The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
815.2010.1
Chouinard 'Diamond' rock climbing boots
18/01/2010
Hermione Cooper
18/01/2010
Pair of 'Diamond' rock climbing boots. Suede uppers and rubber soles. 18 metal eyelets with blue nylon laces.
suede, rubber, nylon, metal
30(l) x 9(w) x 17(h) cms
1 pair
On inside of tongue "MADE IN ITALY 9" Inside an ellipse on sides of boots reads " ASOLO SPORTS DIAMOND CHOUINARD"
grey, black, blue
Chouinard
Italy
This pair of boots were given to Mick Tighe by his pal,John McCall.Unfortunately they were a size too big so Mick put them in the collection. They are a later version of Yvon Chouinard's Vasque Ascender, the history of which is nicely described by Yvon himself in his 1978 catalogue.
"Shoenards
Some years ago we started working on a new rock climbing shoe. We wanted to be able to jam, edge, friction "smear" and run painlessly through the trees without taking along half a shoe store to do everything well and comfortably. These "Shoenards" are the result. First we started with the last. We chose an ice-skate last to give the close fitting support needed in a rock shoe. We hand-carved away and built up the toe, heel and wall area to provide street shoe com¬fort. For jamming, we designed a thin toe and a ring of rubber around the whole shoe; even put a rubber patch on the ankle bone for off width cracks. We put in a plastic midsole that is thicker un¬der the heel and arch for standing in etriers and for torsional rigidity when edging on the sides. The plastic extends all the way to the edge of the sole to give a solid base to prevent the sole rubber from creeping. This plastic midsole tapers from the ball to the toe for flex in friction climbing and for the thinnest possible profile in narrow jam cracks. The flex will last the life of the shoe. The sole outline is the narrowest of any Klettershoe or P.A yet a comfortable fit is possible even with double E feet. Around the edges the sole is solid rubber to provide maximum friction contact with the rock. Crosswise slots open the centre of the sole into a pattern that protects against the ball-bearing effect on sandy slabs. The low heel is of great advantage in running down pine needle slopes or in crossing the occasional snow patch. The uppers are all leather for long life and a lasted fit. They are resolable. Unlike most rock c climbing shoes that need to be skin tight to be effective, we recommend you get a snug but comfortable fit. Available in sizes 5 to 12, in half sizes and two widths. Send your street shoe size and foot outline with socks on. Weight: 2 Ib , 8 oz
Price: $54.00"
Donated by John McCall
18/01/2010
18/01/2010
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
18/01/2010