Review: TECNICA FORGE Is this the future? What is the power of innovative hiking boots that can be fitted by heat molding?
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
It goes without saying that when climbing mountains that are heavy and continue to exert considerable impact on two legs for a long time, it goes without saying that choosing shoes that fit you is extremely important.
That's why, realistically, we have no choice but to choose shoes by adjusting our feet to the sizes and shapes of a few patterns offered by the manufacturer, so it's most important to not just rely on other people's reputation, but to try them on ourselves and find shoes that suit our feet as well as the slightest.
However, it is not easy to tell whether these pairs you have chosen are the best fit for you. For most people, unless they were able to get a large amount of money and make a custom-made product, "finding the best shoes for me" was a long journey with no end in sight, and everyone had no choice but to compromise on whether they were bigger or smaller. So far.
Of course, this reality is the same throughout the world. TECNICA FORGE which can be heat-molded to suit the shape of the user's feet , has been a hot topic in the outdoor industry since its first announcement (last summer). They stumbled through numerous awards and were as enthusiastic as they could say that this was the mountaineering boots of the future that everyone had been waiting for.
I am one of them, too. The long-awaited moment of the year finally arrived, and I was finally able to take my time trying the actual product.
Thankfully, this time I was given a deep explanation of these shoes by the manufacturer and even had them fit them. This model tends to focus solely on the thermoformed fittings, but it turns out that it was a rather incredible shoe with a condensed other carefully thought out and calculated functions and features.
I would like to quickly unravel the innovative features and write about the results I felt in the field.
table of contents
table of contents
- The rough features of TECNICA FORGE
- Main Specifications
- Detailed review (1) Heat molding (fitting)
- Detailed Review (2) Trial Review in the Field
- summary
The rough features of TECNICA FORGE
TECNICA, which has been the first to manufacture liners that can be heat-molded in the ski boot world for decades, has made it the world's first mountaineering boots that allow for heat-molding fitting . The insole, heel, arch and heel are made of thermoformable synthetic materials, so after about 20 minutes in the store, anyone can get their own unique foot-shaped boots at a low price. Even the basic parts of the shoes themselves are packed with features designed to provide high performance. Ultimate Anatomical Last is shaped in three dimensions, even at the ankles the shoelace made of strong Kevlar material that is difficult to thaw overlap collar that is fixed to the ankles for a better fit than ever before. These all-round trekking boots are versatile for all-round terrain, including the Vibram Megagrip with excellent grip and the midsole that combines flexibility and protection. With a high design that stands out in the city, it's no exaggeration to say that this pair of shoes is valuable to all users.
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| weight | 595g (8UK) |
| Upper fabric | Nubuk leather with stretch fabric base |
| Midsole | Adaptive system, 2 Layers EVA plus 1 layer ESS |
| Outsole | Vibram Megagrip |
| waterproof | GORE-TEX® |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★★ |
| Overall score | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review (1): Heat molding (fitting)
The cool and refined design is good
First of all, take a look at this slender design.
Of course, there are other mountain boots with excellent designs, and some people may find their preferences. However, FORGE , it is difficult to not only feel that it looks good as a trekking boot, but also how cool it is as a "shoe". It has a clean surface with few seams and no unevenness, and the calm texture and color of the nubuck leather in particular, it has an indescribable, sophisticated feel, and personally I really like it. The heat-molded part also has a clean design that gives off a futuristic look while blending in in a good way, making it truly functional. The design makes it easy to wear from the door to the top without interruption.
The last calculated from toe to ankle
Although we tend to focus on thermoforming, ingenuity and ingenuity to improve fit can be seen in every aspect. While the traditional last (shoe shape) shapes from the toes to the ankles at most, FORGE Ultimate Anatomical Last reproduces the ankles , making it more similar to the actual shape when worn.
The last (wooden mold) used by FORGE can be seen in the foreground. It is even exquisitely crafted, even when compared to the typical ending that is visible in the back.
Ankle circumference with no tongue to improve fit
Another mechanism that improves fit is the part of the boot, called overlap collar This part is not a separate separate part like the conventional one, but is integrated with the upper, and the foot is tightened so that it is wrapped from the inside. But what are the benefits of this? I couldn't imagine it suddenly.
When I put my feet in, I can see. First, by eliminating the tongue, the upper material that is much thicker and has better cushioning than conventional tongues will wrap around your feet, making it comfortable to wear. In addition, some people have reduced the pain when the edge of the tongue hits, resulting in less pressure on the skin when it is tightened, resulting in less fitting problems. Furthermore, a major reason why it doesn't appear on the outside is that with this structure, it is said that even a little bit of shoelace hooks can be added to the front, allowing enough heat-molded material for the ankle to be placed in the front. This leads to improved fitting.
Shoelaces are easy to tighten and difficult to untie without compromising durability
These shoelaces, which look slim and poor at first glance, are packed with secrets.
The shoelaces used in the current model are made of Kevlar material mixed in. Kevlar material has a weakness in that it is extremely resistant to wear and cutting even if it is thin, but the material itself is tight, making it easier to unravel when tied with the string.
Therefore, the surface of these shoelaces is slightly uneven (photo below), which makes them entangle when tied up and make them less likely to loosen due to friction.
Furthermore, shoelace holes, which are normally made of metal, are also made from the same Kevlar material as shoelaces.
