies this winter, so I’ll see how long they last.
Crazy indeed Mars!
I understand Hunters was in financial trouble and was bought out early in the 2000s which was when they moved production to Asia
SOMETHING is going on now I think – not sure what. Could be positive, could be negative.
My 2020 wellies actually started to leak (although no split visible at that point) before Christmas, and I was so fed up I couldn’t be bothered to complain…AGAIN…plus didn’t expect them to replace them under warranty for the 4th time (hence plastic bag on foot until I could get out to try other brands on after Lockdown!) then decided to have one last go – nothing to loose
I was VERY surprised how quickly and easily they did it this time. I e-mailed one day with pics, got an immediate automatic acknowledgement. Personal reply the following day saying they were sorry and would replace them, no need to send others back.
The weird thing was they said they had NO wellies in (I always have the Original Tall ones) my size in any colour, and no date for any deliveries. I always have Hunter Green ones, they said they had some in Jasper Green – which they said is a similar colour – which does not appear on their website, so they sent me a pic (!!!) and would I be happy to accept those as replacement.
I wrote straight back – yep fine! As I said, they arrived yesterday – so all this was done in less that a week – unbelievable!
I did check online and noticed that, apart from very small or very large Original Wellies, they were out of stock.
Are they re-hashing their manufacture given the increasing bad publicity, or are they going under I wonder?!
The wellies which arrived (and they are virtually the same green as the others) look brand new but are in a very bashed box which had had other labels stuck on it then ripped off. As I wasn’t really expecting to get another pair this doesn’t bother me – but it’s all very odd.
Incidentally, my husband has a cheap (£12.99) pair of traditional Dunlop wellies (stamped Made in Portugal underneath) and they are still good going into 4th year.
He also has a pair of Aldi own brand Fishing Wellies (£20 ish – used for gardening etc not fishing!!!!) which are BRILLIANT! Had those 3 years, they are neoprene lined and really robust and very warm in winter even without welly socks – in fact too warm for summer wear hence the 2 pairs. When my Hunters failed before Christmas (and the plastic bag on foot wasn’t 100% watertight) I had to wear them a few times out of desperation, despite them being too big. They were a bit clumpy on me but very very warm. When they come on offer again I am going to get a pair for winter wear when doing the daily muck-out of horses. Not good for long walks/country events though, as for me personally they would be too clumpy. I am only 5’2″ so Hunters are perfect for long walks (WHEN waterproof!)as they are light, tall, close fitting rather than clumpy and don’t rub my feet.
A horsey friend had similar problems with Hunters to those on here – she bought them at an Agricultrual Show on a trade stand, so of course Hunters won’t touch a Warranty on that! She bought Joules instead which are similar style. Too similar it would seem as they split exactly like Hunters. She is now trying Barbours, but too early to report back!
Be interesting to see how your Purofort ones hold up Mars
My Hunter Balmoral’s are 9 months old and have split across the toe, where they fold when walking. I didn’t buy from Hunter direct but through an authorised retailer so according to the Hunter website I have to go via them. The retailer has given me a return label so they can ‘inspect’ the item to see if it’s a manufacturing error. Assuming they replace them, and based on other users’ experience in this thread, I’ll sell them on eBay and put the money towards a different brand. In the meantime, I’ll use my old cheap, cheerful and watertight Dunlops.
Hi Jez, Same old story of Hunter boots with no environmental/ozone resistance – this has been going on for years with Hunter refusing to do anything about it. Dunlop make great ‘budget’ boot which last very well but may not be the most comfortable for extended wear periods. Best quality boots in the UK are French – Le Chameau or Aigle are expensive [but no more so than Hunter] but last for years AND are very comfortable to wear
Hi, My husband purchased a pair of Hunter boots as part of my Christmas Box. They did not last very long, a matter of months. We contacted Customer Services who very promptly replaced the boots. Unfortunately, these have again split and appear to be deteriorating at a very quick rate indeed. Again we contacted Customer Services and complained about the poor quality of the boots they are manufacturing. I have to say, they replaced the boots within three days of us sending the original email. I cannot fault Hunter Customer Services but have no faith in the product at all.
Thanks for sharing Jayne. You’re fortunate that the boots have fallen apart so soon, because once you hit the two warranty period, their customer support ceases to be helpful and they simply write off your previous purchase and offer a 20% discount to make another purchase. I have a pair of low cut Hunter gardening shoes and they are cracking across the bridge and they’re a little over a year old. There’s just no longevity to their products, which is a shame because the comfort and designs are generally good.
