Wellington boots are now among the most popular and versatile footwear items in the world. From children going to school in the rain to farmers working in the fields, wellington boots are worn all over the world.
Wellington boots were invented by the 1st Duke of Westminster, in 1817, who asked his shoemaker to modify his burlap boots. The modifications resulted in a new boot made of calfskin, with a low heel and fitted around the calf. It allowed for boots that were comfortable enough in battle, but still wearable the rest of the time.
Soon the boots became popular with people who wanted to copy their war hero. After the process of vulcanizing rubber was invented and the patent for Wellington boots was purchased, Wellington boots began to be made from rubber and were made in France for French farm workers who still wore wooden clogs to work. The advent of rubber boots meant that your feet were warm and dry at the end of the day.
The rubber boot was in high demand during World War I, and mills ran day and night to keep up with the demand. In total, 1,185,036 pairs of Wellington boots were made for the military. WW2 also saw a great demand for boots. By the end of World War II, Wellingtons had become popular with civilians, and it wasn’t just farm workers who wore them.
Although we tend to think of wellies as primarily for kids on wet and rainy days, there are many other situations where wellies are invaluable. Wellington boots are the staple footwear for many farmers and those who live, work and play in the fields. Due to their versatility, anglers, walkers, hunters and visitors to the countryside find their wellies essential.
For festival-goers who spend summer weekends in tents and listen to bands at music festivals, wellington boots are essential, even if it’s not raining. The grass often soon turns to mud and makes walking quite precarious. By wearing wellies, you can protect your feet and still move while staying warm and dry. If it’s raining or muddy to begin with, wellington boots are even more important.
They can be worn by those who are likely to be walking on wet grass, perhaps at amateur sporting events like Sunday league football, or when taking the dog for a walk. If you go to the beach regularly, you may find that your wellies are more useful than a pair of sneakers or walking shoes. Also, since you’re wearing wellies, you can explore the rock pools and maybe even paddle when the water is cold.
It’s a good idea to keep a pair in the car and be prepared, especially in winter. You may have to dig up your car or abandon it entirely, and it’s much better to walk around in wellingtons than your work shoes.
Now that you know more about wellingtons, isn’t it time you made sure you and your family have wellingtons, so you’ll be prepared whatever the weather and wherever you go?