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March 1, 2023

New Balance’s Rainier Boot – The Hiking Hybrid You Didn’t Know You Needed

The New Balance Rainier silhouette was first introduced back in 1982, and was crafted upon the advice of well know mountain expert Lou Whittaker.

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Following a mountainside accident on an ascent up Mt Rainier, Lou claimed that it was his breathable and comfortable trainers that saved his feet from a possible amputation incident. While he praised the trainers that saved his skin, he did note that they lacked the support and grip that was needed for a hillside ascent. He formulated an idea for a trainer-boot hybrid that would combine the best of both worlds, and took it to New Balance owner Jim Davis, and in 1982 the Rainier Boot was born.

It arrived crafted to Lou’s request, a lightweight boot with a trainer like construction. To the upper a mesh base offered breathability while a leather or suede outer panel protected the wearer from rocks and rubble. Metal eyelets offered secure lacing and subtle branding was offered in the form of ‘NB’ embroidery to the Rainiers side panels. Underfoot a rubber sole provided traction and grip on loose ground, making any mountainside ascent a breeze. The model proved popular and only two years after its creation, it was used to achieve the greatest feat of all, summiting Everest.

Following Teddy Santis’ revival of the model in a New Balance x Aime Leon Dore Collaboration in 2022, New Balance have re-released the style to demanding consumers. Updating it with a Vibram outsole, but remaining true to the rest of the OG construction, this Rainier Boot arrives as functional as it ever has been. While now it is viewed as more of a lifestyle boot, there’s no doubt that it doesn’t pack a punch (or kick?) when it comes to vigorous hiking… Did we mention that someone has climbed Everest in these?

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Retailing at just £149.00, you can pick up a pair online or in-store now at Aphrodite Clothing,

Browse our range of New Balance

December 7, 2021

Paraboot Bergerac Boot : Tradition Meets Innovation

Steeped in heritage, the Paraboot Bergerac boot is a fusion of tradition, adventure and innovation.

The brand was named after the Para region in Amazonia, where the brand’s innovative rubber soles were sourced. Paraboot shoes and boots have a timeless appeal that transcends trends and fashion, for over 100 years, the family-owned company has been making stylishly functional shoes and boots in France.

The Paraboot Bergerac boot is a classic silhouette built using traditional craftsmanship, these Bergerac boots from Paraboot feature premium leather uppers alongside a sturdy and rugged stitched sole to ensure comfort and grip. Paraboot’s success has been long-lasting, the brand insistence on using the finest materials has served them well. The manufacturing process consists of over 150 different tasks carried out by hand, from crafting the soles to packaging, running through leather cutting, stitching, assembly and finishing. It’s a process over 100 years old, first carried out in 1908 when the company was formed.

A classic silhouette, the Paraboot Bergerac boot is crafted using a Norwegian welt. A technique in which Paraboot is the world leader. The process consists of stitching the upper to the sole using a welt, with both seams remaining visible. This ensures that the boot is comfortable, sturdy and waterproof. The upper of the boot is fixed to the sole giving the Bergerac Boot that distinctive look.

The Paraboot silhouette features a premium leather upper, helping the boot to stay waterproof and comfy all year round. The leather is meticulously pressed in their own factory in France and inspected by hand for the perfect cut of material. To produce a seamless look to the outdoor boot. While the sole of the boot is produced using a vulcanization blend which helps improve the rubber. The process makes the sole of the boot comfier, highly flexible and wholly resistant, helping the boot last for longer. The Bergerac Boot is finalised with added detailing to the collar of the boot, which is complete with a Paraboot logo tag to help complete the look.

The Paraboot Bergerac Boots are now available to buy online and in store in various colours

November 4, 2021

Danner Mountain Light Pettygrove Boots

Arriving on our doorstep in a classic brown colourway, Danner presents their Mountain Light Prettygrove Boots for the new season. For more than 40 years, the Danner Mountain Light has set the gold standard for any rigorous footwear looking to hit the market, and in that time, nothing has ever managed to dethrone this stellar silhouette.

