It seems ridiculous to post this when the temperature in my neck of the woods seems permanently set in the nineties and my air conditioner is crying with exhaustion. But I am not so silly as to think that the whole world is smoldering in their sandals. Since it is technically fall, let’s talk about rain boots:
Last year I wrote a post about the new Chooka Rain Boots that I had purchased at Costco. I was very pleased with my Chooka Rain Boots and they even garnered their own funny story. However for Christmas, my husband surprised me with a pair of Hunter Rain Boots. And I supplied a post for those, as well.
Both are in a very similar color of green.
I decided to write a new post about what I like about each of them.
First, when I pulled my rain boots from my closet after less than a year of being stored in there, my Chooka Boots appeared brand new and my Hunter Boots had a waxy white film across them. I only wore each pair of boots two to three times last year (darn California drought), so I am by no means an expert on accessories for the rain.
But I can tell you the pros and cons I have found with each of the shoes:
Chooka Rain Boots Review:
As I said above, the Chookas have retained their sheen and still look brand new after many months in storage.
I think the Chooka Boots are more comfortable than the Hunter Boots, because they are a tad bit shorter and do not hit the back of my knees like the Hunter Boots do.
The price. I paid $30 for my Chooka Boots at Costco last year (from what I have seen online, I believe the average retail price is around $60). This is a great deal for a nice pair of boots.
The negative about these boots is that I am not a huge fan of the buckle on my Chooka Boots. I do not mind it on the Hunter Boots, because the buckles are balanced by the label in the center. But I wish the Chooka Boots did not have the buckle on the side. I feel like it draws attention to the lack of a label (which is actually another positive. Most of the time I am a label-free girl).
Chooka also now sells boots with a pretty contrasting brown buckle. I like that look better than the ones that I own.
Hunter Rain Boots Review:
First, the gorgeous logo. I mentioned above in the Chooka Boot Review that I generally am not a label girl, but it has to be said that the Hunter logo is stunning and makes the boot.
The taller length of the Hunter Boot is better for skirts, and looks better with them because of their height than the Chooka Boot. However it is not as comfortable as the lower height of the Chooka Boot.
The Hunter Boot runs slightly larger than the Chooka Boot. This means that sometimes rain can get into my boot through the larger gap at the top (which kind of defeats the purpose of wearing a rain boot). I bought a size eight in both brands and the Chooka Boot fits perfectly while the Hunter Boot runs a little big. There are pros and cons to both. In colder climates, the Hunter Boot would allot for a thicker sock to keep feet warm in the brisk weather. Hunter Boots also appear to accommodate a larger calf. I feel the Chooka Boot is better for warmer climates because it would not accommodate a larger sock unless you sized up, but in California, I do not need that. I simply need a boot to keep my feet dry. Chooka Boots seem better for smaller calves.
The price. Hunter Rain Boots are expensive. My husband purchased mine for $79.99 at Nordstrom Rack. They are usually around $150. I know Costco typically offers them every year on their website at a large discount, as well.
Finally, my pair of Hunter Rain Boots do not look as pretty as they did when I first received them less than a year ago. I am hopeful the waxy finish will go away with more trips out into the rain but I am not positive. The reason I am thinking it is going to take a bit of work to remove the white film is based on this article I found on the subject. I really wanted a low maintenance shoe, so I am disappointed that these require some elbow grease.
So with all of that said, which ones do I recommend? Honestly, I like them both. The Chooka Boots have a slight advantage because of the great price I paid for them. And the fact that they still look the same as when I first purchased them.
Vainly, I like the Hunter Boot for the logo. And I adore the many colors it comes in. If you ever see a baby pink tall pair at a discount please let me know. I love that color!
I will keep wearing both of them.
And be happy and grateful that I have the options.
Do you own a pair of either of these brands? What do you think? Did your Hunter Boots produce a white film? And if so, did the waxy quality on the Hunter Boots go away without having to do anything special to them?
*I was not compensated for writing this post. These opinions and reviews are my own. Your experience with the different boots may vary.
I have gorgeous Hunter boots in black with a wine colored colorblock at the top. I actually haven’t ever worn them yet, but they’ve developed the white cast just sitting in my closet. I’m not too pleased. I read something somewhere about how some people find the white cast “desirable”… I’m not buying that. Nice try, Hunter. My other rain boots are super cheapies from Walmart, glossy black with multicolored dots. I get compliments on them a lot. I kind of hate that I paid what I did for the Hunters when the Walmart boots are perfectly cute and just as comfortable (or rather, just as uncomfortable. Neither feel like good shoes. They feel like rubber boots, not great for lots of walking IMO).
