Simon Ash, UK Sales Manager, HAIX 

The forestry industry is worth almost £2 billion annually to the UK, employing over 43,000 people. Conversations about the future of the industry in a post Brexit world are rife. Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor has previously outlined what the sector needs for continued success – including greatly enhanced tree planting and restocking and an appreciation by all as to how this industry is good for the country- “not just for the countryside.”

Before the position of our industry post- Brexit becomes clear, it must be business as normal in the ever changing British climate.  British Summertime officially begins on the 23rd June, 2018, although some of us have already enjoyed some warmer weather. It was only a couple of weeks ago that the Met Office recorded the hottest ever early May Bank Holiday, with temperatures hitting over 25°C.

To cope with often overbearing heat in such months, you might do things slightly differently – drink more water, wear a different uniform, and take longer breaks. Have you considered how different features in footwear could further protect you from the sweltering sunshine?

   GORE-TEX®

As soon as your feet get too hot, too cold, or even wet, it’s likely you start to feel uncomfortable. The soles of your feet sweat more than anywhere else on your body. This can be harmful to health, resulting in blisters, but also lowering concentration levels. 

Feet feel most comfortable when the skin temperature is between 28-32 °C. In the summer, where increased temperatures are expected but high rainfall is also possible, your footwear must be waterproof and highly breathable.  The GORE-TEX® membrane has a microporous structure, containing 1.4 billion pores per cm2. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, so no water can penetrate – far exceeding the current standards. Crucially, the membrane also allows perspiration to escape. 

Since the early 1990s, HAIX has been incorporating GORE-TEX® in footwear for that very reason.  GORE-TEX® only approves boots by companies producing quality products that can withstand its stringent testing process. This includes a waterproofing test in which boots are placed in 5cm of water and 300,000 steps are stimulated to ensure no water is left in the boot. Through this process, boots can be rejected, and must be reassessed.  

 The build-up of heat is then further reduced by the shoe construction itself, as it is only bonded at specific points to ensure breathability. The  GORE-TEX ® membrane is six times more breathable than the values outlined in EN ISO standards 20345/20347. This will further help ensure products allow the half a pint of sweat feet release to be transported away from the feet and out of the boot.

HAIX’s forestry boots  incorporate the GORE-TEX ® Performance Comfort Laminate membrane, ensuring they are waterproof and breathable, as well as being moderately insulated for a broad range of temperatures and different activities.  It is the must-have summer feature for your footwear. 

To view HAIX’s full range of forestry footwear visit https://www.haix.co.uk/forest/