Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission Alongside a windproof umbrella and your favorite pair of rain boots a great raincoat will help you brave the elements and look good doing it whether you’re encountering the occasional drizzly day or jumping over puddles for half of the year you know that unexpected tropical rainstorms are a given throughout spring and summer To find the best raincoats for women, I spoke with outerwear experts and stylish folks about their favorite women’s raincoats, then tried out their recommendations myself. Below, find nostalgic anoraks, hardshell hiking jackets, and everything in between. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the best women’s parkas and rain boots 2025New prices: The Tentree Nimbus Long Rain Jacket went from $178 to $198.Checked stock: All items are available I’ve taken note of whether each of the raincoats below are PFAS-free Some brands like Patagonia will use language like “no intentionally added PFAS” because research about these 14,000 different chemicals and where they might show up at different points in the supply chain is evolving But they’re still PFAS-free under the eyes of the new laws (Which affect brands more than consumers; no one’s going to force you to throw out a garment you already own that contains PFAS.) Because your raincoat should keep you comfortable as well as dry, I looked for options with lots of (preferably zippered) pockets, underarm ventilation, and adjustable hoods. Eric Goodwin, outerwear designer and founder of Lathley advised us to avoid insulated rain jackets for more versatility “You can always add warm layers underneath your rain jacket,” he points out you can’t take away the insulation built into the jacket.” anoraks and ponchos in varying lengths and weights from classy trench coats to hard shells with stormproof hoods The raincoat you choose will depend on its intended use: A mid-length mid-weight jacket is ideal for dashing between subway stations you probably just want something lightweight and breathable welded seams | PFAS: PFAS-free| Comfort: Two pockets drawstring hood | Weight and length: Mid-length The rubber coating means that the jacket never clings or feels staticky Writer and performer Jess Latowicki says that even the dangerously bone-white colorway will retain its sheen after multiple seasons Go a couple sizes down for a closer fit — the relative stiffness of this jacket doesn’t make for a flattering baggy look The Strategist team loves Stutterheim’s Mosebacke raincoat, which is similarly waterproof and durable to our best overall pick, but with a less streamlined silhouette. Fittingly, Strategist writer Dominique Pariso purchased hers on a trip to Sweden A store attendant charmingly described it as flattering for “women of shape.” Pariso would tend to agree: “The slight A-line flare leaves some much-appreciated wiggle room around my hips and lets me comfortably button the coat all the way down.” I think the long version of this jacket looks particularly swish on the streets; sometimes I actually wish it would rain so as to have an excuse to wear it welded seams | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Two pockets drawstring hood | Weight and length: Short length Danish brand Rains has become ubiquitous on water-slicked city streets in recent years It makes some of the most aesthetically pleasing raincoats around and they’re much more affordable than the Stutterheims above I’ve found that Rains jackets are far thinner and swishier in fit — even more so than the “lightweight” version of Stutterheim’s Stockholm that’s reviewed further down this list Some more subtle design differences include a shorter length China-manufactured Rains jackets are completely synthetic whereas European-manufactured Stutterheims are constructed from waterproof cotton I also tested out Stutterheim’s more packable Stockholm jacket which is coated in a much thinner layer of rubber than the original This makes it more scrunchable for storage and swishier in fit draping against the body rather than hanging stiffly against it It doesn’t feel nearly as substantial and protective but the materials are definitely highly waterproof and that classic Paddington Bear aesthetic is the same Though I still prefer the rubberiness of Stutterheim’s original Stockholm this lightweight version would be an ideal alternative for those who travel frequently or dislike wearing a stiff jacket Water resistance: DWR nylon | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Elastic cuffs adjustable hood | Weight and length: Short length She likes how it packs into its own pocket and can be tossed into any bag and adds that it is “perfect for exercising outdoors when it’s a bit breezy.” welded seams | PFAS: PFAs-free | Comfort: Two pockets Pleating on the back adds slight flare to Rains’ take on an A-line raincoat which otherwise repeats the same waterproofing features as its original jacket above I find the straw-yellow colorway particularly appealing — it stands out on a gray day without being too garish Water resistance: Waterproof shell | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Snap cuffs removable hood | Weight and length: Long length and seams; elastic cuffs PFAS: PFAS-free (versions sold from 2025 onward) | Comfort: One pocket A soft-shell jacket offers rain protection while remaining fairly lightweight making it ideal for hiking and other athletic outdoor activities This very stashable one from Outdoor Research has elastic cuffs saying that it “packs down to the size of a tennis ball and keeps you dry for hours.” Newest-version Helium jackets should be free of any intentionally-added PFAS velcro cuffs | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Two pockets At a lower price point is the Marmot PreCip, a classic of the raincoat genre for more than 20 years and a favorite amongst Strategist staffers. Pacific Northwest–based outdoor expert Holly Johnson and affordable rain jacket” is perfect for “hiking and everyday use.” She notes that it runs a little small and recommends sizing up The brand says that newer versions of the jacket (those with “eco” in the name) are PFAS-free Water resistance: Nontoxic water-resistant shell taped seams | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Zipper pockets adjustable waist | Weight and length: Body length Goodwin particularly likes this stylish and sustainable coat from Tentree which is made from recycled polyester with a nontoxic water-resistant coating that comes close to rivaling traditional DWR It’s an optimal length for keeping both your core and legs dry and includes thoughtful features like a cell-phone pocket and flattering drawcord waist Water resistance: Waterproof recycled plastic shell | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Drawstring two side pockets | Weight and length: Mid-length Based out of Nova Scotia, Fairechild designs matching raincoats and rain pants for both kids and adults, utilizing a unique waterproof fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Yet the style of these raincoats is so nostalgic that you’d never expect their very modern environmental credentials. I heard about the brand’s boxy chore-style raincoat from Midcoast Maine-based photographer Bea Helman who says its recycled fabric is “incredibly lightweight while being so waterproof — and it looks very classic.” She notes that it’s rare to find a vintage-style raincoat “that’s also outdoorsy,” but that this one looks cute and holds its own against the coastal elements “My husband is an oyster farmer and everything gets covered in mud and salt if he can’t have it last for years and years Water resistance: Water-resistant waxed-cotton shell | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Cotton lining optional hood | Weight and length: Short length With heritage designs favored by Succession characters and British royals Barbour’s waxed-cotton jackets happen to be forever-chemical free While these classic olive-green coats aren’t completely waterproof “They can definitely stand up to light rain,” and they’ll last forever “you can rewax them yourself if they start to lose their water resistance.” Unfortunately you will have to separately purchase the brand’s hood for optimum rain protection — but the extra $55 is well worth it velcro cuffs PFAS: PFAS-free (versions sold from 2024 onward)| Comfort: Two pockets Hard-shell jackets are usually constructed from three layers of waterproofing fabric They’re great if you know you’ll be out hiking in near-constant wind and rain I’ve been wearing this Arc’teryx one for a couple of seasons and have found it to be exceptionally waterproof yet never stifling or sweaty; the fabric is crisp and light despite all that waterproofing tech so size up if you know you’ll be wearing several layers velcro cuffs PFAS: PFAS-free (versions sold from 2025 onward) | Comfort: Two pockets Here’s a considerably cheaper hard shell that’s highly packable. Outdoor Research’s Aspire raincoat, constructed from Gore-Tex, is ideal for those who “want to stay extra warm while they keep dry,” according to Jen Martin, who organizes adventure cruises to such far-flung locations as Antarctica and the Galápagos as the director of expedition development at Lindblad Expeditions It features a three-layer construction for wind and rain protection and newer versions of the jacket are PFAS-free thanks to a safer