Hunter Original Tall Review
Cons: Impractical for intense use, relatively uncomfortable
Manufacturer: Hunter Boots
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Hunter Original Tall | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $150 List | $149.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $164.95 at Amazon | $134.99 at Amazon | $49.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Fits well, unique style | Lightweight, great traction, adjustable fit, everything you want in a boot | Extremely warm, grippy | Well insulated, ideal comfort, easy to take on and off | Highly waterproof, stiff construction for rough terrain, great traction |
| Cons | Impractical for intense use, relatively uncomfortable | A bit pricy, cushioning in midsole is slightly lacking | Too warm for most uses, too tight to easily slip on and off | Lower shaft height, less traction | Looser fit, lacks insulation |
| Bottom Line | Despite their impressive build quality, we ultimately didn't think these boots were as practical as other options | You won't go wrong with these boots, no matter what you're using them for | These boots are too much for urban use, but are perfect for those who require top-notch warmth and water resistance | These boots easily won our testers' hearts due to their uncompromisingly solid construction, comfort, and warmth | If you're looking for a classic rubber rain boot, this is the best one we've found at a solid price |
| Rating Categories | Hunter Original Tall | Bogs Workman | Arctic Sport | Bogs Classic Ultra High | Baffin Enduro |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Warmth (15%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Hunter Original Tall | Bogs Workman | Arctic Sport | Bogs Classic Ultra... | Baffin Enduro |
| Weight per Pair (lbs) | 5.42 lbs | 4.97 lbs | 5.74 lbs | 5.76 lbs | 5.49 lbs |
| Flood Height (inches from bottom of sole to lowest point at top of shaft) | 16.9" | 14.75" | 17.6" | 12" | 16.3" |
| Mouth Circumference (inches) | 17" | 16" | 15.25" | 17" | 17.5" |
| Lining/Insulation | Woven nylon lining | 7.5MM Neo-Tech waterproof insulation | Fleece | 7mm waterproof Neo-Tech insulation | Synthetic |
| Upper Material | Rubber | Neotech/Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Outsole Material | Traditional calendered outsole | BioGrip slip resistant outsole | MS-1 molded outsole | Siped self-cleaning non-slip rubber | Rubber |
| Insole | Cushioned footbed | Modular Algae-based EVA footbed | EVA molded midsole with contoured footbed and 2mm thermal foam underlay | Aegis antimicrobial contoured insole | Gel-Flex shock-absorbing heels and midsoles |
| Unique Features | Natural latex, handcrafted, calendared outsole | Seamless Construction to reduce weight + Heel Lock | Neoprene shaft, thick insulation, and aggressive outsole | Easy to put on due to handles, easy to take off due to heel studs, neoprene shaft | Aggressive outsole |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Sizing info | Order next size up | Order next size up | Order next size up | Order next size up | Order your true size |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Hunter Original boots are "name-brand" rain boots from a company established in 1856. But beyond the name, styling, and handcrafted natural rubber, these boots deliver pretty standard performance for a rubber boot. Measuring 16.9 inches tall and weighing in at 5.42 lbs, they lack insulation, which makes them more useful in warmer weather. And while this is hard to quantify, these boots are extremely floppy and don't provide much support. Overall, we're not impressed when comparing them to the products that are designed with function first and form second.
Performance Comparison
Weather Protection
At 16.9", these boots have the second-highest shaft height in our test. However, the Hunter boots' far more flexible rubber makes them feel much less protective, a feeling accentuated by their larger circumference at the top of the shaft (17"), which feels like water might slosh in. These boots also aren't insulated, so they aren't what you should choose for super chilly climates.
Comfort
The Hunter boots are very squishy, but not in a supportive way. They feel like standing on a stack of rubber mats, not like cushioning. And while they come with an insole, it's flexible and thin enough to be almost entirely cosmetic. The fit is snugger than several of the other competitors, so the Hunters don't flap around on the feet as much as looser options, but this isn't as important an issue as their relative lack of support underfoot.
Hunter boots are relatively frustrating to use, as their tightly cut ankle means they're difficult to get on. You have to sit down, grab the flexible top of the shaft, and tug them on. And they're too flexible to kick off, so you have to grab the heel to wrench them off. They're a far cry from larger circumference boots that you can just step into and go.
Traction
The Hunter boots don't have much traction when compared to the other boots in our test. They feature "traditionally calendared soles," which, as far as we can tell, means they roll the rubber on large metal rollers (calendars) to make a sheet of rubber, which they then trim with heated knives to give it three-dimensional shape. In our tests, we find that this process doesn't create much traction. The sharply cut heel piece helps grab the ground when heading down wet grass and muddy hills, but when climbing up hills (on the toes), the heels can't come into play, and the Hunters don't hold well. They have even less traction on snow and ice.
Warmth
The Hunter boots are not insulated and provide no warmth beyond the sock you are wearing. During our ice water test, our bare feet felt the cold immediately, and we were uncomfortably cold after a mere 30 seconds.
Style
The Hunter boots are designed to look a certain way. Our fashion consultants significantly disagree on this boot. In general, the women universally like them, while the men are a little more uncertain about their molded styling. However, the men in our test almost all tend toward the Carhartt/utilitarian aesthetic, which does not work with these boots. Ultimately, if you like their looks, get them and don't listen to us!
Fit
The Hunter boots fit our feet with a half-inch of room and are comfortable for D-width feet without being too snug. We expect they would not have enough room for a wider foot, though. They fit far more snugly on the ankle than most of the other boots, which is nice because they don't flap around, but frustrating because the rubber pushes into the front of the ankles when walking.
Value
The Original Tall are handcrafted natural rubber. If you like the looks enough and want to have a rain boot that looks a certain type of way, they may be worth that much to you. Multiple women who we met wearing ours around Seattle told us that they'd all gotten several years of winter use out of them, so they're durable (under typical urban use).
Conclusion
The Hunter Original Tall boot is designed for those who want to own a piece of history, and for those who like the way the boot looks. It is handcrafted and built using old-school methods and natural rubber. Their 16.9" shaft height means they'll provide a fair amount of water resistance, but due to their other limitations (relatively uncomfortable, too squishy to trust on rough terrain, lack of traction and insulation), we do not recommend them for most people.
— Richard Forbes