Hunter welly boots - A history built on rubber

Home -> Articles -> The history of the hunter welly boot

A country day out in winter is not complete without a wax jacket and a pair of Wellington boots. They are the bread and butter of British attire and the two things that encapsulate British country clothing at its traditional best.

For those that are not familiar with the welly boot, it is also known under many pseudonyms - Wellington boot, wellies, gum boot, top boot, rubber boot or, more often than not, by its most eminent manufacturer, Hunter.

The story of the welly boot is like reading an old folklore tale; it involves dukes, war, and journeys across oceans as well as passion and innovation. The following article will give note to the story of the welly, from its humble beginnings to fashionistas favourite.

The history of the Wellington boot

It began, as one may have gathered from the name, with the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley. In 1817, the Duke asked his shoe maker Hoby of St. James Street, London, to modify a type of Hessian boot that was worn around the time. The resulting boot, crafted from calfskin and cut much closer to the leg than previous boots of the time, was soon dubbed the Wellington.

In wanton abandon to emulate their war hero, the welly boot caught on and became a must have fashion item during the 1840s. It was soon followed by the 50s the calf high version and the 60s the ankle style welly boot. However, up until then the Wellington boot was not the rubber welly boot we know and love today; it was in fact a leather boot. It wasnt until American entrepreneur Henry Lee Norris came to Scotland to source the right place to produce rubber footwear that the rubber welly boot we know and love today was born.

The newly formed North British Rubber Company was registered in September 1856. In addition to their rubber boots and shoes, the company expanded their new rubber techniques to make tyres, conveyor belts, golf balls and all manner of everyday rubber or composite items.

The wellie boot really came into its own with onset of the First World War. Asked by the War Office to craft a sturdy boot that would keep the mens feet dry in the trenches, the North British Rubber Company made in total 1,185,036 pairs of trench boots, often working through the night to satisfy demand.

During World War II the company came into its own again; with 80% of its output consisting of war materials including ground sheets and gas masks, as well as the sturdy, durable and waterproof Wellington boot. By the Wars end the welly boot was popular among men, women and children alike, with the boot itself being continually improved upon so it was roomier, thick soled and of a rounder toe than its predecessors.

The success of the company meant new premises were acquired in Dumfriesshire in 1946, and from here on the rubber welly boot business has enjoyed successes under various guises. The North British Rubber Company had a name change in 1966 to Uniroyal Limited, and in 1986 The Gates Rubber Company Limited of Colarado purchased Uniroyal and changed its name to The Gates Rubber Company Ltd. Furthermore in 1996 Gates was brought by Tomkins PLC of London and subsequently Hunter became the Hunter Division of Interfloor.

2004 saw the Hunter Division, together with external help, fund a buy-out of the company to form the Hunter Rubber Co. and consequently 2006 saw the ownership change and its name change to Hunter Boot Limited.

Throughout the changes in name, styles and phases of the company, the origins of the rubber Wellington boot have stayed true to their word and have been associated as the best in wet weather footwear. More recently the Hunter Wellington boot has become a must have fashion item for festival goers, fashionistas, models and townpeople alike. The merging of traditional country clothing and modern fashions has seen a renaissance period and a whole new market for the Hunter Wellington boot; long may it continue.

Site Design by