Well, it's mobile, right? And shoes are a kind of technology, right?

I had a pair of Hi-Tec's Buxton Low walking shoes that, for the past two years, have given sterling service, but many many miles of clambering across rough terrain have taken their toll; there are chunks missing from the sole and, more calamitously, a hole has appeared at the point where my right big toe flexes. This hole lets the rain in, and this is Not Good.

I've gone back to Hi-Tec because I trust their sizes (Merrell, I'm looking at you, with your size charts made entirely out of crystallised lies), I trust their build quality, and their definition of "waterproof" seems to accord with mine.

And they're spangly colours, too. Which is good.

http://www.hi-tec.co...charcoal-red.html

And no, we don't have those over here.

They seem mighty spendy. They're well into "proper mountain boot" price territory.