"Dave Hill" wrote ...((snip))
In over 50 years of digging I have NEVER had a pair of wellies damaged
by a spade

Lucky you, I had one of a pair of Barbour wellies (a present) go suddenly
and catastrophically when under full pressure and really did think I'd cut
my foot in half it was so painful.
Years ago I had a pair of Huntairs which were wonderful but they don't make
them any more and, again, they aren't designed for digging anyway.
--
Regards
Bob H