One Body Gym / Swiss / Fitness Ball

Whether post-Thanksgiving or the very beginning of Christmas season (or both!) exercise is a good thing to think about at this point in time.  Its amazing just how few, well picked swiss ball exercises can result in a huge increase in core strength and fitness, as well as general balance.  There are many out there, and the one thing most people want to know is how much to spend.  If you're unsure, One Body is a good place to start as they are incredibly cheap.  The disadvantages are mostly centred around the same - its a very 'light' feeling gym ball that doesn't entirely hold its shape, and its sticky.  Whilst the stickiness can help when trying to learn to kneel, it doesn't give as good of an overall feel.  

If you have money, I would truly recommend going up in quality to a more standard ball. My current favourite doesn't seem to be sold anymore, but Gaia's tend to be good quality as well.  Still, its got value for money written all over it, and its entirely functional.  If you *don't* have money, you can still invest in this one.  I got mine for less than £3 on offer!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 4
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, All genders

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Cussons' Carex Grapefruit & Lime Mini Hand Sanitiser

I'll start with saying I love the smell, but obviously I *picked* it because I love the smell, so your mileage may vary.  Its a great size, fits well in most handbags, and it doesn't tend to leak.  Mine has lost its cap after awhile, but still doesn't seem to leak and the rest of the bottle is holding up well to damage.  It has gone a little bit sticky over time (especially since the cap is missing) but its still very useable and doesn't leave residue afterwards.  I can't promise it works, obviously, but hopefully advertising standards has taken care of that one for me!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 6
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 5
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 3
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Most ages, All genders.

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Blink Contact Lens Safe Soothing Eye Drops

With the boots brand ones switching to a type of bottle that I can't squeeze, I had to look for a new source of eyedrop. I don't usually need to use them loads, but they're great in emergencies.  Equally, with new contact lenses I have been trying I certainly have days when I need them a bit more and in a bit greater quantity. They haven't disappointed, and I think I like them better than the previous lot!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: MAYBE
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, All genders, Contact Lens Wearers

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel nose strips

These are great, really useful! What they *aren't* is idiot-proof.  In fact, I'd say they require a somewhat higher than normal level of user engagement than most beauty products.

Personally, I found they worked brilliantly, and so did many other people I know.  This is on the backdrop of many others having worked poorly or not at all. I've not met anyone whom they didn't work for, however I will agree that they are expensive, the best way to buy them is on a 2 for 1, where at about 42p a strip they feel much better than usual.  There is also a 3 for 2 offer on sometimes.  (Others are expensive too though, its not a monopoly.)

When it comes to using them, most bad reviews I've read are from users who just failed to follow the instructions or grasp how to use the product.  You do need to actually press it along your skin, not just attach it like a tent to a few points on your nose.  Also, the part about your nose being wet is important to getting it to stick, and the part about your hands being dry is important to not ruining it!  I did mention they weren't entirely user friendly... but they're so worth it.

They can be tricky to take off sometimes if you leave them too long, or just a bit painful.  Still, you do want to wait till it goes all dry and crispy or you won't get good results.  A small amount of glue does get left behind at times, but large amounts are often a sign of having gotten a step wrong (and frequently they won't have worked as well at that point either.)


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 6
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 7
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 5
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 

*Do I think its the best in its field: MAYBE
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, All genders.

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Sainsbury's Distilled Witch Hazel

For some reason many Boots are failing to stock Witch Hazel now, and I was going slightly mad trying to find somewhere that did.  Fortunately, my partner managed to find some hiding at Sainsbury's, and its even ever so slightly cheaper than the Boots ones were.  It works just as well, I haven't noticed any real difference. As I said in my in my previous post, Witch Hazel is an extraordinarily important part of my skincare routine, and since I wrote the last one I've convinced a few other people of this as well. It can function as something of an aftershave for men, but I recommend using it on the in-between days (if you don't shave every day) as well, much the way women would use it daily on their faces.

The key components continue to be that this is a clear no-additive liquid, with a primary use in basic personal care and various secondary uses in first aid and in astringent type routines such as make-up removal.  If anyone does hear of any other shops selling this, I'd be happy to buy and compare their products as well, mostly to make sure no-one is slipping something useless into a fairly small system.  Otherwise, enjoy where you can find it!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, All genders.