wax coating welded seams | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Drawstring hood button collar | Weight and length: Body-length it’s a little fancier than your standard disposable poncho — but “not everyone wants to look like they just got off the Maid of the Mist,” Madison points out reinforced seams | PFAS: PFAS-free | Comfort: Heat-reflecting | Weight and length: Mid-length If you’re happy to lean into the Maid of the Mist look, though, this affordable and reusable poncho is a “lifesaver” according to Matt Young, the head of marketing and e-commerce at Brooklyn-based outdoors store Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co. Weighing just 2.7 ounces and heat-reflective poncho can be packed up compactly enough to fit in your pocket outdoor events — and serves as a warm and dry shelter in emergencies.” Plus so the poncho won’t rip or rustle while you walk By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change Every editorial product is independently selected Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York Thobeka Mapukata is the founder of Sinemihlali Primary Co-op When Thobeka Mapukata’s catering business in Cape Town failed she decided to go back to her hometown in the Eastern Cape for a fresh start she realised that farming was a good option Mapukata started the Sinemihlali Primary Co-op in No-3 Village She sold her fresh produce to the local community turning her tough times into a business with high potential her world was shattered when her business failed and she never thought her pain would lead to a fulfilling journey “The cooperative was formed in 2010 and was active until 2016 “When I had to leave for the Eastern Cape and had no income I thought of reviving the cooperative as a way to make a living.” she farms with five other members in Stutterheim Sinemihlali Primary Co-op supplies street vendors in Stutterheim and surrounding communities and although she farms under nets with the co-op but our limited production prevents us from supplying them consistently.” Mapukata completed agroecology training in 2016 through the Zingisa Educational Trust and the Trust for Community Outreach and Education She participated in workshops with the Rural Women’s Assembly and organised a “Farming Together” training session igniting her passion for uplifting communities in Amahlathi Municipality When she initially started in her backyard she tried many different vegetables to see which ones would thrive in her area she realised not everything would work as she had hoped but now we’re planning to increase to 500 layers with a goal of reaching at least 1,500 chicks per cycle to produce in greater volumes.” “We’ve moved from subsistence farming to being a smallholder business so we need to produce enough to meet our clients’ demands.” Mapukata also notes that they are waiting for funding to build a proper structure for the layers she realised each person brought different skills to the table The co-op includes two members with finance while Mapukata handles marketing and networking There’s also a qualified security officer and a driver who helps work the land we have an operations manager with a diploma in crop production and three female assistants.” All these skills have helped the business thrive since the beginning with each member contributing their unique expertise Mapukata explains that spinach and tomatoes captured her interest because they are quick and easy to plant you need to specialise in a few items to increase volumes and establish a niche in the market,” she says Mapukata shares that their co-op received funding from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Old Mutual Foundation allowing them to install two hydroponic tunnels Through assistance from the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) they also managed to purchase a smallholding “We are currently awaiting five more tunnels with automated systems and a biodigester which will help us produce organic fertiliser and transition fully into 100% organic production.” This shift will reduce the heavy costs of commercial fertilisers we use mulching to retain water in the plants and reduce weeds.” they used conventional planting methods without mulching and relied on pest control products we repel pests using intercropping methods She notes that agroecology involves minimal soil disturbance she acknowledges the challenge: “It’s a method that takes time for communities to adopt and practice.” The co-op is now working towards acquiring more tunnels to expand production and market reach not just for people in the Eastern Cape but for surrounding areas as well “Our long-term goal is to buy a bigger farm and start livestock farming.” They would also be thrilled to become a farm where students from various institutions can complete their practical training READ NEXT: Limpopo communal farmer reaps crossbreeding success Get Stories of Change: Inspirational stories from the people that feed Mzansi Just one important aspect of joining the South African hospitality industry on taking up a food and beverage job, is doing your.. With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society Contact usOffice: +27 21 879 1824News: info@foodformzansi.co.zaAdvertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers. Two people burnt beyond recognition in an accident that claimed three lives on the N6 just outside East London towards Stutterheim on Friday evening. The Eastern Cape Transport Department says is alleged that a VW Tiguan SUV with two occupants and a rigid truck, also with two occupants, collided. Spokesperson, Unathi Binqose says both vehicles veered off the road and the SUV caught fire. Both occupants were burnt beyond recognition. Binqose says the truck driver was declared dead at the scene, while his co-driver, sustained severe injuries and was taken to Frere Hospital. The cause of the accident is still unknown and police are investigating a case of culpable homicide. Journey to Justice, an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche, a slain Gqeberha mother. Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj. Join Mark Marshall as he shares his extraordinary encounters with everything from bees to reptiles i CAPE TOWN - Five suspected cash-in-transit robbers have been killed in a shoot-out with police in the Eastern Cape Four others have been arrested and are expected to appear in court soon It's alleged that the group ambushed a cash-in-transit van en route to Stutterheim from East London on Monday and fled with an undisclosed amount of money The Hawks said that a few hours after the incident they received a tip-off that some of the robbers were hiding at a homestead in Keiskammahoek A team from the Hawks' cash-in-transit unit and the SAPS' tactical response team were reportedly met with a hail of bullets when they approached the homestead and returned fire eight rifles and live rounds of ammunition were found inside the household who happened to be the owner of the homestead was arrested and will appear in King William's Town Magistrates Court soon." She said that three more suspects aged between 44 and 48 were nabbed between Queenstown and Cradock "Cash in stacks of R100 and R200 notes in original cash bags four burner cellphones and a Porsche Cayenne vehicle were seized during the arrest." The three suspects will appear at the Cradock Magistrates Court on Wednesday Sections After co-founding ID&T in 1992 Duncan Stutterheim was involved in the launch of some the world’s biggest dance events Sensation alone saw 177 editions staged across 37 countries Along the way Stutterheim helped bring dance music to the masses but what started him on that journey and how did he balance working in such a hedonistic environment with successfully building a business that he would later sell to SFX (Live Nation) for $130 million – the highest bid in dance music history Stutterheim answers those questions, and many more, in the latest edition of the AAA Backstage podcast series which sees us meet festival bosses including Boomtown Fair co-founder Luke Mitchell and Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip to explore what lies behind the events and the people that run them We met Stutterheim at the Amsterdam Dance Event where he discussed his fascinating career along with current industry issues before providing advice for budding promoters and outlining the work he is doing to create new cultural venues and spaces in and around Amsterdam Watch the podcast below, or listen in via Apple, Amazon or Spotify You saw this one coming — an Arc’teryx though there’s a myriad of other equally cool Arc’teryx shapes to choose from We’re going to have our parents trawl StockX to get us a pair for Crimbo SuperSport Schools Plus are off to a promising start as they begin a quest to defend the title they won for the first time in 2023 scored a screamer on the final day of the league competition in a 1-0 win over Dale College to ensure his team came away with the title Stutterheim began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over Hudson Park with both goals coming from Libhongo Singiswa to ensure they claimed three points in their first game of the season Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus Stutterheim coach Mila Abraham said: “It’s not easy being a defending champion because all the teams will be watching you and preparing well against you “Our first game against Hudson was an example of how difficult the season will be for us We struggled to beat them because they know our boys from last year so they prepared themselves very well before the game “Hudson took the game to us and they were well prepared Both of our goals came in the last 15 minutes of the second half.” Abraham said he has made it clear to his team that they should not underestimate any side and they should treat every contest as if it is a final Dale College had an up-and-down 2023. They entered several competitions in which they competed against the best teams in the country, such as THS Louis Botha, Brebner, and Maritzburg College. Early in their campaign, at the Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament in Kimberley where they unfortunately lost all of their matches learnt their lessons and went back to the drawing board Dale College had appeared in several finals They had also finished as the runners-up in the East London High Schools Soccer League they outlasted the Centre of Excellence in a tough battle Sibabalo Nogwina and Yamkela Latha seeing the College boys claim all three points on offer Baysville High School and George Randell shared a 2-2 draw with Anda Nyumba and Ellen Calvary scoring for Baysville and Mofoka Ezra and Matinise Abonge replying for George Randell Hudson Park vs Westbank High School Center of Excellence vs Selborne College Merrifield High School vs Stutterheim High School Baysville High School vs Dale College George Randell vs Cathcart High School Westbank vs Center of Excellence Hudson Park vs Merrifield Selborne College vs Baysville Stutterheim vs George Randall After breaking into the top eight of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) standings last week Zeekoevlei High lifted the Freedom Cup trophy on the weekend at Wynberg Boys’ High School after defeating Urban Academy in The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament has a new king sitting on the throne after four days of all-out action Following three days of football filled with surprising outcomes the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament is down to four title contenders Fans of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal Football Association (KZNHSFA) Second-Term League have been starved of football for a week the poorest of the poor compete with pigs for scraps at the sprawling public dump Weekly water and electricity outages have become the norm and no traffic light has worked for a year Fearing complete collapse of day-to-day operations local business owners are paying hundreds of thousands of rands from their own pockets to safeguard ageing infrastructure which is regularly vandalised Pollution in the rivers has raised ecological concerns not only for Stutterheim but also East London Nowhere is the desperation more felt than at the town’s main dump site Huge piles of rubbish that include congealed nappies bottles and rusted tins extend for 50m and beyond in every direction There are even large pieces of broken road the result of a failed road reconstruction project in Stutterheim But it is the sight of humans sifting through the piles of garbage as pigs compete for the same scraps that brings home the reality of the  town’s pitiful state a year after it was rocked by violent protests over allegations of nepotism and maladministration in the Amahlathi municipality A piece of earth-moving equipment and a compactor were torched in the mayhem The shells of the machinery lying on top of the rubbish mounds serve as a stark reminder of that turbulent time “This dump is a ticking time bomb,” said 76-year-old resident Warren Donaldson shaking his head as he pointed out a heap of smouldering garbage “It is an ecological disaster waiting to happen The small steam at the bottom of the dump flows into the Cumcala River It’s frightening what could happen,” Donaldson said When Daily Dispatch visited Stutterheim on Tuesday cut off at the base and stripped for its copper cables The vandalism knocked out the town’s power supply for hours The main electricity substation has not been spared the attentions of cable thieves either An  upgrade of the power network this year has also been scuppered The centre of town still tells the sorry tale of last year’s protests The shells of the razed municipal offices and clinic blight the main business district Broken traffic lights that have not been operational for a year are another  indicator of a town plunged into dysfunction Read more of the story on DispatchLIVE and website in this browser for the next time I comment Recaptcha Change Image Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers Eastern Cape Police shot and killed five suspects believed to be involved in Monday's cash-in-transit heist along the N6 The road between East London and Stutterheim was closed for seven hours after an armoured vehicle (AV) was ambushed near Macleantown Several heavily armed suspects in a fleet of stolen vehicles blew up the AV and shot at an SBV escort vehicle injuring three guards and stealing an undisclosed amount of cash She says their investigation led them to a homestead in Keiskammahoek where the team came under attack- police were forced to retaliate The Hawks found cash in original money bags 17 magazines and a large number of live ammunition Captain Mgolodela says the 58-year-old suspect who also happened to be the owner of the homestead was arrested and is expected to appear in the King Williams Town Magistrate's court in eQonce soon were arrested with cash bags stacked with R100 and R200 notes The three men will appear in the Cradock Magistrates Court in Nxuba on Thursday The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya expressed his delight and lauded the swift joint effort by the Interim Cash-In-Transit (CIT) task team of the Hawks with the provincial Tactical Response Team (TRT) in locating the CIT suspects within a few hours of the incident on 29 July 2024 an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj Classic denim brand Lee and Swedish rainwear brand Stutterheim have collaborated on a capsule that transforms classic workwear into modern rainwear The Lee x Stutterheim collection integrates Lee’s enduring workwear designs with advanced Scandinavian waterproof technology This collection includes Lee’s iconic Storm Rider Jacket which were remade using Stutterheim’s cutting-edge waterproof fabrics to blend traditional durability with contemporary innovation The result is a selection of rainwear essentials that combine timeless style with practical functionality “I love how this collaboration has blended the best of both brands,” said Joe Broyles global vice president of collaborations for Lee “You see the details of Lee’s iconic jackets and Stutterheim’s dedication to quality It’s a unique offering that I’m excited to bring to market.” “This collaboration offers a unique range of products that gives love and respect to both brands and I really believe that this collection will strike a chord with dedicated followers of both our worlds,” said Lee Cotter “It’s been amazing to work with a brand with such a rich heritage as Lee and to see our materials and techniques applied to their truly iconic styles.” Join Our Mailing list Home | South Africa Fresh unrest has broken out at Mlungisi Township at Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape looting of shops and it’s alleged that another municipal building has been set alight in the township residents torched the main municipal building in Stutterheim as well as a clinic They are protesting over alleged nepotism by the municipality and other issues The situation is getting out of control and angry protestors have pelted police vehicles with stones Some police officials have sustained injuries A police helicopter has been deployed and is monitoring the situation ANC provincial spokesperson Gift Ngqondi has called on law enforcement agencies to arrest the perpetrators He says: “The ANC supports the constitutional right of people to protest and further supports the rights of citizens to organise and protest around their rights However people should not violate the rights of others or engage in the destruction of property In our belief two wrongs do not make any right This bad behaviour is unacceptable.” A suspect linked to five kidnappings for ransom in the border region was denied bail in the Stutterheim Magistrates Court on Friday Akhona Jacu who is alleged to have extorted money from businesses of foreign nationals in Stutterheim faces charges of murder remains in hospital after crashing into a horse while fleeing the scene Advocate Luzuko Tshingana argued that the accused financially supports his disabled mother and his sister who suffers from epilepsy from his three businesses Magistrate Johannes Burger said his tavern and broiler business were in dispute The court heard that Jacu’s tavern has been operating without a license while submitting documents for the broiler business only track dealings from after Jacu was arrested in August Magistrate Burger said surely if this was his form of income there would be proof of his enterprise before his arrest.  