Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: beachlover on March 10, 2007, 19:07:42
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I was just wondering what is the preferred footwear for the allotment?
I currently use wellies, but find they have no real support, or protection when digging.
I have a pair of quality hiking boots, but don't want to ruin them either.
Do I buy a decent £40 pair of wellies, or do people have better suggestions?
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In winter i wear ankle wellies and in summer i like trainers!
Have you tried Muck Book Wellies? they give excellent protection!
http://www.equestfootwear.co.uk/section.php?xSec=28&gclid=CI_1j-r06ooCFSGZEAodaUmjlw
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Anything that supports your ankle well
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I have an old pair of CAT boots I keep in the shed but I usually forget to put them on :( so it is usually the expensive walking boots I have arrived in.
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Those muck boots look posh OO :o How many years do you have to have 'earned' to warrant a pair of those! ;D
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Well i dont think you would wear them out thats for sure. I have a pair of the riding wellies - long... but my calves are short so they dig in the back of my knee... might sell them on ebay and get some short ones as they are heavenly comfy and really warm too for winter... only worn them twice!
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I've got a pair of steel toecap boots, they are simliar to my hiking boots in that they are reasonably waterproof and comfortable.
The internal sole can also be removed for washing.
The sole has a steel plate in too, so that makes them extremely comfortable for digging.
Not that I've done any this year yet.
Maybe tomorrow... ;D
I would post a picture, but they are in the boot of my car, ready for action!
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I have a pair of muddies, they look almost identical to those muck boots, and they are absolutely fab, would never buy another brand of wellies again.
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I've got a pair of steel toecap boots, they are simliar to my hiking boots in that they are reasonably waterproof and comfortable.
The internal sole can also be removed for washing.
The sole has a steel plate in too, so that makes them extremely comfortable for digging.
Not that I've done any this year yet.
Maybe tomorrow... ;D
I would post a picture, but they are in the boot of my car, ready for action!
sounds like u've got some workmen boots my wellies have a steel toe cap, but that day I stab them with the fork I bet I miss it :o
my fav footwear are cat sandals, I like my feet to have freedom
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I remember having a pair of rubber boots, very similar to hiking boots, but they were insulated and had serious soles. I think Snowbee made them. Both my Father and I used them in the 80's, but I can't find them anywhere now. They would have been Ideal.
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My wellies have split and I am going to replace them with steel-toe cap boots in the style of walking boots - I don't want to ruin mine either ;D You can pick-em up for about a tenner so bargain if you ask me.
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Usually I wear wellies. Cost me £12 two years ago & still going strong. I like them because they have no laces for getting caught on things at the plot and are easy to clean. Sometimes I wear trainers if I aint digging and it is dry.
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muck boots are fab!!!!!
i bought a pair a couple of years ago. have worn them on the farm, out walking the dogs, gardening etc. they havent begun to wear at all yet.
i'm sure the 'leg' part is made from the same stuff as wetsuits, toasty warm and no 'welly flapping syndrome'.
spoil yourself, your are worth it ;D
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I used to wear paratrooper boots (amy surplus) but I wore them out...well that & put a fork through one of them...just missing my toe :o & cant find any more as their arent that many size 6 paratroupers about ;D....so now I use a pair of steel toe capped shoes I was given to wear during a job with STWater...they are a size too big for me and dont offer much protection from the wet as they are only shoes, but at least my toes are protected!
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Only ever worn steel toed boots ... I agree on those with a steel midsole ... not much use on a lottie with a hole in your foot from a fork ... you can get welly versions too although I prefer boots.
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I have a pair of work boots that i wear although more times than not i am in my shoes as i will just nip in to pick something and end up spending a hour doing something else before i remember that i dont have my boots on! ;D
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Rigger boots, in the winter, they have steel toecaps and are waterproof if you treat them right. It saves having wellies and boots as well.(http://www.davronline.co.uk/media/product_thumbnails/DAV-1094043510-16.jpg)
Also in the summer you can buy safety shoes in the style of trainers. Although your gardening is your hobby please work safely, too many accidents occur because of not being kitted out right.
I get mine from Weld Wise which is on the industrial estate in Newport, next to the royal mail dept. Another thing they always have in there is welders gauntlets which are great for pulling out brambles
If you shop around all the builders merchants and hire shops someone always have safety gear on offer
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Very cheap wellies I have had for ever. I am amazed they don't wear out from digging, or leak. Very comfortable. I would wear them all day every day if I was allowed to. I can't relax on walks or on the allotments if I'm not wearing my wellies. I've got various worn out sandals for hot summers, but it's not the same...
