Page 71 - GUNS Issue n.01

popular choice among boot manufacturers is certainly represented by Goretex membranes. Some companies,
however, have chosen to make use of proprietary technologies inspired by the principle used by Goretex.
In addition to impermeability, the membrane is also responsible for ensuring thermal insulation, which can be
more or less significant. Therefore, the climate and the season in which you intend to use the boots also play a
fundamental role in the choice. It is difficult to find “all-season” boots, however an intermediate insulation can be
used in several occasions.
Why use boots?
Hunters love the classic, and in some ways timeless, rubber boots. If, on the one hand, they guarantee maximum
protection from water on wet and marshy ground, this type of boot does not offer great grip on rough terrain
and, above all, it has no ankle support. In the mountains and in the hills, there is no doubt: hiking boots are
superior when tackling very humid terrains or snow, maybe in combination with a good pair of gaiters. By
correctly adjusting the laces, the boot holds the ankle firmly, avoiding injuries and allowing the hunter to have
stable footing in every situation. For our comparison, in order to limit the range as much as possible, we decided
to take into consideration only the boots belonging to the so-called “mid” category, i.e. those of intermediate
height, undoubtedly the most
popular among hunters. The other
fundamental requirement was the
presence of a waterproof membrane;
as far as other features go, we have
chosen rather dissimilar models,
in order to offer a wider range of
choices to the hunter.

Comfort or stability?
These two concepts, which at first
glance may seem the same, are,
in fact, decisively antithetical. A
very comfortable boot is certainly
characterized by a soft upper,
a low torsional rigidity and a
not too tight fit, all features that
negatively affect stability on the
most difficult terrains. A boot
suitable for tackling, for example,
high mountains, will instead have
a rigid upper and a gripping and
non-flexible sole, capable of giving
good torsional rigidity and keeping
the foot stable even on the steepest
terrains. This outstanding stability,
inevitably, will translate into less
comfort, especially when the boots
are new and still require break-in.
The perfect boots, therefore, are
those able to provide the right
compromise between the two
characteristics, taking into account
the main purpose for which the
boots will be used. Having in mind
the terrain that will be tackled, the
hunter will therefore have to favor
one or the other characteristic,
In addition to leather and fabric uppers, there are also hybrid solutions bearing in mind the pros and cons
with special technologies that increase of his choice.