Hi-Tec joins forces with National Trust

Published: 18 November, 2010

Hi – Tec and the National Trust have teamed up to create a new environmentally-friendly walking boot. Inspired by the landscapes the National Trust cares for, the boot has been designed with the product’s environmental ‘footprint’ in mind, including recycled materials and minimal use of chemicals normally found in footwear.

The boot – called the Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro - is the beginning of an important and significant journey for Hi-Tec; small, greener steps in the right direction. It also supports the National Trust in encouraging people to get out and enjoy the many thousands of acres of countryside and coastline it looks after across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Jo Burgon, National Trust Head of Access & Recreation, comments, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hi-Tec and putting our name to this particular boot. As a charity we rely on the support of our members, partners and the public to help us look after this country’s special places.”

Hi-Tec’s challenge was to engineer a lightweight, waterproof walking boot that offers unbeatable performance, comfort and true value, along with greater consideration of every ingredient of the boot’s DNA and its environmental impact.

Uppers constructed using water-based cements, manufactured from naturally dyed veg-tanned, reduced chrome leather uppers, recycled content metal steel shanks and a durable recycled content rubber outsole are just a few of the earth-friendly features that go to make this boot a true environmental step in the right direction.

Martin Binnendijk, Hi-Tec CEO comments, “Working alongside the National Trust has been truly inspirational for everyone at Hi-Tec. We are all proud of the result and look forward to developing further this relationship with some exciting and new environmentally considered products in the future.”

Fully supported, developed and endorsed by the National Trust, the Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro is the result of sheer determination to ensure Hi-Tec are not part of the problem but are striving every day to become part of the solution in preserving our beautiful planet.

For further information and for your chance to win one of five HF Holidays please view:

www.hi-tec.com/nationaltrust

-Ends-

For further information please contact Helend@hi-tecsports.com.

Editor Notes:

The National Trust is a charity with a love for preserving historic places and spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our commercial activities raise much-needed income to support our conservation work. Our income-generating activities include shops (both at properties and on the high street), restaurants and cafeterias, plant centres, holiday cottages, a brand licensing programme, corporate partnerships, wedding and function hire, publishing activities and a film location business. Find out more at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

The Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro WPi (SRP £90) is fully waterproof and available in men’s sizes 7-12’s (inc ½’s), women’s 4-9’s (inc ½’s) and juniors J13-6’s (SRP £50).

Product environmental features and benefits include:

Waterproof construction featuring ion-mask™ water management technology
Reduced chrome leathers: not using heavy chemical mix required in ‘conventional’ tanning
Uppers constructed using water based cements: a “greener” process than traditional methods
Nature Tex 50/50 lining: 100% regenerated mesh utilizing 50% recycled post consumer waste and 50 % recycled pre-consumer waste from plastics sourced from recycled water bottles
Recycled EVA content sock liner: molded for a contoured and cushioned fit
IMEVA (Injection Molded EVA): a “greener” way to work with a cushioning material leaving less waste
Recycled steel shank content: 90% post consumer waste
Recycled rubber outsole content: 15 % post consumer waste
Also incorporating the revolutionary ion-mask™ hydro management technology, a quantum leap in water management, keeping your feet drier, lighter, cleaner and one of the most climate friendly footwear technologies available.

Packaging and labelling:

The boots’ box is sourced from an FSC accredited materials supplier and is made from 80% recycled cardboard and is 100% recyclable. The inks used to print the box are soy based. Soy inks are plant based colours and dyes that make more sense for the environment than traditional chemical based dyes and inks.

The 100% recycled cardboard product swing tag also features an eco-friendly gift with every purchase of a wild flower seeded tag. This seeded paper will grow if planted and cared for.

All retail point of sale materials are manufactured from recycled materials.

Consumer Competition details:

HI-TEC and the National Trust will also be running an exciting consumer competition with the opportunity to WIN one of FIVE walking and leisure activity holidays with HF Holidays worth £1000 each!

HF Holidays, the UK’s largest walking and leisure activity holidays company and co-operative society, is the National Trust’s Holiday Collection Partner, providing active holidays to their members. For every holiday booked from their dedicated Active Holidays brochure, HF Holidays donates £10 to a special fund established to help with footpath maintenance on Trust properties.

The five lucky winners will have a choice from 17 beautiful locations around the UK and any holiday programme from walking to the many other leisure activities on offer, or even just a Full Board Country House stay. The prize includes any 4-night holiday for two adults with a choice of Guided Walking, leisure activity or Freedom Break Stay at any of HF Holidays’ 17 Country Houses around the UK, with Full Board en-suite accommodation (English breakfast, picnic lunch and three-course evening meal) and an activity as chosen by the winner.

Runners up prizes also include a pair of the HI-TEC Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro boots developed in conjunction with the National Trust.

To enter simply go to www.hi-tec.com/nationaltrust and share with us your favourite outdoor adventure stories and experiences that have inspired you! Please also supply us with any photographs or pictures you wish to share with the outdoor community. We will then choose our favourite each month with an additional 20 pairs of Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro boots awarded as runners up prizes!

You can also write to us at:

insired@hi-tecsports.com

Inspired Competition

HI-TEC

Aviation Way

Southend on Sea

SS2 6GH

For further details on the competition or to view the full terms and conditions for entry please visit www.hi-tec.com/nationaltrust

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