My first pair of Hunters lasted over eight years, my second pair less than 18 months. I only use them for mucking out my horses. There are cracks all over – I think they are now more stormguard than welly. The quality is terrible. I was offered a replacement or refund. I opted for a refund, which resulted in multiple emails from staff asking for the same photos (receipt confirmed by one member of staff, then I was told they couldn’t open the file), asking did I want a replacement pair (none in stock), confirmation of address, etc etc Very disappointing, as I liked their fit, but I won’t be buying them again.
Sorry to hear your bad experience. And it’s a real shame their boots are so poorly made, because they are comfortable and stylishly designed, but they just aren’t made to last.
Just purchased a pair of leather lined full zip balmoral hunters. Fingers crossed.
Hi Edward,
You really must take care to keep all your guarentee documentation and proof of purchase safe – you are probably going to need them! Make sure you give the boots a thorough examination just before the guarentee expires, and prepare for a bottle with Hunter!!
Good luck,
I’ve got through three pairs of Hunter wellies all have split just outside of the two year warranty period. I feel so annoyed as they are so comfy and I can walk for miles in them across the muddy fields and they feel like slippers, but I refuse to buy another pair. I have just purchased La Chamaeu but hear they split too so we will just wait and see. Thank you for posting this. I think my husband thinks I’m doing it on purpose!!
Hi Tara, Sorry to hear of your problems with Hunter – you are in good company! my wife’s Aigles are still going strong after, she thinks, getting on for 10 years service dogwalking and pond dipping with her Beaver [mini Scouts] group. As far as I know Aigle and Le Chameau have similar reputations, so I shall keep a watchful eye open for any adverse comments!
Hi Tara I had same problem I refuse to another pair of splitting after 18 have purchase a pair of Barbour wellies a little bit heavier than hunts a year ago so comfy think get years out of these such good quality rubber and looks good.
It’s ridiculous just how badly made the Hunter boots are. By all accounts, I’ve heard good things about Le Chamaeu so I hope that they are more durable. I switch to Dunlop’s Purofort boot last winter, and it’s worn exceptionally well: https://myhomefarm.co.uk/hoggs-of-fife-dunlop-purofort-plus-wellington-boot-review
We also received some Alpha Trace boots from Dikamar which we’re trying out at the moment, and they appear to be very made too.
We’ll keep everyone posted on the blog about our wellies, but would love to hear how your Le Chamaeu’s fare and age.
I have just found your article and I thought I would also post a comment. My wife and I have also been hunter wearers for several years with no issues however both our latest wellies have split in almost identical places to yours. The response I had from Hunter matched yours but with a slight twist. Ours are just under the 2 years old but as we had purchased them from an online retailer, even though they are genuine, Hunter have refused to honour the warranty. Several emails back and forth have failed to improve the situation. I agree with you. avoid hunter wellies as they have, in my humble opinion, cut costs by cutting quality and customer service. A royal warrant is no guarantee of service it seems!
Hello again Mars
Scroll back to March 2021 and you will find my saga about my original tall Hunter wellies – I had just been sent yet another replacement pair (the 5th!) since being tempted back to give them another try since their 2 year (rather than previous 1 year) warranty was introduced
Well – you guessed it – as I thought now THEY have split at the seam on the foot, plus they are showing cracking on the leg too I realised.
It’s getting worse – if that is possible – these haven’t even lasted 9 months, and that is without being worn for over 3 months back in the summer as I was laid up with a torn calf muscle, so you could say 6 months of wear killed them!
When I think of the WONDERFUL Hunters, made in Scotland, back in the 1970s when I first started wearing them I could weep – they lasted for 8 -10 years despite heavy wear (I am a horse owner – wellies are essential!)
I am SO CROSS and exhasparated by the whole blessed thing, it must be costing Hunters a small fortune replacing all these wellies plus the bad publicity. Bring back production to Scotland I say! Trouble is they are so darned comfy – perfect fit on me and I can walk for miles in them, just need the blessed things to ‘do what it says on the tin’ and be waterproof!
I couldn’t believe it when my foot felt wet on Monday and I had a big wet muddy patch on my wellie sock where water got in – SCREAM!
I will never part with good money on these boots again!
