old-fashioned hiking boots

[hpalapdog]

Most of the German boot makers like Hanwag and Lowa offer the choice of leather lined or Gortex.

Here's a double stitched example

http://www.hanwag.de/schuh-detail.php?shoe_id=58

Technology has moved on however, and from my experience the modern soled boots with rands are superior in comfort and performance.

 

[pipvh]

Thanks, hpalapdog. I didn't realize that Hanwag still did traditional styles. Some good boots there for sure - tempted the wife as well!

What I find with moulded soles is that if they don't suit your feet, you've had it, while the old-school ones will (eventually) conform to your arches etc - my personal finding, as obviously people like modern hiking boots.

Simple seems to be better for my feet. I'd hike in my steel-toed Red Wing logging boots if they weren't so damn heavy.

 

[pipvh]

Update: a pair of 80s Pivetta boots are on their way - potentially amazing score off the 'bay. Made in Italy, Vibram soles, leather-lined, one-piece upper, Littleway welt. Sound fantastic: we shall see. Photos if they fit!

 

[Erik]

Bumped, in case anyone is still in the market for traditional leather hiking boots:

Sierra Trading Post has Alico boots in several weights across a good selection of sizes: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/sea...allWords=boots

I took the plunge and ordered a pair of Tahoe boots. I'll let you know my impressions when they come in and I have the chance to put some miles on them.

 

[BellyTank]

How did I miss this thread..?
Let's see your boots then, Pip.


Aaahhh- boot-porn.

Along with Schuh Bertl, there are other great German and Austrian boots to consider-

http://www.keller-schuh.de/bergschuhe.php

http://www.steinkogler-bergschuh.at/
(Check out the vast range of Steinkogler boots and shoes.)

Steinkogler are sold here:
http://www.armyshop.at/index.asp?gid=262

...these are a good little pair of high quality boots from Steinkogler-
http://www.armyshop.at/index.asp?aid=1902
Note the "one-piece" upper, on the "Bergwacht". €130- not bad at all!
These look like the business but not too heavy and clunky.

There is also a WW2 reenactment outfitter; www.zeugmeisterei.com
selling an absolutely fantastic, high quality repro of the WW2 German
Gebirgsjäger Bergschuhe, complete with hobs and other assorted nails,
for a great price but unfortunately, they are temporarily closed, due to health reasons-
web site is down...

Enjoy.

Let's see boots, Pip.


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[Speedbird]

US MT boots or Italian locally produced hiking boots

I am looking for the US MT boot circa 1942/3 look. Any options? I have seen WPG and they might be just the ticket, but wondering if there alternatives?

And does anyone have a photo of what a locally crafted in 1943/44 Italian mountain/hiking boot might look like in detail so I can look out for something more modern with the right look.

Cheers

Speedy

 

[BellyTank]

Here's the Italian military mountain boot from the WW2 era- (hope this works)

...and some civilian ones-

Have a read of this Italian reenacting forum- you won't be able to see the attached images and files without registering-

http://www.comandosupremo.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=17

Try searching for "Alpini boots".

WPG's US mountain boots- may be the only repro.
He has original ones too but- sizes?


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[pipvh]

Here are some 1940s climbing boots:

http://www.vintagewinter.com/products/vintage-mountaineering-boots-and-crampons

And here's a whole load of vintage ski boots (which, I would guess, probably echo what straight hiking/mountaineering boots would have looked like):

http://www.vintageskiworld.com/Vintage_Classic_Ski_Boots_s/33.htm

I'm thinking the pair at top right would be close in terms of your European boot. But these are probably more or less exactly right:

From here: http://www.schuh-bertl.de/shop/

 

[Creeping Past]

I posted the link to those on page 1 of this thread.

 

[BellyTank]

And my links in post #45, I guess.


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[Creeping Past]

And my links in post #45, I guess.


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Great boots, though. Like New York, they're good enough to mention at least twice.

 

[BellyTank]

With all this snow here, I should be doing some vintage cross-country skiing-
everyone else in my neighbourhood seems to be out on skis, in the frozen forest at weekends. A pair of Army surplus wooden skis cost around a tenner.


Boots.


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[Creeping Past]

With all this snow here, I should be doing some vintage cross-country skiing-
everyone else in my neighbourhood seems to be out on skis, in the frozen forest at weekends. A pair of Army surplus wooden skis cost around a tenner.


