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The Forge is the first hiking boot from ski boot manufacturer Tecnica, and it’s also the first hiking boot on the market that’s fully customizable.
Tecnica Forge Manufacturer’s data:
Using a revolutionary 360° fit concept, the Tecnica Forge is fully pre-shaped around Tecnica’s proprietary anatomical last developed from over 55 years of experience in crafting Italian outdoor and work shoes. For most, the out-of-the-box fit will feel like a second skin but given that no two feet are alike, creating the ‘perfect last’ for all is next to impossible.
C.A.S. Technology solves various fit issues quickly and easily. Specialty retailers will be able to, within 20 minutes, completely customize the shoes to create ‘The first shoe-shaped for you’.
C.A.S. features a thermo-formable material in the key comfort and foot-hold areas: the heel, the arch, and the ankles as well as a fully thermo-formable footbed for custom instep and arch support. The process uses a patent-pending, custom-designed system that heats and compresses the boots to form to each foot.
C.A.S Technology – Features:
• Overlap Cuff design, that reduces pressure points on the medial malleolar pad and allows better customization in that critical area.
• Self-locking Lace design, that uses high-tenacity Kevlar loops instead of the classic metal hooks, which, in combination with a rugged lace surface, self-locks and allows micro-adjustability that won’t release while walking.
• Gore-Tex® Liners offering the best level of waterproofness and breathability. An elastic insert on the instep matches with the unique Forge Overlap Cuff Design to facilitate step-in ease and enhance comfort.
• Adaptive Sole System features a unique bottom unit where the oversized lugs are reversed to increase the contact of the rubber with the surface. In combination with a triple-density midsole, the lugs move and conform to the variations found in outdoor terrain.
• Vibram® Megagrip Compound is used to deliver the ultimate level of grip and durability in all-terrain
Material:
Upper: Nubuck leather with synthetic stretch material
Lining: Gore-Tex® Membrane
Weight: 595g (Size 8)
First impressions in store:
When holding the boots in my hands for the first time, the unspectacular, yet elegant design, the structure of the laces and the overlapping cuff caught my attention immediately. Other than this, I had the feeling that the boots are quite heavy for trekking shoes.
In order to find the right size for me, my feet were measured. I usually wear a 24.5 mondo point or EU size 38.5. Since the shoes seem to be true to size, the sales rep recommends UK size 5.5 for me.
On my feet, the toe box feels quite wide, which leads to a very comfortable first impression on feet. My feet have enough space and nothing pinches or feels too big.
The customization:
Tecnica developed a trolley case which includes everything needed for the customization process.
The Tecnica fit machine heats footbeds and shoes, then pressurizes the giant overboots to compress/mold the Forge to my feet. Without the shell of a ski boot to compress a heated liner around one’s foot, Tecnica obviously devised their own system.
All in all, the molding procedure lasted for 20 minutes.
Field test:
First Hike:
Dammkar; Karwendelspitze west and Predigtstuhl.
Terrain: Pathless scree, steep craggy terrain, narrow mountain path, easy climbing, and roots. Quite challenging terrain. 1.400 hm.
Socks: CEP Merino Hiking.
Second Hike:
Tre Cime di Lavaredo circle. Terrain: wide trails, a traverse of scree. 1.000 hm up and down.
Footbed not as comfortable as with orthopedic insoles. Pressure point on left toe. If toed tight, the crease that is caused feels quite uncomfortable. This time the overlapping construction caused a little bit of pressure on the tibia. Besides those minor problems, I am quite impressed by the fit of the boot. And the grip of the sole proves to be very reliable.
Socks: Double layered
Third hike:
Wank. 100hm up, gondola down. This time with an orthopedic insole. Terrain: Partly steep path with wet grass and slippy rocks. Since my feet did not get used to the molded insoles, I gave the Forge another try, this time with my orthopedic insoles.
Am Wank, 1.00schmaler Steig, partly slippery. Great grip of the Vibram® sole.
overall:
The Tecnica Forge is an interesting category B hiking boot. The heat molding customization works. My feet already felt pretty good in the ‘raw’ version of the shoe. The molding process led to an even better fit, especially in the heel area. Attributes like the high-end materials, great comfort, superb stability in any kind of terrain and a sole with great grip stood out in a very positive way. In addition to that, I totally fell in love with the innovative lacing system which worked perfectly. With regards to sustainability, I liked the fact that resoling is possible.
I had the Goretex version in the test because the shoe was definitely too warm at temperatures above 20 ° C, I would probably rather opt for a non-GTX variant, but that’s probably an individual decision. Since the basic shape of the shoe was already a good fit for my feet, I can not judge whether the molding procedure really leads makes the shoe to fit perfectly to each foot. But since I have some difficulties in finding well-fitting shoes, I think that you should definitely consider this shoe for problem feet. Except for minor bruises and my sole, which apparently does not want to wander without my orthopedic insoles, I liked the shoe very much. It certainly is a pricey boot, but for those with hard-to-fit feet, it is absolutely worth to give it a try.