Muck Boot Muckmaster sizing

[Steve Lewis]

Morning all.

I'm sadly still out of the fishing game for the time being, but I find myself needing some sage advice from the BFW experts.

After 30+ years of loyal service through all sorts of weathers and terrains, my trusty Dunlop wellies have finally given up the ghost. Although I'm not fishing at the moment, I am out every day walking the dog and she does like to go off-road so I need to replace them regardless. I was just going to do a like-for-like and get another pair of Dunlops, but when I inspected a pair at a local Sports Direct I wasn't at all impressed with the quality (in fact I could fairly easily pull away the soles on one pair). Presumably they don't make em like they used to.

Anyway, after lots of research I've settled on getting a pair of Muck Boot Muckmasters. I ummed and ahhd with the Arctic Sport, but ultimately decided on sticking with my previous system of an all-year boot with additional sock layers for the winter months.

My question is what is the sizing like with the Muckmasters?

In regular shoes I typically take a 7.5 or 8 (yes, small feet), depending on width, which is comfortable enough with a little toe wiggle room, but when it comes to wellies I need to go a tad bigger to accommodate additional/thick socks but without going so big my feet are slipping all over the place in the summer. My old Dunlops were weird - size 7, but still with plenty of room for two or three pairs of socks in the winter. They definitely weren't an actual 7.

Would I be safe going for a 9 in the Muckmasters, or would 8 be a safer bet?

(Note - there is nowhere local to me where I can try them on)

 

[Peter Smith 2]

I've recently bought a pair of these, I normally wear a size 9, so initially ordered a size 9, they were way too small, so stepped up to an 11 and they are just right for me. But I do like a bit of room in wellies, I normally walk a lot and think a bit of slop helps to circulate air and keep feet dry from sweat (only a guess on my part). I just wear a single layer of thin socks. These boots a really comfortable and seem hard wearing, the neoprene lining is good and very warm, but I would not recommend for summer use, way too hot. I would advise getting one size up if you like a good fit, or two sizes up if you want slop or space for thick socks.

 

[Steve Lewis]

Good point about summer use that I had not considered Peter. I've also since read a few comments that mention the soles being susceptible to cracking and also wearing through to the cardboard after not much use, although those could just be manufacturing errors on those pairs alone.

Any other recs?

 

[Neil Smart]

Steer clear would be my advice due to sole issues. I had that problem.

 

[Steve Lewis]

Advice taken Neil - after a bit more digging there's lots of photos of Muckmasters basically falling apart.

Had a WhatsApp conversation earlier with a work mate who is a construction site manager, a senior in the local emergency response group and also has quite a sizeable small holding, and he's pointed me in the direction of Dunlop Fieldpro Thermo+. He's been wearing those for all of the above bar construction sites where the PPE rules call for full safety rigger boots. He swears by them having worn them almost daily in numerous terrains and through all weathers for the last 18 months or so. The only negative he's found is that they're not great in very icy conditions in terms of grip, but then no wellies are (I suspect the river pikers amongst us have crampons tucked away for the winter months).

Currently on sale with £60 off direct from Dunlop so, despite my earlier misgivings with the ones in Sports Direct (which were the cheaper £30 and under ones), I'm going to give these a go.

And hopefully I'll be able to test them on the bank at some point in the near future...

 

[Steve Reed]

I have been a loyal advocate of Muckboots for many years and have owned four pairs. However, each pair has been poorer quality that those they were replacing. My current pair are shipping water after only a couple of seasons of light use, so it is time to switch brands. After reading all the boot threads on here I think I am going to invest in some Aigle Parcours ISO 2. Not cheap but as my old Mum used to say, 'buy cheap, buy twice'.

Steve