wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (10/19/84)
Over the past few years, I have seen many companies introduce hiking or sport boots which look different from the traditional design. One of the main differences I've noticed is that one of the eyelets or lacing points is set back from the others, so that the line of lacing points has an apparent "interruption". At the point the ankle joins the foot, the eyelet, grommet, or loop is set not at the edge of the front flaps of the boot, but back a ways on the sides. (I tried to draw this on-line, but couldn't make a decent picture; I think anyone who has looked at an outdoor-supply catalog recently has noticed this on a number of the boots pictured, though.) I have never seen an explanation for this design. Is it supposed to allow the foot/ankle joint to flex more freely? If it really is an improvement, why don't all boots now have this change? Or is it a gimmick? I'd appreciate comments or discussion from those experienced in such matters. Regards, Will Martin USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin or ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA