The Dryboot Company was formed in July 2010 by Malcolm & Barbara Harris, former directors of 'The Welly Shop'. This is a brief history of the Harris Dryboot.....
August 2010
From the beginning of 'The Welly Shop' in 1999 comprising a range of plastic green wellies and some borrowed Hunter stock from the local country store, we have 'grown' a business, now too big for two people to handle, specialising in high quality wellington boots and country clothing from Hunter, Le Chameau and Aigle. It's been a long journey, a learning curve, a lot of work but great fun! Time to move on, so we've sold the business but have decided to retain one product - the 'Viking Dryboot'. This 'old favourite' has always been popular with our customers, but increasingly difficult to source. So we plan to 'downsize' and take it a little easier. The Dryboot Company is born!
After some considerable research and relentless enquiries, all remaining stock across Europe has been 'rounded up' and new orders have been placed with the distributors in Norway, to fill size gaps.
SEPTEMBER 2012
We have to report that sadly, the manufacturing costs have doubled during the past two years and it is no longer viable to supply at our current retail rates - for this reason we have decided to finally end our efforts. Stocks are being cleared and the popular sizes are already running out. Please see homepage for remaining sizes available. Retirement calls...we've purchased 3 alpacas and two bicycles. Time to put our feet up....
JULY 2013
As a result of pressure from customers old and new, discussions are under way with regard to producing the Dryboot under our own brand name. The Harris Dryboot. Watch this space!
In the meantime, we have secured a small remaining number of popular sizes - these are due to be delivered early in Sept. 2013 We are taking reserve orders until further notice, but please take note - numbers are limited, so don't delay!! What happened to retirement? We now have 6 alpacas but not much time for cycling...
SEPTEMBER 2013
Well, the entire consignment sold out before we took delivery, so we apologise to all those disappointed customers. That's the bad news.... The good news is that we have now finalised arrangements for importing the Harris Dryboot - our own brand name! The first consignment will be available from late December 2013!
The new boot will be available in Sizes 39, 41, 42,43,44,45 & 46 only, until remaining Viking stocks (Sizes 36,37,38, 40 and 47) have cleared.
We are already taking reserve orders, so it looks like a wise move! Further updates will be posted as soon as images are available.
JANUARY 2014
At last, after a couple of weeks' delay due to bad weather on the high seas, the new consignment of Harris Dryboots have arrived and are safely stacked in our warehouse.
We shall be busy over the next few days sending out reserve orders. Looks like we may be reordering sooner than we thought!
DECEMBER 2016
Almost three years since our first consignment of Harris Dryboots. Sales have exceeded expectations and for the third time, we're waiting for our ship to come in with more! Sizes are selling out fast and some will be disappointed for Xmas but by 2nd January 2017 we should have a full warehouse again. We still have very limited stocks of Size 36-38 'Vikings' - the new stock will include these sizes in the Harris brand - now available in all sizes 3 - 12.
Two more baby alpacas, we now have 8 in the family...
MAY 2017
Spring in UK sees the launch of our new website. HUGE thanks to Matt at Cova Services for his ongoing support, expert advice, tolerance of my ignorance and ultimate deliverance of a brilliant website. Also to Mirek at Lucanart for the wonderful and innovative studio photography - supplemented by some of our own shots in our beloved Cornwall!
We are constantly surprised at the reported diversity of the Harris Dryboot! Send in 'action shots' to [email protected] - best image wins a prize!!
July 2017
Thanks to reviews in Countryman's Weekly and The Field, July has been a record month for sales of Dryboots - despite the scorching temperatures!
AUGUST 2017
After a large order from Leeds University we find that we are once again, waiting anxiously for new stocks from the manufacturers. We have sold out of some of the popular sizes but have arranged to fly in some emergency supplies as soon as they roll off the production line! These should arrive around early/mid September - a few weeks before the remainder complete their journey by sea. We are taking reserve orders for these sizes and as always they will be sold on a first come, first served basis. After listening to some comments from our customers, we have decided to shorten the laces on the new consignment - although we keep a good stock of spares, so if the longer version is preferred, we can oblige!
SEPTEMBER 2017
Another great review, this time from Paul Rendell at Dartmoor News. He has just completed 1000 miles in his Dryboots - taking walkers on guided tours of Dartmoor. We're not sure if this is a record, but it's certainly proof again, that the Dryboot is a worthy match for the toughest conditions. Thank you Paul! https://thedrybootcompany.com/reviews/
OCTOBER 2017
It's the 20th, the warehouse is almost empty and we're getting very impatient....just been online to find the ship carrying the new, and much needed, consignment of Dryboots. She's just west of Malta, nicely on course and due to dock in Felixstowe on the 26th October. We're hoping for a speedy unloading, snag free customs, no traffic problems - and delivery to us on 30th Oct/1st Nov. The reserve orders are mounting - looks like another batch will be needed sooner that we thought!!
