If you're planning on doing the majority of your hillwalking in the Scottish hills and Lakeland fells then it makes a lot of sense to be using kit that's been specifically designed to meet the unique demands of these particular environments.
Uber-lightweight, alpine-style kit works well for dusty, hot and dry mountain trails but for UK yomping, you really need something that's fit for purpose. The 3 season Tethera hillwalking boot from Yorkshire based bootmakers Altberg is a perfect example of a boot that's built for these surroundings. A no-nonsense, traditional, waterproof, leather hiking boot, the Tethera has real UK hillwalking heritage and purpose.
When tromping through wet heather and boggy terrain, the combination of the Anfibio leather upper and Sympatex waterproof liner do a great job of keeping your feet dry and warm. If you want to be 100% sure that your feet won't get wet when encountering deep puddles or potential stream crossings then simply pair the Tetheras with a good pair of gaiters and you can be assured of dry trotters come the end of the day.
The Tetheras provide decent levels of support and control out on the hill thanks to the Tri-Flex 3 season midsole that provides torsional rigidity in challenging terrain. At the end of a long day on the hill, tricky descents in rough terrain can really take it out of you and this is where the Tethera's sturdy build and ankle support comes into its own.
Mountain terrain in this country is very similar to the weather in so much as you can experience the whole spectrum in a very short period of time. This is why you need a boot with a robust and resilient sole that can grip in both wet and dry conditions, provide cushioning from rocks and rubble and is stiff enough to support the additional load of carrying a heavy pack. The Vibram Masai used on the Tethera impressed across the mountain, with the deep, large lugs offering particularly good traction on steep, muddy descents.
One of the major plus points of the Tethera is that you can make it fit your foot rather than the other way around. Available in a choice of 5 widths from XN (extra narrow) all the way up to XW (extra wide), the ability to choose between lasts is a rare and quite wonderful thing.
At £199.99 the Tetheras may not be the cheapest boot on the shelf but quality comes at a price and when you consider the workmanship and thought that has gone into these boots then they're certainly worth the investment. And we firmly believe that the opportunity to buy local and support a UK company is well worth a few extra pennies.
