Stepping out in Style with Hunter Boots

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There are few names in British fashion as instantly recognisable as Hunter. Established in 1856 by American entrepreneur Henry Lee Norris, the brand began life in Scotland under the North British Rubber Company, producing everything from tyres to industrial rubber goods. But it was the creation of the waterproof Wellington boot that transformed Hunter into an icon.

Originally designed for practicality to withstand the damp fields and unpredictable weather of the British countryside, the boots soon became a staple not just for farmers and outdoor workers, but for anyone who valued craftsmanship, comfort and reliability. The “Original Wellington Boot,” introduced in 1956, marked a turning point in the brand’s history. Its distinctive silhouette, supple natural rubber, and durable construction have since become synonymous with timeless British style.

Over the decades, Hunter has grown from a utility brand into a global fashion name. Its boots are handcrafted with precision, using natural rubber moulded to exact size specifications for comfort and longevity. Yet beyond their practical excellence, Hunter’s boots have found new life in the fashion world, from Glastonbury festival fields to the city streets of London and New York. This duality, the effortless balance of form and function, has become central to the brand’s appeal.

Hunter’s evolution in recent years has also seen the introduction of outerwear, accessories and sustainable materials, reflecting a modern understanding of what outdoor wear can be. The brand’s strength lies in its ability to stay true to its roots while continually reinventing itself for contemporary life, a balance few heritage brands achieve so gracefully.

This season, Hunter’s latest collaboration with the Paris–Tokyo lifestyle label Maison Kitsuné perfectly embodies that spirit of reinvention. The Maison Kitsuné x Hunter collection brings together British craftsmanship and French–Japanese flair, creating a capsule that feels at once practical and playful. The collection includes unisex boots, rain jackets, accessories and kids wear, each infused with Maison Kitsuné’s signature chevron prints and subtle fox-head motifs. The boots themselves, built on Hunter’s new Downpour platform, come in shades of black and stone beige, lined with chevron patterns and finished with burnished details that nod to both brands’ design language. The accompanying rain jackets and cloaks are crafted from fully waterproof PU fabrics, with matching accessories such as a fox-embroidered cap and a boldly patterned umbrella rounding out the collection. Even the packaging, entirely recyclable, has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the collaboration’s eco-minded ethos.

This partnership is more than a seasonal fashion statement; it’s a meeting of two creative worlds. Hunter brings its enduring British outdoor heritage, while Maison Kitsuné contributes its cosmopolitan cool, a blend of Parisian elegance and Japanese precision. Together, they’ve created a range that feels perfectly in step with how we live today: functional enough for a rainy morning commute, yet stylish enough for a café in Le Marais or a weekend away in the countryside.

The collaboration also highlights Hunter’s growing influence in the global fashion conversation. By aligning itself with a lifestyle brand like Maison Kitsuné, Hunter reinforces its reputation as a label that transcends function, merging practicality with personality. It’s a reminder that the best designs are the ones that work hard, look beautiful and last.

Nearly 170 years after its founding, Hunter Boots continues to prove that heritage doesn’t mean standing still. From the green fields of Scotland to the streets of Paris and Tokyo, the brand remains a symbol of resilience, innovation and style, a true British original reimagined for the modern world.

To learn more or to purchase, please visit: hunterboots.co.uk