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

One-Shot Drain Cleaner

It does clean drains, at least to an extent.  It also cleans most other nearby surfaces. For 'cleans' I mean dissolves.  Its 91% sulfiric acid by weight, although I don't know what that works out to in laboratory terms.  Certainly follow the labels and use with caution, i.e. rubber gloves, not latex or nitrile, and something over your eyes as a minimum. It will discolour and later burn through clothing, skin, etc. As a shower cleaner, its fascinating.  That plus the baking soda I used to neutralise it (I wasn't the one who applied it, in case you wondered) made the shower whiter than it has ever been, at least since I've seen it. That said, I'm fairly certain it took some of the plastic with it. 

I can only imagine it has a similar impact on the drains, but I'm sure it does help dissolve organic matter. It didn't solve my problem, as it was too far along the pipes and they had to be taken apart outside.  It makes the drains frighteningly hot, and when the drains remain backing up it smells of sulphur. For ages... at least a day. You only need reasonable ventilation if it works, but have LOTS if it doesn't. This is the 'first' thing a lot of plumbers will try, so its worth a go (especially if you can't easily take your own pipes apart.)  They recommend regular use, so maybe it is mostly safe for your drains. I'm more ok with using it in rental properties, and there have been stories of it eating rubber casings on pipes.  Still, like any powerful chemical it can be used for good if you are careful!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 6
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 6
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Homeowners, Renters.

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Sainsbury's kitchen foil

This is the result of stupid amounts of calculations and supermarket price comparisons to decide which 'cooking' quality kitchen foil was the cheapest.  Then, to decide if it was worthwhile.  My partner has started using double layers of wrapping / cheap foil in pans, which sometimes works ok and more often doesn't.  I used to use single layers, which seemed to prevent burn but filter grease like a cheesecloth. This stuff is amazing! It contains grease, fat, you name it. Most of the time it contains it entirely as if the tin has never been used. Occasionally you get a tiny bit of grease in a few small spots - barely anything! Its hard to tear, I've certainly managed it from time to time but it doesn't just sprout holes like the cheaper kind.  

The savings in washing up liquid, tissues/towels, and stress alone probably is worth it, and the savings on your drains from less grease is also hard to quantify.  If you don't eat meat / fish, its probably less of an issue, but cooking oil still wreaks its own wrath.  It appears to be around four times the price of its most value counterpart, but its significantly more functional than even double layers of the same.  I judge it not just worthwhile, but a surprising potential savings. The price for this exact product is similar at other shops, but I don't know about quality.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 6
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (This falls off a little for vegetarians, 6 maybe)
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 (of relief, but hey!)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: MAYBE, BUT I'D BE UNHAPPY
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, All genders, Anyone who likes cooking (especially meat / fish eaters)

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Duracell AA PlusPower Batteries

As I stated last week, I use AA batteries quite variably, and I informally tried to compare these, which are meant to hold their top power for longer but have a shorter overall life, to the Boots extra long life which do the opposite.  I have to admit, they have a reasonably long life themselves.  They can experience temporary power drops, but usually leaving them alone for days or weeks means when you use them again they're back to before, and they do hold their initial power very well.  Inasmuch as I notice, I think there is a stage where they drop too much in power for me before they die. They respond better than the long life in terms of being left alone and coming back up, but both respond and I think I draw slightly too much energy to use the long life to all of their potential.  I possibly favour these but don't have a side by side comparison.  There certainly isn't a glaring enough difference for me to choose anything other than 'whichever is cheapest' at this point in time!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 

*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Most ages

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Boots AA extra long life batteries

I use AA batteries fairly sporadically for a lot of things, and I haven't always had luck with rechargeables which are ever so slightly bigger.  I was told that the extra long life ones will in fact have a 'longer' life, but will lose their initial power sooner. I can verify that they do have a long life compared to any AA I've ever had, and they do seem to lose some of their punch a bit faster, but as long as you are running them in a lower usage piece of equipment you won't notice.  I haven't done a strict side-by-side, but I'm favourably impressed. 