I agree Sara. I do not think it is desirable either. I appreciate the cheaper boots simplicity and no upkeep. Your Hunter boots color sounds gorgeous. I am going to try the olive oil treatment. I am hoping it does not take a lot of olive oil because I hate wasting it on boots. Maybe I’ll rub off the oil with bread. ; ). I will let you know if it works.
Thank you for sharing. Have a lovely week!
Jenni
Good info! I do not own either of these brands, but my rain boots are an off brand with a peacock feather print. I just pulled them out for a spin last week!
I can completely see you in your peacock rain boots! It makes me smile. I love it!
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Jenni
I bought my rain boots at Costco for $8. They are super cute, black with little white polkadots. They work fine and are perfect for the number of times/year I wear them. The only place I’d really invest in a pair of boots would be if I lived back in England or Scotland and I’d purchase Wellies. The best brand of boots out there.
It was interesting to hear about the bloom on the Hunter boots, since everyone normally raves about them.
bisous
Suzanne
Your rain boots sound adorable. I am bummed about the bloom. It seems the majority of people do not mind it. I, unfortunately, do.
Have a great week!
Jenni
I have a pair of Hunters and yes, they do have that white film on them. They have not gone away with just wearing them. I googled it a few years ago and it looked like olive oil or Armor All were good options for getting rid of the bloom. I am lazy and don’t mind it that much so I haven’t tried either out.
Thanks for the info, Liana. That is sad that it sid not go away on its own. That is what I was hoping for. I am going to try the olive oil and I will report back to see if it works. I hope it does! That seems pretty easy. I was sad to not have heard about the white film until after it occurred on my boots. I just did not want anyone else to be shocked.
Sweet dreams!
Jenni
Hi! I looked at the tags that came w/ my hunter wellies & bc Hunter wellies are made from natural rubber (& most other brands are not natural rubber?!?! Usually man made materials) the white deposits (called blooming) isn’t a fault, but a characteristic, a normal thing that occurs in natural rubber. How many times can I say “natural rubber” in this comment! I also think the whitening shows up more on certain colors. So far neither of. One have it, but they are both lighter colors & not the “high gloss” style of hunters, don’t know if your color is. The tags say you can wash w/ cold, soapy water, never solvents. You can also buy hunter boot buffer & hunter instant boot shine. I haven’t look these up, so don’t know how much they are? Maybe Nord rack has them for less, or ebay? So, maybe just washing will help them? I don’t think I’d use armor all on them, but maybe try a bit of olive oil, as your other comment or suggested, in an inconspicuous spot. I love your color too, it’s so fun & bold! I only have my colors bc that’s what I found at Nord rack & Nord last chance & I was desperate for them! I’d wanted a pair of hunter wellies for ages! 🙂
Yesterday at my fav antique mall I found a pair of toddler size hunter wellies for $8 + 20% off, so $6.40!!! You know I was ecstatic & scooped them up right away. They are black & have blooming. I just wiped them w/ water but didn’t use soap yet. I wanted to put them where I thought I’d display them (on top of my French antique armoire)! I’ll do a post soon showing them!
Have a great day!
:)rebecca
Thanks Rebecca! I had read that it is because of the natural rubber, but I still consider it not desirable. I wish it did not do that or I had known about it in advance. It is my fault for not researching it. I am going to try olive oil, but I am sad that I have to do that. I am so very lazy. Sigh. I cannot believe you got your pink pair at Nordstrom Rack! I am SO jealous! I think yours are the best color I have seen.
I love your toddler boots you found. They sound so cute! I cannot wait to see them!
Have a fun week!
Jenni
The white film is called “bloom” and is common with rubber products. Wipe the boots clean with a damp cloth. When dry, on a clean cloth, wipe with a little bit of olive oil. Should take care of the problem! I have purple Hunters and it works for me!
Thank you Kara! I am going to try your trick. I will report back on the results. I am hopeful it works, because I really do not want to spend a lot of time on the boots. Especially for as little as I get to wear them.
Have a great week!
Jenni
Hey Jenni!
I purchased the dark green Hunter boots that Anthropologie was selling last Fall and absolutely love them!!
I wore them in the rain and snow a lot last winter and mine still look brand new! My boots are not the shiny green and maybe that is the difference?
Mine are also a size 5 and very comfortable, I’ve walked miles in them and with jeans tucked into my boots they are snug but not tight…I do have athletic calves but do not need wider calf boots!
For me they are an excellent purchase and are great for keeping my feet warm, comfy, and dry!
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone who is looking for a rain boot that they plan to wear often as I haven’t had any trouble with mine at all 🙂
Only sometimes when I cross my legs do the buckles rub and that would be the only flaw!