The story of these handmade boots begins when Charles Danner founded the company in 1932 with the intention to make high-quality boots that were durable. His ideas became reality as here we are presenting this premium pair of boots to your wardrobe. A fresh approach has been introduced to this latest model thanks to Dri-Lex. Ideal for warm-to-hot conditions, Dri-Lex provides rapid drying whilst resisting odor and mildew and being completely breathable. Constructed from rich and durable suede, this boot has a distinctive hiking-inspired look and offers a high level of comfort and support. The classic lacing system incorporates a traditional look which is commonly found in outdoor styles.

Inspired by Danner’s original Airthotic instep cup, the interior of this updated boot boasts an Ortholite cushion which increases the spring in your step, softening each stride throughout the streets. One of the main assets of the shoe, the Vibram Christy outsole, completes the design. This soft rubber compound guarantees traction atop various terrain, ideal for any of the activities you have planned this autumn and winter.

Choose to pair the Danner Mountain Light Pettygrove with laces in brown or gold – depending on your mood or pursuit. We’re pretty confident that these boots could be the last pair that you will ever need to buy. The winning combination of premium suede, Danner wedge outsole, and classic hiking aesthetic will keep them feeling relevant for years to come.

Wear with trousers or jeans for a casual look, or style with your hiking gear for a day full of adventures.

Shop the Danner Mountain Light Pettygrove Boots

September 23, 2021

Astorflex Greenflex : Pure Italian Elegance

As far as desert boots go, the Astorflex Greenflex is the crème de la crème. You won’t catch this lauded Italian label cutting corners when it comes to both quality and craftsmanship; the beloved silhouette is developed meticulously each season for the brand’s core collection and is made in line with traditional European manufacturing processes.

Steeped In Rich Italian Heritage

Astorflex boasts a colourful enterprise that dates all the way back to the early 1900s where it first produced clogs – a wooden shoe that was superbly popular back in its day, and still is in some places now, for example in European hotspots Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Although the clog remained ubiquitous in several regions, Italy eventually fell out of love with the clog and that’s when Astorflex began evolving, turning its attention to much more supple fabrics like suede and leather… Enter the desert boot.

Available In Multiple Colours

A trio of versatile shades – whiskey, stone and dark chestnut – the Astorflex Greenflex oozes elegance with its low-profile construction, sleek and simple lacing structure, and durable crepe sole. Handcrafted using suede that’s been sourced locally in Tuscany, the Astorflex Greenflex is rich in style and substance and is an easy match for a number of items in your rotation. Whether you’re looking to pair the boot with formal fits or casual clobber, rest assured that it’s built to work for both.

Underfoot, a natural rubber crepe sole is present, offering the wearer superior comfort that lasts, so no matter if your pursuit takes an hour or all day, you’ll never absorb shock or discomfort from the ground. Plus the natural rubber makes this shoe an eco-friendly choice for the style and the planet-conscious.

Premium, classy and sure to never go out of style, create space in your collection for the Astorflex Greenflex this autumn. Read More about the history of the brand in our Astorflex brand guide.

Shop The Astorflex Greenflex Collection

January 30, 2019

Cold Weather Essentials

It’s brass, the possibility of snow is inevitable and you can’t keep wearing all your clothes at once to try and stay warm. Desperate times call for desperate measures and what you need is some reliable, durable and protective gear to see you through mother natures worst. Robust denim, a Thick jacket, cosy beanie, tough boots and of course the all-important colourful socks. Behold, the answer to all your winter woes.

Unless you plan on hibernating until spring has sprung then the threat of snow looming on the horizon may have you shaking in your suede shoes. When it comes to cold, wet, generally unpleasant weather the truth is you just can’t go wrong with a premium pair of leather boots. We chose the Avoriaz Jannu from Paraboot. Handmade in France for the toughest terrain the boots feature a padded collar and tongue for exceptional comfort as well as a double-stitched Norwegian welt commando sole for grip, support and sturdiness. Top it all off with some heavy duty striped laces and a rich waxy brown colour for a touch of mature styling and watch your icey fears melt away. But, of course what is a good pair of boots without a really nice set of socks to go with them? Luckily for us our cold weather fellow northerners across the pond, Norse Projects have just supplied us a fresh batch of their twisted cotton yarn socks in yellow, purple and, the colour we decided to opt for, red. Very nice indeed.

