Hunter Rain Boots

Hunter Wellington boots have been around since 1817. Wellie boots were designed when men stopped wearing knickers (knee pants), in favor of full-length pants. A shoe that protected the pant leg from the elements needed to be invented and the Wellingtons were designed for this purpose.

Arthur Wellsley, the first Duke of Wellington and a war hero, commissioned his shoemaker to modify a boot that had been worn with knickers. They were originally made out of calfskin. They were nicknamed Wellington boots and the name stuck.

The Hunter Wellington boots remained the most popular men’s footwear until the 1840s. In America in the 1850s shoes were being made with rubber and in 1856 an American opened a rubber company in Scotland to manufacture Wellingtons made with rubber. During World War I the company, the North British Rubber Company, was commissioned by the British to make the boots for the Royal Army.

The company again made boots, among other things, for the Army during World War II. By the end of the war, the boots had become popular not only with men, but with women and children as well.

In 1958 two new boots were introduced with the Hunter name, but sales were very slow. The company underwent several buyouts and changes and since 2006 has been under the name Hunter Boot Limited.

The Hunter Wellington boot started out as a fashionable answer to a new trend, became solely practical when it was starting to be made with rubber, and has come full circle, widely known as a practical, stylish boot worn by yuppies and toddlers alike.

Wellington Boots are durable, comfortable and waterproof. They are made for rain and not for extreme cold temperatures, but if you buy the liner that Hunter sells separately, they will keep your feet both warm and dry.

Due to the nylon lining of the Wellie boot, moisture is wicked away, saving your feet from getting overheated and sweaty. The outsoles are made from natural rubber, providing traction and endurance. Insoles are lightly cushioned to provide comfort. No other boot beats a Hunter rain boot for comfort and durability.

You can buy Hunter Wellington rubber boots locally and online.  If you’re looking to shop for them on the web, check out Saks, Amazon, zappos, and many of the other popular clothing and shoe retailers.