Another Great British shoe from none other than Shoeburyness in Essex, HI-TEC are a relative newcomer to the world of performance sports trainers coming into existence in 1974.
Originally created for the growing sport of Squash, HI-TEC produced a revolutionary shoe which was perfect for the indoor arena, and is used as much today as it was over 35 years ago. The HI-TEC Squash shoe continues to give amazing grip and comfort and has seen it become Britain’s best selling sports shoe of all time.
Since the launch of the squash shoe, HI-TEC have produced over 500 styles selling in over 80 countries worldwide catering to indoor and outdoor court sports, golf, running, cross-training, hiking and extreme sportswear, in addition to cool styles for street wear.
For the hardened outdoor enthusiast HI-TEC developed the Terra Active range, offering a more rugged shoe for a more rugged environment. Widely regarded as one of the best of its type, HI-TEC have also committed to increasing comfort whilst decreasing damage to the environment and have produced the first National Trust backed footwear range in the stylish Altitude Enviro WPi.
From the shoe design to the packaging, the shoes are one of the most environmentally friendly footwear choices, using vegetable tanned leather for the uppers, recycled metal shanks and recycled rubber in the outsole and water based adhesives to keep it all together. Designed for the whole family, there is no better shoe for maximum protection, minimum weight, and minimal environmental damage.
With a name such as HI-TEC, they have made a rod for their own backs. However from the very beginning they have been developing the latest technology in response to the biomechanical needs of the feet. Extensive engineering and analysis of movement has helped HI-TEC to develop their own technologies to increase comfort and support whilst reducing the weight of the shoes. HI-Tec regularly conduct competitor analysis studies to ensure their models are kept head and shoulders above the competition. Their mission is to produce shoes which are 10-15% lighter than the competition, without compromising performance.
For weight reduction, V-Lite provides a vertical build construction consisting of 5 elements each custom crafted out of high grade components to reduce weight and increase performance. To reduce the weight further, large Vibram outsole lugs have been redesigned into a low profile tread, without reducing grip. A Stabila Flex footboard provides maximum protection, and lightweight quick dry uppers combine to give amazing agility and performance.
The 4:Sys midsole is the result of extensive biomechanical engineering to recreate barefoot walking. Highly elastic, it retains the pressure generated on contact with the ground and releases it into the next step for maximum performance with the least energy expenditure.
However it is the world of golf which is seeing the greatest benefits from HI-Tec of late. With the help of Padraig Harrington, HI-TEC set out to create a golf shoe which enhances the swing, and increase power and accuracy. Even HI-Tec thought they were on a fool’s errand with this one, but a lot of hard work later and the CDT power shoe was created. It remains the single most important footwear choice in the game. The shoe is split down the middle, with boosted grip and torsion control on the outside of the foot, cutting back on the inside to give the maximum grip to transfer full power from the hips into the swing, giving greater length and more accuracy. It is a marvel of golfing footwear design.
For the greatest feel, the maximum comfort, the least effort, and the most comfortable shoes, no matter what your chosen sport, Hi-Tec clearly demonstrate British shoe design at its best. They truly earn their position as a world leader in fitness footwear at the highest echelons of sport.