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Most ages

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Nivea Invisible Black & White Roll On Deodorant

I have mixed feelings about this one, and had hoped to have a sounder appreciation for it by the time I reviewed it.  It doesn't leave any obvious white marks on clothes for me, and certainly doesn't have a high incidence of yellow ones.  It does have some, however, somewhat noticeably on pale tops (i.e. light blue) rather than white.  I also need more than one application a day if I'm very active - whilst other people I know claim it builds up on their skin like a protective layer of flaky... skin? Its at least reasonably odour controlling, but could be better.  Its happily cheap on offer and it doesn't sting on sensitive skin as far as I can tell. I do want to try and improve my lot, but its not useless.  

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3 (1 on offer)
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male, Teenagers

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Andrex 'puppies on a roll' Toilet Roll

I promise this is my last toilet roll review for awhile! In a general sense, its useable enough. It has durability, it has an ok texture. Its on the softer side, but less prone to shedding than many of those, although still annoying. The cost isn't all that cheap, even on offer, but on offer its about acceptable, maybe.  I'm not sure what the advantage to having puppies printed on a toilet roll is... this seems odd. I don't think my toilet roll is where I want a dose of "cute."  Still, its not altogether bad, which is close to high praise from me within its category!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 3 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Springforce Toilet Roll

This is, in my opinion, the absolute best value for money toilet roll out there at the moment. Its still cheap - only just above the value ranges.  It possibly lasts longer. Its certainly less flimsy, larger, a better overall texture. Its not "silky silky soft" which drives me crazy anyway. It doesn't shed - once in a great while you get a pack that does slightly, but its rare. It is technically a Tesco brand, but its one they've done a good job with.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Morrisons 'value' Toilet Roll

Whilst technically useable, I'm less in favour of this one. Its flimsy, its mediocre in a really annoying way.  The main upside is that its cheap, and if I need some desperately, its useable.  

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 4
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 3
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Tesco Value Toilet Roll

This is one of those which has been better in years gone by. It has gotten a bit thinner, a bit more flimsy, and gone up in price besides.  Its still perfectly useable, but no longer my cheap go-to.  It is on the rougher side, if that matters to you - I prefer it since it doesn't shed like some toilet rolls.  I rate it the best of the cheap toilet rolls, but I'm not 100% certain if its actually the most cost effective, I suspect it varies by person.  Worth a go!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 6
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 4
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Tesco Value Tissues

I'm not fragile about my tissues, they needn't be soft, or scented, or anything else.  Not being like sandpaper would be a decent start, and if I've been ill for awhile I start to wonder about my wisdom.  The truth is, though, you save absolutely loads by buying value tissues (either from tesco or morrison's.)  If you use about one box of tissues a year, fine, buy a pretty and soft box to impress people and ignore it.  If you use them at all regularly, you'll notice the pounds you are saving.  

That said, the old red stripe Tesco value tissues were a bit softer and more overall useful. They've made the boxes bigger, rebranded them, and turned them into harder and more sandpaper like tissues in the process. It doesn't look like all boxes have been mistreated equally (tho I must admit I also find the rebranded style ugly and annoying.)  Still, what was previously fairly unequivocal is now guarded, and coming out in favour of their near competitors.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 8  
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 9
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Children, Female, Male,

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Boots Distilled Witch Hazel

Just to be very clear, this product is a clear liquid, and has no other additives.  The Boots own brand is sold in a clear bottle with their standard labelling.  Some other places also offer an own brand (Sainsbury's, for example) which theoretically should be comparable.

Witch Hazel is an astringent, and a key part of my skincare routine. I'd even go so far as to say its THE key part of my facial skincare routine, as I occasionally skip moisturiser but never the witch hazel.  Although it shouldn't contain alcohol, it still dries skin out, and as such most people would want to use it alongside a moisturiser (I generally do anyway.)  

It can further be used for a small selection of first aid purposes, and like any commercially available astringent it removes make-up.  It lasts for a long time, is not sensitive to sunlight insofar as I know, but the way I use it makes it prone to collecting skin from my hand in the bottle.  Pouring tends to waste it, though, so decanting it into smaller bottles is likely the way forward.

