How to avoid wet toes with one simple step: Invest in a pair of lamb-friendly gumboots.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if a lamb lives outdoors then they need to find a comfortable, quality pair of gumboots. Extra points if those gumboots are stylish and on-fleece.
After years of going through fancy gumboots quicker than bales of oaten hay, Lady Layla Lamb encouraged
God-Mahh to purchase a pair of fashionable, lamb-friendly Merry People lifestyle gumboots for 2020.
Under the supervision of Layla and Lachie (and the late Baby Lego), God-Mahh has tested the Bobbi Boot throughout winter and spring so she can provide a lambtastic review for ewe.
What We Love About Our Merry People Gumboots
They are comfortable regardless of whether you are walking through sand, on grass, or around the stables as the natural rubber and neoprene lining offer flexibility while retaining shape and support.
We paired these gumboots with soft socks that finish just past the top of the boot. For the colder winter days we wore them with thermal socks (toasty toes!). The boots were initially a little snug but after a few days were comfortably moulded to God-Mahh's feet.
They remained stylish and waterproof regardless of which puddles we splashed through. These gumboots have a decent structure (no flopping around like with cheap, low quality boots) and practical features such as the front and back pull-on/off tags. The seams are sturdier than other lifestyle gumboots so you are not at risk of splitting edges the moment you step onto the pavement when walking your dog. The gumboots remained waterproof as God-Mahh ran from the paddock to the house when a downpour hit and she had forgotten her jacket.
You can brighten any dull day with a colourful gumboot. Merry People have so many colours available it resulted in hours of agony before we chose the beetroot. Beetroot felt appropriate for winter and complemented the colours of our winter wardrobe; however, one lotto win and we would order a pair in every colour.
Did we mention these gumboots are lamb-friendly? Merry People are vegan friendly so they don't contain any animal products or by-products. Merry People are also open about their production and sustainability journey, which offers customers the confidence they are supporting a small Aussie brand which actually cares about their impact.
Finally, these gumboots are easy to clean! Merry People have cleaning and care tips on their website to maximise the lifetime of your gumboots. We found using an eco-friendly dishwashing liquid with warm water and a microfibre cloth worked well. We also used an old, soft toothbrush to remove any tough marks on the lighter neoprene before leaving the gumboots overnight to dry.
It is worth noting that the sizing chart is accurate and provides width as well as length. The gumboots did stretch slightly width wise with wear, which God-Mahh needed due to possessing slightly wider then average feet.
The late Baby Lego loved to inspect these boots every night before and after the final checks on the horses, which obviously means these gumboots are of exceptional quality.
Things To Consider Before Buying
If you are in a muddy environment consider choosing a colour which has darker neoprene. The lighter pink neoprene on the beetroot gumboots marked easily when at the stables. Upon cleaning it looked new again, but if you worry about stains or don't want to clean them often then the lighter colour could become annoying.
These short gumboots are great for walking the dog, gardening, camping, music festivals, checking on the half-tonne quadruple beasts, and chilling with your sheep, but please remember they are designed for lifestyle not farm. Keep hold of your tough, green, sh*t-stained gumboots for the farm chores and swap to these bright, mid-weight gumboots for the fun stuff.
Price point wise (AUD), they are on-par with other established gumboots brands that we have previously purchased. However, do make sure you check the size charts and colours before ordering. Their customer service is excellent, but since these gumboots are popular and some colours/sizes sell out quickly you could miss out if you choose the incorrect size and need to do a return. Also, don't wait around for Black Friday or Boxing Day because these gumboots never go on sale.
The Verdict
Lady Layla loves our Merry People gumboots as they are comfortable, stylish, and lamb friendly.
Lachie reckons he could hide some pellets inside them during summer when God-Mahh doesn't need them to tackle puddles.
Our Baby Lego would disappear down the hall each day to check these gumboots were on the boot rack and give them a good once over. When he was sick he would sit up each time he saw God-Mahh with them and insist they were presented for inspection before and after wear.
If that doesn't convince you these gumboots are lambtastic, what will?
*We purchased our Merry People gumboots during Winter 2020. This review is not sponsored and we do not receive any compensation for posting it. This review contains our opinions which shouldn't be taken as facts; therefore, please investigate whether this product is right for you before purchase.