The court also heard Jacu absconded a case in Bellville Cape Town in 2016 and was only brought back on the roll for an armed robbery in Mdantsane two years later testified that he was on the scene the day Jacu collected protection fee money from businesses of foreign nationals in the Stutterheim area the money collected from the businesses and the firearms used to shoot at police upon arrest were found in Jacu’s possession While Jacu maintained he was accompanying his friend who died during the shootout Magistrate Burger said he was satisfied by the state’s evidence that there was a prima facie case against the accused The matter has been remanded to the 30th of October Stutterheim High School had a one-point lead ahead of Selborne College at second on the log standings The three remaining spots in the top five were occupied by the Center of Excellence Cathcart High School and Merrifield College respectively It is important to note that King Williamstown’s Dale College placed sixth on the log standings prior to the mid-week fixtures were five games behind top-placed Stutterheim but only trailed by nine points Dale College were unbeaten heading into the mid-week fixtures and when they were faced with Selborne College on Wednesday afternoon they proved why they have been unbeaten in the tournament up to that point It ended in a goalless draw between Dale College and Selborne College which meant Selborne had closed the gap and were tied on points with tabvle-topping Stutterheim High School Another goalless draw was between George Randall High School and Baysville High The result didn’t help either teams as they needed maximum points to move out of the last four spots on the log the boys from the Center of Excellence handed Hudson Park High a beating of note putting four past the Hudson Park High goalkeeper while Hudson Park just couldn’t get one on the board to wrap up what has been an exciting mid-week fixture list Stutterheim beat Cathcart High School two-nil and solidified their spot at the top of the log Stutterheim High School is now on 22 points will be looking to continue their run-on top as they will take on the fourth placed Cathcart High on the late afternoon of Thursday Another exciting match to look out for in this week is between Dale College and Selborne College who aren’t unfamiliar to one another Dale College will be looking to take on full advantage of the ground at the Dale Reunion Selborne will have their hands full this week as they also will also take on Merrifeld who are currently sitting on the fifth position of the log George Randell vs Baysville Centre of Excellence vs Hudson Park Fields of knowledge blossomed on this day of celebration and learning as Food for Mzansi united farmers from the heartlands of the Eastern Cape at its vibrant farmers’ day in Stutterheim AgriSETA believes in the power of education to help advance the well-being and sustainability of Mzansi’s agricultural sector This was one of the key messages at Food For Mzansi’s recent farmers’ day in Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape held at the Phambili Dabini farm of Lukhanyo Ningiza gave nearly 100 people a chance to connect with their peers and agricultural stakeholders sharing stories and learning from experts in the sector “We believe that by providing farmers with the skills and resources they need we can create a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural sector in South Africa,” he said representing Land Bank in the Eastern Cape encouraged farmers to actively engage with the bank to explore funding opportunities He introduced the sought-after blended finance scheme during his presentation emphasising the importance of farmers comprehending its operations Qaba stated that Land Bank provides both pre- and post-funding mentorship along with monitoring and evaluation services for funded farmers Blended finance with Land Bank is increasingly popular among new-era farmers because it offers a number of advantages including access to affordable capital with flexible repayment terms crop advisor Duwal Edwards from AECI Plant Health said it was critical for farmers to know what type of fertilisers and pesticides they were applying to their crops He advised farmers to get in touch with experts before wasting money and resources on inputs that would expose their crops to harm both for their profitability and for the sustainability of the agricultural sector Healthy plants are more productive and produce higher quality crops They are also more resilient to pests and diseases which can reduce the need for pesticides and other inputs the host farmer and director of Phambilie Dabini Farm commended Food For Mzansi for bringing together many key stakeholders in Stutterheim The event was presented in partnership with Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) This collaboration allows the youth and various stakeholders to work together and maximise the benefits for all involved The aim is to help them develop and expand their perspectives as well as take advantage of the opportunities available in agriculture described the farmers’ day as an eye-opening experience presentation about incorporating technology in day-to-day farming Bekebu-Mkiswa works for the Amahlathi Local Municipality’s social development department “It was insightful to connect technology and agriculture made me understand why farmers need to obtain necessary skills at the tertiary level.” She furthermore stated that she works primarily with backyard farmers and subsistence farmers “I had no idea farmers could get help from so many organisations Bekebu-Mkiswa also stated that farmers must obtain certain documents to qualify for grants and loans which is an important practice for those serious about growing into commercial-scale farmers “I wish we could host more of these [events] so that even backyard farmers could learn the necessary skills to transition into commercial farming.” managing director of SA Fine-Tuned Trading and Eastern Cape chairperson and national coordinator of YARD emphasised the insufficient support that farmers face He shared that the Eastern Cape has been at a “potential stage” for far too long and that he thinks he was in primary school when he first learned about the immense “potential” the province holds I also saw it but couldn’t understand why we are still ranked as the poorest province while at the same time we are known as the home of the legends,” he said Bushula stated that the true legends needed to ditch a scarcity mentality and adopt an abundance mentality to escape the current state of poverty and mediocrity “With the right mindset and collaboration across all stakeholders involved in ensuring food security we can realise the long-awaited potential of the Eastern Cape to be the food basket and a major economic hub of the continent,” he said Phillip Tshidzumba from Fort Cox Agriculture Institute added that instilling the love of farming from early years was important to ensure that the country has farmers who can take the sector forward Register now to attend the remaining farmers’ days. Enjoy reading? Tell us why! Get Stories of Change: Inspirational stories from the people that feed Mzansi The Youth of Stutterheim in Eastern Cape has vowed to make their town ungovernable until their demands are met. They want the entire leadership of the Amahlathi Local Municipality to be disbanded The angry youth have been protesting for over two weeks accusing the municipal authorities of nepotism and failure to keep service delivery promises A number of municipal buildings and a clinic were allegedly torched by protesters The unemployed youth say the protest will continue until the municipality addresses the issues of jobs and service delivery speaking on behalf of the protesting youth says: “What we are complaining about is  corruption that is taking place within the municipality secondly the way in which people are employed into the municipal posts we realised that at the municipality people who are employed are mostly relatives Local people do not benefit at all from the economic activities of our town.” Sajid Bilal is a local businessman from Bangladesh He says they have suffered huge losses due to the protest “Ten to fifteen days we could not do business here and it is very bad at the moment for the business because people are scared to come to town from the location Matric learners busy with their final exams were also affected by the protest action are now panicking saying they might not be able to attend to all their exam papers “We are very concerned about  what is happening cause  most of the times  we arrive late at exam  room because of what’s happening  so we are  not even  sure if we going to  finish our examination and that’s the concern we having as matric learners.” Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio uncollected rubbish and disintegrating roads plague Stutterheim the administrative centre of the Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape In January the municipality was unable to pay its civil servants. Municipal spokesperson Anathi Nyoka said on Wednesday that all municipal employees’ salaries will be paid by Friday.