We'll be filling you in on the best new stuff from across the
board in a separate report, but one company that grabbed a share of
the limelight at this year's Go Outdoors trade show was
Brasher.
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Give us a free hat and we're
anybody's... OM Editor in
funky Brasher shoe shocker
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There are some subtle changes going on at the Sunderland-based boot
brand. For starters, as we told you last week, there's a new logo - a
stylised pebble replaces Chris Brasher's signature - and there's a
new name, simply 'Brasher' rather than the Brasher Boot Company and
now there are some rather funky-looking new products too.
The company is at pains to point out that it hasn't abandoned its
traditional strengths in the walking market, where it's always been a
quiet innovator, but say they're aiming to 'streamline their image to
hit home with a new generation of walkers and travellers'.
AT20 Adventure Travel Range
The first step in the overhaul is the new AT20
adventure travel range most of which will be available this
autumn. Brasher says it's aimed at 80 per-cent off the hill use, 20
per-cent on, but if you're used to the traditional Brasher boots, the
first thing that catches the eye is that this stuff looks, well,
quite funky really.
Bosoli AT20 shoe in
sand
It won't be to everyone's taste and - to be honest, some of the,
erm, more mature journalists in attendance seemed slightly
traumatised, which is probably a good sign - but we like the chunky
looks, roomy toe-box, big toe bumpers on some models and overall
contemporary feel.
Kube Mid - like the Bosoli but higher cut at the
ankle
Quality shouldn't be compromised either. The range uses high-spec
Pittards WR100 Nubuck leather and the same AT20 moulded
rubber outsole with REVA (EVA we think) shock-absorbing outsole on
all models in the range. There's also a synthetic, fast-wicking and
drying abrasion-resistant lining and a 2mm polypropolene torsion
shank to up lateral rigidity.
Ntoba shoe like the rest of the range available in
men's and women's versions
There are four models for men and four for women with prices at
£80 for the mid versions, £80 for the shoes and £50
for the clog-styled Rift and Cape models.
Rift cloggy slip-on thing, also comes as the Cape
for gurlz
The names, by the way, all come from archaeological sites in
southern Africa where, apparently, man first walked on two legs. Five
of the eight styles will be in the shops this autumn with the other
two to follow in February 2003.
And the rest...
The Supalite GTX - Brasher's ultra-lightweight walking boot
appeared two years ago now and has developed a loyal following. From
early next year it gets an all new version of Pittards leather called
Armortan II. It's said to be 40 per-cent more resistant to wet wear
and 25 per-cent more resistant to 'aggressive dry wear' than the
existing current Pittards leather used and also helps maintain
breathability and water resistance. It works by protecting the
leather fibres with polymer technology, so now you know...
The inside of the boot also gets a once over with a new, permanent
anti-microbial treatment also from Pittards. Microspike is bonded to
the leather and won't leak out or wear. Effectively it er, spikes
small micro things that cause smelly footwear and stops your boots
smelling.
Cross Terrain
Finally there are three new lightweight cross terrain shoes
joining existing models like the Quantum and the Quick. The Motiv is
mid-cut in nubuck and like the AT20 range looks more
contemporary than past Brasher model as do the lower cut Activ /
Breeze and Rapid / Swift versions. The leather used is water
resistant and they also get quick-drying synthetic linings,
polyprolene shank and REVA shock-absorbing mid-soles. Look...
The new Brasher Swift
Brasher web site
or phone 0191 516 5780 for more information
