The prestigious reputation of Hunter boots

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There are three main groups of people who love the British countryside, although it is quite possible to belong to more than one of these groups - and many are even part of all three. There are those that work in the country, those who live in the country and those who enjoy their pastimes in the country.

However, the weather makes no such distinctions. It doesnt care whether you are a farmer or gamekeeper, you are just part of a rural community or you are going out for a walk or on a shoot - a rainy, cold or windy day can be a miserable experience for anyone who doesnt have the appropriate outdoor wear.

When you are out and about on the moor, in woods or fields, you need to be wearing country clothing that is designed for the purpose. With the right outdoor wear you can be confident of staying warm and dry all day long, no matter what the conditions decide to do. However, if you venture out without appropriate clothes and equipment, you could end up soaked from head to foot and chilled through if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

One of the best known manufacturers of country clothing for days like this is the Hunter Rubber Company. Founded in the 1850s, this firm has become renowned for Hunter boots - some of the finest wellies around and ones which have become securely cemented in British rural life.

How Hunter boots got their reputation

There are few other country clothing products that have become such national icons as Hunter boots; the only other contender being the Barbour wax jacket. Recognised as such from as far afield as America and Australia, Hunter boots are seen as representing everything quintessentially British.

Middle and upper class people from the countryside who enjoy traditional pastimes such as game shooting and horse riding have even been described as the "green welly brigade" thanks to their widespread use of Hunter boots. This simple footwear has become more than just country clothing; its reputation has grown so much that it is now presents a very high status image.

So how has this reputation come about? Well, their origins could play some role in this. Leather welly boots were invented in 1817 by the first Duke of Wellingtons shoemaker as a more comfortable, stylish and practical alternative to other boots. They quickly caught on as an item of fashion and by the 1840s and 1850s were being worn by gentlemen in the upper social circles.

For more than a century, Hunter built its reputation around boots that were wonderfully practical and known for their fine quality and durability. Its reputation was further extended when Diana, Princess of Wales, was photographed wearing Hunter boots while out on the Balmoral Estate in the 1980s.

Since then, the standing of Wellington boots, and in particular Hunter boots, has grown even more. As well as being worn for walking and shooting in the countryside, recent years have seen them also becoming fashionable outdoor with people at all lots of open air events, such as festivals like Glastonbury.

Hunter wellies and fine country clothing at Dogwood

At Dogwood, we take pride in selecting only the most luxurious and stylish clothing to feature in our collection - but only clothing which is also designed for practical use in the countryside. With this principle in mind, we have chosen Hunter boots to be part of our selection of fine country clothing.

These premium Wellingtons offer excellent fit, durability and style, making them ideal for a range of uses. Whether you enjoy a walk through the woods, shooting on the moors or require them for managing your fields, Hunter boots make are the perfect solution to the problem of wet feet and lower legs.

If you would like more information about Hunter boots or any other item in the prestigious Dogwood collection, please telephone 0845 30 10 365.

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