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Residents have for years been protesting about municipal failures In 2018, youths angered by unemployment and nepotism took to the streets and burnt down the municipal offices “We are in a crisis here,” says Thembikaya Wapi organiser of the Amahlathi Crisis Committee set up in the wake of the 2018 protests Wapi said it is sad to see the municipality slowly collapsing He said after the 2018 protests the municipality was placed under administration “but nothing changed” youths were once again protesting — about a lack of basic services “Premier Oscar Mabuyane was here and GroundUp you are a witness, you reported about his visit [in February 2020] the municipality fails to collect refuse so residents have taken it upon themselves to burn the rubbish Resident Sinovuyo Velebesi said they have not received garbage bags from the municipality for the past five years. “I personally used to go there to demand the garbage bags but I have stopped now because they keep on telling me they don’t have them,” said Velebesi.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Amahlathi Local Municipality offices and clinic were torched in 2018 during a protest for basic services The municipality has never repaired the damage The municipality’s financial woes go back to 2014 Municipal spokesperson Anathi Nyoka said this was when municipal allowances were introduced among which was the provision of travel allowances to junior managers worth as much as 30% of their salaries costing the municipality R4-million a year “There seems to have been poor judgement from the then management in arriving at a decision to introduce them This is also supported by the fact that all these managers are office-based and thus a travel allowance serves no purpose to them other than to milk the municipality of its scarce resources,” said Nyoka Between 2014 and 2016 the municipality irregularly procured plant equipment for road construction — known as the yellow fleet contract — amounting to R92-million yet the promised equipment never materialised A court action to recover the funds from those responsible has been lodged Nyoka said the municipality’s equitable share the money received from national and provincial government was reduced due to a demarcation process which decreased the number of wards from 20 to 15 Municipal manager Ivy Sikhulu-Nqwena said the equitable share was R124-million in 2016 and currently, six years later, it is R116-million. Had the 2016 demarcation decision not occurred, the revenue from their equitable share would be approximately R162-million.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Nyoka said that compounding the drop in revenue, the ANC-run council took a decision in the 2016/17 financial year to agree to a “standardisation” of salaries, which saw some employees salaries double or even triple.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Sikhulu-Nqwena said the council was originally not in favour of making this decision violent and inconsiderate pressure” was applied by unions resulting in council conceding to the “horrendous demands” At the council meeting where the decision on salary standardisation was to be taken union members embarked on “unlawful protest action” causing “a stampede” that resulted in a municipal director being injured “This marked the demise of the municipality’s financial stability as is evident now,” she said The municipality has approached the high court to set aside these decisions Amahlathi traffic department is closed due to a lack of computers after a second robbery in November 2021 Financial data published on Municipal Money a web-based initiative by National Treasury reveals Amahlathi has a history of poor financial management The amount of money held in the municipality’s bank account which is used to finance new infrastructures such as housing National Treasury notes underspending the capital budget by 15% is “a clear warning sign” Compounding the impact on service delivery nothing was spent on repairs and maintenance And even though in 2018/19 the municipality only had enough cash to cover one week of operating expenses R62.3-million (32% of its budget) was used on fruitless and wasteful expenditure fruitless and wasteful and unauthorised expenditure in the 2019/2020 year totalled R67.3-million R4.3-million was interest paid on bills not settled within 30 days Xolorha residents say for the past five years the municipality has failed to clean the township While the municipality is embarking on legal action to get money back from the yellow fleet contract and seeking to have the decision on salary standardisation and allowances overturned South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Amatole regional secretary Luthando Juju said meetings with the municipality had already taken place, and more were planned.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Juju said Samwu is aware travel allowances paid to office-based managers were part of the reason the municipality has no money “The employer will table all the issues that are causing these financial problems in this municipality If it means that we must talk to our members to let the employer reduce this travel allowance we will do that,” he said First published by GroundUp This is a clear case of failed local government and what occurs when incompetent officials are appointed Until a merit based system replaces cadre deployment and nepotism and the electorate demands better service through the ballot box I guess the travel allowances were spent on luxury cars that the proletariat couldn’t dream of owning At least they know where the fault lies so it will be easy to fix this is the ANC so nothing will be fixed and they’ll simply hold out the begging bowl for more of other peoples money are horribly bloated both in terms of the number of employees and salaries paid There might even be an argument that a large majority of municipal employees are probably more ‘admin related’ and have little or no interest in their jobs and would prefer to sit at home The people get the government they deserve It is quite difficult to read this type of report because it seems so obvious that the wrong type of administrators keep being appointed so if you keep banging your head against a piece of iron and expect each time a different result…… So as long as cadre deployment is accepted and activated the majority of municipalities misgoverned by the ANC will look like this one Where / who are the local citizens that take active steps to bring accountability & sanity back To hope the officials & politicians will do so will simply perpetuate the rot as the visit by the premier clearly demonstrates they are the problem Don’t burn things call politicians to public meeting & demand answers and vote them out ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " STUTTERHEIM Round Table 103 held their annual Bike Ride at the weekend The occasion has become one of Round Table’s biggest events – and is getting bigger and better every year with this year being the 12th hosting of the event This year they tried something different; over the past 11-years they had a “big” night on Friday evenings and a bit of a quiet night on Saturday evenings we took a bit of a gamble and swopped the evenings around,” Round Table 103 member and event organiser “Friday evening was a quiet but fun night with DJ Shane Kreush who played music in our beer tent for the riders that came to camp which gave [everyone] a good night’s rest before the big day.” The bikes started arriving on Saturday morning with over 300 riders riding in to participate in the event The ride started at 9am and the last bike left at 1pm “There were a few broken down bikes which our marshalls were able to help and bring back as well as a few injuries that the Alderson Ambulances team assisted with We got a lot of good feedback from the riders this year which will only make our bike ride bigger and better next year,” Scholes said After the last bike had returned from the course with the lucky draw prize-giving that “took quite some time due to the amount of prizes that were kindly donated to us” The Saturday evening entertainment arrived shortly afterwards which was the Silhouette 3 band so while they were busy setting up all of their equipment all the tablers took turns to go home and have a shower and get ready for a long night ahead – after a full day of marshalling preparing all the food and ensuring that everything went off well throughout the day “The Silhouette 3 band started playing and was enjoyed by all,” Scholes said “DJ Shane Kreush again played for us for the rest of the evening the tablers then went home to get some much- needed rest before returning early Sunday morning to do a clean-up “An event of this magnitude is not possible without the generous help of our sponsors Stutterheim Garage 24/7 Towing & Shop for being our main sponsor “To The Manderson Hotel who accommodated our artists To the rest of our sponsors we thank you just as much for all of your help it is greatly appreciated,” Scholes said thanks to all Round Table 103 members who all pull together and make a project of this size a pleasure All proceeds raised from this event will go towards local charities.” A lot of fun was had during the fun bike event with some stunning views of the ride that raised funds for the Round Table The next bike ride will be held on April 21 next year and will be a ride not to be missed Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAnna Huuang in a hand-knit Öland wool fisherman sweater with buttons by Swedish Poetry which is connected to a place and feeling rather than a person Anna Huuang in a merino rolled-hem sweater and hand-knit Öland wool scarf by Swedish Poetry Stutterheim’s is a cautionary tale all too familiar in fashion and that often comes