European made 100% of our Forclaz boots are manufactured in Europe
These trekking boots are manufactured in the European Union, in Romania, in a factory specialising in the production of trekking boots (GRISPORT)
This factory uses exclusively water-based adhesives, without chemical solvents.
Most materials are of European origin.
Routes suited to this boot
On the programme for this trekking are routes over generally moderate-altitude terrains and/or an all-terrain trail May be suited for some short, more technical passaqes: crossing scree, snowfields, elevation gains
Benefit of the self-locking hook
It effectively makes it possible to separate the lacing of the lower part and the upper part.
This allows the lacing to be properly adjusted to the shape of your foot and provide more or less freedom to your ankle. To separate the upper lacing from the lower part, make a first simple knot level with your instep or use your boots’ self-locking hook.
All our trekking boots offer this option of separate lacing.
VIBRAM®. Grip and traction of our soles
The grip and traction of our soles are labelled VIBRAM®.
In the mid-mountains, the conditions and types of terrain can change quickly.
Soles must be versatile in order to cope with stones, to avoid slipping on these surfaces and also to be able to grip on slopes that have become muddy.
The stud design has been specifically developed in collaboration with our R&D team and the experts at VIBRAM.
Tried and tested!
This boot’s waterproof level
This boot has been tested and validated for 10,000 flexes repeatable, equivalent to a 15 km walk, in water reaching the mid-upper. This now guarantees a good level of boot waterproofing.
--> Our assessment indicates a LEVEL OF 3/5 giving 6 hours of waterproofing when hiking in the rain.
The details of tests carried out to assess the waterproofing of our boots is below.
Advantages and drawbacks of this leather model
Advantages:
- supple leather.
- durable and waterproof, the leather prevents water running across the boot by repelling and absorbing it.
- breathable leather (natural pores of leather skin), but less so than a synthetic boot in strong heat. To reduce this problem, nubuck leather is used (it offers greater breathability, but is also more sensitive to rain).
Drawbacks:
- it needs to be hydrated and treated to remain waterproof
Make this boot’s waterproofing last longer. It’s a question of the right accessory and a bit of elbow grease!
A waterproof grease is recommended to nourish the leather to stop it drying out (cracking), to MAKE IT WATERPROOF and protect against stains.
1/ TREKKING BOOT CARE BRUSH
(code to type in the search bar: 8551990)
2/ RE-WATERPROOFING GREASE FOR LEATHER BOOTS
(code to type in the search bar: 8229704)
Increase your boot’s waterproofing with a gaiter
The waterproofing of boots is often compromised because water gets in at the collar of the boot.
--> To keep your feet dry for longer, it is advisable to use a waterproof gaiter or mini-gaiter that will prevent water as well as pebbles and sand from getting inside through the top of the boot.
TREK 500 BLACK TREKKING GAITERS
(code to type in the search bar: 8347880)
Maintain your boots by following 6 steps
1/ Remove the laces to avoid smearing them with grease.
2/ Dry brush them to remove dust and any particles stuck on the leather. This is essential so any dirt doesn’t get stuck under a new layer of grease.
3/ Grease the leather with a brush, rub it deep into all the seams and gaps.
4/ Wipe off the excess grease with a soft cloth.
5/ Rub gently to make them shine.
6/ Replace the laces!
Waterproofing my leather boots with a water-repellence reactivator
1/ Use a brush and/or sponge to clean the boots and remove residual earth or mud.
2/ Next, leave to air-dry, well away from a heat source.
3/ Finish by applying a water protection booster spray to maintain optimal water-repellent properties of the upper and to prolong the life span of the boot.
WATER-REPELLENCE RE-ACTIVATOR APPLICATOR FOR BOOTS
(code to type in the search bar: 8677748)
Choosing your size is an important point.
For hiking, do not hesitate to buy one size larger than the usual size to guarantee excellent comfort on the descent and to avoid toes rubbing at the tip of the shoe. Tip: keep your toenails short and, before descending, check that your lacing prevents your foot from sliding forwards inside the boot.
5 levels of waterproofing
During the waterproofness test, we test 5 levels of waterproofness:
2000 flexes (approximately 4 km, 30 min walking).
10 000 flexes (about 10 km, 3 hours of walking).
30 000 flexes (about 15 km, 6 hours of walking).
50 000 flexes (about 20 km, 8 hours of walking).
100 000 flexes (about >20 km, 24 hours of walking).
Waterproofing test carried out on this model
Our boots are laboratory tested by 2 consecutive tests:
Test 1: We test the effectiveness of the membrane alone immersed in water under air pressure. We simply check for any bubbles on the surface like a pierced air chamber.
Test 2: Thanks to a mechanical arm that simulates walking, the entire boots are half immersed in water and they complete thousands of flexes to check that the inside of the boot remains dry and it is therefore waterproof.
Try your boots out step by step
How to choose your boots:
1. Try on both shoes, standing up, with the socks worn for hiking.
2. Tighten the laces correctly.
3. Check the following two areas of comfort: the base of the heel and the front part of the foot going down.
4. Stand up to walk with the boots on.
5. Try on several sizes and several models.
6. Gradually start using you shoes during your first few hiking trips to break them in.
Main complementary laboratory tests
Laboratory tests were conducted to test the following elements:
- tearing of hooks and eyelets.
- gluing of the sole.
- toxicology.
- UV resistance.
- abrasion of the sole and upper components.
- accelerated ageing.
