BOOTS MADE FOR WALKING

WHEN A DOG WALKER IN CORNWALL COULDN’T FIND COMFY FOOTWEAR TO KEEP HER FEET DRY, SHE DESIGNED HER OWN

They started life in Perranporth, Cornwall, as a sturdy pair of boots for dog walking – ‘accessorised’ with a gorgeous Rhodesian ridgeback named Roscoe. Now Trailback boots have a loyal following of fans, including TV presenter Kate Humble, who endorsed them on Instagram: “Comfortable, practical, good looking …they are fantastic. Will be wearing them all winter!”

DRY FEET AND COMFORT

Inspired by the hardworking rigger boot originally designed for the North Sea oil riggers, Trailbacks are handcrafted, fully waterproof footwear that has been redeveloped into a brilliant lowland walking boot suitable for men and women, with or without canine companions.

Thwarted in her quest to find the perfect dog-walking footwear, Sandy Wallis decided to create her own: “It was hard to find a suitable boot that would keep my feet warm and dry on long walks,” she explains. Wellies, she found, were cold and uncomfortable over long distances, and hiking boots were no match for deep muddy puddles. “I ended up wearing an old pair of safety rigger boots I found in my shoe cupboard. They were still waterproof, despite their age, and were comfortable enough to walk in all day. I thought they were fantastic, although they were quite heavy with the steel safety features. They inspired me to make my own ‘off-rig’ version.”

BETTER EVERY WEAR

Sandy spent two years developing the Trailback: “Since day one, the drive has been to produce a boot of quality, one that keeps going, works hard and will stay with you a long time. Plus, the more you wear it, the better it looks.”

Roscoe, meanwhile, has secured his place in Trailback forever, as his sleek and distinctive silhouette is the company logo, and features on all products and packaging.