Trail (UK)

7 WAYS BOOTS ARE CHANGING

WE’VE COME ALONG WAY SINCE THE HEAVY HOBNAILS OF OLD. HERE TRAIL LISTS A FEW OF THE SIGNIFICAN­T WAYS BOOTS HAVE CHANGED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS…

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WATERPROOF­ING

Yes, waterproof­ing has technicall­y been around since the beginning, but leather isn’t infallible – particular­ly when it’s stitched. Gore-Tex has become the mainstay of reliable waterproof­ing, the big advancemen­t in the last few years being Gore Surround, which was well-received as a way of increasing breathabil­ity and allowed the making of a lighter boot. But the hunt for the perfect combinatio­n of waterproof­ing, breathabil­ity and durability continues. Scarpa has recently converted to OutDry for some of its boots, which is an alternativ­e waterproof and breathable membrane. But rather than being a membrane within the shoe, it is directly bonded onto the external layer of the shoe, the idea being that the outer layer does not soak up heavy, leakinduci­ng moisture.

FIT

Once upon a time, boots were boots, and there was little emphasis on comfort versus the need for rugged functional­ity. But these days there are many components in the precise fitting of a boot. How well it moulds to your foot is down to the shape of the upper, the sole, the lacing systems and materials used, as well as the general shape of the last and its compatibil­ity with your foot shape. While boots just keep getting comfier, not every boot will fit every foot, no matter how well put together it is. There is a huge variety of choice, with differing benefits: for example Meindl has introduced memory foam to improve fit; Alt-Berg prides itself on its A-Forme lasts with their multiple wide fittings; Scarpa has Sock-fit, La Sportiva has its SubSkin Injection, and Mammut has ‘Feet Map’, to name a few. All have the aim of using a combinatio­n of mould, materials and constructi­on to improve comfort and performanc­e for different ventures. You still have to find one that suits your particular foot, but times have changed!

WEIGHT

The old battle of strength and support versus light weight has been raging since mountainee­ring began. Not all progress has been towards light weight, either. George Mallory’s 1924 Everest boot (pictured) was far lighter than modern Everest boots, though possibly not wisely. Advances in stitch-free seams and lightweigh­t plastic materials (such as La Sportiva’s striking all-synthetic Trango TRK GTX) have increased inherent waterproof­ing of boots, while reducing the overall weight. The trend for barefoot running shoes has started to make the crossover into boots, too – so expect new models to get ever more fitted and ever lighter, though they won’t be for everyone.

AFTERCARE

As footwear continues to get pricier, the options for looking after your investment­s and keeping them functionin­g to their optimum continues to get broader. Storm, Granger’s and Nikwax offer products that will keep your boots working hard for ever longer, from special brushes and sponges, boot dryers to boot bags, anti-odour sprays to washes to waxes and water repellents. If there’s never been a better time to buy a pair of boots, there’s certainly never been a better time to look after them…

COLOUR!

Alpine boots have always been somewhat adventurou­s in the colour department, particular­ly when attached to skiers. But the bold colours of mountainee­ring boots have recently filtered down into trekking boots, making the brown hiking boot look positively endangered. Who would have predicted that green, yellow and shiny silver would take over the trails. But the traditiona­l brown walking boot shows no signs of dying out just yet...

DESIGN

A few radical designs have come and gone over the years, such as the useful but restrictiv­e GSB crampon fitting. The new kid on the boot block in recent years was Arc’teryx, whose radical ‘modular’ boots – such as the Bora2 (pictured) – showed impressive innovation by combining a removable, padded, waterproof liner with a 3-season walking boot, with the idea that you could remove the inner and use it as a lightweigh­t hut slipper in between more ballistic applicatio­ns. The boot’s lack of seams and comfortabl­e fit made it a quirky hit, and lay down the gauntlet for similar future designs. Similarly Hoka’s One One Tor boot, with super-thick platformli­ke soles have had a huge impact, with the triple technology of an oversized midsole, ‘rocking’ shape and deep-set insole (which they call the Marshmallo­w, Rocking Chair and Bucket Seat design) proving a hit with trail walkers despite being seemingly at odds with the trend for minimalist design.

INCREASED SUSTAINABI­LITY

As we all start to feel the effects of climate change, the strive for environmen­tally friendly products is breaking more and more into public consciousn­ess. And manufactur­ers have cottoned on to the fact that more people are making purchasing choices based on sustainabi­lity. The process of modern leather tanning often involves the use of heavy metals, and in particular chrome. However, chrome has been shown to be harmful to human heath and the environmen­t; hence some footwear such as AKU boots are now using Dani sustainabl­e leather, which is chrome-free and 100 per cent traceable. Recycled rubber is also used in the soles of some of AKU’s approach shoes (pictured). King of this pile is Patagonia, which just this year was praised at the World Economic Forum for its ‘worn wear scheme’, which fixes used products at worldwide repair stations. Shoes from the company feature 50 per cent recycled rubber. Patagonia also recently donated 100 per cent of its Black Friday sales to environmen­tal causes. The final figure - $10 million - made headlines.

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