Hobnailed boots is the general term applied to boots with lumps of metal in the bottom though mountaineers tend to use the term ‘nailed boots’. Nailed boots have been around since man learned how to make iron. The Roman armies had them and Alpine herdsmen used them to get grip on the steep grassy slopes. Nailed boots were universal among the early mountaineers and a variety of different nails were invented to cope with the different styles of mountaineering. The hob – as in hobnails – was a simple round headed stud which developed into a triple hob which we see in the centre of the heel and sole on these boots. There’s a row of clinkers right around the edge and the nailer has put four No 1 tricounis under the instep – not sure why! These are a classic, well worn, pair of 1950’s nailed boots which unfortunately have no maker’s name. They are one of several pairs Mick Tighe collected along the way.