Stanley Rigger boots …
Almost exactly a year ago I recommended these rigger boots. I’d been using them for about six months and had been pleased with their fit and function. They’d been warm enough in the winter, strong enough to protect my toes from a carelessly dropped full super and easy to get on and off.
I spoke too soon.
Sometime this spring the lining on one boot worked loose. When I tried to slip the boot off the lining remained trapped round my heel, necessitating some unbalanced hopping about while prising my heel free with my fingers. Now both linings have come adrift from the inside of the boot and it’s a real palaver to get the damn things off. They remain comfortable, safe and secure, totally waterproof and easy to get on. They’re just nigh-on impossible to remove again.
Screwfix still supply these … my advice is to get something different and I’m now on the lookout for an alternative. Any suggestions?
I bought my set of rigger boots for under £30, the same are currently £31.99, the lining has not detached, but the inner sole has loosened and lifted, its the Dickies rigger at Wickes. From what you describe it sounds like the lining has become like a sock attached to the top seam and twists trying to strangle your foot into the boot.
I would prefer a cheaper boot than the £60 you would pay to replace yours like for like, I feel I want more than 1 pair for biosecurity reasons, my local association has had a case of EFB at it’s teaching apiary 3 weeks ago, another local association has just finished it’s no movement period for AFB at it’s public apiary which is on a National Trust site. Both associations are about the same distance from home. 6 miles south or 6 miles west
You’re right … I’d certainly be unhappy paying full whack. I bought these half-price in a sale 18 months ago. I hardly think the 2-3 hours a week I use them counts as excessive wear. Your description of the lining strangling my foot is pretty close – it’s separated from the boot round the heel and footbed, so when you try and slide your foot out the liner stays attached to the foot, not the boot. Irritating. For biosecurity you could do what anglers or FMDV-affected farmers do (or did) and have a bucket of disinfectant to paddle in on the way in and out of the apiary. I suspect hive tools, gloves and drifting bees are a far bigger risk than the soles of your boots though. Cheers, David
Gloves – use nitrile disposables, Hive tools etc, for both dip tools and gloved hands into a bucket of washing soda solution between each hive – thats now the new policy at my local association after EFB.
I’m also a Rivers Trust Trustee, an Angler (committee member), do Riverfly Monitoring (i.e. kick sampling for invertebrates) , Virkon S does run a little expensive if you buy it in sachets, it has to be in 5Kg tubs minimum to be cost effective.
Update … after a further 6 months use the liner detached completely and the heel cup on one boot disintegrated. After walking just a short distance my heel was cut up badly … I’ve chucked them away. When they worked and were intact they were great. Once they started to fall apart they were rubbish.
I’m still looking for something suitable to replace them with, though the last couple of months have been so wet I’m currently having to use knee boots to visit my apiaries.
Screwfix have a range from £39.99 to £79.99
The Stanley Ashland are £39.99
Wickes have 3 from £31.99 to £39.99
Both stock Scruffs Gravity at £39.99
Safety boots only have a 6 month manufacturers guarantee (due to the steel toecaps). Boots wear out – at least as safety equipment they are zero VAT rated.
BUT in the current climate/weather Fishtec do a number of good lines in chest or waist waders 🙂 for the stocking feet versions the actual boots are free. (149..179)