We really do hope summer is almost upon us, but the puddles and muddy tracks would suggest otherwise. There is still a real need for a good pair of wellies! However, even when the sun does begin to shine and festival season kicks in, a decent rubber soled boot is always very handy.
Aigle has been making natural rubber boots by hand in France since 1853. As you know, we love handmade footwear. Just like our British Goodyear-welted shoes, Aigle used the Goodyear-vulcanisation process to ensure a soft, durable and waterproof product that was ahead of its time.
Moving into the 21st century and Aigle is now famous for its contemporary boot designs, incredible comfort and for still being authentic to its roots by continuing to be made in France from natural rubber.
Let’s start with the ladies for this In the Spotlight look at Aigle and the aptly named Aigletine. Aigle have somehow made a welly boot look feminine! Made in a dark drown rubber, which looks great with blue jeans, it has an equestrian flair with a contoured fit and an adjustment strap. Meanwhile, the black Cessac is slightly shorter in the leg, so would be good for gardeners that often find themselves on their kneeling pads…whatever the weather!
There is the Cessac version for the men too, while the equestrian style is called Benyl M and comes in a countryside khaki shade. The crème de la crème of rubber boots for men though is Aigle’s Parcours 2 Vario. This features a triple density anti-fatigue rubber sole which will give you greater comfort meaning you can wear them for long periods. The Parcours 2 Vario has a green upper with a bronze and grey cleated sole, so looks very smart too.
Aigle has also put their considerable outdoor footwear manufacturing talents into creating rubber-soled walking boots. With the Army’s Ten Tors Dartmoor-based challenge on our doorstep, walking boots are important round here but also for people who love to walk up hill and down dale in the rest of the UK’s beautiful countryside.
The Sonricker GTX is light-weight and breathable while the Gore-Tex membrane provides waterproofing and the Vibram outer sole makes it very robust and durable. A little less traditional to look at but no less suitable for what they were made for, the Tenere LTR GTX is a very robust all-terrain hiking boot made from Gortex leather. They have got a military, desert-boot feel to them and come in black or chestnut. These are seriously stylish boots that are made for walking. Lastly, the Muntagna are the most technical of the three and look ready for any challenge!
All these boots have been through an average of 60 manufacturing steps and strict quality tests to guarantee their waterproofing. Comfort is achieved with a foam upper and lining. This means Aigle’s beautiful boots are not your average welly or walking boot. They are fit-for-purpose but look good too. If you are looking for some waterproof footwear in your life, then make a splash with these boots.