Thanks for the update Jude. I can’t say I’m surprised, and what I find horrendous about this poor quality is that these boots are just ending up in landfill. It really is just so environmentally irresponsible of Hunter to be doing this. These boots from Dikamar – https://myhomefarm.co.uk/these-boots-are-made-for-workin – are not as flashy as Hunter, but they have been wearing very well, so you may want to consider them. They’re made in Portugal.
Well, I am not bothered about if Hunters are flashy or not – LOL! I just want comfortable, can walk for a good few miles in without any blisters, but above all (especially when you have horses and they are a daily necessity most of the year (!)) WATERPROOF! Thats the problem, they have turned into a ‘fashion’ item and are no longer fit for purpose, as well as moving production abroad to save production costs!
However, they have just sent me a replacement pair – cant believe it TBH I will never part with good money for another pair, but if they are happy to replace them under warranty then I am happy to wear them (as I said before, they suit my foot and leg shape and have always been sooooo comfortable) I will hang fire on trying the Dikamar ones because of that – but have it on the back burner ready!
THIS time – for the first time since the 1970s when I first started wearing them – I have not chosen original Hunter Green! I know sometimes firms get one colour from one overseas supplier and different colours from another. All the recent c**p ones have had ‘made in Indonisiea’ stamped on the heel. These navy ones are made in China! Hoping that has a positive effect on on their longevity but I am not holding my breath!
Must admit, cant fault Customer Services, its all become very straightforward these days from when they made you jump through hoops to complain. I sent a photo of the split, a photo of the inside label (and a photo of my white wellie sock with a muddy wet patch on it for good measure) and the replacement pair were with me in just under a week!
As has been said, good luck if you havent bought direct from the website or an authorised supplier however. My daughter bought a pair from an agricultural show a few years ago, same problems as me, but she didnt have details of the stall she bought them from and Hunters didnt want to know. The comeback is on the retailer to sort out by law I understand, as has also been said, as the contract is with the retailer so they should sort out/refund, then the onus is on them to take it up with Hunters.
No doubt I will be posting on here again in another few months – watch this space!
I bought a pair of Hunters, wore them off and on for one winter, but when I cam to wear them this winter first time, the sole moulding to the upper split on one boot, and the seam moulding on the inside of the other boot. They had been stored, as advised, by my front door and had not been exposed to any hot to cold conditions. I went back to the company that sold them to me and they refunded the money straight away – no quibble. Hunters are just a fancy name that you pay for dearly! Will never buy another pair of Hunter’s again!
Thanks for sharing your experience Tim. You are one of scores of people that have been subjected to the incredibly poor quality of Hunter. These are the latest boots we’re trying out. They’re not as flashy as Hunter, but so far they have been wearing extremely well: https://myhomefarm.co.uk/these-boots-are-made-for-workin
Hi,
I bought a pair of Hunter ladies wellingtons last Jan from a well known on line site. This particular seller had been selling for over a year and had good feedback but unfortunately as it turns out isn’t a Hunter authorised seller.
The boots have split seams after 8 months and when I contacted Hunter they said its not their problem.
I can’t get an answer from the seller, they weren’t cheap, surley
if Hunter won’t honour the guarantee should they not allow these people to sell their goods or aren’t they bothered.
Hi Kevin, Sadly yours is a common problem with today’s Hunter products. Hunters do hide behind their ‘official sellers’ requirement but your initial claim may be against the vendor for selling goods not of merchantable quality. I’m no expert on law but you may be able to pursue a claim in the Small Claims Court at minimal cost? Perhaps other readers could advise? This disgraceful state of affairs regarding poor ozone/ageing resistance of Hunter boots has been going on for too long.
Glad I found this page. Two years to the day my pair of Hunter wellies are letting in water. They’ve had light use – certainly not 24 months worth. I have 3 pairs of which these are the ‘newest’. The others are 10+ years old and are still fine. I’m so annoyed as the recent ones were a gift so I’ve no receipt. £100 wasted.
Hunter are dead to us as a brand. Overpriced and extremely poor quality. So many better quality brands out there now.
I agree with everyone my first pair of hunters lasted 12 years and i had to eventually throw them as the heel wore down . I replaced them with another pair which cracked so i threw them out after about 7 months i didnt bother to claim on the warranty . I then bought a hunter chelsea boot which split i did not notice until just outside of the 2 year warranty but theses were bought on Amazon and they refunded the full amount straight away even though they were outside of warranty – Amazon obviously care about their customers .