In the case of regular mountaineering boots, the laces will slip with regular D-ring materials, so they are usually placed on the wedge in the middle row to stop loosening. However, when the D-ring part is also used as a string, like in this model, frictional force is generated in each hole, so even if you tie it to a certain extent in the photo below, it will no longer be slippery. self-locking " shoelaces that are more difficult to unravel than being fastened with a single D ring Well, it seems like he is particular about how deeply he thinks about making it.
Thermomolding system customized to suit all foot shapes
We've seen many features that have been carefully crafted down to the smallest detail, but we'll finally be reporting on the heat-molding fitting, the highlight of FORGE
The system, named " CAS (CUSTOM ADAPTIVE SHAPE)
No, wait a minute. Even "thermo-moldable insoles" are usually sold at a reasonable price, so what do you do if you can do this much at the price of regular mountaineering boots without making this a bargain?
The work itself takes about 20 minutes, so we started by heating it up until it was ready to mold.
The insole warms first, so first place your foot on the insole, put a slipper-like cover, then thrust your entire foot into something like a large compression bag. Then, air is injected all at once, and the entire leg is compressed like a blood pressure monitor! It feels kind of good.
After waiting for 3 minutes, I completed my own insole, molded perfectly to the curve of my arch!
If you do the same work with boots with insoles that have been molded earlier, the fitting work will be completed happily.
We compared the boots before and after fitting to see how the shape has changed (photo below). The left is molded, and the right is commercially available. I wonder, isn't the shape of the boots clearly changing!
I timidly put my feet into the boots that have been successfully heat-molded.
This is... what's new about it is that my feet are about 0.5cm in size on both sides. So it was only natural that whenever any shoe was worn, the comfort of the left and right sides would be different, but the FORGE , which was individually fitted on the left and right sides, was beautifully fitting both the left and right feet, but not the same. From the arch to the heel, I could see that (of course) it fits to each foot.
Detailed Review (2) Field Trial Review
It has a sole that is not too heavy, not too hard or too soft, and a climbing zone on the toes, so that it can be used in a wide range of areas for hiking and trekking, from light hiking in low mountains to rocky ridges in the Alps.
So I checked my ability by walking all the way from low mountain hiking in May to June to remaining snow and rocky ridges in the Central Alps (3,000m class).
The fit and stability of walking are perfect when you wear them, and you can feel the fit and walking stability
The effects of shoes, which are shaped into the shape of the foot through heat molding, were felt from the first step.
The insoles ensure that the arch of the arch of the arch of the foot, the heel cups that are moderately tightened to prevent the foot from shaking when stepping on, and the ankle area that holds firmly to prevent injuries, with the insole that ensures that the arch of the arch is filled with arches, the inside surface and heel cup that are moderately held in place to prevent injuries, and the ankle area that holds the foot firmly in place to prevent injuries, certainly a sense of unity and security you wouldn't expect from this class of trekking boots. This alone makes me addicted.
Vibram Megagrip provides reliable grip
What's more, the best part about this boot is the Vibram Megagrip outsole. As many of you may know, it currently has top-class grip performance, and grips wet rocks so that they stick to any terrain or ground, even in all kinds of terrain and ground (before you're going to get too caught up in it until you get used to it). The sole is so flexible that it won't be a pain to walk on paved roads, and has a built-in midsole that mixes EVA and ESS, which combine rigidity and shock absorption, making it safe to climb and descend on a wide range of terrain, from muddy roads in low mountains, goros along streams, and alpine rocks.
I walked through the rocky area with a heavy burden of over 10kg, but protection and durability are not a problem so far.
Because the overall quality is too good... we want to further improve the fatigue resistance
As I've written so far, I was definitely satisfied with the top level in terms of fit, stability and ease of walking in many ways. However, it's not just that the good points of shoes are also profound.
I was concerned that the fatigue remaining on my feet when walking for a long time and the way damage accumulates is not that high compared to models from other brands. In particular, the inside of the heat-molded part of the heel is relatively thin, making it easy for fatigue to accumulate in that area. This cannot be said to have any effect on the degree of heat molding, so I don't know for certain, but personally, I often step in rather than walking slowly safely (regardless of how well it fits), so I'm happy if the area around the heel has more excellent cushioning, which will reduce fatigue (like the Garmont RAMBLER
Summary: Recommended for people like this
Due to its high reputation, the excitement may have inevitably become modest. Despite this, it was a great finish in all directions, as I looked calmly and I can't believe that there have been such perfection and cost-effective mountaineering boots in recent years. This is a long-awaited pair of shoes, especially for those who find it difficult to match existing shoes, or for those with particularly strong-looking feet, so it is recommended without hesitation. It is highly versatile, not too hard, not too soft, not too heavy or too light, so it is not a problem for day trips across Japan and hiking in a tent. Of course, walking around town is also comfortable.
However, just because it's a perfect fit, you should not overconfident, and the softness of the sole means the harsh variations of remaining snow and rock climbing routes, which are based on crampons, are a bit out of defensive range. Also, since it is not rigid and cushioned like Alpine boots, if you are using it for long-term traversing due to a considerable amount of strain, you need to calmly think about whether you have the appropriate leg strength.
There are all kinds of models for different genders, so you can rest assured about that. It's hard to decide whether to use leather or synthetic fiber, but it seems that there is little difference in specs. It's pretty much no problem to choose based on design.
Of course, it is assumed that you will need to fit in a physical store and purchase it at that time, but in some stores, if you bring the items you purchased online to the same store, they will be able to heat mold them (according to Hisatomi). For more information, please check directly with each shop.
