Men’s Leather Hiking Shoes - MT 100 CrossContact

Anatomic design

Wide shape around the metatarsals provides more comfort for large feet.

Traction

100% rubber sole improves grip and traction.

Waterproof

Waterproof, breathable membrane (6 hours of walking in the rain).

Durability

Leather upper and forefoot guard for extra solidity and durability.

Fit

High upper, 2 high hooks, and 1 secure blocker hook.

Foot motion

Flexible sole makes walking more comfortable on easy trails.

Cushioning

Sole heel made with a long-lasting cushioning material (polyurethane).

Weight

625 g (22 oz) per boot in size 9.

Why offer classic and wide fit?

Following an extensive study of hikers’ boot shape preferences, we designed a boot available in 2 different shapes: classic and wide. Reduce the risk of overheating and blisters caused by poorly fitting shoes.

Made in Europe. Manufacturing: 100% of our Forclaz shoes are made in Europe.

These shoes are manufactured in Romania in a factory specializing in hiking shoes. This factory exclusively uses water-based glue without chemical solvents. Most materials are of European origin. Manufacturer: Grisport.

What kind of trails are this boot made for?

These boots are designed for hiking on low-altitude, easy trails. They can occasionally be used on more technical trails: rocks, firm snow, and slopes.

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 gives 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 the self-locking hook. All of our hiking shoes have this feature.

Contact® technology Grip and traction of our soles

The grip and traction of our soles are certified Contact®. To earn certification, the boots must pass lab tests to assess their grip rate on different surfaces (smooth, rough, dry, wet). To validate lab tests, a panel of representative testers evaluate the quality of our soles out in the mountains across 500 km (311 miles). The notching provides grip adapted to muddy or wet terrain.

Why choose a leather model? Benefits and drawbacks

Benefits: - supple leather. - the durable, waterproof leather prevents water from running across the boot by repelling and absorbing it. - breathable leather (natural pores of leather skin); less breathable than a synthetic boot in high heat. Nubuck leather is used for greater breathability, but it is also more sensitive to rain. Drawbacks: - it needs to be cared for, hydrated, and treated to remain waterproof.

How waterproof are these boots?

This boot has been tested and validated for 10,000 flexes, equivalent to a 15 km (9 mile) walk, in water reaching the mid-upper. This guarantees a good level of waterproofing. Our assessment indicates a level of 3/5, or 6 hours of waterproofing when hiking in the rain. The details of our boots’ waterproof assessment tests are below.

How to maintain waterproofing It’s a question of the right accessory and a bit of elbow grease!

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

Waterproof boots or gaiters? Why not both? Gaiters provide additional protection.

Waterproofing on boots is often compromised when water seeps in at the collar. To keep your feet dry for longer, we recommend wearing waterproof gaiters or mini-gaiters to keep water, pebbles, and sand out. For example: MT 500 Hiking Gaiters (ref.: 8347880).

How to maintain your leather boots Steps to follow

1/ Remove the laces to avoid smearing them with grease. 2/ Dry-brush them to remove dust and any particles stuck on the leather. This is essential so dirt doesn’t get stuck under a new layer of grease. 3/ Grease the leather with a brush; rub it deep into all the seams and gaps. 4/ Wipe off the excess grease with a soft cloth. 5/ Rub gently to make them shine. 6/ Replace the laces.

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

1. Use a brush and/or sponge to clean the boots and remove any dirt or mud. 2. Next, leave to air dry away from a heat source. 3. Finish by applying a water protection booster spray to maintain optimal water-repellent properties of the upper and prolong the lifespan of your boots.

What size should I choose?

For hiking, opt for one size larger for optimal comfort on the descent and to prevent toes from touching the tip of the shoe. Tip: keep your toenails short and check that your lacing prevents your foot from sliding forward inside the boot before heading downhill.

5 levels of waterproofing

We tested five levels of waterproofness: 2,000 flexes (approximately 4 km/2.5 miles, 30 minutes of walking) 10,000 flexes (approximately 10 km/6 miles, 3 hours of walking) 30,000 flexes (approximately 15 km/9 miles, 6 hours of walking) 50,000 flexes (approximately 20 km/12 miles, 8 hours of walking) 100,000 flexes (approximately > 20 km/12 miles, 24 hours of walking)

Waterproofing test

Our boots are laboratory tested by 2 consecutive tests. Test 1: We test the effectiveness of the membrane immersed in water under air pressure. We simply check for any bubbles on the surface like a pierced air chamber. Test 2: We use mechanical arms to simulate walking. The assembled boots are immersed halfway in water and flexed thousands of times to ensure that the inside remains dry and is therefore waterproof.

Buying tips

How to choose your boots: 1. Try on both boots standing up while wearing your hiking socks. 2. Tighten the laces correctly. 3. Check the following two areas of comfort: the base of the heel and the front part of the foot while standing on a downward incline. 4. Walk around with the boots on. 5. Try on several sizes and models. 6. Break your shoes in gradually during your first few hiking trips.

Lab tests

Laboratory tests were conducted for following elements: - tearing of hooks and eyelets - adhesion of the sole - toxicology - UV resistance - sole and upper abrasion tests - accelerated aging