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I'm the same, I just wear cheap wellies. Black ones last better than green.
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I've got various worn out sandals for hot summers,
Do you drive without a seatbelt. You might have the ugliest feet you have ever seen, but they still need looking after. There are often threads on here that complain that the old boys do not take you seriously on the allotment. Can you blame them
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Rigger boots, in the winter, they have steel toecaps and are waterproof if you treat them right. It saves having wellies and boots as well.[img]Also in the summer you can buy safety shoes in the style of trainers. Although your gardening is your hobby please work safely, too many accidents occur because of not being kitted out right.
I get mine from Weld Wise which is on the industrial estate in Newport, next to the royal mail dept. Another thing they always have in there is welders gauntlets which are great for pulling out brambles
Cheers for that. I'll check out Weldwise the next time I have to go and pick something Parcelfarce couldn't be bothered to deliver, which is weekly at the moment!
Couldn't agree more about the safety aspect - Sandals?! :o
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Watch out for those pesky worms wriggling in between your toes. ;D
Don't forget a good pair of socks too, especially if you're digging.
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I wear my LLBean hunting boots with 2 pairs of socks in winter because they have a rubber front and are 100% waterproof plus people cant see how weird they look when I'm on the plot. I find wellies flap about and annoy my calves.
http://tinyurl.com/2bcvck (http://tinyurl.com/2bcvck)
and rubber slip on clogs with no socks in summer.
http://tinyurl.com/26l3tr
I know they're not safety boots but I'm aware of that and dig very carefully.
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Well i dont think you would wear them out thats for sure. I have a pair of the riding wellies - long... but my calves are short so they dig in the back of my knee... might sell them on ebay and get some short ones as they are heavenly comfy and really warm too for winter... only worn them twice!
If they're too long and you'll probably get a rubbish price on ebay shouldn't you just chop a couple of inches off the top?
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T think it depends on what you're doing. If you're planting or weeding, I don't see why sandals shouldn't be OK in summer. digging might not work so well. I've only ever spiked a boot once, and you can do it to anything except steel caps.
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Having purchased a pair of hiking boots 2 years ago from Outlet Village for £50 and never wearing them as never walked anywhere I now use them and find them ideal as they support my ankles.
They are a loverly lilac colour ;D
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I bought a pair of Ruccanoor waterproof hiking shoes/boots from TKmax last year. They were a bargain at only 25quid, and great support for the ankles. Will have to see how they are in the summer, may have to search for something not quite so cumbersome and cooler.
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Zamberland hiking boots for me. Waterproof, thick sole, fluffy warm inners, support my ankle. Perfect.
(http://www.outdoor-emporium.co.uk/content/catalogue/Zamberland_ultra_lite_GTX-1.jpg)
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Zamberlans up the plot - you must be rolling in it :o
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i have wellies but there tight on the calf.
i currently use an old pair of shoes i was going to bin, there were in the back of the car so i put them on one day and there ace for just popping one to the plot to get something.
i want to get some ankle wellies but just not got around to it.
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I use a battered old pair of Coleman walking boots in the winter and wear sandals in the summer. I also bought one of those square plastic cat litter trays which I fill with water in the summer, so I can sit in the sun and soak my feet at the end of a hard days allotmenteering.
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I use workman's boots... They only cost £10 from a cheap shoe shop, but are waterproof and can take massive punishment. i.e. you can drop a paving slab on them and they won't buckle... no pain!
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Reebok Classic Black boots - ankle support, good thick soles, waterproof, light as a feather.
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I use a battered old pair of Coleman walking boots in the winter and wear sandals in the summer. I also bought one of those square plastic cat litter trays which I fill with water in the summer, so I can sit in the sun and soak my feet at the end of a hard days allotmenteering.
Now that I do like the idea of, even though the beach is less than 1/2 mile away!
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Another vote here for rigger boots. Loads available on eBay from twenty quid upwards. Put some dubbin on them and they'll be waterproof, too.
I read somewhere (could even have been on A4A :) ) that if you need to wear wellies it'll be too wet to do anything useful.
For light work in the summer, I'll use an old but stout pair of trainers, but I wouldn't use them if I was digging or handling anything heavy.
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I'm so glad someone else asked this! I wear my Timberland work boots and they're great for digging, but very heavy. My main both is that with my heavy clay there isnt really any grip - the soles just get clogged with mud right away.
I'm very tempted to try the Sarah Raven rubber ankle boots and I could leave them in the shed (once it's built). The Muck boots look nice but a bit pricey for me at the moment.
Tina.
