le chamau,worth it or not?

[ajfab]

i got my first pair of leather chammys 20year ago and had prob 8-9 pairs since then also had the neopreane lined with zip about 4 pair of them now i have killed all of them over time and mainly due to me not looking after them one of the worse things for natural rubber is BLOOD its an acid and eats into them so you must wash blood of as soon as possible.
had seeland boots and they were crap and cold even with thick neoprene.
hunter balmoral neo flapped about on me legs plus not great when a fox bit through them one day( terrier let go and my foot was too near)
got musto buckland leather boots and they are not bad first pair started to leak sent them back and replacements back by return of post!
pay your money and take your chance!

 

[Acm]

I literally wear wellies all day every day from the end of harvest to the start of hay making , on Sussex clay I've yet to ever have a pair last more than one lambing season , I've tries chammys , aigles , muck boots and settled on hunter balmoral neoprene . I've had 3 pairs in 3 years , they're comfy and warm but the soles wear like hell on concrete yards , but I'm not going to change my boots between jobs ! It's just another item of wear and tear I guess

 

[timbrayford]

I had a pair of leather lined Le Chameau wellies, one of them split across the instep just after the warranty expired and I got no joy out of their customer service. Not quite what I expected from a premium brand. atb Tim

 

[paul k]

I have had a pair for many years, I can't remember exactly when I bought them but they cost £120 new when I did. It must be 15 years if not a fair bit more. I have the leather lined "Chasseur" version with the big calf fitting and they are the only wellies that ever fitted me properly. One boot developed a leak where the upper meets the sole this year otherwise they have been great, very comfortable and very cheap per year if you work it out. I was going to replace them this winter but having seen others comment about a drop in quality I'm not sure I will.

I also have a pair of Le Chameau Moufflon lace up boots which are excellent for stalking and have served me well so far.

 

[XYZ]

I love my neoprene full length zip Chameaus and wouldn't look to any other make, brand or style.

As a point of interest, the Sportsman in Exeter are selling them at £178 currently.

 

[Glendine]

Hi Wildfowler 1,

Sorry I only saw your post just now. I use Kiwi mink oil I got it in the shop where I bought the boots.

I tryed uploading a photo but it will not allow me. Google Kiwi mink oil. first wash the boots dry them fully then slightly heat the boots and then apply the mink oil.

Regards,
Glendine.

 

[p.ness]

I have had mine now for 12 years and are the original ones that were made in France they are not know made there.god knows where?

 

[Willie]

I've had 2 pairs of Hunter leather lined zip wellies both of which lasted me over 6+ years, didn't look after them, never let in, warm and comfortable to walk in even over rough ground. When the last pair died (bust zip) the kindly rep managed the get me a new pair of the new style Barmorals (Leather & zip) for free! Great customer service. Imagine my disappointment when I tried them on - they were a terrible fit compared to the old ones, big round the calves and loose round the foot and before you ask they were the right size.

So my recommendation would be not to touch the new Hunters with a barge pole.

It seems from this thread that the quality of the "newer" boots of all brands isn't what it use to be.

Willie

 

[Dawnraider]

I picked up a pair of aigle iso at mole valley farmers that were in a sale for £30 got them home and they are nice and comfy but i couldn't tell you how long they'll last but at that price it don't matter especially as i went back the next day and got another two pairs,about as much as want to pay for a pair of wellies anyway,i can't stalk in wellies i'd break my ankles for a pastime round here.I did have pair of seeland neoprene ones before these and they were cr@p.

 

[patterdale]

Old ones were good new ones are not !
I think butler creek scope covers have gone the same way too

Have to agree

 

[Muddy]

wellies

if you go into frankonia shops in Germany and look at the wellies on show there they are the same names as ours but the lining is 5 mill not three as ours are the sole is half an inch deeper than ours they are much more sturdy than the ones we get and the same price in euros as ours are in pounds so roughly 20% cheaper over there for a much better product . if you inquire about them they say they get a lot of snow so need better wellies than us i think we are being screwed again my next pair will come from Germany in the next couple of weeks when i visit Rudd for the wild boar before the winter sets in muddy