Brasher Announces Crampon-Compatible Mountain Boot

Here's something you might have thought would never happen - Brasher, champion of the lightweight, lowland rambling boot, has announced a proper, four-season, crampon-compatible mountain boot for 2005.

Okay, perhaps 3/4 season would be closer to the truth in the weird world of seasonal ratings, but the Aracar GTX mountain walking boot is - and we quote - 'a four season boot for serious walkers who venture above the snowline'. That means it's designed to take a C1 graded flexible walking crampon and has a carbon-reinforced nylon insole to provide the stiffness necessary for crampon use.

The rest of the underfoot duties are taken care of by a Vibram New Ice outsole, while the upper is ruffty tuffty full grain 2.6-2.8mm leather with a high Nubuck water-resistant collar for ankle support and a Gore-Tex Sierra More Seasons Extreme lining to keep water out.

To its credit, Brasher has also produced a standard Aracar without the GTX for those who prefer the increased breathability of uncompromised leather uppers. The Gore-Tex lined version will retail for £140 while the standard un-Gore-Texed manifestation is priced at £120. Both will be available for the spring/summer - shome mishtake shurely - season, so you should be able to find them in the shops from March 2005.

More information on the current Brasher range at www.brasher.co.uk