Posted: Monday 20 March 2006

Chichon wins
"Best Kids Boot" in the April issue of Trail magazine scoring 49 out of a possible 50

The big advantage of the brasher Chichon over most other boots is that it's built to take the knocks on a rough path, while being able to grip when the child decides that splashing and running through mud is even more fun than scrambling up a rocky knoll. The upper is made of suede and synthetic materials without too much stitching, so durability should be reasonable. The ankle cuff is quite high so you get lots of support. The toe box is very solid so your child's feet will be well-protected when scrambling up loose scree paths. The heel cup is completely solid, so it will protect the feet, and here the brasher boot is much better than it's competitors. But the real advantage comes when you look underfoot, as you get an incredibly aggressive sole unit that provides superb grip in the mud. There is a lot of stiffness in the sole unit too, which is great for walking up the typically rocky paths of even the lowest Lakeland fells, and this feature is matched by very few boots here. Good cushioning completes a very functional boot for junior hillwalkers. Better still, you get a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. The price tag is just incredible for all this performance. Buy it if - you want your children to be able to climb the hills rather than look at them from the valley, as this is a boot that can take the knocks, protect the feet and keep a grip on whatever the outdoors can throw at it. Trail Magazine, April 2006.