Hiking boot

They are one of the most important items of hiking gear since their quality and durability can determine a hiker's ability to walk long distances without injury.

Hiking boots are constructed to provide comfort for walking considerable distances over rough terrain.

While so-called “mountain boots” were also available as early as the 1850s, they were mostly worn by climbers and adventurers from the upper classes who could afford their high price tags.

While descending Punta Rasica on the Swiss-Italian border, an expedition led by Vitale Bramani was caught in a severe snowstorm.

Convinced that inadequate footwear played a major role in the deaths of his six companions, Bramani was determined to find a solution to this problem.

The rubber lug pattern provided boots with outstanding traction and allowed them to be used on a variety of surfaces, including uneven forest floors, bare rock, loose scree slopes and hard-packed snow.

[2] By the 1970s American bootmakers were beginning to turn their focus towards the production of lighter boots for day hikers and backpackers.