Give it some welly - stylish shooting and stalking boots

Brandecosse is a family business started in 2008 by husband and wife team Jane and Mark Trueman that could well be the answer to your prayers. Mark worked in the waterproof footwear world for decades, working for and with brands like Hunter, the once-ubiquitous fieldboot of choice for the shooting fraternity. Mark being a lifelong angler and keen shot, saw a gap in the market for tough, waterproof boots that were handmade using old-school bootmaking skills.

The Trueman family created a partnership with another family-run business, the Italian bootmaking experts Calzaturificio Diemme. The company was founded by two lifelong bootmakers, Dennis and Maico Signore. After leaving school the two brothers worked in their family’s footwear factories, before starting Calzaturificio Diemme to focus on designing and making traditional alpine footwear. Brandecosse is a true marriage of expertise between Mark’s market-understanding and CD’s craftsmanship.

Brandecosse’s boots are developed in Scotland, by Mark with styling assistance from his daughter Amelia - who is a design and textiles student - and handmade by Calzaturificio Diemme near Montebelluna, at the foot of the Alps and for many years the heart of Italian footwear manufacturing.

 

 

The design and manufacturing process, as explained to me by Josh Trueman, Mark and Jane’s son and head of marketing for Brandecosse, is eerily reminiscent of the principals under which the new INEOS Grenadier off-roader is being created: “Our boots are designed from the ground up,” he said. “And with a clear purpose.” Specifically, the boots are styled to appeal to the country lifestyle, while remaining resolutely practical and durable.
 

Reno and Maria: Ladies tall boots

He goes on to explain that both Brandecosse’s tall boots and lace-up boots feature an ‘alpine or flexible welt’, which means that the outsole is cemented to a two-layer midsole stitched directly to the upper. This construction can reduce the overall weight compared to the more common country boots, where the rubber sole is cemented directly to the upper making them difficult to repair. Using a welted construction prolongs the life of the boots, since the sole can be easily and cheaply replaced at almost any trusted cobbler.
 

To ensure that you can always trust your feet, even on slippery and tough ground, Vibram outsoles are used across the whole range. From here, the rest of the boot is made from only the highest quality 2.7mm thick, locally tanned Italian leather. This makes the boots incredibly durable and rugged, as well as offering excellent waterproofing. However, to ensure that your feet remain dry there is a fully waterproof and breathable Sympatex® H2Out lining. All of this means that with care these boots should last for years.

Brandecosse have a small but comprehensive range of boots. “We want to cover all the bases,” says Josh. “We do men’s and lady’s tall boots, and all of our lace-up boots are available in both men’s and women’s sizes."

 

A lace up boot for any situation
 

The lace up range covers all calf lengths and from the 7” Fagiano walking boot up to the 11” Cervo Rosso with a rubber scuff cap which is ideal for when conditions get tough, and the tall boots have a variety of options including a British shearling wool lining for that extra bit of warmth for those chilly days.

 

Shooting photographer and film-maker Jonathan McGee is a huge fan, so I asked him what it is that he loves about Brandecosse boots. He told me:  "Back in the days of covering shoot days I spent a good deal of my time on my feet be it filming or taking photos. I wanted a boot that was robust enough for a day walking up the moors in wet weather yet smart enough for hosting a day or standing on peg on a glamorous driven day."

He went on: "I prayed that these would be the solution, having tried all the alternatives and found them all wanting." Brandecosse, he says, were the solution he was looking for. "I've now owned Brandecosse boots for almost 4 years and haven't looked back," adding that he now owns several different styles. “It's a tough decision between all the boots. The Cervo is my go-to for deer stalking, shooting and walking as they are simply perfect for this.”

 

 

Earlier in the season Jonathan prefers the lightweight Fagiano, saying: “It is good for drier days on stubble for early season shooting.” But, he explains, on chillier days: “I use the warm Rubicon like most would wellies, as the shearling wool lining keeps your feet so toasty.”

 

 

But so far this season, Jonathan says that he’s been living in the Capriolos. “The style was launched only a few weeks ago and I've yet to take them off!” he says.

 

 

For more information about Brandecosse and their entire range, visit their website.

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