I particularly recommend it as a form of aftershave for men, and probably less recommend it for drier skinned women.  On the other hand, I'm no pro. My skin is roughly speaking "normal" and has had few spots or blemishes even when I was a teenager. On the other hand, I've been religious about daily simple attention to it, and not overdoing it.  Since I was twelve.  Your results may vary!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (Depends slightly on how you use it, decanting or pouring would help) 
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Female, Male,

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Bic Medium Crystal Ballpoint Pens

I'll have to start by saying that they aren't my favourite pen.  On the other hand, they are the most long lasting "good" pen in my life.  They're durable in every fashion, they tend to write well, they tend to have a long life.  They're decent to hold.  


On the downside, if you *can* get them to break they shatter impressively.  But its not the case that they are dangerous, and they don't break often.  I also really prefer clicky pens to the ones with caps, but their caps are strong, sensible, and do stay well on the back.  They don't break the boundaries of good taste, even if they're not "cool." They don't leak. They're a good learning pen for younger children. 


I have little that is bad and much that is good to say about them, I always own a few... but they aren't quite my favourites, either, and it shows.   Still, in this pen obsessed world their importance is keen, and Bic have a very reasonable reputation to boot.  For a generalist ballpoint pen, they really are the best in their field, whatever my personal preferences!


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 3

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Children, Female, Male,

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Morrison's 'Savers' Kitchen Foil

I have mixed feelings on this one, for the purposes that I wanted it for, it comes up short.  However, those are not at all the purposes it was designed for, and it does well at those.  To wit, I mostly use my foil for cooking, and whilst it survives the process admirably, it does let fat/oil leak into the pan.  


For its intended purposes of wrapping food its fantastic, and I've had no breakage problems in the freezer, in handbags, or anywhere really. If you need wrapping foil regularly, its a great way of saving money.  If you have to try and make it work for cooking, it sort of does.  Proper cooking foil is better for cooking though, and I don't wrap things too often, leading to in my case lower scores on usefulness and necessity.


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 3
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male,

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

British Theme: Ariat Wellies

In honour of my adopted countries' recent holiday, I thought I'd pick a British-type object to review.  It was this, or tea cosies.  I'm not in a good position to review tea cosies, though, so my beloved wellies are taking the stand.


My absolute favourite thing about Ariat shoes/boots is that they appear to have a model of my foot in the back room somewhere at the company.  I've never had a brand fit so consistently, (although fashion trainers Tiger don't do badly.)  Your mileage may vary on this, but for me - I mean these wellies are better supported than most random shoes I would wear for fashion purposes.  Which is very cool :)


So they do the general things wellies do, they are waterproof and comfortable and actually not even too hot.  Equally, they don't get cold too easily either, though they are no substitute for actual winter boots if those are needed.

I have cheerfully worn them over trousers, or just with skirts or shorts and wellie socks.  A single pair of the fashionable type is entirely comfortable.  For practical purposes I'd wear something like coolmax riding socks, or in a pinch any sports socks, and then layer shooting socks over the top whilst wearing the wellies (and take those off but still have some socks on if I want riding or jodphur boots or another tighter fitting shoe.)


I also thoroughly enjoy the colour :) (Two choices).  I've tried on lots of others, and these are far more supportive and comfortable, and appear to be on the higher side of breathable.  They do have a small heel and spur rest, and are theoretically possible to ride in, although I do everything I can to avoid it as they're big compared to the normal size of my foot.

The one downside is they do decay along the front/sides where they bend, I presume from overexposure to urine or similar when mucking out regularly (and not rinsing them, just took them off outside my room instead.)  Probably most boots would, and probably I could have prevented it.  They're still almost entirely functional at this point, but I wouldn't wade in streams with them or run a hose straight at them for an extended time.


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (Still on the fence about this, they don't fall apart and I may have caused the problem I had, but equally I can't prove top durbility)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (But your mileage may vary depending on lifestyle)
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10 (Again, depends on your lifestyle.  If you live or work in the country, or consistently have to trek in the wet, they're a huge deal.  If you occasionally go to the country on holiday, less.  If you never leave London, well, they're not fashion wellies, even if they do serve the basic purposes)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (In part for perfect fit, in part for colour enjoyment)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 (Ariat coolness varies, but they are at least a little cool.  I'd call them a ten, but in reality they are midrange of cool things, overall.)

*Do I think its the best in its field: NOT SURE
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Male, Female, Countryside Folk, Walkers, Festival Goers

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.