Objects Database

Chouinard 'Diamond' rock climbing boots

Accession Number

815.2010.1

Object Name

Chouinard 'Diamond' rock climbing boots

Created

18/01/2010

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

18/01/2010

Brief Description

Pair of 'Diamond' rock climbing boots. Suede uppers and rubber soles. 18 metal eyelets with blue nylon laces.

Materials

suede, rubber, nylon, metal

Dimensions

30(l) x 9(w) x 17(h) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

On inside of tongue "MADE IN ITALY 9" Inside an ellipse on sides of boots reads " ASOLO SPORTS DIAMOND CHOUINARD"

Colour

grey, black, blue

Maker

Chouinard

Object Production Place

Italy

Provenance

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"

Acquisition Method

Donated by John McCall

Acquisition Date

18/01/2010

Condition Check Date

18/01/2010

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

18/01/2010

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