Next on the list is a jacket. What jacket? The jokers among you may ask and for that, we’d give you a solid exhale from the nostrils and a firm shake of the head. But we aren’t here to joke around not when it comes to waiting for the bus in below freezing. We’re looking for water and wind resistance, a warm lining and plenty of embedded functionality, let us introduce you to the Wyndham parka from Canada Goose. With the brands signature down filling, a removable fur ruff lined hood, rib knit cuffs and a total of 6 pockets including, fleece lined hand warmers, the jacket is designed with extreme conditions and the coldest climates in mind. Finished with a two-way heavy duty zip with additional press stud flap and the Canada Goose patch to the arm this coat makes all the right moves when it comes to keeping you nice and toasty on your urban escapades. Nipping out on a teabag run at work? No worries. Football match? See you there. The beach in -6°C? Lets do it.

For those of us who have ever got caught in the rain in a pair of sweatpants we know it’s less than ideal. Couple this with the harsh frost ladened winds and you’ve got yourself a pretty abysmal time by all accounts. Well, try not to beat yourself up too much because, as we all know, after the rain comes a rainbow, in this case, a rainbow pair of selvage denim from Edwin. Cut from a 12.8oz denim with a mid-rise and relaxed, tapered fit, the jeans are robust enough to last you a lifetime without sacrificing on comfort. Made in the Kuroki Mill in Japan the denim is complete with signature Edwin branding to the back and some delightful stitch detailing.

Did you know the majority of your heat escapes through your head? Well, that’s what everyone reckons anyway. Regardless throwing on a beanie at this time of year is never not a good idea. To finish our look off we decided to go for some subtle matching, pairing an olive Canada Goose beanie with the tones found throughout the camo patterning. Made from a thick 100% wool for both a quality fit and insulating properties, it boasts the unmistakable Canada Goose seal of approval to the front ensuring everyone you pass on the streets knows you mean business.

So there we have it some of our top picks to see you through to the summer. You can find all of the products shown above online and in store right now as well as a wide offering of other boots, coats, legwear and accessories.

Shop Cold Weather Essentials Now

October 18, 2018

Danner Store Visit

We recently took a visit from our good friend Frank from Danner for a primer on the brand, its provenance, and a hands-on experience on just what makes their boots so special.

Unlike in the US, Danner has a relatively low profile in Europe – in fact, Danner’s UK distribution is handled by Frank and a sole business partner – so it was great to hear about the ins and outs of the brand from someone with so much passion and expertise. Not only that, but we were able to get a sneak preview of what’s to come for the next couple of seasons: keep your eyes on our social channels for more information soon!

Big thanks to Frank and Danner for taking the time to pay us a visit. Check out our Danner brand guide to learn more about Danner for yourself, then shop the range to grab a pair of these fantastic boots.

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December 4, 2017

Fracap AW17 New Arrivals

The Italian brand Fracap are renowned for their crafting of impeccable footwear. Ideal for all seasons, a pair of trusted Fracap boots would make a practical and timeless addition to your premium shoe collection. New styles have recently dropped here at Aphrodite, so we’re going to tell you all about them (we’re nice like that).

First up is the M120 Indian Suede Boot in Camel. A flawless silhouette in a light brown colour-way, with striking red laces to decorate. The Indian Suede boot is fully lined with leather, with hiking inspired eyelets and a flexible white vibram sole which also have a strong grip for the icy days. If you’d prefer a darker colour, the same silhouette is available in taupe, with a slightly darker vibram sole. The same boots are also available in a dark brown and yellow leather if you’d prefer a different look which will also make a statement.

The statement Scarponcino returns this season in a grey suede colour-way. With a clean look, the Scarponcino sits upon the durable Vibram sole to assist in the tough weather conditions.

Built to last, the Scarponcino is also available in a black leather colour-way, a staple colour-way which will match almost any laid-back outfit. A pair of Fracaps is just what you need if you like to see quality craftsmanship in your shoes.

A wide range of designer boots for men are available from Aphrodite.

September 26, 2017

New Red Wing Styles Arrive for Autumn

Summer is rapidly approaching its end: with the chill in the air, out goes the lightweight wardrobe and in comes knitwear, heavier denim and more robust footwear. And as any boot aficionado will tell you, they don’t come much more robust than Red Wings.

