Review: TECNICA FORGE Is this the future? What is the power of innovative hiking boots that can be fitted by heat molding?

It goes without saying that when climbing mountains, where you are carrying a heavy load for long periods of time and putting considerable impact on your feet, choosing shoes that fit you is extremely important

That's why, in reality, the only way we can choose shoes is to try them on by fitting our feet into the few sizes and shapes provided by the manufacturer. It's therefore most important that we don't just rely on other people's opinions, but always try on the shoes ourselves to find shoes that fit our feet as well as possible

However, it's not easy to know whether the pair of hiking boots you've chosen are the best fit for you. For most people, unless they shell out a lot of money to get a custom-made pair, the search for the perfect pair is a long, never-ending journey, and everyone has had to make compromises, big or small. That is until now

This reality is the same all over the world, of course. That's why the world's first hiking boots, the TECNICA FORGE , that we're introducing today, have been a hot topic in the outdoor industry since their release last summer. They've swept up numerous awards, and the excitement has been so great that it's as if they're the hiking boots of the future that everyone has been waiting for.

I was one of them. After a year of waiting, the moment finally arrived, and I was finally able to try it out

Thankfully, a representative from the manufacturer explained the shoe in depth and even gave me a fitting. It turns out that while people tend to focus on the heat-molded fitting of this model, it's packed with other carefully thought-out and calculated functions and features, making it a truly amazing shoe

I would like to start by unraveling its many innovative features and writing about the impressions I got from using it in the field

table of contents

• TECNICA FORGE's main features
• Main Specifications
• Detailed Review (1) Heat Molding (Fitting)
  • Cool and sophisticated design
  • A last carefully designed from the toe to the ankle
  • Tongue-free for a better fit around the ankle
  • Shoelaces that are easier to tighten and less likely to come undone without compromising durability
  • Heat-molding system customised to fit any foot shape
• Detailed Review (2) Field Trial Review
  • Wear them and feel the comfort and stability of the shoes when you walk
  • Vibram Megagrip for secure grip
  • The overall experience is so good that it needs further improvement in terms of comfort
• summary

TECNICA FORGE's main features

TECNICA, a pioneer in the ski boot industry for decades, has developed the world's first heat-moldable trekking boots . Using heat-moldable synthetic materials for the insole, heel, arch, and ankle, anyone can inexpensively get a custom-fitted boot in just 20 minutes at a store. Even the basics of the shoe are packed with features designed for high performance. Features like the " Ultimate Anatomical Last " that contours to the ankle, durable Kevlar laces that Overlap Collar that wraps around the ankle provide an unprecedented level of fit. These versatile, all-around trekking boots, with their superior grip and Vibram Megagrip technology and flexible, protective midsole, are versatile enough to handle any terrain. Their stylish design makes them a great choice for anyone, and they're a valuable pair for any user.

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed Review (1): Heat Molding (Fitting)

Cool and sophisticated design

First of all, take a look at this stylish design

Of course, there are other excellently designed hiking boots out there, and everyone has their own preferences. But I FORGE not only looks great as a trekking boot, but also as a cool "shoe." The clean, even surface with few seams and no irregularities, and the calm texture and color of the nubuck leather in particular, give off an indescribably sophisticated vibe that I personally really like. The heat-molded parts also blend in nicely with the clean design, exuding a futuristic feel, and this is truly functional beauty. The design makes you feel like you can wear them seamlessly from the door to the summit.

A last carefully designed from the toe to the ankle

While attention tends to be focused on the heat molding, ingenuity in every aspect has been put into improving the fit. While a conventional last (shoe mold) forms the foot from the toes to the ankle at most, FORGE Ultimate Anatomical Last reproduces the shape all the way down to the ankle , recreating a shape that is closer to how the shoe will actually feel when worn.

The last (wooden form) used by FORGE is visible in the foreground of the photo. Compared to the general last seen in the background, it is made with great care all the way down to the ankle

Tongue-free for a better fit around the ankle

Another mechanism for improving the fit is the " overlap collar ," which is the equivalent of the boot's tongue. This part is not a separate, separate part like in the past, but is integrated with the upper, and it tightens by wrapping around the foot from the inside. But what is the benefit of this? I couldn't immediately imagine it.

When you put your foot in, you'll understand why. First of all, by eliminating the tongue, the foot is wrapped in a much thicker, more cushioned upper material than conventional tongues, which feels good against the skin. In addition, the pain that some people experience from the edge of the tongue rubbing against their skin is reduced, and there is less pressure on the skin when tightened, which ultimately leads to alleviating fitting issues. Another major, less obvious reason is that this structure allows the shoelace hooks to be brought slightly forward, which means the heat-molding material in the ankle area can be inserted farther forward. Ultimately, this leads to an improved fit

Shoelaces that are easier to tighten and less likely to come undone without compromising durability

These shoelaces, which may look thin and flimsy at first glance, are packed with secrets

The shoelaces used in the current model are made with Kevlar mixed in. Kevlar is a material that is extremely resistant to abrasion and cutting, even though it is thin. However, because the material itself is taut, it has the drawback of being prone to coming undone when tied

Therefore, the surface of these shoelaces is slightly uneven (see photo below), which allows them to grip the laces well when tied and makes them less likely to come undone due to friction

Furthermore, the shoelace holes, which are usually made of metal, are made of the same Kevlar material as shoelaces

In typical hiking boots, laces tend to slip when using regular D-rings, so they are usually fastened to a wedge in the middle to prevent loosening. However, when the D-rings are also made of laces as in this model, friction is generated at each hole, so just tying them to a certain extent, as in the photo below, makes them almost non-slip. These are " self-locking " shoelaces that are harder to untie than laces fastened with a single D-ring. Wow, it shows how much thought went into making these.

