Men’s Leather Hiking Boots – MT 500

Traction

100% Vibram rubber sole with high-performance grip and traction.

Waterproof

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

Abrasion resistance

Leather upper and forefoot guard provide extra solidity and durability.

Fit

High upper, two high hooks, and one 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

600 g (21 oz.) per shoe in size 8.

European-made. All of our Forclaz boots are manufactured in Europe.

These hiking boots are manufactured in Romania, at the Grisport factory that specializes in hiking boots. This factory uses exclusively water-based adhesives, without chemical solvents. Most materials are of European origin.

Recommended use

Made for hiking on moderate-altitude terrains and/or an all-terrain trail. May be suited for some short, more technical trails: crossing scree, snowfields, and elevation gains.

Benefit of the self-locking hook

It effectively makes it possible to separate the lacing of the lower part and the upper part. This allows the lacing to be properly adjusted to the shape of your foot and provide more or less freedom to your ankle. 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 our hiking boots offer this option.

Vibram®. Grip and traction of our soles

Grip and traction of our soles In the mid-mountains, the conditions and types of terrain can change quickly. Soles must be versatile in order to handle stones, to avoid slipping on surfaces, and to maintain grip on muddy slopes. The stud design was specifically developed by our team and the experts at Vibram. Tried and tested

These boot’s waterproof level

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 waterproof assessment tests are below.

Dope dyeing

Dyeing fabrics uses a lot of water, chemical products, and energy. But we love colour. We use the dope-dye technique, where powdered pigments are added as the yarn is produced instead of soaking it in dye baths. This reduces consumption and wastewater discharge from colouring our fabrics.

Pros and cons of this leather model

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 so 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 hydrated and treated to remain waterproof.

Make this boot’s waterproofing last longer 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. 1/ Hiking boot care brush (ref: 8551990) 2/ Re-waterproofing grease for leather boots (ref: 8229704)

Increase your boots’ waterproofing with gaiters

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. Trek 500 black hiking gaiters (ref: 8347880)

Maintain your boots in 6 steps

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.

Waterproofing your leather boots with a reactivating spray

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 to prolong the lifespan of your boots. Water-repellence re-activator applicator for boots (ref: 8677748)

Choosing your size is important.

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 (about 10 km/6 miles, 3 hours of walking). 30,000 flexes (about 15 km/9 miles, 6 hours of walking). 50,000 flexes (about 20 km/12 miles, 8 hours of walking). 100,000 flexes (about >20 km/12 miles, 24 hours of walking).

Waterproofing test carried out on this model

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 shoes are immersed halfway in water and flexed thousands of times to ensure that the inside remains dry and is therefore waterproof.

Try your boots out step by step

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.

Main laboratory tests

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