The brasher Supalite XCR® Hybrid is the perfect boot for birdwatchers as tried and tested by the editor of Birds Illustrated Magazine.

He comments:
When Olympic gold medal winner Chris Brasher went into the boot business in the late 1970's, he commited his company to creating comfortable footwear and this latest product, a cross between a boot and a shoe, fits his template perfectly.

Few birdwatchers are inclined to go scrambling up rocky hillsides or across glaciers in search of birds, so there is no need to seek out the heavyweight four-season boots favoured by mountaineers. However, we do need adequate protection from unfavourable weather because there is nothing like getting wet or cold feet to wreck that perfect day's birding.

The Supalite XCR® Hybrid ticked all the boxes as far as I was concerned. From day one, they were as comfortable to wear as old slippers, so that painful 'breaking in' period that we all used to suffer with leather boots of yesteryear never arose. At 1,036 gm for size 9, the Hybrid lived up to its 'super lite' tag, but this was not at the expense of any rigidity or padding in the sole.

Most of my testing was conducted in normal birding conditions in Eastern England but I was able to put their robustness to the test during a week in Scotland. Even when traversing the uneven expanses of Cairngorm, my feet remained cushioned from sharp stones and the cleats on the Staybylite soles gave me excellent grip on a variety of surfaces.

The only slipping I experienced was in the Ebro Delta of Spain when heavy rain turned fine sand into a mud slide, conditions that caused problems for everyone in the party.

The Gore-Tex XCR® material used for the uppers consists of four layers to aid breathability and to repel water and I tested this by standing in a running stream and walking through long drenched grass - the brashers performed perfectly and with the added benefit of keeping my feet warm but not overheated.

The Gore-Tex® is overlaid with shaped suede panels in khaki and brown in the men's version, while hard rubber heel and toe bumpers offer greater protection without increasing the length of the boot unduly. The padded sides (described as mid-cut) cover the ankles and gave me adequate support when walking along uneven ground.

Often the folded sewn-in tongue of leather boots can dig into the foot when laced tightly, but I had no problems of this sort at all and the boot was wide and roomy but well-shaped so that there was no heel movement.

The ladies version of the SupaliteHybrid XCR® comes in granite/steel or sage/green, sizes 4 to 8. The men's version is available in sizes 7 to 12.

Birdwatchers check out www.countryinnovation.co.uk

Hugh Chaloner recently completed a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro along with a team of determined trekkers to help raise funds for charity.

A great deal of training was involved which started way back in July.
Hugh's choice of footwear for the trek was a pair of brasher Supalite GTX and judging from the before and after shots - which can be seen on Hugh's diary, they were definitely well used!

Hugh has completed an online diary, detailing the trek which includes some fantastic pictures and it makes a great read.
This can be seen by following the link kili.intercuts.com/

The trek helped raise money towards Self Help Africa, Tuesday Trust and Down Syndrome Ireland (Carmona Services).

Back in July we ran a competition in The Sunderland Echo in conjunction with Sunderland Healthy School Programme to offer schools a chance to win 5 pairs of brasher boots, a starter kit to enable children to enjoy walking in the great outdoors.

The competition was open to all schools who were working towards or who had achieved National Healthy Schools Status, which was set up by the government after a campaign from Jamie Oliver.

Portland College, a college for children with special needs in Sunderland won the competition.
The winners came along to the brasher offices with their headteacher Mr Ross and Lee Murdoch from Healthy Schools Programme where they were presented with their boots by Andy Loeber, brasher Managing Director.

The pupils were delighted with their new brasher footwear and socks which they'll soon be wearing out on the trails as the school has recently set up the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

Photograph courtesy of the Sunderland Echo.

Celebrities in brasher and the National Press!

Our lightweight Supalite GTX leather boots have been chosen by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as one of the 60 presents she be giving to Prince Charles on his 60th birthday on November 14th.

Anne Widdecombe is another famous face who recently appeared in the press wearing brasher boots. Anne who was photographed wearing a pair of Hillmaster's on Dartmoor is a keen walker and loves spending time in the countryside.

In February 2009, Annie Harriman will be bravely attempting a 7 day trek across the Arctic to raise money for Motor Neurone disease.

"Along with my 10 fellow adventurers and a team of six dogs I will be covering over 70km a day, setting up camp in -40 degrees temperatures.

For those of you who know me, you will know that this is going to be a huge challenge. I'm less than fit and have only taken up exercise after starting to work for brasher through my creative agency Artisan.
I'm in the gym now everyday up until I start the challenge in February. I've taken to walking at every opportunity and find myself getting hooked on the great outdors more and more.

My blog will be updated monthly and I will keep you posted of both my fundraising effort and my attempt at shedding 3 stone and getting Arctic fit!

Please help me raise 10K for Motor Neurone Disease Association by sponsoring me through my just giving website at
www.justgiving.com/annieharriman

Thanking you in advance."

Remember to keep checking out Annie's progress which will be updated monthly.