Objects Database

Ron Fawcett Rock Boots

Accession Number

586.2008.1

Object Name

Ron Fawcett Rock Boots

Created

03/12/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

03/12/2008

Brief Description

Pair of 'RON FAWCETT' rock climbing boots called 'Masters'. Metal eyeholes. Suede uppers and smooth rubber soles. Laces missing. Made in late 60's.

Materials

rubber, suede, metal

Dimensions

25(l) x 9.5(w)cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

"RON FAWCETT" label attached to each boot

Colour

yellow, blue, black

Maker

Clog

Object Production Place

Wales

Provenance

Frenchman,Pierre Allain, was the first man to come up with the idea of smooth soled rubber boots for rock climbing in 1947 and he got a fellow Frenchman, Edouard Bourdonneau, to make them for him. Bourdonneau made his own later on, and rock boots in the early days were collectively known by one or the other Frenchman's initials P.A's or E.B's.
Various other companies entered the market in the 1980's, in particular the Spanish firm 'Fire' and as we write in 2011 there are dozens of different companies claiming that their boots are best.
This is a far cry from the days when climbers used rope soled shoes called espadrilles on the continent ,or 'Baffeez' in the UK. Woolworths plimsoles were popular too. How times have changed!
Ron Fawcett was a top british climber in the 1980's and had his own brand boots made.