Boots.


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Ski/march?

 

[BellyTank]

Yes... the skis I'm thinking of, are set up for toe bindings, of the spring/cable variety, to match all those Swedish ski-march boots. I actually have a pair of NOS, black Swedish Army ski boots. Cross country skiing requires one to lift one's heel.


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[pipvh]

I know, I know... you've all posted those tricouni boots before, but they're so full-on I couldn't resist a bit of repetition - I love that picture. But how about this one (the image is huge if uploaded):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Mountaineering_Boot_Ad%2C_1911.jpg

I believe there's also some discussion on FL about the environmental impact of tricounis - contributing to erosion etc etc. Not to mention what they'd do to your brand-new hardwood floor.

Anyway, can we say that the vintage boot that Speedbird is looking for has a traditional lacing pattern: the lacing doesn't seem to start moving down towards the toe until after WW2. It would be interesting to know more about that: where did the innovations come from? Who were the pioneers of mountain boot design?

Btw, I'll post some better pics of my Pivettas as soon as I've sorted out some image hosting, but here's one from the auction:

Talk about a lucky find: £1 for boots in extremely good condition (they must be almost 30 years old) that fit like a glove. I'm still looking for a slightly less heavy boot for summer use - these are some of the warmest boots I've ever worn but will be a bit too much for a temperate summer.

 

[BellyTank]

What about the rucksack..?


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[BellyTank]

Here's a good link for information about old, nailed mountain boots-


http://members.iinet.net.au/~dcjames/oldies/bootnail.html


And more about history of boots, soles and nails, from CreepingPast,
on the Historic Hillwalking thread:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=34512&page=2

Interesting seeing those WPG boots used for actual walking. If they stand up, that's quite an endorsement.

I use triple hobs (clover shaped) which grip well on most surfaces, from pavement to wet rock, although I've not used them for proper rock climbing. German wing nails (pic here, and probably not their 'proper' name) are good, if you can get them.

Beyond this, for more seriously committed vintage mountain adventurers, there are clinkers, which are great for grip and are used on heels and edges of soles, and tricounis, kind of crampons in minature, used mainly around the sole edges under the balls of the feet and specifically for mountaineering. These types of hobs were generally used together.

Here's a great guide to hobnail types and patterns.

This WW2 British commando training manual mentions types of hobs (see "19. Footgear").

Bear in mind that hobnails are called by different names in the US and the UK. Your cleat may be my clinker... or something.

It's hard to recommend hobnails, because there are quite a few different types and people use them differently, depending on what terrain they're walking over.

You should bear in mind that (1) modern hikers and climbers take the view that hobs are dangerous and (2) they tend to think they destroy the environment.

On the first point, overall and in general, they're probably right. Vitale Bramani developed the Vibram sole to provide Apline climbers with better-gripping footwear to prevent slippage and death.

On the second point, I tend to think that the numbers of people who wear hobnails for hiking is so small that wind and rain will wear away more of the hills. If pressed on this point by other walkers, I always mention that I don't drive a car or motorbike, then I ask how they travelled to the place they're walking in...

The main thing I find when walking in hobnail boots is that I'm aware of the weight on my feet and, when on hard ground and metalled surfaces, aware of the stress on my legs, especially the knees.

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[BellyTank]

And from FL member, "Bigshoe", from the same thread:

I have made a few pair of these. I could not find a source for the cleats (clinkers) so I had molds made and cast them in malleable gun bronze.

[/IMG]
I have never gone for a hike in them. you would only wish to if your feet were pretty tough. They are triple soled the first and second sole is sewn to the welt and they are both mckay sewn to the insole, the outsole is pegged and hobnailed and the cleats bind all three soles together. They are as flexible as a piece of lumber They are great on ice but play hell with carpets and wood floors.
Tom

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[nobodyspecial]

"...these are a good little pair of high quality boots from Steinkogler-
http://www.armyshop.at/index.asp?aid=1902
Note the "one-piece" upper, on the "Bergwacht". €130- not bad at all!
These look like the business but not too heavy and clunky."

That pair is close to perfect. In my case I'm biding my time until I'm out east again so I can try on a pair of Limmers.

 

[BellyTank]

They're not my absolute favourite "look" but I know they're fully functional
and proven and excellent quality, at an excellent price.

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