Aigle Wellies

I was never good at history at school. I did not really see the point of learning what had happened years and years ago.  Bu, of course as you get older the importance of the lessons we have not learned from history become all to apparent. 

However I do like irony and I found it a little ironical selling wellington boots named after the Duke of Wellington who, in 1815, gave Napoleon the boot at Waterloo.  Here I am selling wellington boots that have been made by Aigle the French wellington boot company.

While most people think that Aigle wellies is a French company it was in actual fact started by an American who located Aigle wellingtons in France.  The company is still based in France but Aigle welly boots is now Swiss Owned. 

Aigle wellingtons have now become a brand that in Europe is associated with high quality wellington boots made from the highest quality rubber available. 

Every part of Aigle wellies is handmade in the Aigle welly factory and every wellington boot that is produced is inspected by hand before it leaves. 

Having met our Aigle wellies representative at Blenheim Palace Horse show, which was given to the Duke Of Marlborough in 1704 for thrashing the French, another bit of irony.  The Aigle representative left me with a pair of Aigle wellies so that I could trial them. 

The Aigle wellingtons that he had given me for the show seemed very appropriate.  I knew that there would be a lot of standing about and these Aigle wellies seemed extremely comfortable.  I also knew that the event could be muddy however this year it was neither wet or muddy.  When looking at the Aigle tread I could see that these were well up to the job and on a later event found that they gripped well in the mud. 

If you go for country walks or to outdoor events that require wellingtons you invariable spend more time walking or standing that you anticipate.  These Aigle wellies were superb and the International horse show was an ideal test for these Aigle wellingtons.  Indeed Aigle use a slogan on their web site and it says, for comfort on a long day.  Well I spent 5 days in my Aigles and have to say that they were as comfortable on the first day as they were on the last.  Some wellies are quite rigid, not Aigles the gomma rubber is lovely and supple plus there was no chaffing round the top of the welly which I have found with other makes other than Aigle. 

Aigle were established in 1853 and Aigles roots are deep in nature: the earth: the sea and all around.  Aigle has spent the last 150 years developing this ethos , mixing style and functionality creating collections designed to protect against the elements.  With all these years of experience and know-how plus the experience that cannot be bought Aigle has now become the quintessential French outdoor lifestyle brand synonymous for it quality outwear. 

Since Aigles arrival in the Uk, it has in a very short timeframe made a real impact on the wellington boot market and Aigle are now seen in all the major Country Sports retailers. 

Key to Aigles success has been the popularity of its handmade rubber wellingtons which are made at the Aigle factory in Chatellerault, France.  From preparation through to finishing Aigle watch over the production of their wellingtons making sure each stage is completed to the highest standard.  First Aigle blend the natural rubber which forms the basis of all the wellingtons supplying a supple waterproof sturdy wellington. .  Then Aigle craftsmen cut out the parts needed for the wellies.  Aigle then assemble the wellingtons on an aluminium last.  The next stage that again is as important as the first is the vulcanisation of the wellies.  Aigle place the wellies in a kiln which is heated to 140 degrees centigrade.  The temperature is monitored in all parts of the oven by a skilled technician as a mistake at this point would make a weak wellington boot.  The Aigle wellies remain in the oven for one and a half hours.  Now the boot is formed on the last and each unique part has bonded together The Aigle wellington is ready for the next stage. 

The final and probably the most important part in the Aigle factory is the final inspection of the wellies  and this makes sure that each Aigle wellington will last the same and maintains Aigles  high quality high performance reputation. 

Well done Aigle and keep up the good work because we need good wellies