Figures obtainable from their web site suggest an estimated 50 million people visit National Trust open air sites each year. And I, like these millions of others, simply love getting out there; only a few weeks ago enjoying a romp around the glorious country just south of Matlock in Derbyshire. And it is this anecdotal experience that leads to me to assert with confidence that a stout and sensible walking shoe really does make life considerably easier.

Yes, I feel it is fair to say BEWARE to the man who confidently attempts that greasy little 1 in 3 incline adjacent to his relaxing holiday cottage during a particularly zesty April shower armed only with a pair of old Converse and a crumbling ad-hoc walking stick. For he will slip. And fall. And he will get wet... Ahem. So, how best to avoid such pitfalls. We had a look.

PATAGONIA FOOTWEAR

Patagonia Footwear has built a range of outdoor clothing and footwear with a green message at heart. They march to market under a banner promising the building of the best product without cause for unnecessary harm and to "inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."

Their footwear collection is split into three categories, which all embrace the philosophy "to make the best that do the least harm". We focused on two:

Brown Group. This category includes two Patagonia Footwear specific Vibram eco-step outsoles with impact reducing poli cork footbeds [designed to impart lateral support on uneven surfaces, science fans]. Capilene linings exclude the moisture, while reground EVA and recycled components reinforce the firm's environmental commitment with an eye to never compromising quality.

Of note in the Brown Group is the ‘Nomad'. A sturdy full ankle boot has full-grain leather upper features the Gore-Tex® barrier and a bellows tongue - invaluable for helping ensure water proofing. It's a shoe that looks every inch the sturdy hiking boot; a robust image which almost manages to make you forget the lessened environmental impact the production of the item will have caused. A neat trick that, to dispel the concept that something environmentally friendly can't be a thing of beauty.

Green Group. As with all Patagonia Footwear's categories the leather is sourced from ISO 14001 tanneries which, we are assured, have the strictest environmental guidelines they could find. The Hevea milk [a form of rubber] latex soles deliver natural air-cushion technology throughout, which should all combine to provide a flexible, comfortable experience. These shoes, possibly more suitable for lower fell walking or for the enthusiast less keen on taking on the highest peaks such as the Vagabond variety featured here.

LAND ROVER

It seems a pretty logical step for an organisation that sells 4x4 and off road vehicles to begin production of rugged footwear that would, once you'd turned off the engine in the back end of beyond, help you continue to get around. And so, for SS08, Land Rover have stepped into footwear (from the pretty extensive "Gear" range - watches, hats, tents etc) offering a wide selection of boots and moccasin styles which attempt to reflect the Land Rover brand values; namely comfort and durability.

The lace up ankle boots, here in dark brown, are well fitted to tackle the toughest terrain your 5 litre engine has just transported you to and all, we are assured, in the utmost comfort. The Classic unisex Moccasin style shoe meanwhile offers the Land Rover enthusiast a more traditional option which combines pleasing form and durable function.

Lace up and slip on styles feature heavily in the range, which boast curved slip resistant and a non-marking, rubber outsole all geared to giving the wearer as smooth a ride as possible. The hand stitched detail and high quality suede material makes the collection appear both practical and modern. Furthermore, the Land Rover moccasins might well be an ideal choice to extend into the AW 08 season. Of course there's the possibility you might have to keep on driving a considerable distance to take advantage of any late summer weather...

MARUTI

Never afraid to walk a different path, we wanted to look for designs that whilst not aimed specifically at the outdoors market as a whole, had created a range robust and stylish enough to stand up to gentler amble through your nearest hillside.

And we think we found one. Maruti, a young footwear brand (as brought to you in an earlier Footwear Today) with a style conscious Italian feel unveils a great AW 08 footwear collection for men and women. The group appear to draw a positive influence from their surroundings in Europe's ultimate capital of design and fashion but with some styles that are, well, more than a walk in the park.

As their representation enthusiastically point out, they pride themselves on providing men and women with beautifully crafted, hardwearing footwear. And whilst the women's AW 08 collection carries a stylised equestrian theme which aims to combine comfort with elegance, it is from the men's collection that the meatier, more rugged boot appears. The Carlo design, here in brown, is a tall ankle boot in leather complete with visible stitching and brass lace hoops. Maybe not a shoe to test the depth of that puddle you encounter but certainly a stylish way to walk the dog down to your country village square and take in the morning air.

More robust still is the Bona Vendura Terra style. In polished leather with a sturdy moulded grip and a focus on lace hoops rather than holes to reduce wet feet, the tall ankle and sturdy feel would certainly get you further up that more rugged terrain than other similar shoes. Bravo, we say.

GRISPORT

And finally, we head back to more traditional outdoor shoe which also heralds from Italy. Grisport made their first walking boot in 1977. Such was the quality that the firm were happily turning out over 2 million pairs by the turn of the century. And it's not hard to see why. A good range and a simple categorisation means that a rambler of any level of enthusiasm, skill or bravery will be catered for be that from their ‘Lightweight Trek' range or ‘Backpacking' selection, for example.

We particularly like the serious Cheviot boot in Navy which features the company's patented Support System technology [aimed to be an effective heellocking system is to provide perfect control of the foot by ensuring an excellent grip is maintained on the ground through all phases of movement]. Spotex lined it is a waterproof, breathable trekking boot.

But it is not all about ankle boots. Grisport also have a popular low cut version of one of their other styles in the ‘Backpacking' section. Impressively detailed on their website as a previous winner of the Which? Magazine best value for money walking shoe, the Dartmoor is perceived as their best seller and has an undoubted aesthetic quality plus the performance that underpins all of their range. Available in three colours it is a pretty excellent all purpose and, importantly for the ‘his and hers' fans, a unisex outdoor shoe.

So, whilst we can't forecast the weather or foresee the gradients involved maybe we have helped in some small way to prevent the toes from getting too wet and the ankles too swollen. And, whatever you do, just don't attempt a climb in your favourite old pair of trainers...

For stocking and prices contact:

Patagonia Footwear: 0117 9636363
Maruti: http://www.chasepr.co.uk/
Land Rover: http://www.landrovergearshop.com/
GriSport: http://www.grisport.com/
For Information: http://www.nationaltrust.or.uk/

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