The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
752.2009.1
Luggi Spezial Ski boots by Arlberg
22/01/2009
Hermione Cooper
22/01/2009
Pair of brown 'Luggi Spezial' leather ski boots by Arlberg with rubber soles. Metal eyehooks and orange laces. Also a leather strap with metal buckle. Metal on sides of toes.
leather, metal, rubber, cotton
31(l) cms
1 pair
Label inside with picture of a hut in the mountain reads "MARKE ARLBERG GES. GESCH. ANERKANNT VON D.S.V." On sole "MARWA 3 4" "LUGGI SPEZIAL"on metal part of toe.
brown
Arlberg
Austria
Although the Norwegians had the first, properly organised, downhill races, back in the 1880's the sport of downhill skiing as we know it today didn't really get into full swing until the 1960's. Up to then skis and boots were multi-purpose - you skied up the hill, along the top and down the other side in the same kit and if the snow line was high, you walked up to the snow in the same boots. Nowadays, we have a vast array of boots for every different discipline; downhill, cross country, skating , ski mountaineering, telemark.....
This fabulous pair of boots came from a time (circa 1960) when downhilling was the new sport in Scotland. Prior to then ski boots had been much more flexible to allow for their multi purpose role. What we have here is a much more solid boot which would be very uncomfortable for touring and seems to have been specifically designed for downhill; with a very rigid sole and a strap for ankle support.There's a groove in the heel to allow for the cable of a Kandahar type binding since the modern, quick release binding was still in its infancy.
There were very few British made boots on the market back in those early days and Scottish skiers would buy continental versions when on holiday abroad or from importers such as Lillywhites of London, The Sports Emporium in Glasgow or Banks of Perth, amongst many others. Unfortunately, we don't know who originally owned these boots - they were one of several pairs passed on by The Scottish Ski Club back in 2008.
We've not been able to find any info on the 'Luggi Spezial' but are fairly sure these boots are Austrian. The 'Marwa' label on the sole is often associated with the Austrian company Stubai who could be the makers. A fabulous pair of boots whatever.
passed on from Scottish Ski Club
01/12/2008
28/04/2009
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
28/04/2009