It's now the final week of T3's Outdoor Living Month, and what a month it's been! We've covered everything from the essential garden gadgets everyone needs to the hottest new running gear for summer 2024, so we're sure you'll find something that suits you.
This week covers garden care, and what better way to finish it off than exploring some of the best wellies on the market. Owning a pair of good quality wellies is essential for keeping your feet dry in horrible weather, especially if you're out in the garden a lot.
For the past few weeks, I've been reviewing the new Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots. The boots are a result of a collaboration between the two huge country lifestyle brands, showcasing a highly stylish design whilst remaining extremely practical. Keep reading to find out my thoughts, and whether these wellies deserve their high price point.
Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots review: price and availability
The Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots have an RRP of £295 and come in three stylish colours. Buyers can choose between Cherry Red, Navy and Iconic Green, the colourway that Le Chameau is so famous for. The Cherry Red and Navy boots comes with a green coloured size gusset, whereas the Iconic Green boot's size gusset is deep blue.
The boots can be purchased in a narrow, standard or sporting calf size, but as they're women's boots, the sizing only goes up to a UK 9. This is something to note if you like going up a size in wellies to make room for thick socks.
As you can tell, I've been reviewing the Navy boots with the green size gusset. I love the contrast between the two deep shades, and found them to go nicely with a variety of outfits. They also come beautifully presented in a stylish box, perfect if you're hoping to buy a pair as a gift.
The boots can be purchased on the Le Chameau or Fairfax & Favor websites, as well as other selected retailers.
Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots review: design and features
The Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots have a variety of design features that make them the perfect balance between style and practicality. To start, they are made from Chamolux rubber, a material that's exclusive to Le Chameau. This gives them a flexible feel whilst offering complete waterproofing.
Whilst anyone (hopefully) would expect their wellies to be waterproof, it's always a relief to find out that they're fully impermeable. I first wore the boots for a dog walk on a rainy day and was glad to find my socks stayed dry throughout.
The boots are also reinforced with Aramid fibres for extra protection, and feature shank reinforcement for better stability and arch support. A lot of wellies go without features like these, so it's great to see a pair that do, especially with a higher price point.
Whilst I found the Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots to be extremely comfortable, I'd say it was the neoprene lining that aided this the most. It's not common for wellies to dig into the calf, especially if there's no extra protection or buffer pad, but this lining was great for preventing any unwanted pain. It's also able to keep feet warm up to -15 degrees, so they'll prove just as useful during the winter.
The lining also came in the iconic Fairfax & Favor orange, another stylish design choice that I loved. It's also great to see the notorious Fairfax & Favor fan and tassel take pride of place.
I found the boots to have fantastic grip due to the deep grooves on the soles. Even in wet and muddy woodland, these were a saving grace for keeping my balance and avoiding any falls.
Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots review: verdict
I am over the moon with the Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots, and can barely find a reason not to recommend them. The collaboration between Le Chameau and Fairfax & Favor makes them a stylish choice for rural living, but their design and features ensure they remain durable and practical at the same time. I found them to be exceptionally comfortable on my feet and calves, and the deep grooves provided the ultimate grip. They are on the expensive side and only go up to a UK 9, but the quality displayed justifies the price you pay.
Le Chameau x Fairfax & Favor L'Alliance Boots review: alternatives to consider
If you're unsure about the design but like the sound of Le Chameau's features, go for the Le Chameau Vierzon boots. Just like the others, they're hand-crafted from natural chamolux rubber and come with the with a comfortable jersey liner. They also boast a softer leg section that flexes as you move around, and a shock absorbing, cushioned sole for comfort on long days of wear.
Another alternative would be the Muck Boot Calder Boots. They're exceptionally waterproof and are also backed up by excellent grip and superb levels of comfort. They also come in a lot cheaper than some of the Le Chameau options, so definitely a great choice if you're looking for something less pricey.
