Hi-Tec Gets High Tech :-)

We're still packing multiple info from the Harrogate Go Outdoors trade show a couple of weeks back - apologies for the delay, but we've been in demand for a change - including the low-down on next year's Hi-Tec footwear.

We won't bore on in massive detail since this is kit that won't be out until early 2006, but over the past couple of years, we've been struck by the combination of spec and value coming out of the company typified by the successful V-Lite range of light hikers.

New next spring is a the Peak - above - which is more of a traditional backpacking boot designed for use with heavier packs on rough ground. That means it gets a Hi-Tec designed Vibram sole featuring deeper lugs and a harder compound rubber than the lighter models in the range.

The full grain leather upper is thicker and a moulded external heel counter thingee, which reminds us a bit of the classic Salomon X-Adventure 7, increases stability, it says here. Finally, it's fitted with a waterproof and breathable eVENT liner. What's impressive is that all this is going to roll in at just £80... That looks like an awful lot of boot for the price.

Also brand new for 2006 is the V-Lite Hurricane which is a mult-activity lightweoght shoe again complete with an exclusive Vibram sole and an eVENT waterproof liner. A lightweight upper is reinforced with an exo-skeletal TPU reinforcing frame - the thing that runs over the mid-foot - and it's all designed on a running shoe last for fit and performance.

It looks good and weighs in at approximately 420 grammes. Oh, there's also a memory foam sock liner for instant comfort. Price is 60 squid.

If you've always thought High-Tec were, well, kind of low tech, then maybe you need to think again. After a thorough introduction to the process behind the new range of trail-running shoes, we were quite impressed with the research behind them.

It seems that as part of the development process behind their golf shoe range, Hi -tec used sensors to produce a pressure map showing which areas of the sole of the foot take most pressure. Then they produced a pressure map showing runners feet in the process of running.

As a result the sole units on their new trail runners incorporate five different densities of EVA shock absorbing foam in something called, erm, 4:SYS technology. That doesn't mean it's for your sister by the way, it's actually to do with the four phases of the gaite cycle with different materials being used in different areas to optimise the sole. See the colour-coded sole unit above.

In simple terms, more pressure means a firmer area of EVA. One interesting area is the toe of the shoe, which is normally ignored. The Hi-Tec pressure maps showed that on toe off, the tip of the toe came under huge pressure, so, for example, the sole unity has been reinforced there - green in the pic.

All interesting stuff and topped off with a Vibram running outsole, fast drying, Sctotchguard-treated uppers and memory foam removable footbed. If the shoe lives up to the research, it should be good...