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We stock a good range of boots and shoes that tick most of the boxes required, ensuring the majority of people should be able to find suitable footwear.
If your old boots have been causing you any problem, or you’ve suffered discomfort, please let us know. Bring them in with you! If you have pain in your feet, regularly get blisters, suffer with bunions or arthritic pain, please also let us know.
We would only recommend buying boots and shoes in store (rather than off the internet). This allows you to have your feet measured properly, try on the footwear with the appropriate sock, and where necessary have the footwear adjusted.
Whilst it’s important to measure the feet and understand how they react between unweighted (seated) and weighted (standing), it’s equally important to understand the type of use the footwear will be subject to, i.e. light short distance path walking or all day fell walking with the extra weight of a heavy rucksack.
Only when we have measured your feet, understand their condition, your requirements, can we suggest the most suitable type of footwear.
Call in, have your feet measured, and we'll make sure you buy the most suitable footwear.
Understanding some of the names you'll find on your footwear;
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a technologic membrane developed by W.L. Gore & Associates. This membrane, when used in the manufacturing of footwear is proven to give durable waterproofing, whilst allowing the foot to breathe. Ensuring the foot remains dry is crucial to comfort. Waterproofing is therefore a must, but as importantly so is allowing the feet to breathe – removing heat and sweat from the feet. The Gore-Tex membrane, whilst water resistant, allows heat and sweat to be released from the foot.
Vibram
You’ll see this name stamped on most shoe and boot soles. Vibram are the market leaders in sole design and technology. They ensure the right sole is fitted to the footwear and suitable for its purpose. With over 70 years of sole manufacturing, Vibram has not only become a trusted brand, but in many cases an essential partner.
Cleaning
To prolong the quality of your footwear you should clean them after every walk. Try not to let built up dirt dry on to your footwear. Ideally rub or wash it off whilst on your walk, but if you’re unable to, wash it off as soon as you can. Allowing dirt to dry and build up on your footwear reduces their breathability, therefore has a direct impact on comfort.
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Remove the insoles from the footwear.
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Wipe round the inside of the footwear and insoles with a damp cloth treated with footwear cleaning gel. Only replace the insoles once they and the inside of the footwear are dry.
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Remove the laces (as these can often harbour and hide grit and dirt) and give them a clean
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Clean off any remaining or loose dirt using footwear cleaning gel.
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Wipe round the footwear with a clean damp sponge.
Your footwear's water repellent treatment will deteriorate over time, so it will be necessary to re-proof your footwear every few months (or more often depending on the usage).
Reproofing
Give your footwear a deep clean, as detailed above. Whilst your footwear is still damp, apply the appropriate re-proofing treatment
Leather footwear
For all full grain leather footwear, apply a coat of weatherproofing wax.
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Rub in with a clean cloth or sponge, paying particular attention to the seams and round the lace loops.
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Remove any excess and buff to a shine.
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This will ensure the leather remains waterproof and breathable.
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(some products may taint the colour of your leather slightly, this is normal and will not affect the leathers performance, but you may want to test on a hidden area first)
Nubuck and suede leathers
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Shake bottle well.
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Press sponge applicator onto leather and apply generously.
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Leave for 2 minutes, remove any excess with a clean cloth and allow to dry.
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You can maintain the texture of the suede leather after drying, by rubbing your footwear with a suede brush.
Fabric footwear
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Shake bottle well.
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Press sponge applicator onto fabric and apply generously.
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Leave for 2 minutes, remove any excess with a clean cloth and allow to dry.
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