The Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots is our best wellington boots for women pick, and it scored 78 out of 100 in our testing.
The iconic looking tall welly, but the thin rubber cracks over time so buy for style with eyes open.
The classic handcrafted tall Hunter in matte black, a fashion led rain boot assembled from 28 parts over three days.
Here's the deal:
We tested it head to head against the other top wellington boots, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Comfort, Durability/Workmanship, Waterproof, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Best Wellington Boots For Women
Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots
- Material: Natural rubber
- Construction: 28 parts, 3 day build
- Height: Tall
- Insulation: None
- Fit: Narrow foot box
- Care: Rubber conditioner recommended
- Best use: Style led rain wear
Bottom Line : The iconic looking tall welly, but the thin rubber cracks over time so buy for style with eyes open.
Pros
- Iconic tall silhouette
- Comfortable for flat walking
- Handcrafted construction
- Waterproof when new
Cons
- Thin rubber cracks and weather checks over time
- Narrow foot box
- Needs regular conditioner to last
- Premium price for the durability
Our Verdict: Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots
The iconic looking tall welly, but the thin rubber cracks over time so buy for style with eyes open.
The classic handcrafted tall Hunter in matte black, a fashion led rain boot assembled from 28 parts over three days.
So, is it any good?
Waterproof when new and sealed, keeps feet dry through rain and puddles.
The catch is longevity: once the thin rubber weather checks and cracks, water gets in.
They look great and are comfy for pottering round town. Be warned though, my first pair started weather checking and let water in within a year, you really do have to feed the rubber.
Annie, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Iconic tall silhouette
- Comfortable for flat walking
- Handcrafted construction
- Waterproof when new
Reasons to avoid:
- Thin rubber cracks and weather checks over time
- Narrow foot box
- Needs regular conditioner to last
- Premium price for the durability
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots scored 78 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on waterproof and weakest on durability/workmanship.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
Priced as a premium boot, yet durability concerns hold the value score down.
You are partly paying for the brand and the recognisable silhouette.
Older pairs that lasted 20 plus years earned the reputation, newer pairs do not always match it.
Better value as a style piece than as a workhorse.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.3/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Comfort
Reviewers report supported, happy feet even after a full day and long city walks.
Honest caveat: the foot box is narrow, so wide feet may struggle to fit.
You might be wondering:
No insulation, so they are a three season boot rather than a cold weather one.
Comfortable for walking on flat ground, less forgiving if your foot is broad.
| Comfort | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Durability/Workmanship
Handcrafted from 28 individual parts, molded on an aluminium last over three days.
This is the weak metric: the rubber is thinner than every other boot here.
Multiple owners report weather checking, cracking and leaking after as little as six months.
Newer pairs show wear within a couple of years, a clear decline from the older long lasting models.
Hunter itself recommends a rubber conditioner every few weeks to slow the cracking and dry rot.
| Durability/Workmanship | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Waterproof
Waterproof when new and sealed, keeps feet dry through rain and puddles.
The catch is longevity: once the thin rubber weather checks and cracks, water gets in.
Creasing at the flex points from normal walking plus sunlight is what starts the cracking.
Score reflects waterproofing that is good out of the box but degrades faster than the rubber rivals here.
| Waterproof | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots | 8/10 |
| Category average | 9/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Should You Buy the Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots?
The iconic looking tall welly, but the thin rubber cracks over time so buy for style with eyes open.
It is best suited to women who want the classic hunter look and will condition the rubber to keep it going.
Bottom line?
The big win: Iconic tall silhouette.
The main compromise: Thin rubber cracks and weather checks over time.
We scored it 78 out of 100.
What Other Wellington Boots Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Kamik Miranda Waterproof Rain Boot is our best wellington boots for dog walking. A light, roomy rubber boot that is easy on and off and comfy for daily dog walks.
The Sloggers Waterproof Rain Boots is our best wellington boots for your money. The cheapest way to keep your feet dry in the garden, as long as you do not ask them to do heavy work.
The Aigle Parcours 2 Wellington Boots is our best wellington boots for walking. The most comfortable boot here for actually walking distances, if you can stomach the price.
Specifications
| Material | Natural rubber |
| Construction | 28 parts, 3 day build |
| Height | Tall |
| Insulation | None |
| Fit | Narrow foot box |
| Care | Rubber conditioner recommended |
| Best use | Style led rain wear |
Conclusion: Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots
After testing it against the other top wellington boots, the Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots earns its place as our best wellington boots for women pick.
Its standout strength: Iconic tall silhouette.
Still deciding?
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Thin rubber cracks and weather checks over time.
If you want women who want the classic hunter look and will condition the rubber to keep it going, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots ranks against the full field in our The Best Wellington Boots guide.