For Autumn 2017, the Minnesota-based brand present a brace of new styles, along with reworkings of old favourites. The Rover boot, for instance, is a handsome boot that’s partway between the Iron Ranger and classic Round-Toe styles, and is made up in the brand’s oil-tanned Rough & Tough leather on a coffee-coloured Comfort Crepe sole for the perfect blend of versatile good looks and all day comfort.

Elsewhere we see subtle twists on the classics, with the 6” Moc Toe boot swapping out its white Cushion sole for a sleek black Traction Tred option, while the Iron Ranger boot is decked out in Hawthorne Muleskinner roughout leather, which combines the casual look of suede with the hardwearing nature of full-grain leather for the perfect autumn boot. Finally, the smart Blacksmith boot appears in both oil-tanned leather and the new Spitfire waxed roughout leather.

Whichever style catches your fancy, you’re ensured to be rewarded for your investment with a bulletproof, good-looking and timeless pair of boots. The new Red Wing collection is available from Aphrodite Clothing now.

September 21, 2017

Grenson Factory Tour

Grenson Factory Tour

Aphrodite recently had the privilege of receiving an invitation for a guided tour of the famous Grenson factory with a cheeky interview with the Owner and Creative Director Tim Little. Situated in Northampton, the most recent premises have been occupied by the brand since 2013, after the move in 1895, when the then owner William Green and his team had outgrown the previous premises. Needless to say, the new state of the art factory is a modern, warm, clean and efficient move for the company.

The factory is situated in a modern industrial estate and has all the hallmarks of a working factory. With the classic metal structure to the building, the front section has been given a wooden clad exterior, which has started to age beautifully while the Grenson branding and logo can be seen in contrasting red to the front – a simple representation of the brand and the products they create.

Tim Little interview

Upon arrival, we were greeted by some cheery staff then escorted straight up to meet Tim Little, the current Owner and Creative Director of the brand. Tim bought out the previous owners, the Green family in 2010 and since then has evolved the business, opening more stores, adding high end accounts to their books, which in turn has Kickstarted their expansion into the highest quality wholesale distribution, and entered the digital world with an e-commerce website.
Aphrodite had the pleasure of interviewing Tim in his office and creative space. The office space had been designed with an open plan, free flowing feel with plenty of windows, which allows Tim to overlook the entire factory. Below shows a teaser of the Interview.

View the full Tim Little and Aphrodite Interview and supporting blog post

Factory floor tour

We were given our guided tour by a lovely chatty man called Roger Tiffnail. Roger has worked at Grenson for 35 years and has worked on all parts of the production process, but his current role is a pattern cutter. So who better to give us a tour, all questions we asked was answered without a second thought and he is a credit to the company. Thanks Roger!

The below video shows a behind the scenes look at the shoe making process at the Grenson factory.

One of the first things to hit us when we entered the factory floor was the noise and smell, a mixture of leather, chemicals greeted us. The full factory is one massive open floor space, split into sections for different procedures, prepping, assembling and finishing. Each section then has a number of sub sections, making the whole process a team effort.

Prepping
- Cutting
- Skiving
- Perforating
- Machine closing

Assembling
- Welted (Triple welts)
- Trimming
- Cork filling
- Neoprene cementing
- Sole layering
- Riveting

Finishing
- Gentleman’s corner (cut to the heel)
- Trim fore part
- Edge colouring
- Waxing
- Creasing
- Bottom scouring

The factory only make Triple welt styles and produce on average 30-50 pairs of shoes and boots a week. All parts of every shoe made in the Northampton factory are made at the factory, no parts are made in other countries and shipped in, so each and every shoe is 100% made in England, which is a massive selling point for the British brand. The factory also offer a repair service, with repairs on all types of Grensons being made here from new soles, to polishing to full services to bring some old favorites back to life.

Everyone at Aphrodite would just like to say a massive thank you to Grenson for giving us the opportunity to come and pester you for a day, especially Tim Little and Roger Tuffnail.

Aphrodite stock a wide range Grenson Shoes and Grenson Boots including Triple Welt styles which are available online and in-store.

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