Hunter Original Back Adjustable Tall - Women's Review

The women's Hunter Original Back Adjustable Tall offers incredible coverage that proved to be impenetrable in our waterproof testing. Each boot is handmade with natural rubber and lined with soft recycled polyester, and they have the tallest flood height of all the rain boots we tested, meaning they will keep your feet, ankles, and the full length of your calf dry in over a foot of water. The Hunter Original has a classic look that blends well in urban environments, while still functioning properly in rough weather. However, the hard rubber and shallow tread doesn't grip onto loose surfaces very well, so we don't recommend tackling seriously deep mud in these, but they kept us from slipping on wet concrete.

Weather Protection

In terms of weather protection, the Hunter Original Back Adjustable Tall is in the category of the elite. They have a seamless molded construction that leave zero cracks for water to enter, and this boot has a 17-inch flood height, meaning it will keep your socks dry in water up to your knees. A taller flood height will also keep your jeans dry if you're stepping through tall, dewy grass while looking out for birds.

The shaft has a large opening, which wide calf girlies will appreciate, and it is plenty wide to stuff your pant legs inside without feeling squished. In theory, a rubber gusset and buckle can be cinched down to keep the shaft from flopping around your calf while you walk. However, we didn't find the gusset to be very functional; it seems to be a style accent more than anything.

The certified vegan rubber is molded in one solid design without any seams, eliminating the possibility of leaks. We have tested these boots over many seasons, and have yet to find a leak in a single one of them. Hunter boots are high quality construction, and they will 100% keep your feet dry.

Comfort

We tested the Hunter Original Back Adjustable Tall by walking through creeks and rivers, hiking up mountains, and tromping on trails. We wore them on our bikes to work, walking to the grocery store, and going out to dinner. Unfortunately, these boots are some of the least comfortable we have worn. Their highly structured look and great durability come at the cost of flexibility around the ankle and toes.

The rubber of these boots is quite sturdy and less flexible than some of the other models we tested. It makes for an incredibly durable boot, but we made sure to wear long pants and tall socks with our Hunters because otherwise the boots would dig into our legs uncomfortably. The 17-inch flood height may also be too tall for shorter women. One of our shorter testers did not enjoy how the tall shaft rubbed against her kneecaps and hit the backs of her knees when she took steps. She found them very uncomfortable while sitting down, riding a bike, or driving, as the top edge of the boot would rub the backs of her knees raw. That said, our taller testers did not have this problem. They did, however, mention that the tall height made it difficult to get a full range of motion while biking in the boots. So, with that, make sure your lower legs are long enough for the tall shaft of these boots, and if not, the Hunter Original Short may be a more practical option.

The footbed provides more support than we have experienced in most other rain boots. It's still not comparable to a comfy sneaker, but it is above average for a rain boot. Our feet felt supported and happy in these boots, even after wearing them for a full day. Though the foot box feels pretty narrow, which is something to note if you have a wider foot. And, much like most other rain boots, these boots do not provide much arch support, so keep that in mind if you are a high-arched girlie who needs insoles.

Traction

The tread on these boots was designed more for urban use. The raised heel, adds an elevated look, but it is not the most confidence-inspiring on uneven terrain. That being said, we wore these boots walking up mountains, on wet grass, in rivers and lakes, and on snow and ice, and we were pleasantly surprised by how steady they felt underfoot. The tread doesn't look like much, but it grips muddy hills with decent success.

We will mention that these boots struggled to keep their grip on slimy, wet river rocks. The Hunter Originals are best used for urban, casual use, rather than as work boots.

Wearability

These boots are extremely popular in rainy coastal cities. And we'll admit these boots are pretty dang cute. They look great over skinny jeans and leggings, or even with tights and a short dress. They are dependable and come in a wide array of fun colors and matte and glossy finishes. Walk through any college campus on the East Coast on a rainy day, and you'll see numerous students trodding through puddles with Hunter boots, keeping their feet dry.

As far as convenience and everyday use, the Hunters are boots that you pull on for an occasion, but likely not something that you'll want to slip into to run every day errands. The tall shaft height of makes them super weather-protective, but they aren't as comfortable for everyday use as a shorter boot might be, and the stiff rubber doesn't allow a ton of ankle flexion while driving. Weighing in at a whopping 2 lbs per foot, these boots are quite heavy and not easy to lug around. But for some, the heavier weight is worth the exchange for long-lasting weather protection and style that fits in at work, school, grocery store, or even a dog walk.

Durability

Hunter boots are incredibly dependable. The rubber can feel quite stiff when you're walking, but that is just because it is built to last. These boots are very durable. They come with a high price tag, but they also come with reassurance that they will last you for years, if not decades.

We have personally worn our pair for multiple years, and for numerous activities, including hiking, tromping through cold creeks, shoveling snow, gardening, and commuting to work. In every test, we have been pleasantly surprised with how little wear and tear these boots show. Online reviewers tend to agree - if you scroll through online reviews of these boots, you will find multiple buyers with stories of having their last pair of Hunter boots for over 20 years! If that isn't worth a hefty price tag, we don't know what is.

Should You Buy the Hunter Original Back Adjustable Tall?

If you want a classically styled rain boot that will last you for years, then the Hunter Original Back Adjustable Tall might be your buy-it-for-life boot. It has the tallest flood height (a full 17 inches!) of all the boots we tested, and is more than enough to protect your feet from deep waters or big splashes. Unfortunately these do not have the slipper like comfort and flexibility that we found in other boots, so if you're looking for something easy and casual, there are others we would recommend.

What Other Rain Boots Should You Consider?