Black Gloss Hunter Wellies

Black gloss hunter wellies such as the Huntress wellies, have become an extremely popular selection from the Hunter wellie range. Although the Huntress is not the only black gloss Hunter, it is slightly different from the standard tall boot in that it has an easier fitting shape with a more generous calf width (41cm for UK size 6) and is a little shorter in height to stop the boot pinching behind the knee. These are absolutely ideal for those who are a little shorter than average.

Made from vulcanised natural rubber and built on an orthopaedic base with a high gloss finish. The inner lining of the Huntress wellies are made from a quick dry knitted nlyon with hardwearing properties and making the boot easy to slip on and off. The multi-layered cushioned sponge insole adds to the comfort and fit of the boot.

Black Gloss Hunter

The original black gloss Hunter wellies are probably the original Gloss Tall. Same gloss finish as the Huntress Wellies, the Gloss Tall comes in a range of super gloss colours from candy pink to violet for the fun lovers out there. These boots are built on the original Hunter base and offer similar properties to the Huntress Wellies in terms of construction but are a higher fit and with a standard calf width (e.g. 38cm for UK size 6). The same as the Gloss tall but with shorter legs, you can get the black gloss Hunter short wellies.

A little different, is the shorter Hunter Chatel black gloss snow boot. Completely different base chosen for comfort and grip, the Chatel has warm insulated legs and feet with a snow-proof cuff and leather effect trim. The fit is adjustable as they lace up the sides of the leg.

If you like Hunters wellies, but don’t want or need a short or tall boot, why not think about the black gloss clogs? Handy to slip on and off for the garden or quick errands, this form of black gloss hunter wellies could be ideal as all the other features of the Huntress wellies and the other styles are the same…. but without the legs!

Finally, let’s not forget the childrens Hunter wellies! Great comfort and fit but in child sizing that allows the feet to grow comfortably while keeping their little feet warm. As well as the black gloss, they also come in pillar box red and fuchsia and sport really handy reflective strips on the back and front for added visibility and safety.

So, if you are looking for black gloss Hunter wellies you will be well catered for. Check out the Huntress wellies and the Tall Gloss and don’t forget the Chatel snow boot if wellies just are not your thing.

Hunters Wellies – Where Did It All Begin?

Hunters wellies are certainly an investment in terms of the length of time they will last. Yes, they may not be the cheapest wellies you can find, but believe me, they will certainly outlast those! One of the markets for Hunters wellies is for those who live and work in the country where quality is important when you wear them everyday. However, country folk are not the only people who love Hunters wellies – including brides who end up wearing them when the weather isn’t too kind!

Hunters have been seen on the feet of many celebrities such as Alexa, Kate and Emma Watson; Hunters wellies are again proving to be a must have fashion item for both men and women and have firmly established themselves at the heart of every chic and stylish wardrobe. Heck, even Jimmy Choo has designed for Hunter!

So, who are Hunter and why are Hunters wellies so in demand across the globe?

Wellington boots have been around for a long time and so to have Hunter boots. The range has certainly changed since the firm first began, but then so have the uses. Hunter is a forward thinking traditional company founded in Edinburgh by an American in 1856, Mr Henry Lee Norris, who first opening at the Castle Silk Mills as The North British Rubber Company. The boots were in high demand during WWI and WWII to supply soldiers with heavy duty waterproof footwear. Now they have gained much recognition, and in 1977 became the proud holders of The Royal Warrants of Appointment as suppliers of waterproof footwear to HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Two of the most famous and popular style of Hunters wellies were first made over 50 years ago and remain in the range today. These are the original orthopedic green welly and the Royal Hunter. The range today has many more fashionable styles, and it is this attention to current trends and customer service that has kept Hunter at the forefront of the boot market for so long.

Let’s have a quick look at the trading timeline of Hunter. In 1966, North British Rubber was bought by Uniroyal Limited who were in turn brought out by Gates Rubber Company Limited in 1986. It was then renamed as Hunter in 1987. The firm was again brought out in 1996 by Tomkins PLC of London. However, it wasn’t until 2004 that Hunter Boots became independent of other parts of the company but were then unfortunate enough to go into administration in 2006. Following being rescued and brought out of administration and rapidly restructured in the same year, the company have gone from strength to strength. After spending years in Dumfries, Hunter Boots returned to Edinburgh in 2008 where they remain today.

In 1981 the company profile was boosted by the then Lady Diana Spencer being photographed in some original Hunters wellies in some of her engagement photographs. Prior to this, they had been featured heavily in the infamous Sloane Ranger Handbook cariatures.

It doesn’t matter whether you are male or female of any age, you are sure to find a pair of likeable designer Hunters wellies. Cheaper than you may think, you will find a pair suitable for really mucky conditions, rain or snow whether you live in the town or country or just want something for a outdoor festival. The range is extensive (including shoes!), is well made and durable.

