Objects Database

Rock Climbing Boots

Accession Number

587.2008.1

Object Name

Rock Climbing Boots

Created

03/12/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

03/12/2008

Brief Description

Pair of rock climbing boots with red laces. Canvas and suede uppers. Smooth rubber soles. Metal eyeholes.

Materials

rubber, suede, canvas, metal

Dimensions

29.5(l) x 9.5(w)cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

On inside sole an open triangle shape and
" DOLOMITE MADE IN ITALY "

Colour

green, blue, red, black

Object Production Place

Italy

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!

Acquisition Date

03/12/2008

Condition

Holes in canvas upper

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Normal Location

Bohuntin

Current Location

Bohuntin

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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