I can’t bear soggy feet either, one reason why I am wearing odd boots at the moment 
, the soggy socks I have solved, back in September 1999 when I discovered I was in the tropics and could extend my previous sock ban to all the year round. 
. But wellies? No, the other thing I can’t bear is boots that allow my feet to slide about inside. An advantage when driving, but not when walking. 
Oh, and boots rather than shoes to protect my ankles when turned on a rocky outcrop. 
It’s a case of right boot, right place. Wellingtons are fine for keeping your feet dry in wet grass but never wear them on sloping rocky ground. Just ask any mountain rescue team. If your walk starts in wet grass, and it bothers you, you can wear gaiters. I’ve seen people walking fells in the Lake District in flip flops!!!
I think you must have met @DrMarkH
As I have mentioned before, if I am buying online I prefer the security of Amazon, so I went through the whole 7 pages there to find the names mentioned above. The only one I found was Aigle so I wondered what was disappointing about them.
They have pretty good reports but there was criticism about the soles, too soft, and the sides, became holed and thus leaked.
Apart from that I think I have 2 choices. One is to buy what I bought before, ie more or less the cheapest and then buy again when, inevitably, they fail.
Or, as I am perhaps taking a friend on a hospital visit to Perigueux soon I could drop into Decathlon for instance and check for the names there and inspect in person before I buy.
My aunt recently suffered a fractured bone in her foot…As she hadn’t had an accident, she asked her doctor how he thought this could have happened. He asked her what she wore for walking, and she replied that when wet she always walked in wellies. That’s your answer he said - he had come across stress fractures largely caused by walking in wellies. I have no idea how accurate his “diagnosis” was, but it made me wonder about the wisdom in my case of walking miles in glorified wellies ie agricultural/security boots…
I’d do that for walking boots.
I remember when I got my Brashers, and subsequently the Salomons, from George Fisher in Keswick. Took a couple of hours over the decision, with lots of walking over the little bridge and the rocks they had installed in the shop
Having spent many a year living and working in the English Lake District (on the fells), I always wore Berghaus or Merrell and Merrell climbing slippers. Being part of two MRT’s they were more than appropriate. That said, when I went on a walk or LD hike, I nearly always wore, and still do, Merrell Kahuna III sandals. They have stood the tests of two CtoC walks, one Pennine Way and two West Highland Way full kit treks plus countless multi day hikes throughout France and into the Atlas mtns of Morocco. They may not be considered ‘waterproof’, but then I have something far better, human skin.
I buy all my walking shoes and boots from Cotton Traders and have been impressed by their comfort and quality. I suspect I don’t put them through the same harsh treatment as David does, but any of their boots described as waterproof seem to be just that. They often offer certain items at a sale price, which is when I usually buy them, although the standard price is well below what you would pay for the big brands. Shipping to France is about £10. I have several pairs of formal shoes from other brands, but these went into retirement at the same time as I did.
If you mean me, not at all, I am not a hiker I am a dog walker and most of my walks last little more the 15 minutes, sometimes on a large flat field down to the river, but mainly through the forest adjoining my garden up the steep field (always grass but only cut once a year so chest high (and avoided) in June) and back down through the forest to my back gate by the pond.
However I do need waterproofing in the field, for comfort, and sure stepping over logs, branches and depressions, in the forest, for safety.
@Dr-Le-Dolly , I have skin too, but that is the bit I prefer to keep dry.
Just what I do for wet muddy conditions.
I met a woman in the lakes who had fallen and gashed her ankle. She was wearing high heel shoes. Go figure.
Keen’s trekking sandals are a long way from flip flops, more like a footwear equivalent of an open topped Land Rover.
Aigle soles aren’t Vibram and although they look solid, you feel every sharp stone. Couldn’t recommend them.
Personally, I think Decathalon’s not good value, compared to what I find online elsewhere.
Oh well, looks like the above might be the best solution then. I did say that a visit to Decathlon would be to see if the names mentioned in this thread were available there. If they were, at least I could see and try before buying.
There’s an Intersport in Périgueux that sells LOWA boots, at least they’re on the website, but they’re quite expensive.
Edit: Actually, the first three LOWA boots I tried were not in stock at Périgueux
Thanks, I’ll have a look around if my friend needs to go there, wouldn’t go all that way on spec.
I walk the dogs in the forest every day and usually get a year out of my Decathlon own brand boots - about €60. Better than the more expensive Columbia boots they sell. Salomon were good too but more expensive. I like the idea of adding extra waterproof spray.
So comfy and modest cost which can be regularly replaced
Having been a light walker (tracks, canal & forest paths) all my life, I used to always wear Berghaus boots - boots rather than shoes as I have a dodgy ankle and need the support. However, about 12 years ago, someone recommended Meindl boots. I tried these at one of the Cotswold Outdoor shops and found them surprisingly light and well-fitting. They were a bit expensive but I am only on my second pair in 12 years.
These are what I have, not for hiking but used in the forest when woodcutting and general outside jobs. Never got wet feet (at least not until I dropped a running chainsaw on them 
) and have Vibram soles. A friend who worked on the rigs got me a couple of pairs.
“Muck boots” in Uk but will send to France .I have had mine for at least 6yrs and never had any problems .they have a wide range of boots to choose from
Thanks again to the last 4 posters, and a welcome from me to @hotcook as well.
There does indeed seem to be a wealth of good quality around which makes it more difficult in a way, but almost all involve me in online exposure to firms I do not know, and I have had my fingers, or rather bank balance, injured in the past.
When I go to Perigueux I will have a list with me of those mentioned here to see if they are present for trial. In the absence of that I will go for the best of the rest, that is, in the cheap sector. As @Charleshh points out a year’s good use for around €60 is not a bad deal. Rental for €1 a week might be the best way to go but, if I see any recommended here and they are as good as described, I am prepared to pay more for longer.
I have always bought Sketchers walking shoes. Hard wearing and very comfortable. I use them for woodland walks and town walks. Not cheap but worth it.