BISON BUSHCRAFT: BOOTS
The Bison Bushcraft boots were developed to fill a perceived gap in the market for a comfortable, lightweight pair of boots for summer wear, especially suitable for bushcraft, stalking, as expedition “spare footwear”, sleep shoes and just “mooching through the woods during summer”!
Very light (approx 2lb for a pair of size 9s) and simple in appearance, these boots have some useful features.
 Made to pack down to take up hardly any more room in your kit than a pair of sandals, the boots offer a lot more protection than any sandals ever did, and the tongue is sewn in to prevent the ingress of dirt, grit and stones – this kind of dirt build-up being one reason I personally despair of the use of sandals!
The boots are constructed with an all-leather upper, which moulds to your foot shape for an excellent fit, lasted to a “foot-shaped” rather than “modern shoe shaped” profile, without any synthetic material linings which can induce foot odour. While the leather is not waterproofed (also helping your feet breathe), Bison Bushcraft point out that you can proof the leather with Nikwax leather treatments, should you so wish. The unproofed leather is quite fast drying if it does get soaked.
Handmade in the UK to Bison Bushcraft’s own specification, the boots have a very flexible, flat Vibram sole, which is replaceable so that the boots should last a lifetime, backed with high-density foam for comfort.
The simple, classic, looks of this modern British take on the traditional South African “veldskoen” type footwear, have more than a hint of the moccasin about them and are the sort of footwear developed by people who wish to have a feel for the land (in more ways than one) whilst being protected from it.
When I first tried on a pair of the Bison Bushcraft Boots I have to admit to finding them very odd indeed! This was obviously due to my being used to modern boots with the contemporary shape, padding, liners and heel profile. However, the more I wore (and wear) the boots, the more comfortable they become and the more clumsy my modern style boots feel. Even though these are designed as non-waterproof summer boots, I have found myself choosing to wear them when I take my dog for a stomp around the wet, February, cold, lanes of West Wales, and keeping them on as slippers when I get home!
Bison Bushcraft publish a set of their “environmental and trading ethics” on their website. These point out that they “try to keep as low a carbon footprint as possible”, at the same time not losing their “commonsense”, endeavouring to support the local economy and protect the environment.
To this end, products sold by Bison Bushcraft are made from natural materials, with minimal input from the petrochemical industries, but also from the best materials for the job, sourced from as close to home as possible and not promoting an industry that exploits unfair labour conditions.
 So, the Bison Bushcraft Boots are made in the UK from natural leather uppers without manmade linings, with a Vibram sole which is replaceable, thus extending the usable life of the boots, and is the best available, and the Bison Bushcraft staff use their products, so they know that the kit works as it is supposed to!
I use other items of kit designed and sold by Bison Bushcraft as well as the boots and have to say that, while they are not the cheapest available, the designs are good, using materials that try to minimise damage to the environment, are tough, comfortable, versatile and very effective for the designated purpose and live up to Bison Bushcraft’s ethical policy statement. Cheaper “alternatives” tend not to be anywhere near these standards.
The Bison Bushcraft Boots also fit in well with the ethical policy statement and the rest of the range of bushcraft kit that Bison sell, are comfortable practical and eco-friendly as well – quite a combination!
Available in two-tone matt tan leather, the Bison Bushcraft Boots are available in all adult UK whole sizes and cost £90 per pair.
For more information contact Bison Bushcraft, 3 Beech Farm Cottages, Bugsell Lane, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5EN. Tel 01580 882194
www.bisonbushcraft.co.uk
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