National Trust to sell semi-recycled leather walking boots ? made in China

Brown leather boots lead the way in a range of National Trust clothing to become available to the public at its shopsStout shoes, fleeces and anoraks used to be the unofficial uniform of most National Trust members. Now lovers of the countryside and stately homes can get hold of the real thing: official National Trust walking boots.The brown leather boots, tastefully adorned with the trust's oak leaf symbol, are now in offer in trust shops alongside more traditional offerings such as pot pourri and pewter ornaments.The not-altogether memorably named Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro is the first step in a sartorial revolution under way at the trust, which is to also offer its wardens and volunteers the chance to step out in hoodies, funky fleeces and trousers that zip away into shorts as part of a revamped uniform. "We're moving away from the colour green," explained Phillippa Green, brand licensing manager for the trust, today.The new boot, produced thanks to a new deal with British manufacturer Hi-Tec, is described as "environmentally considered". Its sole is made from 15% recycled plastic bottles, its sock liner is 100% recycled, the steel shank for stability is made from 90% recycled steel, and it's being sold in a recycled box with handles (to remove the need for carrier bags) and on the tag is a tiny packet of wild flower seeds."A lot of heart and soul and sweat and tears has gone into this boot," said Helen Durant, Hi-Tec marketing manager.But she admitted that the boot, which is manufactured in China, is far from environmentally flawless. "We are not overselling this product as environmentally 'wow'. It's not 100% recycled. It's a small step for us as a brand."Since the National Trust currently cares for almost as much land as the entire county of Derbyshire, there is plenty of scope to put the boot through its paces on trust soil.Yesterday the Guardian path-tested it on a meandering trail through one of the Trust's oldest and best-loved properties, Box Hill on the North Downs in Surrey. In the event, the "three season" boot, which costs �85 and will be available in Millets as well as Trust shops, coped stoically with the rain and treacherous chalky slopes of Box Hill. It proved an instantly comfortable, lightweight boot well-suited to rambling, skipping over sheep poo and resisting the urge to kick spectacular blooms of fly agaric and other autumn fungi.While the revamped trust uniforms will only be available to rangers and volunteers, the boot is merely the pioneer of a new range of National Trust clobber available to the public.An autumn 2011 collection will include jackets, fleeces, trousers and anoraks, while next spring will see the launch of National Trust branded socks and sandals. To be worn together, obviously.Walking holidaysFashionRecyclingPatrick Barkhamguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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