What are the Mission Leather Mid's?
These approach shoes from Black Diamond are designed with technical terrain in mind. They're suitable for hiking, hill walking and scrambling in all weathers, with super grippy rubber on the outsole and BD.dry™ lining for extra weather resistance.
What are they made of?
Upper: The upper uses a tough, high grade nubuck leather. Nubuck leather is much more breathable than regular leather, helping promote temperature regulation and eradicate the feeling of sweaty feet! It's also water resistant, offering extra defence from the elements when you need it most.
Midsole: An EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) midsole offers comfort and flexibility whilst still feeling structured and supportive around the foot. EVA midsoles are great for walking boots as they are very durable to resist wear from abrasion and heavy use.
Outsole: The outsole is constructed using BlackLabel-Mountain rubber, a high-performance, super sticky rubber. This rubber is excellent for enhanced grip to support you in wet, muddy conditions or when scrambling up slippery rocks.
Lining: BD.dry™ is used to line the shoes. BD.dry™ is Black Diamond's own waterproof fabric. It is also breathable and windproof, offering the ultimate protection in challenging conditions whilst feeling cosy and comfortable around the foot.
What are the features?
Starting at the ankle of the shoes, they are mid-height to provide additional coverage and stability in craggy terrain, perfect for a mountain hike in the Lakes. The ankle and gusseted tongue are fully padded, which feels soft and cushiony to offer increased protection from loose surfaces, helping to prevent scree intrusion. Full lace-up ankle support keeps the boot tucked in, which again helps prevent scree and loose rocks sneaking into the shoes when you're on the move. Draw the laces tight for maximum performance and enhance the overall fit - the laces help to pull in each side of the boot for improved support so you can crack on with your adventure without worrying about sore, uncomfortable footwear.
Stitching and seams of the boot are strategically placed in less exposed areas to help minimise wear, making them much more durable and helping to increase the shoes' lifespan.
The combination of nubuck leather on the upper and a BD.dry™ lining allows you to cross streams and hike through puddles with no problem, making them a perfect all-weather shoe for exploring challenging routes up Kinder Scout or around the Brecon Beacons. With the Mission Leather Approach Shoes, you'll never be put off by wet weather again.
A tuned EVA midsole makes great support around the foot and provides ample stiffness and precision to get through steep, vertical terrain, alongside the climbing forefoot and toe cap construction. Built into the shoes are a heel brake and midfoot shank - a supportive structure that sits between the insole and outsole, underneath the foot's arch to offer extra support when climbing Via Ferrata.
Around the foot's base is where these shoes get even more technical. BlackLabel-Mountain rubber offers a solid grip on smooth or slippery surfaces, thanks to its super sticky texture. There are deep, high traction lugs for extra grip, which maximise hold on soft ground and mud.
Features:
- Padded ankle provides protection from scree intrusion
- Lace up ankle support for security in rugged terrain
- Waterproof + breathable BD.dry™ lining
- Highest grade Nubuck leather upper
- BlackLabel-Mountain rubber is high performance sticky rubber
- Rubber heel rand and toe cap provide foot protection and abrasion resistance
- Climbing forefoot and toecap construction for precision on rock
- High traction lugs for mud, still include the climbing capability with added soft terrain security
- Heel brake and midfoot shank makes aid walls and via ferrata comfortable
- Fully gusseted tongue is padded for maximum comfort and keeping dirt and debris out
- Minimal and intentional stitch placement for minimum exposure to wear