Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs review: I now use these gardening shoes all year round

Telegraph

8 hours ago

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What are the Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs?
The Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs sit neatly between the traditional lightweight gardening clog and an ankle boot, offering you protection and comfort throughout the year, and were recently named Best Buy in The Telegraph's round-up of the best gardening shoes.
With their neoprene lining and rubber uppers, the Hunter Clogs strike an exceptional balance between warmth and waterproofing while remaining breathable. These clogs won't serve you on long hikes or in severe mud, but they are good gardening all-rounder, with a low back that makes them easy to slip on or off your feet at the door.
With their simple but elegant design, these clogs would make an excellent gift for anyone wanting to treat the gardener in their life, or if you simply want to feel a little more stylish while strutting down the garden path. At £65, they're a luxury purchase, but they are strong, durable, easy to maintain and will save you buying ankle boots for gardening in wintry weather.
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How we test gardening shoes
It's important to get outside and get mucky when testing out gardenings shoes. I wore these clogs around my garden, on my daily dog walk, and to my allotment for all manner of digging, planting and weeding.
As a gardener of almost 20 years, author of the book Grow a New Garden, and a former soft tissue specialist, I do know a thing or two about gardening shoes. A shoe that slips around on your foot is not suitable for wearing over long periods because it will cause your toes to curl to hold the shoe in place, which can quickly lead to problems like plantar fasciitis, which causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot. Equally, good support around the uppers will help prevent injuries like rolled ankles. And some cushioning can protect you from developing Achilles tendon problems.
Living in Devon, where weather can change in an instant, I need a shoe that is breathable when it's warm but is also waterproof. I used these on many wet and dry days in my garden and on my allotment, and as mud is part of the fun with gardening, I also wanted a shoe that was easy to clean and maintain.
Ultimately, the shoe was tested on its comfort, design, quality and ease of cleaning.
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Design
Score: 10/10
These clogs blend practicality with style to create a shoe that looks good and feels comfortable while protecting your feet when out in the elements.
The uppers are relatively firm, giving your feet solid support and protection from sharp objects around the garden. The slight heel on the clog raises your the back of each foot slightly so that it sits above your toes. Known as 'heel toe differential' or 'drop', this is designed to cushion your ankles and feet, reducing the risk of injury.
The neoprene lining on the Hunter Gardening Clogs makes them breathable while keeping your feet dry. They hug your feet while the neoprene stops dirt and debris from entering the shoes, which is a change from most gardening clogs that need to be removed and shaken to clear them out fairly regularly.
My only minor gripe is that when first wearing these clogs with bare feet they can suck onto your feet a little and push out air while you walk. However, this wears off after a day or two and is prevented by wearing socks.
There are only two colourways for the women's shoes, and two for men's, so you are limited in the styles you can choose from.
Comfort
Score: 9/10
These clogs came second only to Crocs when I tested them for comfort, and it was a close contest. The only real disadvantage of the Hunter clogs is that they come in slightly heavier and take a few hours to wear in.
The neoprene lining is soft and flexible, giving you a nice, cushioned feel which stops the shoe from rubbing against your skin, which makes them comfortable to wear with or without socks. They are quite a versatile shoe as the soles have good cushioning, too, making them good for a leisurely morning stroll. While they don't compare with the best walking boots for a long day of hiking around, they are certainly comfortable enough for a whole day in the garden or on the allotment.
If you're likely to be kneeling or crouching in your garden to inspect your flowers or yank out weeds, these clogs also have good flexibility that let you crouch on your toes or curl them under while kneeling. Shoes that are too firm would feel uncomfortable in this position.
They have sturdy soles with good grip and excellent protection to the sole of your foot if you're using a spade or garden fork, too.
Quality and durability
Score: 10/10
Hunter is a well-known and trusted brand when it comes to Wellington boots, so it should come as no surprise that they also produce quality gardening shoes.
The materials of these clogs feel tough and durable. The rubber uppers resist scratches and scuffs, and the soles are certainly solid enough to withstand rough terrain and the top of a garden spade.
At the rear where the neoprene has a natural join there is reinforcement in the form of a woven strap, which is undetectable to your foot while in use, but gives extra protection against rubbing and wearing at the weakest point.
Waterproofness and breathability
Score: 9/10
If you want to splash about in puddles then a clog isn't the best choice of gardening shoe. But if you want a shoe that is waterproof and breathable, these clogs are excellent. Unlike other breathable gardening shoes, they don't have holes in the uppers, which means they will keep your feet dry in winter or during a summer shower.
The neoprene is comfortable and breathable but obviously doesn't offer the same level of cooling in winter like other clogs with holes in the top do, such as the Muck Boot Muckster Lite Clogs and Classic Crocs.
The best waterproof jackets will keep your body warm and dry, but it's arguably more important to keep your feet dry to stop the onset of uncomfortable fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Being prepared with a shoe that is both waterproof and breathable may well extend your gardening day in the UK's unpredictable weather.
Ease of cleaning
It's important to clean gardening shoes correctly before storing them away if you want to maintain them properly and ensure they last you a long time. If cleaned regularly, the Hunter clogs are easy to just rinse or wipe clean, and if the dirt is a little more ingrained or the marks are stubborn they can be scrubbed clean using a scrubbing brush and washing up liquid if needed. Once clean they are easy to dry and most of the water will run straight off. It's remarkable how quickly they return to looking brand new, even after a mucky day in the garden.
The tread on these shoes also isn't overly deep, so they're not prone to picking up large pieces of mud and bringing them indoors, unlike some of the best Wellington boots that typically have a deeper tread.
Technical specifications
Let's see how the Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs stack up when compared with the ever popular Classic Crocs.
Should you buy the Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs?
The Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clog are, in my opinion, the best gardening shoes for year-round comfort, style and protection. They will keep your feet safe during gardening work, and are easy to slip on and off if all you want is a quick trip outside to soak up the morning sunshine.
Yes, if:
You want just one shoe for all seasons
You want to protect your feet from sharp weeds and gardening tools
Deep mud isn't too much of a problem in your garden
No, if:
Your garden is particularly wet or muddy, as they have low backs
You don't like snug-fitting shoes, or have particularly wide feet
You just want a shoe for summer that will keep your feet cool
Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs FAQs
What is the best way to clean and care for Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs?
The Clogs can easily be cleaned using a damp microfibre cloth or using a soft brush and some soap for more ingrained mud.
Do they offer good support?
While the Hunter Clogs don't have in-built arch support, the drop between the heel and the toe and the cushioning in the sole offer good support for all foot types. The uppers are firm yet flexible, holding your foot in place and supporting your foot even over difficult terrain.
Are the Hunter Gardener Neoprene Lined Clogs fully waterproof?
Although the Hunter Clogs are fully waterproof, they have a low back which would allow water in if you were to wear them in water more than a few centimetres deep.