The Brogini Warwick pull-on boots initially caught my eye as they’re a more original style than many country boots, which often look quite similar. The buffalo leather looked a really good quality, and for the price (RRP £120) they seem good value for money.
The first thing I noticed on taking these boots out the box was their moleskin lining all down the leg and through the foot. This was a really nice touch – it made them feel very luxurious and snug. They were significantly warmer than wellies, and these boots have become a favourite for cold winter dog walks and poo-picking for that very reason.
I wore these boots for the first time for a long coastal walk along the beach in rather wet and windy weather – the waterproofing was up to the job and they were easy to brush off afterwards. The sole was also very comfy and cushioned. However, perhaps rather naively, I wore thin socks for this outing and I did get rubbed at the top of my ankle on both legs. On further occasions I wore thick socks and had no problems with rubs, and after a few uses the boots did soften up.
The fit was great – I’m a EU41/UK7 and the 41 in these boots was perfect. I could wear thin and thick socks comfortably, and the boots were very easy to pull on and slip off. They come in two widths – regular and wide – I went for the regular which fitted me fine as a UK 12. As with other country boots, such as the Dublin River Boots that I have also reviewed, they only come in one leg length. At 5ft 10in and with long legs, I would have preferred the boots to be slightly taller on me, but it wasn’t a problem in terms of fit.
I really liked that these boots “wore in” nicely, and they continued to look smart with prolonged use. The leather is really easy to wipe down after trudging through muddy fields with the horses, and a quick going over with my usual leather conditioner while tack cleaning keeps them in good condition. While other country boots often include suede or nubuck on the leg, the fact that these are all leather makes these boots easier to keep looking newer for longer.
While the chunky sole gives great grip in the wet and muddy weather, and the moleskin lining feels nice and snug, I didn’t find myself reaching for these boots as often coming into spring and summer as my feet would get quite hot, so I would say they’re much more suited for the cold weather. They’re also smart enough to wear out and about, so are perfect for a pub lunch after a wet and windy dog walk!
Verdict
These are a smart and original pair of country boots, with a super-snug moleskin lining that gives a luxurious feel at a good price point.
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These are our first impressions of a piece of kit or clothing based on spending some time with it. We will have had our hands on it and given it a really thorough going over before trying it on ourselves or our horses and using it. The information we can give you after this first look will give you some sense of what it’s like to use, even if it’s only an initial view. As soon as we’ve given it a more thorough test, we will update the review with a full scoring and additional thoughts – and possibly award it “Horse & Hound Approved” status.
Victoria Rea is Horse & Hound’s chief sub editor. She lives a real country lifestyle, riding regularly and walking her German Shorthaired Pointer, Maple.
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