Ariat Storm Stopper Wellies Review
Since they were first launched in 2013, the Ariat Storm Stopper have quickly become a best for Ariat. Originally, as we were happy with our welly options from Aigle and Muck Boots, we were a little hesitant in stocking them however we kept being asked for them in store so decided to stock them for 2014. Since then, they’ve become our best selling welly over the other two brands!
Here’s our thoughts on why they are so popular with not just equestrians, but girls in general…
The first thing you notice with the Storm Stopper is the overall elegant look of them. They’re certainly one of the nicest looking wellies on the market. With a sleek looking ankle and gorgeous leather buckle and trim at the top, they always catch the eye of customers in store, many of whom comment on how nice they look. The current options of navy or brown look really classy and both colours look great with the brown leather trim.
The leather strap and buckle not only look nice, but also offer extra adjustment on the calf with the gusset at the top. We’ve found they fit most calf sizes who have tried them, including girls who take the wide fit in the Windermere and Grasmere. They can be big on slim calves but they are still enough to stay in shape so it’s not a problem, you’re just more likely to get bits down them!
The idea of the Ariat Storm Stoppers is to offer a solution to mucking out and bringing in horses from muddy fields, and riding all in one boot. Lots of people don’t want to be above the ankle deep in mud in any of their country/riding boots so often need to change boots from their wellies to something suitable for riding. The riding sole on the Storm Stoppers means this isn’t necessary. Even when absolutely caked in mud, they’re only ever a quick rinse away from being clean again. The vulcanised rubber means they are completely waterproof so you can rinse them as many times as you want and don’t need to worry about drying them properly like you do with leather boots. The sole is the same one some of you might recognise from the Telluride boots so it’s specifically made for riding. They feel really safe and quick to get out of the stirrup which is always important to me.
They are also very light, I have a pair of Aigle wellies which I love but I do find them quite heavy, and in comparisson, these are now my prefered welly although I do prefer the Aigles for grip as they are a much chunkier sole. That’s the one downside I’ve found to these Storm Stoppers, the riding sole means they don’t offer much grip so if it’s icy or slippery, they do lose grip. They are absolutely fine on the yard but when I walk accross mossy paving stones, I slip on them, although this goes for pretty much all of my footwear! Also, they purpose of riding in them means the sole needs to be like this.
The technology in these wellies is brilliant, as you’d expect from Ariat. They use their ATS footbed system which is the one used in the Windermeres. It’s extremely comfortable, even when worn for hours. If you take aside the fact you can ride in them, this for me is the best thing about the StormStoppers, they’re just so much more comfy than most other wellies. The ATS system also offers some insulation under foot meaning it takes the cold a lot longer to get through than your standard rubber boots with a basic sole. The duratread outsole is hard wearing, slip resistant, non-marking and also, as mentioned previously, is perfect for riding.
If I could improve one thing on these, I would have a neoprene lined version as that’s the thing I love the most about my Aigles, they’re super toasty in really cold temperatures. I have found though, with a pair of welly socks on, these aren’t far behind when it’s freezing. And also, they’re great for summer and I can’t wear my Aigles in summer at all as they’re too hot.
Overall, I’d certainly recomment the Ariat Storm Stopper wellies to anybody. We sell them to all walks of life – dog walkers, festival goers, bridal path/canal path walkers, but most of all girls who want to be able to ride in their wellies!
Hi
Been trying to source a pair of these in size 5 but they seem to have been discontinued. Most wellies flap around my boney legs, but thes fit well. Any recommendations on something similar.
Thanks
J
Hi,
Yes unfortunately these have been discontinued. We have replaced them with the Radcot and the Burford, however both are not quite as slim as the Storm Stopper on the leg. You’re welcome to try them and return them for a refund if you don’t like them.
Kind regards
Bowland Outdoors