from outside investment with the collateral being the brand itself In this case it was the rainwear company that Stutterheim founded in 2010 after—the story goes—he found his grandfather’s old slicker and took it apart a hobby project,” says Stutterheim on Zoom of his former label He gave the brand the tagline “Swedish melancholy at its driest” and went along with the gently bearish persona one might expect a melancholic to have he’s embraced the sun and smiles much more often “In the beginning it was only advertising people or architects that bought [Stutterheim] It was really like creative hipsters in Stockholm bought it,” says Stutterheim “At that time I was also a hipster working at an advertising agency I want to be more comfortable now in what I wear.” owner of the Michelin-rated Hotell Borgholm in a British Millerain hooded coat by Swedish Poetry Catharina Stutterheim, the designer’s mother and an independent businesswoman, in a hand-knit Öland wool fisherman sweater by Swedish Poetry Three people have died while five others sustained injuries in two separate crashes in the Eastern Cape Provincial Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said in the first accident two vehicles – an Audi and a truck –  collided head-on on the N2 road near Peddie towards Qonce Binqose said a female passenger from the car was declared dead on the scene while the deceased’s husband and child He said the crash took place around 11 am on Saturday morning In a separate accident around 3 pm on the same day two people lost their lives following another head-on collision that took place between three vehicles on the R346 road in Qonce towards Stutterheim He said a Nissan 1400 bakkie travelling from Stutterheim collided head-on with an oncoming Toyota hatchback Binqose said the driver of the Nissan and his passenger were declared dead on the scene while the driver in the Etios was rushed to Frere Hospital with serious injuries.  The truck driver was not injured in the accident Binqose said it’s alleged that reckless and negligent driving as well as possible alcohol was the main contributing factor to these accidents Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide (This article has been updated with new information after an error was detected- we apologise for the incorrect info in our original story) Home / Business News Susie Stutterheim learns history lessons every day The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread MARION — Susan Stutterheim had always hoped to be a business owner but she didn’t expect to do it later in life “I retired two years ago and began volunteering for five different organizations,” she said “A friend of mine called one day and told me about an antiques shop in Marion where the owner was wanting to sell out due to health issues I decided it was my opportunity to give it a try.” took over ownership of Antiques and Artifacts in July and said the last few months have been full of learning “For me it's all about learning from the people who come in the shop every day and about the items that come in I try to do research and learn everything I can about what's in our store so I better understand the history of things.” Stutterheim said she had not used the social media platform until she took over ownership of the shop and now uses it to promote the business She said it was a challenge getting set up immediately “Instead of having a month to prepare thanks to the help from other antique dealers here in Marion Everybody is just real supportive of each other,” she said who’s been in the antiques business for 35 years The store an eclectic mix of furniture “There is truly something for everyone The four dealers bring new items in weekly,” Stutterheim said noting the inventory ranges from the 1880s to the 1970s “People come in and have something they are looking for whether it be a specific postcard from 1920 or a table from the 1950s and whatever it is they come in looking for she and others come up with ideas on where to find the item She said she’s seen a wide range of customers and has been pleasantly surprised by her younger customers “We have people come in looking for things for their wedding but they want to have things in their house to be vintage,” she said “We also we are getting a large number of people coming through who are from out of state,” she added but most of them are just traveling through Marion.” Stutterheim knows what it’s like to find a treasured item when you visit an antiques store “My love for antiques started when I was young looking at all the beautiful glassware in my grandmother's and aunt's curio cabinets and their oak furniture which is still my favorite,” she said “I bought my first piece of antique furniture when I was 20 and still have it I enjoy the ‘hunt’ and the history behind what I look for It is a wonderful learning opportunity.” Stutterheim said she also loves talking with customers “The best part of the job is the people who come into the shop,” she said the information they share with me.” She said that one of the team members from the History Channel’s “American Pickers” stopped by the other day “Dave from ‘American Pickers’ made the comment that we had a really cool shop and that he would be stopping in when he was in the area Stutterheim is pleased with her choice to become a business owner I'm starting over at an older age,” she said “I want older people to know there are plenty of opportunities out there They don’t need to be afraid to try something new and different Just be willing to learn and listen and just go for it.” Know a business that should be considered for a “My Biz” feature Let us know by emailing mary.sharp@thegazette.com Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562963886561 The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years independent journalism with a subscription today © 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved the East London High School Soccer League experienced encouraging growth as a handful of teams put themselves in position for a run at the title SuperSport Schools sat down with one of the league administrators to learn more about what’s in store for 2024 and to take a look back on a hard-fought season “Looking back on the conclusion of the 2023 East London High School Soccer League’s season the main thing that helped us to have a successful season was that all the participating teams were driven with ambitions to do well and claim the league crown for themselves,” Geach said who scored a stunner on the final day against one of the favourites five teams were in the race for the league honours: Stutterheim a couple of Dale College games determined the winners The school from Qonce had two matches to play one against Selborne College and the other against Stutterheim and they needed four points to secure the title A draw away to Selborne in their second last match put Dale under heavy pressure to get a win against Stutterheim in their last outing they edged out Dale by a goal to nil to win the league for the first time in the school’s history to get ahead of the June and September exams as most schools turn their focus to academics during those their times,” Geach said “We are also looking forward to welcoming West Bank High School to the league They’re coming across from one of the other league streams where they finished third in the league and third in the Knockout Cup losing out to Ebenezer Majombozi High School in the semi-finals who were the eventual winners of the Knockout Cup after beating Dale College in the final.” The development of girls’ football at the various high schools in the East London High School Soccer League will also receive attention in 2024 with the focus on providing them with a well-structured environment “It is our aim to provide a platform for avid footballers to showcase their talents provide schools with structured competitions and give students avenues to pursue careers in the sport,” Geach said we are looking to grow and provide more opportunities for the schools involved within our league streams.” You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security. Emergency services responded to the scene of a rollover crash at Airport Approach, Cape Town. The single vehicle rolled. 1 Patient with serious injuries. Mike Charlie 1 On Sunday night, IPSS Medical Rescue responded to a single-vehicle accident on the N2 near Dokodweni. The single vehicle rolled multiple times, ejecting the occupants from the back of the vehicle. Sadly one occupant succumbed to their injuries, and a further 9 people sustained injuries. 