Finding comfortable footwear can be a challenge, especially for those of us with in-between sizes or widths. When it comes to hiking and outdoor shoes, that challenge can be even more so, which is why the Tecnica Forge line of boots is so great; thermo-formable footwear has been around for a while (especially in ski boots), but no one has really ventured into the world of lighweight hiking boots with them just yet.
Forge boots are designed and crafted in Italy by Italian shoemakers Tecnica, and use their Custom Adaptive Shape technology, which uses a 360-degree “fit concept” and consists of thermo-formable material in the heel, arch, ankles and footbed. This material heats, expands, compresses and molds around the shape of your feet for a perfect fit and comfortable support every time. The result are some seriously comfy, versatile boots for hiking and getting off the beaten path. And of course, they look pretty sweet too – a prereq for all outdoor gear.
Forge boots come with Gore-tex lining to keep your feet dry, have Kevlar loops rather than metal hardware, and come with Vibram Megagrip outsoles for the roughest of terrain. You can choose between a nubuck leather upper, and a lighter, slightly more breathable fabric upper.
To get a pair of Tecnica Forge – once they become available next February – you’ll need to visit a specialty outdoor outfitter, where they will customize the shoe to your feet within 20 minutes.
