Chukka Boot

The boots featured Sanders' signature construction methods, including crepe bumper soles bonded to suede uppers. E.T. Wright began outsourcing production in the 1980s, introducing English-made products manufactured by established makers like Sanders. These English-made boots did not include E.T. Wright's patented Arch Preserver insole feature, which was characteristic of their American-manufactured shoes.

E.T. Wright established a manufacturing partnership with Sanders, an English shoemaker founded in 1873 by William and Thomas Sanders in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Sanders operated from the same Spencer Road premises in Rushden since its founding, maintaining traditional English shoemaking methods. The partnership allowed E.T. Wright to expand their product offerings beyond their Rockland, Massachusetts facility during a period when the company was transitioning production offshore.

Sanders specialized in boot-making and early adoption of thick rubber soles, making them a natural partner for E.T. Wright's chukka boot line. The company operates as a fourth-generation family business, continuing traditional construction methods established in the 19th century. Sanders chukka boots gained cultural prominence after being worn by Steve McQueen in films including "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "Bullitt," and later by Daniel Craig in the James Bond film "Spectre."

The E.T. Wright chukka boots manufactured by Sanders featured crepe bumper soles bonded directly to the upper, rather than Goodyear welted construction. The bonding method prevents separation of the heel area, which can occur with crepe soles. The boots used polo snuff suede with soft leather lining and featured two eyelet pairs for lacing.

The crepe sole construction uses coagulated rubber, providing soft and comfortable wear that requires no break-in period. This construction differs from E.T. Wright's American-made shoes, which typically featured Goodyear welted construction with their patented Arch Preserver insole technology. The English-made chukkas represented a departure from E.T. Wright's traditional American manufacturing approach.

E.T. Wright & Company was established in 1876 in Rockland, Massachusetts by Elwin Temple Wright, remaining a family-owned business for three generations. The company patented a pad under the insole called the "Arch Preserver," a raised triangle in the middle of the insole that promised to "Keep your feet young" according to vintage advertisements from 1947.

Production from the 1980s and before was considered on par for quality with contemporary high-end Florsheims. The early union-made Arch Preservers are regarded as excellent shoes, generally on par with vintage Florsheims from the same period. Quality was considered good from approximately 1974-1991, though the Arch Preserver feature had become less pronounced during this period.

The company began outsourcing in the 1980s with the introduction of English and later Spanish made products. The Massachusetts facility closed in the early 1980s. Wright was purchased by Mason in 1998 and operated as a subsidiary until discontinued in 2009.