Hunter Original Tour versus Refined Gloss boots

Outfit: Hunter Original Tour boots in black (UK 3), Kmart Girls Lined Mac Jacket (size 14),
Cotton On Woven Lucie 3/4 dress (last season, size XS), Chloe Marcie bag in small. 

I previously shared in my post here about the December Shopbop sale that included Hunter boots which have been on my wish list for a while. With the gloomy weather in Sydney this weekend, I finally got a chance to try out these booties and test them out in rainy weather and they did not disappoint. I kept telling The Boy all day how much in love I am with them, trudging around at the garden centre of Bunnings (a hardware warehouse chain store in Australia). I felt invincible against the mud and the rain!

So to share a bit more about the story of these boots, Hunter gumboots have forever been on my wish list since I first saw them on a classmate back at university. I had never contemplated owning a pair of gumboots before that. However to my disappointment I did not come across a single store in Sydney that physically stocked them so I never got a chance to try them on for fit. I was hesitant to shop online as I had no idea what size to take (they use UK shoe sizing), how long the boot length might come up to on my petite frame (for reference I'm 150 cm, equals 5 ft' tall) and worried about the the hassle of having to post them back overseas for returns should they not fit. 

With Covid last year and more online shopping, I finally decided to try them after reading a few blog review. I found a pair of Original Tall boots in black on sale just under AUD $150 (original price over $200). However, when they arrived by post, they turned out just as Jean Wang from extrapetite.com described - slightly stiffer and taller, hitting the kneecaps on us shorter ladies. I returned them reluctantly and consoled myself to wait patiently for another similar sale. In the meantime I regularly patrolled websites such as Asos, Shopbop, The Iconic and Catch.com, which were the main websites that I found stocked Hunter boots and delivered to Australia for a reasonable price. Nordstrom in the US has a much wider range of styles and colours and regularly goes on sale, but I noted by the time I got to the checkout the additional taxes and delivery fee meant that even a pair of boots 'that were on sale' was over AUD $200 for me.

Hunter Original Tour boots in black

These Original Tour boots did not disappoint. They feel more lightweight than the Original Tall and softer in the rubber and was a lot more comfortable. I was keen on the Military Red, but really struggled to find these in the Tour, so settled for classic black. Whilst US and UK websites have the Military Red in the Tour, the pricing is a lot more expensive by the time you add up the taxes and delivery fees. I may keep this one though on my Wishlist and keep an eye out for any bargains. If you know of where to get Hunter boots for a reasonable price, do let me know!

Hunter Original Tour boots in black

Sizing: I referred to their sizing chart and I took my usual size of EU 36 (UK3). 

When I came across the Shopbop sale in December last, I initially only intended to purchase the Original Tour (AUD $130) but the price of the Original Refined was too good to resist (also AUD $130) AND I was curious to try what the Refined style and glossy colour would look like. 

Hunter Original Refined in Gloss black

Here are the Original Refined boots in gloss black on me. I liked how it was a more sleeker in look and anything shiny/glossy is a plus in my books! But it was more of a narrow style and I found it a little tight around my feet (I do have wider feet) and in all honesty I couldn't justify having two pairs of gumboots, particularly if one pair slightly pinched the feet a little, so ended up returning the Refined Gloss. 

Hunter Original Refined in gloss black

In terms of my online shopping experience with Shopbop, it was fairly hassle free. The items were delivered promptly within ten days. I returned the unwanted item according to the online instruction and dropped it off at my nearby DHL. One downside is that they deduct about $40 for the return delivery fee from your refund which is stated in their returns policy. 

Next on my to do list is learn how to take care of these booties! I have read that they can get a discoloration called 'blooming' but there's a way take care of it. If you have any tips on how to look after gumboots, where to get Hunter boots and any other general tips, would love to hear from you! Share down in comments below. 

xx

Choco

Instagram @choco_petitestyle