We've mentioned it before, but with warner, drier weather forecast
- ahem, that'll put the kaibosh on it - The North Face's new
Buildering shoe looks like an attractive option for walking,
scrambling or just mooching around in the sun...
TNF say that the Buildering ' incorporates the essential
performance features of an approach shoe, with the comfort and
stability of a hiking shoe' and well-known outdoor experts, The
Independent agree, listing the shoe in their 'Top 50 Sports Products
of 2005'.
Put the hype on one side and what you're getting is a
trainer-styled shoe, but with a rock boot-type, deep lacing system
running down to the toe for a close, secure fit and exclusive Vibram
sticky rubber on the inside of the forward part of the sole, 'the
edging zone'. The lacing can, they say, be adjusted for a tight
climbing fit or made looser for hiking comfort.
Further back on the sole, substantial lugs are intended to give
good hiking grip for trail-walking use. TNF says that 'augmented heel
thickness' - whatever that is - increases durability and a fat toe
rand should stop the toe area from being ravaged by scree
abrasion.
We've had our paws on a pair and the other nice touch is a
properly stiffened sole, which should make the shoe a viable option
for scrambling and edging in particular, where a lot of running
shoe-type footwear is lacking.
Finally an anti-bacterial insole and lining should keep the shoe
sweet smelling and happy no matter how hot and sweaty your feet get
on that grip-factor ten grade 3S *** scramble of doom.
Proper test coming soon.
More details and stockist information from www.thenorthface.com
gearboy