They are lovely like you said with dresses and skirts too =)
Both of your boots are adorable on you!! Of course I am partial to the Hunters but love the color of your Chookas!
Thanks for the fun boot review…Hope you are having a fabulous October and staying cool in the heat wave!
Have a lovely day :0) ♥
Thank you so much! You are so lucky to not have the white film develop. Each time I have worn the Hunter boots my feet have gotten wet from rain getting through the top. I have worn them with skirts and tights. But also pants. I wonder if it is the type of Hunter Boot I purchased.
I am glad to hear you have had no,problem with yours. It gives me hope in case I ever find a light pink pair.
This heat wave is so awful. I asked my husband if too much sun can cause depression like lack of it does, but he told me no. But it is miserable. I keep worrying my air conditioner is going to break. I hope you are staying cool, too!
Have a lovely week!
Jenni
Hello, fellow rain boots owner here! I have 4 pairs of hunter boots and love them all dearly. The blooming is normal thanks to the real rubber that is used. Hunter has boot shine that gets rid of it so i recommend using that to remove the blooming. Dont sacrifice quality for cost, its needed especially since I live in seattle where it rains all the time. You look really cute in your boots too!
Thank you for the info. I am going to try olive oil and see if that will work. I don’t want to spend any more money on the boots. And thank you for the compliment. It made me smile.
Have a super week!
Jenni
I hope it rains so much here in So Cal that you get to wear both both boots every day!! Or even twice a day. Maybe you could do a rain dance in your boots to speed up mother nature. They are both lovely boots! Love the greens.
Thank you for the heads up on Lavendel! Still too expensive for a dress that is so quirky and not too wearable. I loooove it so much still. Maybe I’ll reconsider on a second or third cut!
Thank you Cynthia! I want rain so badly! I want my daddy’s honey so badly! We don’t want to run the sprinklers too long in this drought and so the grass looks miserable. The whole thing is so awful. For so so many reasons. I am worried about fires.
I hope you score your dress on a great cut. It did not sell out today so I think you have a good chance. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I didn’t buy anything either.
Have a fun Tuesday!
Jenni
I hope we get some rain so you can sport these cute boots many times this year! I really want a pair but with almost NO rain EVER here, I can’t bring myself to make the purchase…I don’t know though, after seeing your two pairs, maybe they will go on my wish list!
I agree Melodee! Rain! It would be so wonderful. I really do not need two pairs of rain boots, but one was a surprise Christmas present so I enjoy them both. I would definitely check Nordstrom Rack or Costco in November if you want a pair. My friend has the most adorable plaid patterned ones from Target that are so adorable. They really are so nice to have when it does actually rain.
Hopefully soon! I love the rain!
Have a gorgeous week!
Jenni
Thanks for all these reviews! I have always wanted a pair of Hunters, but my large calves prohibit everything 🙁 I need to check costco! Every time I stand in a wet soccer field and my shoes get soaked, I wish for wellies! Bummer about the bloom though. I agree, who has time for upkeep?!! Ain’t nobody got time for that! 😉
Thank you Alicia! Yes, nobody has time for that! The olive oil fell out of my pantry and onto my big toe today. I think it might have been a sign that I should try it on the Hunters, but I did not have time so I put it away. I had to fold clothes instead. The socks are still on the couch taunting me. I hate folding clothes!
You definitely need to get some rain boots. I rarely get to wear mine, but it is so nice having them when it does rain. I feel like stomping in puddles just cause I can. And Macy would be so cute in them!
Have a gorgeous rest of the week!
Jenni
I’m a big fan of Hunter boots, and I love the colour of these. I’ve had problems with my pairs recently though, and likely of my own fault, they’re not supposed to get wet and then be worn in sub-freezing temperatures (because then they crack and are no longer waterproof). Also, I’ve never worn the tall boots because my larger-than-average calves and tiny child-sized feet don’t work in them. 🙂
I guess that makes since that they would crack in freezing temperatures but what a bummer. That is a lot of money to spend to have that happen! I would be sad. I hope you got some new waterproof boots.
Have a marvelous Monday!
Jenni
Quick question, about the sizing. I do own a pair of Chookas size 9 and I just purchased (Costco online) a pair of Hunter size 9. Should I size up? I usually wear 9.5 or 10. These boots are selling fast and there is no size 10 available. Thank you!!!
Oh my goodness! I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you! It was written on Thanksgiving, and then the comment got lost in the blog notifications.
I think you will be fine with the nine not being available. They run large. They are actually bigger to me than Chooka. I wrote a post about the sizing here. http://gnomelover.com/2014/10/06/lets-compare-hunter-rain-boots-vs-chooka-rain-boots/. Hope it helps!
Have a super weekend!
Jenni