Grooming -- 1 hour ago
A century after George Mallory and Sandy Irvine’s fateful 1924 Everest attempt, professional adventurers Hugo and Ross Turner, better known as the Turner twins, will begin a pioneering expedition to the Himalayas. For the expedition Hugo will be wearing exact replica clothing and footwear from the 1924 Everest expedition, while Ross will be kitted out in modern-day mountaineering clothing and equipment.
And for this they've partnered with Crockett & Jones. Hugo's boots have been created by the British shoemaker and they're fit for whatever the expedition throws at the guys. The making of the boots was unlike anything Crockett & Jones had produced since making boots for Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Endurance expedition.
The production of the boots began with a trip to see the original Mallory boots - only one still exists today. The team, including Managing Director of Crockett & Jones Jonathan Jones who has always deeply admired the Everest expeditions, visited London’s Royal Geographical Society to closely inspect Mallory’s one remaining original boot, which was preserved in permafrost for 80 years on Everest and remains intact. "The boot left us speechless, and it was something of a dream to see it firsthand as a bootmaker myself for more than 40 years," Jones said. "There is no doubt in my mind that no one could have made such an accurate replica without the multiple inspections we were permitted of the original boot. Remarkable.”
The biggest challenge when creating the shoe was lasting and welting such a wide boot and thick sole. After fitting the bespoke Alpine clinkers, cleats and Tricounis, the shoes were put to the test at Mallory’s own proving ground – Mount Snowdon in North Wales.
And next month Hugo and Ross will set off to ascend Mera Peak with researchers who will examine the effects of historical equipment on thermal performance, endurance and decision-making under extreme environmental stress. But the shoes, as impressive as they are, aren't for your daily wear. The Mallory boot is an expedition boot first and foremost, and the Crockett & Jones team has created a consumer-friendly version, and in a nod of appreciation to Mallory and his team, named this style Everest.
The Everest boot, which is available to purchase from November 2025, uses the exact same waterproof side leather, a half-bellows tongue, and a waterproof feather-line membrane to make them entirely waterproof. Colour-wise it comes with a new Dark Brown Waterproof Side leather and Green Rough-Out Suede. The inclusion of Yurt felt that sits between the outer leather and the tongue lining is a nod to the Mallory boot, while the boot sits on the English-made Commando Cleated Rubber sole, which was used during both World Wars.
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