Gardening - with DRY feet ! (Willowdale Jolie Shoes)

Member Name: Thailui

Product:	Willowdale Jolie Shoes
Date:	21/06/06 (609 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Useful for gardening or wet weather trips

Disadvantages: Possibly very warm in hot weather

We have all heard of the drought conditions that have been experienced in England recently. Unfortunately, although my part of the country is reputed to be “drier than Egypt”, this isn’t apparent in my garden. Following weeks of rain, the old shoes I had been using outside, finally gave up the ghost and fell apart. My feet were just as wet as they would have been had I been outside with bare feet! This WAS an option – but having seen some of the wildlife that wanders around the garden, NOT something that I chose to do.

During a trip to the garden centre I happened to notice some garden shoes – in fact, just like a Wellington shoe. I have to say this as I can think of no better way to describe them. They are made by a company called Willowdale Products and there is quite a selection to choose from ranging from the usual green wellies through to multi-coloured and patterned ones; from traditional boots through to shoes and clogs.

The range for ladies is the Jolie range with Jolie Wellington Boots, Jolie Ankle Boots and Jolie Clogs which all come in bright colours and patterns. In fact, I opted for the Buckingham Shoe which is a shoe version of the well known green wellie being made in exactly the same way. I should mention that it does also come in navy blue. It is made of PVC so is fully waterproof but, like wellies, has a cotton lining for comfort. It also comes with the same type of substantial sole so you feel quite safe in slippery conditions.

I have to say that they have already been well worn as my main task after I bought them was to cut the grass. I hesitate to say ‘lawn’ as by this time the grass had grown so long that it more resembled a meadow! It was also very wet. We have three areas of grass in our garden (lawns) and two were in dire need of cutting. For the first time this year I managed this without getting thoroughly wet feet. I have to also say that my feet were so comfortable that I quite forgot that I was wearing my new shoes. I quite expected that my feet would get very warm but did not find this a problem. As they are shoes, you don’t feel as restricted as you would in Wellington Boots either and they are much easier to get on and off. They are also the shoes I reach for when I take the dog out first thing in the morning.

They are easy to clean – a quick wipe with a damp cloth will suffice. All in all, I consider that they were a very good buy. I paid £8.99 for them in Focus Do It All - although I have seen similar ones for much more in other garden centres. If you would like to see what they look like I would suggest that you visit the company’s website: www.willowdale.uk.com where you will be able to see the full range.

I hope you will find this helpful – and I thank you for reading.

I DO thoroughly recommend these shoes although I see that it states below that I don't!

Summary: Waterproof shoes for gardening etc.