I also bought another pair of tall hunters from the hunter website which split in just under 12 months , i contacted their customer services last week and to be fair they were good and are sending me out another pair which are due to arrive today – we will see how long those ones last as im not holding out much hope.
My friend has a short pair of wellies that she ordered from the hunter website 24 months and 1 week ago, which had split well before the 2 years warranty ended but as she is an older lady didnt know how to upload phots fine her digital receipt/order number etc etc . We contacted Hunter 2 years and 1 week after ordering the boots – bear in mind their website says delivery takes 3-5 working days so she didnt actually get the boots in her hands until 1 week after ordering so in theory the warranty should be honoured in my opinion , lets see what Hunter says we are waiting for a reply from them as we speak so i will update you once we get the reply
Hunter is made in China now, hence the substantial quality decline.
I bought a pair of Hunter wellingtons – they are not cheap. Wore them off and on over the winter period whilst walking my dog. They were not particularly comfortable and gave me huge blisters on both heels, but I persevered, thinking it was because they were new. I treated them well – kept them clean and ‘oiled’ as suggested, and kept them by my door (I live in a flat, so they were neither cold or hot.)
When I went to get them out for this winter, the first time I wore them, my feet got very wet. I noticed that there was a split on the moulding between the sole and the upper on one boot, and a huge split in the moulding on the other boot, down the side seam. So essentially, I had about 6 months occasional wear out of them. I’m totally disgusted and will never buy a pair of Hunters again. The quality is truly dreadful, and I have boots from Primark which have lasted years and only cost about £10!
It will only allow me to post one image!
Very disappointed with Hunter wellies. Bought a pair of Balmorals about two years ago and, as they are quite heavy, I just used them for winter dog-walking. Wore them from Nov 2020 until Feb 2021 then cleaned them and put them away until Nov 2021 when after a few weeks they started to let in water. They have full-length zips and at the base of each zip, the rubber on the tongue had come away from the canvas lining so water came through on both boots. Last weekend I noticed a split on the instep of the right boot where it joins the rest of the boot so water now pours in through that. About four years ago, I had a similar problem with a pair of Hunters where both boots split on the instep after 13 months. Following much to-ing and fro-ing Hunter replaced them as they agreed it was a technical fault. Myself, my husband and my late parents always bought Hunters as they used to be very reliable, but we’ll not be buying any more. We are both retired and will not be wasting our hard-earned pensions on boots which prove to be so poor and, speaking to other friends, we discover we are not the only unhappy customers. You need to address your manufacturing processes as they are not up to your former standard. I fear you are now living on your name.
Totally agree, gone through two pairs in 6 months. Both replaced under warranty. Now asked for refund. Very poor quality, not like it used to be.
I bought a pair of Neoprene lined mens boots. The first time I put them on the plastic buckle broke on the gusset adjustment!,I had not even worn them ! Because I can not provide proof of purchase , Hunters want the manufacturer code etc! There is not one !!!! They will not accept this,I have even offered to send the boots back to them,this is being ignored! My original green hunters are over 20 yrs old! Not like the cheaply made ones they sell now!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience Keith. They really have become a horrible company in terms of quality and customer service. This is precisely why we will never buy another Hunter product – expensive, with no durability, and needlessly contributing to landfill.
Not impressed with the Balmoral at all. Premium price but has only lasted a couple of winters. Have stored and kept them in neutral environmental conditions in accordance with standard practice. The material is inferior and cracked into holes around the maleolus areas. Will be my last pair of Hunters.
I am about to return my Balmorals, haven’t lasted 1yr yet . Cracks and splits appearing .
I am disgusted in the poor Quality and with so many customers having the same issue .
They need to be named and shamed into sorting this out as they are contributing to the pollution of this planet with the amount of rubber & neoprene going into landfill. Are these recyclable items ? I’m not sure. But shame on you hunters .
Entirely predictable given this incompetent company’s grossly defective products and their refusal to engage with customers after their pathetic products have failed.! What we need to do is orchestrate a concerted publicity campaign and boycott of their products. See my previous posts on this site for a technical explanation.
Mine lasted 1 year 2 weeks becoming split and soles parting.Ive had a pair of Barbour wellies for 27 years and still fine.Seems to me the Hunter wellies rubber is now of such low quality that splits are inevitibla in a short time.My daughter hunter wellies went to an early demise also.Ill never purchase them again.