1 person Police were involved in a high-speed chase and they collided with the suspects' vehicle in an attempt to stop them. Suspects arrested and robbed property recovered. Source: X @Abramjee #CrimeWatch A two (2) year old girl locked in her mother’s vehicle on Inhlaba Grove in Waterloo - KZN was freed by Reaction Officers a short while ago (Monday). The infant’s mother contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at approximately 09:39. She informed the Controller On Duty that she accidentally Speeding won't be tolerated! A 49-year-old woman was arrested on the N1 freeway near Mokopane for driving 180km/h in a 120km/h zone. She'll appear in the Mokopane Magistrate's Court today. Let's prioritize road safety and respect the law. #RoadSafety #ItBeginsWithMe Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) tracked down & arrested a 21 year old female suspect who kidnapped a two (2) week old baby in Durban - KZN yesterday (Sunday). Baby Owami Lonathando Sindani (picture 1) was found safe by Reaction Officers this morning (09:15 Monday) in the vicinity .css-chjg7v{color:rgb(0, 0, 0);overflow-wrap:anywhere;font-size:1rem;letter-spacing:var(--cw-letter-spacing-small, 0);line-height:var(--cw-line-height-small);}The Wool Express with Alexander Stutterheim News.css-eshvve{-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;-webkit-transition:width 300ms,height 300ms;transition:width 300ms,height 300ms;height:1rem;}@media (min-width: 768px){.css-eshvve{height:1.5rem;}}.css-56mrdr{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4 1fr);grid-gap:1rem 3vw;-webkit-align-items:start;-webkit-box-align:start;-ms-flex-align:start;align-items:start;}@media (min-width: 768px){.css-56mrdr{grid-template-columns:repeat(8 1fr);grid-gap:1.5rem;}}@media (min-width: 960px){.css-56mrdr{grid-template-columns:repeat(12 0);margin-bottom:0.75rem;}.css-1a0rtlk{color:rgb(0 0);overflow-wrap:anywhere;font-size:1rem;letter-spacing:var(--cw-letter-spacing-small 0);line-height:var(--cw-line-height-small);display:block;color:rgb(0 0);margin-bottom:0.75rem;}2020.12.16.css-1l2yqfk{margin-bottom:0.75rem;max-width:570px;}.css-nkwv7g{margin-bottom:0.75rem;max-width:570px;}.css-1lvdggx{color:rgb(0 0);overflow-wrap:anywhere;font-size:1.875rem;letter-spacing:var(--cw-letter-spacing-large 0);line-height:var(--cw-line-height-large);margin-bottom:0.75rem;max-width:570px;}The Wool Express with Alexander Stutterheim.css-n9uqzh{white-space:pre-line;}.css-11zwe5n{color:rgb(0 0);line-height:var(--cw-line-height-small);white-space:pre-line;}Sometimes the change to greater sustainability needs to happen more quickly Designing timeless products to have a longer life cycle will reduce consumption and prolong a product’s usability Something Alexander Stutterheim understands better than most This appreciation for detail, for timelessness, and for greater sustainability is what led Stutterheim to Polestar in the first place. Looking for a less environmentally unfriendly method to deliver products to customers, he approached Polestar with the intention of using a Polestar 2 for his “Wool Express” (or “Ullexpressen” in Swedish). Learn more about Stutterheim’s approach, his projects, and the wool express, above. 2025.03.04Lifting the lid: The story behind Polestar’s racy new lookThis year’s FAT International Ice Race was the perfect canvas for showcasing Polestar’s Arctic collection but it also served as a launchpad for the company’s stylish race suit and helmet combo Our editors carefully select every product we recommend. We may earn a commission from these links. Learn more The traditional “rain boot” is a classic footwear offering that’s fulfilled its role for many years what began as a functionally-sound staple for outdoorsmen and workers One of these designs was none other than the duck boot a stylish model that solved the mystery of unprecedented waterproofing during the early 1900s The silhouette has a rich American heritage along with formidable weather protection and you can find the pair that suits you best in the following guide where we tested the best duck boots around Duck boots aren’t necessarily the most common type of boots but there are still quite a few on the market. For this guide, we looked to our favorite brands taking them out into the wild and testing them on both wet and dry ground since that is what will separate the good lugs from the less good nearly all of the boots I tested were size 12 so keep that in mind when reading my feedback on these shoes Material: While their name suggests they’re intended for staring at mallards from a park bench The rugged silhouette is perfect for taking on unpredictable weather much in part due to its waterproof construction They are typically made of treated leather materials and treaded rubber soles two elements that you should most certainly keep in mind if you plan on picking a pair up any set of “duck boots” that don’t feature both shouldn’t be labeled as such Additional details you can expect to find are pull-loop tabs for easy on-an-off access and sometimes even proper insulation for optimal coziness Fit: These boots should definitely be tight enough to stay snug but if you live somewhere colder where thick socks are needed you may want to get a pair with extra room Insulation: Especially if you’re using these as winter boots you’ll want to consider a pair that’s insulated with something like Thinsulate Traction: Those residing in rainy areas should strongly consider a non-slip outsole with a solid lug system giving you traction when the weather gets inclement bolstered by water-repellant overlays assuring these stompers are fit for any crazy forecasts the duck boots boast a high-cut collar for additional warmth it wouldn’t be a pair of duck boots without notably grippy soles and this silhouette has large treads to assist you with tackling wet pavement In terms of aesthetics alone, the Nike Woodside 2 was perhaps my favorite of the duck boots I tested. I loved the classy look of the leather with the monochromed Swoosh emblem the brown of the leather matched with the rubber over the toe making these look a bit less aggressive than other duck boots making for a style that you could throw on in multiple situations Everything from the look to the feel of the leather uppers won me over The duck boots did a good job of feeling spacious without giving me too much room even if they technically ran slightly large these were really easy to walk in and comfortable underfoot They also performed really well when getting wet they gave me a bit of stretch so I could tighten these up these are the most affordable duck boots on this list the first thing you’ll notice about the Nike Woodside is how rigid they feel from the stiff collar up top to the toe cap Nikes usually have a short break-in period but this wasn’t the case here the brand’s shoes typically run small on me which is why I typically go a half size up I did notice a bit of pressure above the base of my toes on both feet This could level out after getting broken in but the sensation was there the whole time for me I should mention that the outsoles held onto dirt and sand really easily; I had to manually remove it with my fingers which I didn’t love the Nike Woodside 2 has a fantastic outsole grip and rugged uppers but looks stylish enough that you could go about your day with these laced up as well We noticed the boots ran slightly large and were a bit stiff on the first few outings these were still really easy to walk in and comfortable underfoot despite any other fitting issues These are also some of the most affordable duck boots you’ll find making their visual aesthetic even sweeter Best for the Cold: Although Sperry might be more associated with the boat shoes it helped invent nearly 90 years ago the Massachusetts-based brand has an awesome tall boot option for winter weather tapping into what made their boat shoes so great too: a non-slip outsole that works on surfaces like snow You’ll also get super warm Thinsulate insulation for lining beneath a certified leather upper that looks as classy as ever especially with the Sperry embossing below the collar the shoe is extra high to help keep out drafts Cozy, warm, and cushioned underfoot, the Sperry Ice Bay Thinsulate Duck Boot is arguably the most comfortable shoe I tested. Unlike the more rigid structures of other boots here the Thinsulate interior helps give it some plushness inside especially above the foot and around the ankles The collar had some flex to it and it was easy to get my foot inside without it feeling too wide up top which almost acted like a massager underneath there is a solid flex above my toes as well The rougher outsoles really gripped the hard wet surfaces well and didn’t cling onto mud and sand too badly regardless of how comfortable they technically feel is that they’re at least a size and a half too big I got hands-on with a size 12 and there are literally 2″ of space in front of my toes I feel I could’ve gone down to a size 10 and been fine (I haven’t worn a size 10 since elementary school) While they were a bit more stretchy compared to other cord laces I couldn’t manage to pull them very much I felt like I had no control over how loose or tight they got the Sperry Ice Bay Thinsulate are really amazing winter duck boots but do run pretty darn large We also didn’t love the unrelenting laces that don’t let you fine-tune your fit you’ll love the underfoot comfort and arch support These are highly warm and comfortable boots offered at a reasonable price Best Hunting Boots: LaCrosse isn’t just a sport — it’s also a premium footwear company. The brand’s approach to boots is as timeless as they come, and with a lineage dating back to 1897, it’s safe to assume that their silhouettes are both informed and capable. Its duck boot model, known as the Uplander, plays to the strengths of the company’s centurial design, thanks to a 100% leather construction and a looped heel pull to make donning and doffing an easy affair the Uplander is defined by its robust rubber sole For calf-height boots, the Lacrosse Uplander is very easy to walk in. The higher profile offers you more protection against the elements and gives you better opportunity to wear pants