NOVEMBER 2017
Well, despite our ship running aground, drifting to a horizontal position and blocking the Suez Canal for a few stressful hours (could only happen to us!) - our consignment of Dryboots arrived on time and are now happily filling the shelves in our warehouse. As predicted the huge number of back orders and increased sales coming up to Christmas has prompted us to re-order more already - hopefully this will ensure that we don't run out again!
JANUARY 2018
A very Happy New Year to all of our customers, old and new.
2017 was a busy year for Dryboots and 2018 is already breaking records. Another 1200 pairs are en route to keep up with demand.
We have been working hard to keep the price as low as we can and for the past four years, have absorbed annual increases in material and shipping costs, but unfortunately we can no longer continue and from January 25th, there will be a small but necessary increase in the price. Carriage costs will remain the same for the time being.
OCTOBER 2019
Another consignment is on the high seas bound for the UK. Unfortunately, once again we have underestimated the demand for certain sizes and we have sold out of 39's and are very low on 41's and 46's but we are taking reserve orders for priority dispatch as soon as the new stocks arrive -estimated around the 8th November. At least we will be fully stocked in good time for Christmas.
Update: 25th October Now sold out of 36, 38, 39, 41 and 46 - will be happy to see new stocks, still on course for 8th/9th November. I will post confirmation arrival date as soon as we have it. Reserve orders are piling up and will be dealt with on priority.
After several requests, we have added some Harris Dryboot accessories, to our range. We can now supply ladies and gents thermal boot socks, waterproof insoles and hydrophobic (waterproof) laces (in a more conservative tan/cream!) - all great additions and perfect to make up a gift package for Christmas or birthday!
JANUARY 2020
As a result of a busy autumn (thanks to the many magazines that we now advertise in but especially to Gardener's World and The Times) and so many reserve orders from the last consignment, we have ordered another 1000 pairs of Dryboots - due to set sail from Malaysia later this month. We fear that size 43 is going to be the first casualty :0(
We are in the process of adding boot bags, gaiters and boot jacks to our accessory range...and very soon a page dedicated to a fantastic artist (who just happens to be our very talented daughter!) - Jess Harris. She specialises in portraits of animals and people, using oil, pencil or...biro! A large proportion of our customers are dog walkers...this is aimed at you! Watch this space, you will be amazed!! For a sneak preview go to: www.jessharrisartwork.com
March 2020
As planned, we have recently added more accessories to the range - boot bags and boot removers...gaiters are on the way! Jess's page is now live - check it out!
July 2020
As a result of some reorganising in our packing area, we have been able to continue to supply Dryboots throughout the pandemic whilst abiding by government guidelines on necessary precautionary measures to keep both ourselves and our customers safe.
We would like to thank our customers for their continued support ...and patience with the odd delayed delivery, as our carriers have been under some pressure at times! Fresh stocks are in production for delivery in September and we look forward to a more stable Autumn and Winter season.
On a lighter note we are proud to have been selected as a winner of the 2020 SME UK Enterprise Award -
Gaiters are now in stock and proving to be very popular, together with some new sock ranges...
OCTOBER 2020
Due to delays at all UK ports, our new consignment of Dryboots has been held up but we are assured that they will be delivered w/c 12th October. We are rapidly running out of sizes - 7, 9 and 10 being the first casualties but we are taking reserve orders for priority dispatch - just drop a note on our Contacts Page and we will contact as soon as we have a definite delivery date.
After almost 5 years of absorbing rising material and productions costs, we are reluctantly giving prior warning of a small but necessary increase in Dryboot prices, on January 1st 2021. The good news is there is plenty of time to take advantage of 2020 prices!!
DECEMBER 2020
After an unprecedented demand over the past few months, once again we are waiting for new stocks to arrive. The Covid situation means huge delays at all UK ports and sadly our much needed new supply of Dryboots is not expected to arrive before mid February, our latest estimate. We are taking reserve orders for priority dispatch on unavailable sizes. Please use our contact page to leave name, email address, telephone number and the size required. We will email or call as soon as the new supply arrives.
The price rise will be postponed until late February.
JANUARY 2021
We would like to wish all of our customers, old and new, a very Happy New Year and let's hope that we will all look back on 2021 as the year that the sun came out again, the bubbles were only in champagne, that Corona went back to being just a beer and that tiers were just on a wedding cake!
In the meantime, we make no apologies for adding Xula Transparent Face Masks to our range - albeit, hopefully, temporarily. We have recently discovered, via a friend, these amazing masks that allow expressions and emotions to show - so important when social distancing is increasing isolation. How many of us have realised how much we lip read? Impossible with a mask. It must be so difficult for the hard of hearing. How frightening must it be for little children and the mentally disabled to see only half of a face, despite the pretty patterns below! One cannot smile now without the need to over exaggerate the eye squinting, in an effort to prove happiness or approval!!
These masks are made in Spain (not China!), are fully certified by EU regulators, and have been extensively tested. We are convinced that they can play a major part in helping to cope with social distancing and communication in this currently strange and isolating world. Having said that, for once, we will be happy to remove it from our product range, when Covid is finally beaten back to where it came from! - in the meantime, we hope that you stay safe and keep well.