I’ve had several pairs of hunter Balmorals neoprene and they have all split in exactly the same place in under a year which is a shame as they are comfortable boot to work in im Know using jackpyke ashcomb boots
After a very long and drawn out battle with them (see my earlier posts) I eventually got an out of warranty replacement (well, as close as possible as they had no stock of the Balmoral full zips for over a year). That was August 2021. Bearing in mind that we have had two summers since then they have had about eight months of proper use…… and they have just split. They are stored in a boot bag in a boot box. Unbelievable. I have written reviews but without any optimism.
Rather late to this forum but I agree. I was thrilled to be given a pair (so I don’t have a receipt) and have been singing their praises until yesterday when I stepped in a puddle and they were leaking. On close inspection I see that the river has perished in places. The label says ‘created’ (small letters) in England so I imagine they’re made in China or somewhere similar to cut costs. They are trading on their brand reputation. Any recommendations for my next pair?
We’ve been using Dikamar Alpha Trace (https://myhomefarm.co.uk/these-boots-are-made-for-workin) and Dunlop Purofort (https://myhomefarm.co.uk/hoggs-of-fife-dunlop-purofort-plus-wellington-boot-review).
Both pairs are going strong. Well made and durable.
Thankyou for the tips
For over forty two years I have worn Hunter wellies and the decline in quality is appalling. Customer service is nonexistent and all they say is contact where you made the purchase that’s where your contract lies. Just seven weeks my latest pair have lasted and were only used for light dog walking. I’m absolutely disgusted with the brand and certainly will not be repurchasing in the future.
My Hunters have leaked water in since I have owned them – same as my wife’s ! Hunters are known for it!
A couple of years back I bought a pair of Balmoral boots to replace a 20 year old pair of Le Chameau. The latter were showing signs of age but due to problems with my back I needed a pair with full length zips. The Hunters have perished and the rubber has started to split. Kept dry, in boot bag since new, only used at weekends.
Absolutely agree with other messages here. My first pair of Hunter wellies some years ago lasted at least 6 years. My last two pairs however, despite little use both split at the toe. I too found Hunter customer service unable and unwilling to help. I paid a premium for these boots thinking naively that they would be durable. I will not be purchasing Hunter’s again.
My wife bought me a pair of posh Hunter wellies..the leather lined sort. I wore them occassionally. Last year I decided to wear them to go fishing. Would you believe it, the soles on both boots were peeling off. Ok, they are ten years old..but so what..my first pair of Hunter Royal wellies, made in Scotland, last 20+ years. I will try to reglue the soles using a Stormsure product..wish me luck!
Let us know how it goes.
My first pair of Hunter boots lasted for 30 YEARS. My second pair, less than 2 years old were replaced under warranty. Now my third pair have split, three weeks away from the warranty expiration. Very poor quality. Walmart boots are just as good and a fraction of the price.
Finally got my replacement pair of Balmoral neoprenes. Months waiting (and this was my second replacement!) Immediately offloaded them on ebay and bought a pair of Cotswold from Moles. I am done with Hunter. Never again.
I purchased a pair of Hunter Men’s Field Balmoral Hybrid Tall boots at the end of September 2022. I have worn them less than 6 times and both boots have developed a leak. I am hoping to obtain a replacement pair under guarantee but I will not hold my breath having read about their very poor customer service. I would not recommend these boots.
Hardly surprisingly, they have gone bust. I flogged my (eventual) replacements on ebay and bought a decent pair from Moles. I saw this one coming…..
I’ve been searching the internet about Hunters warranty, as my pair have also started to come apart at the seam and leak. I only wear them a dozen or so times/year, and expected them to last much longer than 3 years!
They went into administration, although I see their website is up and running and they still appear to be trading. Unless you have proof of purchase and they are less than two years old, I suspect you will struggle (I battled for months and eventually prevailed but that was before they went bust). Good luck.
I absolutely agree !!! Had two pairs in two years both split. 100.00 plus. The first pair they replaced – after I sent them back, but long process. The are rubbish I now have a pair of Aigle – fantastic , very warm, great for walking and allotment work. I was curious and just check best welly reviews…and The Telegraph and Gardeners world both had Hunters in their top 10 – they must have tested them for a day…lost faith in reviews like that ! misleading . Anyway thanks for your vid, just confirmed what I thought. Have a good day, Sarah !