Guide to Buying Hunter Boots

April showers bring…Hunter Boots 🙂  We all know that April is notorious for rainy days and if your in Chicago, the occasional snow storm.   Being prepared to tackle those days starts with your feet and the perfect rain boot.  I’ve been keeping my feet dry for years with my Hunter Boots. They are my go-to boots for rain or snow.  I’ve owned several pairs and styles over the years. You’ll notice me in them a lot on my Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest photos.

 

Picking the best boot for you can be overwhelming as there are a lot of different options.  I’ve developed an easy guide to buying the perfect Hunter Boots. And I’m also beyond excited because Hunter is partnering with Target for an exclusive line that is hitting Target stores staring April 14th.  And it gets better! Target Red Card holders get early access on April 7th!   Keep reading to find your perfect Hunter Boot!

 

Guide to Buying Hunter Boots

Sizing For Your Hunter Boots

Hunter Boots only come in full sizes and generally run large, so if you wear an 8.5, size down to an 8.  If you wear a full size normally then stick to that size. I wear an 8 in all my shoes so I easily fit in an 8.  For women who wear a 7.5 and smaller you will be able to fit into children’s sizes and immediately save yourself some money!  

 

The children’s boots run about $60 cheaper than the adult boots. The best part is no one will even know you are wearing children’s boots as they make all their boots exactly the same.  It’s actually one of the selling points for Hunter Boots. For sizing in children’s shoes you generally go two sizes down. If you are a size 7 you should fit in a size 5 children’s shoe.  One thing to keep in mind is the shaft height on the children’s version is slightly shorter by about an inch.

Style For Your Hunter Boots

There are two types of styles for Hunter Boots, tall and short.  The tall boots have a shaft height of 16 inches and the short boots have a shaft height of 10 inches.  It’s truly just a preference on this one, you either want them tall or short. I’ve owned both and at the same time too!  

I love my tall boots for the winter and they keep me a little bit warmer while walking to work. With that being said, in the warmer, rainier months the tall boots made me too warm and sweaty on my walk to work.  I then moved to the short boot and have been wearing these consistently for the last couple of years. With the short boot I have more mobility in my legs and I’m able to wear a boot sock with them on colder days.

 

 

Finishes To Select For Hunter Boots

Once again the finish of the Hunter boot is a preference.  I personally think that you have to factor the color into it as well.  There are two choices for the type of finish, glossy or matte. I currently own the matte finish in black.  It’s more industrial looking and plain.

The glossy version is a bit more polished and looks ultra sleek. If getting a bright color, like red, I would get the glossy version.  Another selling point for the glossy version is it doesn’t “bloom” as easily. Blooming is a natural process that happens to rubber when insoluble particles rise to the surface.  Keep reading for more details on blooming and how to clean it up.

 

Types of Hunter Boots

There are several types of Hunter Boots too, ranging from original to pack-able.  Let me break them down for you.

Original Tall

Exactly what the name says,  the original Hunter Boot with a 15.25 inch opening and a 15 inch shaft.  Generally this version will work for most people, however girls with larger calves may need to check out the versions with a wider opening.

 

Original Short

The short version of the original Hunter Boot with a  14.5 inch opening and a 10 inch shaft.  This is a great version for a traditional rain boot, they are easy to slip on and off.

Huntress

This version is for ladies who need a little extra room in the calf area.  It’s perfect for all of you that have been hitting the stair-master one too many times at the gym.  This version has a slightly wider opening at 16.5 inches and a 14 inch shaft.

 

Adjustable

This version has a 15 inch shaft, which is the same as the original boot.  It also offers an adjustable opening ranging from 15 – 20 inches. This version is perfect for layering up and wearing a boot sock if the original boot opening isn’t big enough for you.  In the original version I wear an 8 and they are snug around my calf and leave no room for a boot sock. The adjustable version allows me to wear it with our without a boot sock, giving me more options.

 

Pack-able

These Hunter Boots actual fold up to fit in a suitcase.  These are great if you plan on traveling with them, like I did on my trips to Iceland and Quebec City.  They are available in both the tall and short options.

 

Chelsea Rainboots

A newer take on the classic Hunter boot is the Chelsea Rainboot.  It’s a shorter more stylish version of the classic boot.  These are ideal to wear on warmer days and when you want a more shoe like feel.  It’s also perfect to wear when the snow starts to melt and gets super slushy.

 

Accessories For Your Hunter Boots

You can’t forget to accessorize your Hunter Boots.  Add a boot sock for extra warmth and extra fashion. They have a bunch of options for socks.  You can match the color to your boots or mix it up a bit. In addition you can get the traditional fleece or a cable knit cuff.  

 

 

When to Wear Hunter Boots

There is really only two reasons to wear Hunter Boots; rain or snow.  First and foremost, Hunter Boots are rain boots and intended to keep your feet dry.  I wear my boots when there is even a chance of rain in the forecast. I walk to work so keeping my feet dry is very important to me.

My Hunter Boots are also my winter boots. However, I can tell you they aren’t technically winter boots and your feet will get chilly if you are outside for too long.  In the winter I pair my boots with a boot sock in addition to a regular warm foot sock. It gets the job done for me and while my feet may get a little chilly, I love wearing them as winter boots.  The salt and snow wipe off quickly with a warm wet towel.

 

Where to Buy

You can buy Hunter Boots through various retailer such as Nordstrom,  Bloomingdales,  Zappos and direct from Hunter.  I personally would buy them from Nordstrom or Bloomingdales.  Bloomingdales usually has a sale for Loyalist Members and Nordstrom offers triple point days for card  holders. You might as well get something in return for spending your money.

 

How to Care for Your Hunter Boots

Hunter Boots are made from rubber, which is a natural product, so caring for your boots properly is important.  You should store them in a cool, dry location. I store mine in the original box and packaging in my closet. When you store the boots for a season or two you may take them out and notice a white powdery film on them. This is known as blooming.  While it looks like your boots are ruined, they actually aren’t. Blooming happens to high quality natural rubber and can be easily removed. I suggest using the Hunter Rubber Care Kit which has the spray and buffer to clean your boots.   These products along with a little elbow grease will have them restored back to their original condition.

 

Do you have Hunter Boots?  Tell me why you love them! Looking for more Hunter Boot inspiration, check out how I styled them for a chilly Spring Day below!