• The biggest Hunter ever made was a size 18 for a Derbyshire vet.
• Oxford and Cambridge boat crews all wear Hunters before and after the race: Oxford in blue boots; Cambridge in green.
• It takes a gallon of custard to fill a size 10 Hunter.
• A Yorkshire farmer requested a plastic buckle for his Hunters – the rattling kept waking up his wife as he got undressed for bed.
• Hunter even made boots for cows! In the early 90′s Hunter made the Hubble Boot which was a boot specially designed for cows.

Wellies Entertain….

Wellies and Sport

Wellie wanging is a sport where competitors are required to hurl a Wellington boot as far as possible within boundary lines from either a standing or running start. A variation requires participants to launch the wellie from the end of their foot as if they were kicking off a pair of shoes. The high level of competition has led to precise, highly regulated rules for the sport (see en.wikipedia.org).

Wellie Wanging

Welly wanging rules include that a player’s word and honour will be sufficient and that distances will be measured in yards, feet and inches and not in metres. The standard welly to be used is a Dunlop green size 9 with a non-steel toe-cap. The use of wind assistance is encouraged so one can wait for a good gust for one minute only. The winners receive a leg of Yorkshire lamb but are expected to invite other competitors over for Sunday lunch. Children’s competition winners receive a five pound note.

There are four principle techniques used. One handed, double handed, between the legs and a backward throw from over the head.

Wellies and Dance

The Gumboot Dance was developed and performed by South African miners in the late 19th century. As they were not allowed to speak with each other; their communication relied on dancing in their wellies, shaking their chains and incorporating movements with their hard hats. Later, gumboot dancing became popular outside the mines.

Paddington Bear started wearing his red wellies in 1972 when the first soft toys of the character were produced.

Wellies in Song

Scottish comedian Billy Connolly (aka ‘the big yin’) penned and performed “The Welly Boot Song” as his theme tune in 1974. This was later reworked by John Clarke in 1976 with, “If It Weren’t For Your Gumboots” to produce a hit under the guise of Fred Dagg. Paul Simon recorded “Gumboots” on his Graceland album in 1986.

Lyrics for “The Welly Boot Song” (written in his broad Scots accent!)

Wellies they are wonderful, oh wellies they are swell,
Cause they keep out the water, and they keep in the smell,
And when you’re sitting in a room, you can always tell,
When some bugger takes off his wellies.

If it wasnae for your wellies, where would you be?
You’d be in the hospital or infirmary,
Cause you would have a dose of the flu or even pluracy,
If you didnae have your feet in your wellies!

But when yer oot walking, in the country way about
An yer strolling over fields just like a fairmer’s herd.
And somebody shouts ‘Keep aff the grass,’ and you think ‘How absurd;’
And, squelch, you find why fairmers a’ wear wellies.

There’s fishermen and firemen, there’s farmers an a,
Men oot digging ditches an working in the snaw;
This country it would grind tae a halt and no a thing would graw
If it wasna for the workers in their wellies.

Noo Edward Heath and Wilson, they havna made a hit,
They’re ruining this country, mair than just a bit,
If they keep on the way they are goin, we’ll all be in the sh..,
So you’d be’er get your feet in your wellies.

Then of course there is “Kelly’s Wellies” from Gaelic Storm

When I was a young un’, I knew a lad from Ballybunion
He hadn’t got a single penny to his name, you might say
He had a raggedy coat, and like two rubber boats
He kept his wellington boots on from December to May

Chorus:
It was Kevin Kelly, with his chopped off wellies
In the middle of the summer time he was looking fine!
His pants had holes in the knees but he was proud as you please
With his ol’ wellies he keep strolling along

As we got older and slyer and bolder and the girls we had our eyes on they got older as well
With paint on their faces (with paint on their faces) and curves in nice places (curves in nice places!)
We were dressed to impress them and we thought we were swell!
Well our duds were in fashion (duds were in fashion!) to kindle their passion (kindle their passion!)
But there was Kevin on the dance floor looking anything but neat
He was tryin’ to flirt (he was tryin’ to flirt) in his hand-me-down shirt, (in his hand-me-down shirt!) with the same ol’ wellies on his two big feet!

It was Kevin Kelly, with his chopped off wellies
In the middle of the summer time he was looking fine!
His pants had holes in the knees but he was proud as you please
With his ol’ wellies he keep strolling along

Well we teased him and we mocked him, but sure that never shocked him, he painted on some laces and cut them down to look like shoes.
He was poor but he had style, he made everybody smile
He wore his ol’ wellies!
He wore his ol’ wellies!
He wore his ol’ wellies!
Like he’d nothin’ to lose!

The next time we found him, (next time we found him) well the girls were all around him (Girls were all around him)
He was busting the moves, he was happy as can be
One of the girls came near, (One of the girls came near) and whispered in my ear…
“Only boys who wear their wellies have a chance wit’ me.”

It was Kevin Kelly, with his chopped off wellies
In the middle of the summer time he was looking fine! (He was looking fine!)
His pants had holes in the knees but he was proud as you please
With his ol’ wellies he keep strolling along