FEBRUARY 2021
We now have over 130 reserve orders for the new stock of Dryboots, which we expected to arrive into Southampton on Friday 5th, but due to massive congestion problems at all UK sea ports we have learned that our vessel was diverted and our shipping agents have now provided a definite docking date of Monday 15th February. We hope to start dispatching orders by w/c 22nd February, but of course, all depends on unloading time, possible Customs delays at the port and now, the weather! We will do all we can to get all reserve orders out as fast as possible - thank you for your patience!
Please watch this space for further updates as they come in....
UPDATE: At last our new stock arrived today (23rd). Thank you to the 170+ patient customers who are waiting for their reserve orders - we will now pull out all the stops and get your new Dryboots to you as fast as we can.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a gentle reminder that the price rise postponed from January will now take place on 1st March. Almost 5 years since the last increase and a reluctant but necessary step. We find that we are no longer able to absorb annual increases in materials and production costs and hope that our customers will understand.
NOVEMBER 2021
Autumn is upon us and winter is just around the corner. Time to put the garden to bed and look forward to those long, brisk winter walks - before returning to the log fire and glass of something warming! The Dryboot Company moved home in June, so it has been a very busy year for us. We have inherited a stunning garden with our beautiful 17th century cottage so the Dryboots have been working overtime!
At the moment stock levels are holding up which is fortunate, as our manufacturers have informed us that they will be unable to ship our next order until next April/May (and that is an estimate) - due to the dreaded Covid of course. Costs will also have to rise again we are told, so as all businesses at the moment, we are struggling to keep up but we will do our best to navigate the choppy waters - and aim to keep any essential price rises to an absolute minimum. We look forward to a more stable and positive position in 2022. More updates as we hear but in the meantime, stay safe and well.
DECEMBER 2021
We have received confirmation that the next consignment of Dryboots be ready for shipping mid March, which is good news. The not so good news is that the last delivery took almost two months to reach us, due to global shipping problems. We can only hope that things will have settled down by the time our order is ready for shipment.
In the meantime we wish all our customers, old and new, a peaceful, happy Christmas and a healthy, brighter and more positive New Year.
APRIL 2022
Update: The new consignment is now on board ship and due to leave Malaysia within the next day or so. Estimated arrival in the UK is late April/early May but of course, all depends on delays docking and unloading. Hopefully the situation has improved since our last delivery.
We have made a small design change to the heel of the Dryboot - this has not only improved the comfort around the ankle area but has reduced the weight of the boot, without compromising on support.
Sadly, despite our best efforts we have had to increase the price of our boots - we have been shocked into submission by the numerous price increases over all aspects of manufacturing and supplying Dryboots. A global problem but again, we can only hope the situation stabilises very soon. As from May 1st the price will be £81.99. Carriage rates will stay the same for now but we may need to increase some of the accessory prices. So.. we would strongly recommend ordering now to take advantage....!
Note: Reserve orders placed for the new consignment will be charged at the current price.
UPDATE 11th April
We have just received confirmation from our shipping agents that, due to further delays in the far east, our consignment has been held up in port. The latest estimate for delivery to the UK is now mid May. Very frustrating for all concerned, but there is little to be done but...wait! We will update as soon as we have further news.
UPDATE 4th MAY
Our consignment of Dryboots is scheduled to arrive in the UK on the 6th May. If there are no further delays at the port, we expect to take delivery within 3-5 days. We will contact those who have placed reserve orders with a definite date as soon as we receive confirmation. All reserve orders will receive priority dispatch.
UPDATE 10th MAY
Good news at last! We have received confirmation for delivery of new stocks later this week. All sizes are back on the website - orders will be dispatched on a first come, first served basis. We appreciate it has been a long wait for those looking for certain sizes and we thank you for your patience!
October 2023
1953 - 2023
The year was 1953. Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing became the first people to scale the summit of Mount Everest, women wore full skirted dresses with stiffened petticoats, men favoured three piece suits with fedora hats. Pubs closed at 10pm, cars, televisions, washing machines were all becoming more popular….and the very first ‘Dryboot’ rolled off the production line.
A memorable year and the beginning of a long, hugely successful journey for a humble waterproof lace-up boot. Over the past 70 years the Dryboot has survived varying forms of competition from major manufacturers but continues to be one of the UK’s most popular, best value and most reliable waterproof boots for those seeking an alternative to a cumbersome knee length wellington.
From Bridgedale, to Viking and most recently, Harris – the Dryboot has changed little in it’s 70 year life. It is still manufactured in the same factory in Malaysia, using the same high quality natural rubber and production processes…a true testament to it’s success. Among the many thousands of dedicated ‘Drybooters’ we are proud to supply boots to several professional walking guides who have reported over 1000 miles of use from one pair.
So here’s to the next 70 years – Happy Birthday Dryboot!!