either inside or outside of the collar with a soft landing pad and an accessible lift that other boots might not have the laces here actually do something in terms of tightening the fit which was good because there was some extra room inside (more on this below) I fully expected these to be difficult to put my feet inside but I had no such trouble the Uplander probably has my favorite water grip underneath with a perfect stickiness that made me feel safe on wet slick surfaces but also didn’t accumulate sand and dirt between the lugs A few taps and most of the wet clumps fell off easily they’re also a bit too spacious at times I felt like I had too much room around my foot which actually made me notice the lack of insulation; my feet were prone to getting cold here they were so comfortable that some might prefer a bit more structure in the ankle area and the low rigidity that makes the uppers so comfortable extends up to the top of the collar Verdict: Don’t let the calf-high profile fool you; the Lacrosse Uplander II is a very comfortable duck boot The higher collar helps protect you better and gives you options when wearing pants which were among the stickiest we tested and didn’t accumulate dirt and sand over time we did feel like the extra roominess inside allowed for colder feet and the lack of rigidity of the uppers precluded solid ankle support these had some of the softest landings we tried Best for Traction: Mostly known for its flagship work boots Timberland has shown that when it extends its reach it’s more than capable of finding success the Converge Waterproof Boot is not only a more accessible take on the duck boot with a visual aesthetic that belongs with the brand’s other products but they perform well too Available in a trio of colorways currently the duck boots have incredible traction with unique lugs for a myriad of surfaces Other features include OrthoLite insoles for comfort responsibly sourced GreenStride EVA soles made from sugarcane and bio-based rubber ReBOTL uppers made partially with recycled plastic and TimberDry waterproof membrane for rainy or slushy days I know I was raving about the traction on the Lacrosse boots above because of their ability to stick in wet conditions these Timberland Converge boots are right up there for water grip but also performed fantastically for all-around traction as well the Converge will keep you upright the most consistently Continuing on the idea of hiking in these shoes the Converge are also arguably the most walkable duck boots here with its weight distributed well all around the foot There was just the right amount of room in the front and the uppers are stretchy so as to not constrict your feet I really loved the lacing system which was designed so you could tie them around the ankle but could also go higher with a couple of brackets on either side While a lot of boot brackets stick out too far and often catch on the laces of the opposite shoe There’s not much I disliked about the Timberland Converge I never loved how the brand’s work boots fit on me so I was expecting the same here these are the best-fitting Timbs I’ve ever laced up One thing I noticed was a slight pressure on the heel area that annoyed me a bit upon first putting these on it already seemed like it was getting broken in after just a few times on my feet and I expect it will only continue to do so Verdict: Perhaps the easiest shoes to walk in of the duck boots we tested the Timberland Converge Waterproof Boots have a classic Timberland look but with some added elements to fit into this category We loved the versatile lugs which were super grippy on both wet and dry surfaces serving as an ad hoc hiking boot if you needed them to be These were very comfortable and even the small pressure against the heel continued to break itself in the more we wore it acting as the functional progenitor for the genre’s most recognizable offerings L.L.Bean handles the onus of being the originators of the duck boot with esteem. This Original Boot is a great representative of the category, with incredibly soft interiors that also keep your feet warm without overheating There’s nice support on the ankles and the laces let you really tighten these boots if you want a more restrictive fit Being that this is the progenitor of all other duck boots the visual aesthetic might feel a bit generic but just because it’s been copied so many times The insole is just as soft as the insulation padding the top and sides of the foot you get some solid support under the arches and which gives you a bit of propulsion forward when walking the L.L.Beans were about as perfect as I found among these duck boots I tested While the outsole didn’t carry dirt from one piece of wet ground to the next the lugs were the least grippy among the duck boots I tested That’s not to say they were useless since there was some stickiness happening the lugs are nearly nonexistent underneath I also need to mention the price point here These aren’t the most expensive on this list by a long shot but they’re also about $100 more than the next lowest While they’re a good middle ground between the Timberlands above and the Sutterheims below the L.L.Bean Original Boot is worthy of its reputation We also noticed the fit on these was the best of the bunch with underfoot support and comfort to boot (literally) The traction could have been better but that’s not to say it was nonexistent we didn’t necessarily love the sticker price on these either if you want the Platonic ideal of a duck boot With its lace-up closure and pull-loop at the heel tab sleeping these bad boys on is nothing short of simple and odds are you won’t want to take them off anytime soon From a style POV, the Stutterheim Patrol Boot doesn’t look as “ducky” as most of your other duck boots. Its visual aesthetic is pretty versatile, in part thanks to the suede uppers and stylish midsoles. These just have a more luxurious look in person compared to any of the other shoes here which kept my feet locked in and ankles supported made even better by the padding around the latter This was partially due to the lacing system Not only were the cord laces fairly elastic but the gusseted tongue allowed for significant tightening around the foot the brackets up top offered even more customization in this regard which has only been the case with about half the pairs I tested which I preferred considering the height of these boots which felt about an inch taller than the others There’s no given weight on the brand’s website but the Stutterheim Patrol Boot is easily the heaviest of the bunch It wasn’t necessarily difficult to walk in but fit more like a heavy work boot than it did a classic duck boot like the ones above the traction on wet surfaces could’ve been better too The lugs performed fine on dry dirt and inclines but were a bit more slippery than I wanted on slick ground It’s also important to note that these are the most expensive on this list but at least you’re getting the most luxurious as well Verdict: While it doesn’t necessarily excel in one area the Stutterheim Patrol Boot is still a really attractive and comfortable option We didn’t love the traction on slick surfaces or the heavier weight but these boots were comfortable nonetheless you won’t find much wrong with these duck boots Invented and utilized by the founder of L.L.Bean, Leon Leonwood Bean, the original duck boot would find its way into circulation over 100 years ago. After its introduction in 1912, it was widely adopted by hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen who revered it for its water-resistant qualities, lauding its unique rubber design as the next step in the evolution of waterproof shoes the utilitarian staple would become more refined in both aesthetics and construction quickly becoming a mainstay among the more stylish fashion-focused crowd who wanted to confront the elements in a more tasteful way we’ve curated a list of our favorite offerings from around the industry the genre’s most lauded proprietors have been joined by a handful of up-and-coming outfits looking to make their name within the world of water-resistant footwear Hunter is another staple in the boot category and its Suffolk Insulated Waterproof Duck Boot is a beautiful Chelsea option (there aren’t many) We simply couldn’t get hands-on with these These Huckberry exclusives of the All-Weather Waterproof Duck Boot are good everyday options Guide Gear’s Pull On Insulated Leather Duck Boots are a solid budget option but didn’t strike our fancy on a visual level compared to all the others here While these aren’t as fuzzy as the prototypical pair of UGGs, the California-bred bootmaker’s Emmett silhouette is still a great pair of duck boots there’s no need for the shearling lining when it is already insulated paving the way for optimized warmth without additional materials You can always expect something from Polo Ralph Lauren to be even slightly stylish, but the Claus Tumbled Leather Boot is more of a refined showcase of the brand’s adherence to longevity Although not on the same tier as the L.L.Bean boot this Santa-approved pair of stompers is equally durable they’re unavailable from the brand’s website and only two sizes are on Amazon as of this writing If none of these duck boot styles quite resonate with your style, be sure to check out our guide to the best waterproof boots to see several more options for the cold