Heat-molding system customised to fit any foot shape

We've looked at many of the features that have been carefully designed down to the smallest detail, but now we 'll finally report on the highlight of FORGE

" CAS (CUSTOM ADAPTIVE SHAPE) ," is an innovative mechanism that allows you to fit the insole and boot itself to your feet using a dedicated machine installed at each retailer.

But wait a minute. "Heat-moldable insoles" are readily available on the market at a reasonable price, so what else can you call a bargain when you can get all this for the price of regular hiking boots?

The work itself takes about 20 minutes to complete, so we started by heating it until it was ready to be molded

The insoles heat up first, so you first place your feet on the insoles, then slip on the slipper-like cover, and then put your whole foot into what looks like a large compression bag. Air is then pumped into the bag all at once, compressing your whole foot like a blood pressure monitor! It feels really good

After waiting for 3 minutes in this state, your very own insole molded perfectly to the curve of your arch is ready!

Repeat the same process with the boots that have the insoles you just finished molding, and the fitting process will be successfully completed

To see how much the shape has changed, we compared the boots before and after fitting (see photo below). The left is after molding, and the right is the state as it is sold commercially. Look at that, the shape of the boots has visibly slimmed down!

After the heat molding was completed successfully, I cautiously put my foot into the boot

What was refreshing about this was that my feet are about 0.5cm apart in size. So, it was natural that the fit of each shoe would be different, but this time, the FORGE shoes , and although they weren't identical, they fit very closely on both feet. I could really feel that they were (naturally) tailored to each individual foot, from the arch to the heel.

Detailed Review (2) Field Trial Review

The shoe's weight is not too heavy, the sole is neither too hard nor too soft, and it even has a climbing zone at the toe, so given its features, it seems like it could be used in a wide range of hiking and trekking areas, from light hikes in low mountains to the rocky ridges of the Alps

So I decided to test my abilities by hiking a wide range of mountains, from low mountain hikes in May and June to walking on snow and rocky ridges in the Central Alps (3,000m class)

Wear them and feel the comfort and stability of the shoes when you walk

The effect of the shoes, which are heat-molded to fit the shape of your foot, was felt from the first step

The insole completely fills the arch of the foot, the inside surface and heel cup are moderately tapered to keep the heel in place when stepping down and the foot stable when landing, and the ankle area is held firmly in place to prevent injury - it's true, the sense of unity and security is unimaginable in trekking boots of this class. Just this alone is enough to make you addicted

Vibram Megagrip for secure grip

Another great feature of these boots is the Vibram Megagrip outsole. As many of you may already know, it boasts some of the best grip performance available today, gripping any terrain or surface with ease, even on wet rocks (though you should be careful not to get too caught on anything until you get used to it). The sole is flexible enough to make walking on paved roads comfortable, and the midsole is a mix of EVA and ESS, providing both rigidity and shock absorption, allowing you to climb and descend a wide range of terrain with confidence, from muddy roads in the low mountains and boulders along streams to rocky areas in the high mountains

I have walked on rocky terrain with a load of over 10kg, and so far there have been no problems with protection or durability

The overall feel is too good, but I need to improve the fatigue-reducing qualities

As I've written so far, I was definitely satisfied with the top level of fit, stability, and ease of walking in various ways. However, there is more to a good shoe than just that

I noticed that the level of fatigue and damage to the feet when walking for long periods of time with a heavy load was not as high as other brands' models. The cushioning inside the heat-molded area of ​​the heel is relatively thin, which makes it more susceptible to fatigue. I can't say for sure whether this is entirely down to the quality of the heat-molding, but personally, I tend to push down hard rather than walking slowly and safely (regardless of the fit), so I would be happy if the area around the heel had better cushioning, as this would reduce fatigue (like the Garmont Rambler heel lock system, which I praised in a previous review).

Summary: Recommended for people like this

Perhaps my excitement was muted due to the high pre-release hype. Nevertheless, looking at them objectively, I found these boots to be excellent in every way, and it's the first time in years that I've seen such a high level of completion and cost-effectiveness in hiking boots. They are a long-awaited pair, especially for those who have trouble fitting their existing shoes, or those with particularly unusual feet, and I would recommend them without hesitation. They are highly versatile - neither too stiff nor too soft, neither too heavy nor too light - and are suitable for all types of hiking, from day trips to tent camping, all over Japan. They are also comfortable for walking around town, of course

However, don't be overconfident just because they fit perfectly. The soft sole makes them somewhat out of reach for difficult variation routes involving snow and rock climbing that require crampons. Also, they don't have the rigidity and cushioning of alpine boots, so if you plan to use them for long-term traverses with a heavy load, you need to take a step back and consider whether you have the leg strength to handle them

There are separate models for men and women, so you can rest assured about that. You may be wondering whether to choose leather or synthetic (synthetic fiber), but it seems there is almost no difference in the specifications. You can choose based on the design

Of course, you'll need to go to a physical store to get fitted and purchase the shoes, but some stores will even heat mold the shoes if you bring the items you bought online to their physical store (according to Hisatomi). Please check with each store directly for more details

FORGE

TECNICA

38,772 yen

595g (8UK)

   

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