Forclaz MEN’S WATERPROOF LEATHER HIGH TREKKING BOOTS – VIBRAM

These waterproof boots are for walking safely with a good level of support on relatively difficult trails involving steep and uneven terrain.Are you looking for a waterproof high-top full-grain leather hiking boot? Designed for you, it will keep you safe and secure on mountainous terrain.

Technical characteristics

Micro Pulley lacing system
360° + double lasting rubber stone guard
Waterproof and breathable HDry® membrane.
Soft
EVA + PAD midsole Two-tone PU heel insert
Outsole: Vibram® Mulaz sole with thick and deep lugs.
Lining composition: leather + textile
Upper composition: Water repellent suede-like nubuck mm 2.2-2.4 + heavy-duty Matryx® textile
Weight: 727 g
Medium to large sizing
Made in Europe

European made 100% of our Forclaz boots are manufactured in Europe

TREK boots are manufactured in the European Union, in Romania, in a factory that specialises in making trekking boots.
This Rekord plant uses only water-based glues with no chemical solvents.
Most materials are of European origin.

What kind of trails are this boot made for?

The type of use these trekking boots are designed for is treks at high altitude or in isolated and craggy areas, routes on or sometimes off footpaths, often with steep gradients and sheer drops.
Sections over rocks, firm snow, slopes over 1,000 metres, over 5 hours of walking.

Benefit of the self-locking hook

With this material, you can separate the upper and lower lacing
This allows you to adjust the lacing to the shape of your foot and give your ankle as much freedom as you like. To separate the upper lacing from the lower part, make a simple knot level with your instep or use your shoes’ self-locking hook.
All of our trekking shoes have this feature.

The grip and adhesion of our soles are ensured by VIBRAM Technology

VIBRAM® branded sole with excellent grip on all terrain, dry or wet, earth or rock.
The studs also provide better grip, suitable on muddy, damp terrain

“narrow sole” for precision on difficult terrain. They don’t bend easily, to make sure they’re stiff enough when the terrain gets rough. Sole block designed for technical and difficult long-distance hiking

WHY CHOOSE THE MATRYX® TECHNOLOGY?

The durability over time of the MATRYX® technology is undeniable. The French design and the recycled polyester yarn used in the composition of certain textiles add to our contribution to developing sustainable products.

To find out more :

Technologie

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Matryx® Technology/ Why? an ULTRA DURABLE highly technical textile with a really sophisticated weave made in France

The top of the collar of the upper is made of a Matryx® EVO fabric, which is a jacquard with a built-in lining. Technical compound of a PA warp coated with 550DTEX PU and a PA weft coated with 550DTEX PU. A 167DTEX PES lining
Aramid threads throughout the upper to ensure good support

Find out more:

Technologie

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S3P / 3-POINT SYSTEM, what is it? an effective solution for guaranteeing optimal ankle support.

S3P / This is a 3-point adjustment system, in which the top of the laces is connected to the sole and heel. This creates a perfect balance between fit, flexibility and support. This system can be used to automatically adjust the heel and instep going downhill or uphill without unnecessarily or excessively limiting the movement of the ankle.

Lacing system with integrated Micro Pulley

Micro Pulley lacing system,
It is made up of 2 metallic elements (metal + zinc alloy) obtained by pressure die casting. The central pulley is made of brass.
This system effectively protects the lace from any risk of abrasion and cuts.
These mechanical characteristics are better at compensating for the pressure exerted on the foot and deliver precise progressive tightening.

HDry® technology

Thanks to the HDry® quality standard, the boots made with this system have the highest level of waterproofing, breathability and insulation. The waterproof and breathable membrane is firmly laminated to the inside of the boot and there are no seams or gaps where water can enter. The ultra-thin waterproof membrane and unique lamination method provide a precise fit and keep your boots dry and lightweight all day long.

HOW WATERPROOF ARE THESE BOOTS?

This boot has been validated by a waterproofing test at 50,000 repeatable flexes, i.e. 20 km – 8 hours of walking in water up to the mid-upper, which today guarantees an excellent level of waterproofing for your boots.

--> Our assessment indicates a LEVEL OF 4/5

The details of tests carried out to assess the waterproofing of our boots is below, in the features section.

CAN CRAMPONS BE USED WITH THESE TREKKING BOOTS?

This model of Trekking boot has been designed specifically to use with STRAP-ON CRAMPONS ONLY. Their stiffness has been adapted to provide enough rigidity for optimal use with strap-on crampons while still being comfortable when walking.

LINK STRAP-ON MOUNTAIN CLIMBING CRAMPONS
Tip: Copy and paste the address below into your browser
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/12-point-mountaineering-crampons-caiman-straps/_/R-p-9186?mc=8320460&c=BLUE

Why choose a leather model? Advantages and drawbacks

Advantages: extremely soft, durable and of course, waterproof: it prevents water running across the boot by repelling and absorbing it.
Breathable leather (natural pores of leather skin), but less so than a synthetic boot in strong heat. To reduce this problem, nubuck leather is used for greater breathability, but is also more sensitive to rain.

Drawbacks: It needs to be nourished, hydrated and treated to remain waterproof.

How to prolong the waterproofness? it’s also a question of accessories! and a bit of elbow grease

A waterproof grease is recommended to nourish leather to stop it drying out (cracking), to make it waterproof and protect against stains.

1/ TREKKING BOOTS MAINTENANCE BRUSH
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trekking-shoe-maintenance-brush/_/R-p-307665?mc=8551990

2 / RE-WATERPROOFING GREASE FOR LEATHER BOOTS
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/grease-for-re-waterproofing-leather-boots/_/R-p-9513?mc=8229704

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR LEATHER BOOTS ? 6 steps to follow

1/ Take out the laces to avoid getting grease all over them
2/ Brush when dry to remove dust and all the particles stuck to the leather. This is essential so any dirt doesn’t get stuck under a new layer of grease.
3/ Grease the leather with a brush, rub it deep into the seams and gaps
4/ Wipe off extra grease with a soft cloth.
5/ Gently rub to “shine”
6/ Replace the laces! 😉

Waterproof boot or gaiter? it’s not necessarily one or the other! it provides additional protection

The waterproofing of boots is often compromised because water gets in at the collar of the boot.
--> To keep your feet drier for longer, it’s advisable to use a waterproof gaiter or mini-gaiter to protect the top of the boot from water ingress, as well as pebbles and sand

Model perfectly suited to these boots
TREK 500 BLACK TREKKING GAITER / €15 (ref. 8347880)

How do I restore the water repellent property of my leather boots?

Contrary to what you may think, rain and humidity are far from being harmless. As they fall, drops of water absorb and accumulate all the pollution and surrounding dirt on their journey and can spoil the leather of your boots.

Water Repellent Re-Activator Spray for Footwear, Clothing and Equipment / €5 (ref. 640816)

5 levels of waterproofing

During the waterproofness test, we test 5 levels of waterproofness:
2,000 flexes (approximately 4 km , 30 minutes of walking)
10,000 flexes (approximately 10 km , 3 hours of walking)
30,000 flexes (approximately 15 km , 6 hours of walking)
50,000 flexes (approximately 20 km ,8 hours of walking) 100,000 flexes (approximately >20 km
, 24 hours of walking)

Waterproofing test

Our boots are laboratory tested according to two successive tests
Test 1 / We test the efficiency of the membrane only when it is pressured and placed in water, we check the absence of water on the surface, like when you test a punctured inner tube.
Test 2 / Thanks to mechanical arms that simulate walking, the assembled boots are half immersed in water and they complete thousands of flexes to check that the inside of the boot remains dry and it is therefore waterproof.