Guide to Outdoor Footwear Brands

Here at Penrose Outdoors, we have been providing our customers with quality outdoor footwear and refining our product knowledge for more than 30 years. As we, ourselves, are walking and hiking enthusiasts, we know straight away what to look for in choosing the right gear for the right job. Whether walking shoes or walking boots, each consist of differing styles and tailor to specific needs. As well as stocking many different brands of footwear, we also stock a large range of different walking socks, insoles and other footwear accessories. 

Brands, brands so many brands!!

Here at Penrose Outdoors we pride ourselves of supplying only high quality products to our customers. We only stock brands that, we believe, offer value for money and quality craftsmanship. We aim to cater for all aspects of outdoor activity from tough hiking boots that offer stability and protection, to ultra light trail running shoes, deck shoes, technical sandals and of course wellies. The brands we stock vary tremendously in how they look and what they offer, but each tailor to their intended purpose through extensive research and development.

                                                                        

Brasher is a premium quality outdoor footwear manufacturer that specialise in hiking socks, shoes and boots, and we are proud to be a Premium Brasher dealer. Founded by Olympic gold medallist Chris Brasher, who was Roger Bannister's pacemaker, when completing his record breaking four minute mile and also co-founder of the London Marathon. Chris set out to make a walking boot that was as comfortable as a running shoe and after five years of testing in the Lake District the Brasher boot was born. They are one of the most popular footwear brands we stock as they are purposefully designed for the types of terrain we have in the U.K. They are also more suited to the foot shapes common in Britain. Brasher strive to make lightweight footwear that is built to last and comfortable straight out of the box. All of their footwear range is designed, tested and manufactured in the UK. and favour a traditional appearance.

 Hillmaster 2 GTX                   Patroller                       Supalite Active                Country Master

                                                                           

Salomon was founded as an Alpine mountain sports brand in 1947 in the France and is largely known as a manufacturer of skiing related products. Since their creation however, they have applied their technical know how to other mountain based sports such as trail running and hiking. Salomon create footwear with an emphasis on 'fast and light', to achieve this Salomon's footwear favours high tech materials and man made fabrics over leather. Their shoes and boots as a result have a modern, technical appearance opposed to more traditional looking walking and hiking footwear. As well as being extremely lightweight, their footwear is also strong and supportive. Salomon employs 'advanced chassis' systems, that is positioned between the outsole and midsole, that gives good heel hold and stability. Salomon is a great choice for someone looking for a extremely breathable, lightweight boot or shoe with  all of the strength and support of their leather alternatives.

Quest 4D GTX                  X-Over GTX                      X-Ultra Mid                    X-Ultra GTX

                                                                           

Merrell's range spans the entire spectrum of outdoor footwear, from tough hiking boots to the ultra light 'Glove' shoes that weigh as little as 142 grams. While relatively young compared to some of its competitors, Merrell being founded in 1981, drew its  knowledge from Randy J. Merrell (a maker of high end custom boots) and two executives from, ski company, Rossignol. Merrel favours a middle of the road approach to the look for their footwear that is a mix of both traditional and modern design. 

      Moab Mid GTX                     Intercept                           Sedona GTX             Mountain Tred Mid

                                                                           

Although Keen manufactures many different types of footwear, they are more renowned for their unique style of walking sandal, brandishing their trademark protective toe-cap. This is one of the reasons why we stock Keen, for the adventurous trekker who is looking to explore terrains where more protection is needed, or maybe the occasional walker who just wants their toes and feet to feel that little bit more guarded. 

         Gypsum Mid               Newport                         Targhee Mid 2               Clearwater GNX

                                                                           

This Italian brand has been making boots since 1977, and is now producing 15,000 pairs of shoes and boots every day. Gri-Sport are more popular with the first time walkers as they are more affordable than most brands, fortunately, this is not down to a lack of quality or materials. With their lower prices, more and more people are able to get good quality boots to enjoy their first outdoor adventures. 

          Quatro                           Dartmoor                       Fuse                            Peaklander

                                                                           

Musto is another company with great British heritage, founded in 1965 by Olympic sailor Keith Musto they are best known as a manufacturer of sailing apparel. We stock a wide variety of Musto's clothing and accessories, as well as their footwear range including deck shoes and deck boots. Here in the South West we are surrounded by 400 miles of coastline and an increasing number of people are taking to the sea for adventure. Musto remains the bench mark in sailing footwear for sailors and water users alike.

      Jetto                               Orson Drift

                                                                           

Whilst founded in 1928, this German footwear manufacturer can trace its shoemaking heritage all the way back to 1681 and, first shoemaker of the Meindl family, Petrus Meindl. With all of this experience and German attention to detail, Meindl could be described as a German equivalent to Brasher. Offering a more traditional walking and hiking footwear, that largely utilises leather and is focussed on providing comfort by use of memory foam in the upper and print foam in the footbed. Meindl footwear is generally geared towards more mountainous landscapes. 

Bourneo Pro 2 MFS            Respond GTX        Respond Mid GTX                    Vegas

                                                                         

With their origins firmly in mountaineering, British firm Berghaus is well known for their rucksacks and outdoor clothing. Their footwear range, while not extensive, offers technologies like Gore-Tex at a more easily affordable price while not sacrificing build quality. Their footwear is repeatedly on the Duke of Edinburgh recommended kit list.

      ExplorerTrek GTX          Expediator AQ             Explorer Trek GTX(W)      Expediator AQ(W)
                                                                           

One of, if not the most recognised names in mountaineering. North Face employ a mixture of traditional and high tech fabrics to produce their high end footwear that is used by top athletes globally. While lightweight, they are not as ultra light conscious as Salomon or Merrell, their main focus is dedicated to 'ultimate fit and function.' 

        VerberaHiker II GTX              Wreck GTX               Verbera II GTX (W)      Hedgehog IVGTX
                                                                           

 Hi-Tec footwear offers great value for money and is often thought of as a solid entry level choice of footwear for walkers and hikers. It could also be said that Hi-Tec suffers badly from brand snobbery. However the fact they won The Footwear Industry Awards' Sports Footwear Brand Of The Year in 2014 and Outdoor Footwear Brand of the Year in 2013 proves the brand still produces quality footwear for outdoor enthusiasts. Hi-Tec footwear often sports many of the same features as other brands such as Vibram soles that are also present on some North Face and Merrell footwear at a much lower price.

 Altitude Ultra Luxe             Penrith Mid WP               Magnum Panther              Altitude IV 

                                                                           

Any Questions ?

If you do have any questions about any of our footwear, or even any accessories like laces, socks and insoles, then please don’t hesitate to contact our enquiries email address. For an even more thorough service, visit us in store where you can take full advantage of our expertise in fitting, advice and after care. We will help you find the right footwear for you and the types of walking you enjoy.