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I wear Chris Breasher boots. I bought them when I went walking a lot. I know they are expensive but as I will not go walking again they would just do nothing in the cupboard, and that would be a waste of money.
I could not wear sandles as I get grit in them and I would be forever taking them off to empty.
Rosemary
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I had to buy a paur of steel-capped boots when I did a horticulture course, but I found them very heavy so just wear welllies in the winter and old trainers in the summer.
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Mine is another vote for rigger boots
I prefer them to wellies they are much easier to get on and off.
Will wear hiking boots when the ground is not so wet.
Alan
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Old pair of padded moonboot wellies in the winter - really warm & easy to get on and off.....moleskin Hotters in the summer until one of them disintegrated last year.....so now I wear one Hotter & one Clarke's stout suede boot til I can find a replacement. Different colours. 8) Do I look odd? Yes. Am I bovvered? No ;D
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At the moment, cheap walking boots from decathlon - £20, very comfy but they do get caked up with mud.
If I could find a place that did size 3 rigger/steel toecapped boots I'd definitely get some. Any ideas?
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Wellies in the winter, Timberland type boots for the rest of the year esp when digging or cutting the grass and sandals in the summer -but your feet can get a bit muddy if you don't aim straight with the watering can!
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your feet can get a bit muddy if you don't aim straight with the watering can!
Hate that muddy flip flop thing!
It's been pair of old walking boots for me. I know my funky wellies won't last down there so haven't even bothered. Want some nice cat style boots for down the lottie I think, as grazing the side of my foot with the fork when I went down in trainers at the weekend made me jump! :o
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Wellies in the winter, Timberland type boots for the rest of the year esp when digging or cutting the grass and sandals in the summer -but your feet can get a bit muddy if you don't aim straight with the watering can!
Is watering can a euphemism? - Feet astride and give it some pressure man ;D
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Behave yourself beach lover!
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Rolling in it RC...fat chance. They were on special in TKMax before Christmas - rrp £99.00, he paid £49.99. I got them for Christmas and as I do gardening for work as well as fun, he felt it important I have a good supporting, weather proof pair of sturdy boots.
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ankle wellies at the mo, sandals in summer, I don't do digging ;D, if I'm doing anything heavier than a watering can, I get told off as i shouldn't
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Wellies in the winter, Timberland type boots for the rest of the year esp when digging or cutting the grass and sandals in the summer -but your feet can get a bit muddy if you don't aim straight with the watering can!
Is watering can a euphemism? - Feet astride and give it some pressure man ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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They were on special in TKMax before Christmas - rrp £99.00, he paid £49.99.
I got my gardening boots from TKMax a few years ago – nice pair of Blundstones for £30 ;D!
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Old flat, "sensible" leather shoes that get relegated from office wear, to mufti wear, to allotment wear. They get abused till they get too leaky (nowt wrong with a mudde pair of socks that a washing machine can't fix!) then are eventaully binned. Have got a pair of old trainers for wet weather.
I have terrible trouble with:
- finding wellies to fit instep and calf while not becoming a flapping pool of rubber at the ankle.
- tucking my jeans in (socks never hold them in for long and bicyle clips are uncomfortable)
- justifying spending wods of dosh on shoes just for the allotment. I may be a laydee but I'm not one of the shoe-laden variety!
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Rigger boots i wear them all the time in allotment nice and warm to
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Rolling in it RC...fat chance. They were on special in TKMax before Christmas - rrp £99.00, he paid £49.99. I got them for Christmas and as I do gardening for work as well as fun, he felt it important I have a good supporting, weather proof pair of sturdy boots.
Wish I had been to TK-Max. My TNF boots (RRP £135 paid £45 from CMM in Nottingham) are to last me another five years but at that pirce I think I would have been in there like a shot :) Always get my sunglasses from TK-Max - last pair RRP £110, paid £18 - don't give a fig if they are (soooooo) last year('s) ;D
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Iwear full wellies in the winter and ankle wellies in the summer for the lotie
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Sorry for the "watering can" quip ;D
I think I am moving towards rigger boots for the digging and winter/spring and then a pair of cheap walking boots for the summer. I like the idea of foot protection and not getting holed or tetanus, so flip flops and trainers just sound a bit iffy to me, but thanks to eeryone for helping out and chipping in
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I don't dig much as I use raised beds. However, I do need a good pair of waterproof boots and wellies are sooooo cold. I'm considering buying some fleece-lined boots from Cotton Traders which are currently on offer. See http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=450
Has anyone tried these and if so do you like them?
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I'm wearing cheapo wellies at the mo but always 'double sock' - can't stand having cold feet! Double socking is the way to go ;)