wellie recommendations

[Babyhagrid]

does anybody have any recommendations for caving wellies? i currently have dunlop actiforts (green with a yellow band round the welt) and they have served well but now are beginning to let water in and have lost a fair bit of grip. has anybody found any different wellies that last well and have decent grip and a notch in the middle for footloops and ladders? or am I just best buying cheaper or the same wellies and replacing them often.

 

[hannahb]

Some people like Etche wellies. They are robust but they are a different fit to Dunlop's and not everyone likes them.

I wear Dunlop Universal. Probably a lot less robust than Actifort but also cheaper. The grip is good. I just accept that they wear out pretty quickly.

 

[Cavematt]

I have tried so many different types, and I cannot find anything I like more than the Dunlop Aciforts (non-steelie version). However, I am a little limited in what I can wear because I have a high instep which rules out quite a few brands particularly when wearing wetsocks.

I find the Aciforts have very nice flexibility, deep tread and are lined (I tried non-lined rubber wellies once which will probably last longer than me, but they are almost impossible to get on and off).

The Aciforts maybe haven't got the best longevity (a few years of regular caving, but significantly less if digging).

I wore steel toecap ones for a while, but the damn steel part kept jamming in between rocks, requiring welly removal to extract them, so they quickly got relegated to the garden.

I tend to have a few pairs of Aciforts on the go... some 'nice' untrashed ones with good tread which I save for horizontal trips (particularly slippery boulder hopping in Ease Gill or South Wales where grip is everything) and a few less-good pairs for digging or predominantly vertical trips.

But ultimately, the choice will be driven by what fits the nicest for you, this will vary from person to person

 

[tim.rose2]

Had many pairs of these over the years:

Bodmin Adults Wellington Boots - Green

MoleOnline.com is the new website of Mole Valley Farmers the Agricultural Supplies and Equipment Merchants

www.moleonline.com

Compared to the cheap Dunlop jobbies these seem to last much longer and provide better shin protection.

 

[davel]

I'm happy with https://www.screwfix.com/search?search=wellingtons+site

Dave

 

[JasonC]

(I tried non-lined rubber wellies once which will probably last longer than me, but they are almost impossible to get on and off).

Yes... I have some Eche wellies, which are nice and grippy, but are unlined, and a bugger to get on and off, though a home-made boot jack helps.

And I would agree about avoiding steel toe-caps - I found that the toe-cap wore slightly loose inside so that when walking down hill from GG they were rubbing my toes at each step, which bloody hurt!

 

[caving_fox]

Toe-caps all the way for me. Kicking rocks as I go. They are heavier.

I quite liked the fleece lined 'rigger's boots' I had for a while, although the fleece quickly detached making putting them on and off a bit more challenging, but they were warmer. These days I'm nearly always in screwfix non-brand ones as above, mostly because it's just around the corner from me so I can pick them up last minute when I realise the current sidewall has split enough for my foot to come out.

 

[pwhole]

I also use the Screwfix Site wellies, with foam sole inners for some extra comfort. I'm not what you'd call a delicate caver, and can trash wellies quickly, so I tend to the cheaper end for underground work. Personally I wouldn't cave without safety wellies as I'm always getting knocks that would really hurt, or worse. I've got some lovely Purofort+ wellies for surface use and work, but I wouldn't take them underground.

 

[Babyhagrid]

Steel toe caps are appealing more now as I'm currently losing a toenail after stubbing my toe in the walk back from a cave 😂😂

 

[wormster]

The cheapest wellies from Tinknells in Wells, I usually "modify" the boot by taking a hot piece of fence wire and making 3 or 4 holes in the instep of the wellies, so when they get full of water, walking or moving in non aqeous passages each foot fall pumps the water out. Ok I do wear knee length neoprene caving socks to keep my toes warm

 

[tomferry]

Let them wear out, £10 screw fix Dunlop ones, drainage holes are very good .

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Let them wear out, £10 screw fix Dunlop ones, drainage holes are very good .

Dunno, I got a pair of those for my son (same sized as mine very conveniently) but they're really heavy.

I'm liking wormster's holes idea and neoprene socks.

 

[Digit]

Of course you could always go for something different.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

They have to be pink. I used to get Kit Girl boots with steel toe caps but cant find them now. Toe caps are a must.

 

[PeteHall]

Let them wear out, £10 screw fix Dunlop ones, drainage holes are very good .

Another vote for cheap wellies and adding drainage holes.

I usually pick mine up for £1 or £2 from the various local car boot sales, however this year has been rather lean pickings in the welly department (I did get a nice new crowbar for £1 last weekend though, to replace one that's found a new home down Otter Hole...).

 

[BikinGlynn]

Etche Canyon Boot from starless for me.​

They are really good, just get at least a size smaller than u normally use!

 

[pwhole]

But drainage holes also mean inlet holes, and if you're only walking through puddles, you still get wet feet. Not into that! I like wearing thick wool socks on dry trips.

 

[paul]

I've been drilling holes in the instep on my wellies for years mainly to help in getting them off when wearing wetsuit socks as they allow air to be sucked in. The added benefit of allowing drainage is useful as I don't care about water entry.

 

[bagpuss]

Any recommendations for those with slim legs? The Dunlop ladies/kids fit but aren't as robust as the mens, but the mens are far too big around the leg..

 

[pwhole]

Slip some football shinpads down them