Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/652998
Awards of Awards of S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 6 6 Clothing – RuSSeLL MOCCASIN HIGH COuNTRy HuNTeR exTReMe N ot too many years ago building a boot was simply a matter of stitching a few pieces of cowhide onto a hard rubber sole. Today, boot-making has become a complex process involving a variety of high-tech components and special treatments. That's certainly the case in Russell's High Country Hunter Extreme. This new boot has a single-piece Air Bob Sole that bridges the gap between the arch and the ball of the foot for added support and vastly improved longevity. The Air Bob Sole and its hollow, air-filled cleats give and grab, providing superior traction. The boot's Pecos Gaucho leather is a waxy, rugged nubuck leather with a high degree of water repellency. The Extreme also features a True-Fit fiberglass shank (68 percent lighter than steel but equally strong) that solidifies the arch area and makes the boot more rigid for sure-footed traction. For those long treks, the 12-inch boot has a thick bottom layer of Poron Technical Foam that doesn't compress under walking pressure. The uppers are lined in Turtleskin and leather, providing superb lower leg and ankle support. Available in both men's and women's sizes. www.russellmoccasin.com xcel E xcel E Our 15th annual Awards of Excellence once again salutes the "best of the best"—those companies and individuals whose products and services are having a significant and long-lasting impact on our sporting lives. Nominees for the awards are submitted by our senior and contributing editors, then finalized by the Sporting Classics staff. The honorees were chosen for their achievements in defining what a great sporting product should be. Their engineering, craftsmanship, and innovations have set higher standards than ever before.