Muck Boot Tack II Hi All Purpose Boots
A.K.A Women's Tack II Hi Equestrian Work Boot
Reviewed by The Muddy Madam
I have weird feet and big calves!
I am not saying this as part of some AA like 12 step programme, I just thought I'd let you in on my struggle to find wellies. I have normal length, size 7, feet, but they are wide, I mean really wide; oh and I have a couple of hammer toes (I'm building a lovely picture for you, aren't I?). I also have largish calves, not exceedingly big for my almost 6 foot frame, but seemingly huge for any girl-aimed welly boots. So with all these issues to deal with finding good, practical wellies over the years have been a nightmare.
In the past, if I could actually get my foot in, without my feet feeling like they were being crushed by a Death Star trash compactor, then I always found that the blood had stopped circulating in my foot due to the tourniquet like boot top. If I did manage to surpass these two problems then my hammer toes came into play, due to my toe nails being repeatedly pounded back into my foot by the hard rubber sole. There is only so much pain I can stand before the wellies are thrown into a cupboard never to see the light of day again.
But I now have a saviour for my feet...
I have found the best pair of wellies (sorry All Purpose Boots) ever.
These beauties from The Original Muck Boot Company have everything you need:
- They are the size they say they are. I know this doesn't seem like something revolutionary, but it is. You don't know how many size 7 boots I've tried on that were either a size smaller or larger than stated. Not great if you purchase on the internet; lots of returns.
- They are nice and wide, even wide enough that I can wear proper warm (thick) boot socks in them. Bonus!
- They provide me (and my hammer toes) with all day comfort due to their 4mm CR flex-foam. Before you ask, I don't know what CR flex-foam means, but I'm going to guess that it's the neoprene-like material that they are constructed of. Whatever it actually is, I can tell you that, to me, it means that the innersoles are a bit squishy, and the sides are flexible, which means that they don't push on my toenails, and they don't cut off my leg circulation. I've also found that this 4mm of flex-foam has the added benefit of keeping the foot and leg warm too. Double bonus on cold, wet nights.
- They have an angled top which allows a free range of motion which make them much easier to walk in than a traditional straight topped welly.
- They have a heel spur, which is a moulded hard bit that juts out slightly at the back, which makes them easy to get off by using your opposing foot as the anchor point, so you don't need a boot pull (or a partner who doesn't mind getting covered in mud as he or she tugs them off for you) to get them off.
- They have a breathable Airmesh lining to keep your feet comfortable and dry.
- They have a durable rubbery outsole over the whole foot area, making them tough and easy to clean.
I have only had these for a week (a very 'it's-wet-up-North' week), and already I have worn them for longer, and without any pain, than any other wellies that I've bought in the last 10 years. Oh and I love purple, so the funky purple coloured soles and top edging are right up my street. They also do them with pink bits too, but if you are a bit less in-your-face than I am, they also do them in a plain black version too.
They are the perfect option for muddy dog walks, puddle jumping and general rural romping, and, as their alternative equestrian name suggests, they are wholly suited to life around the stables.
Comfort Range: Sub Freezing to 18°C
Sizes: 3-9
Where to buy?
- www.muckbootcompany.co.uk - RRP £84
- various equestrian shops
- some garden centres
- internet retailers