Limmer Boot Ergonomics!

    The five areas of ergonomic research offer a useful basis with which to criticize, praise, or analyze a design. They generally cover all of the bases and prioritize certain aspects of the design. Safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, aesthetics are the five categories with which to base criticism and are ranked in order of importance. I really agree with the priority each area is given. For items designed to be used in rigorous or technical situations, it is especially important to prioritize performance and comfort over aesthetics.
    Limmer boots are quite possibly the optimum example of an ergonomically designed item that adequately addresses each of these areas. For hikers, workers, and general frequenters of the outdoors, feet can be exposed to harsh weather conditions, wet landscapes, heavy pack load, slick boulders, heavy tools, and unstable ground.
    To assure safety, Limmer boots use a seemingly simple design to cover all the bases. The boots use a single piece of full grain cow hide to minimize seams and improve protection from water. Limmers have a reenforced leather fiber heel counter (a piece placed in between the lining and the outsole). The heel counter is present to protect the foot from a side impact and stabilizes the heel within the boot to prevent ankle turning. The boots also use side supports to protect sides and arches from impact. There is a toe box with reinforced fibers to provide protection from falling items. The shoes use a Vibram® sole which is an extremely tough and abrasion resistant bottom to protect feet from sharp protruding objects and to offer grip to prevent slipping.
    In terms of comfort, the single seam and full grain leather feature on Limmer boots protects feet from water which can cause frostbite, colds, and fungal problems. The seam on the boots is located at the concave curve of the arch. Many other shoes use back strap pieces which require back seams. This creates an inflexible, rigid heel which can cause discomfort near the achilles tendon when descending. Seams can also create a ridge which can give the wearer blisters. As the designers stated “Back seams are a perfect example of a design that is not ergonomic.” One piece shoe backs with no seams allow the boots to mold to the wearers heels. Added ergonomically designed ankle and heel padding add needed comfort.
    An open cell foam padded tongue with outer bellows facilitates the ease of use by facilitating the ease of entry while maintaining its water proof qualities. Limmer boot manufacturers create a custom shoe fitted to each foot specifically. If shoes create any discomfort, the company encourages the wearer to return them to the shop for adjustments.
    In terms of performance, these boots are expected to last least ten to fifteen years at least. Among the crews working in the White Mountains, wearing out Limmer boots to a state of disrepair is a rare feat. A friend from a White Mountain trail crew met a retired crew member who worked in the Whites from 1978-1981, wearing the boots everyday. He still sports the boots today, 32 years later.

Check him out.

 (Photo taken by Emily Dalymeyer)

    Limmer boots are attractive because if you know what they are, you know what they can do. Their aesthetic value is high because their simplistic appearance transcends period fashions. In a society where items like shoes barely outlast the rapidly changing fashion tastes, consumers are left with more things that accomplish less individually. Good designs consider the items ability to last and to fulfill its purpose.
   The true effectiveness of their design is seen in consumer reviews and reactions. It has become tradition for hiker to photograph their feet in Limmer boots as the reach challenging and picturesque heights. It must feel good as the designers to know just how effective their product really is.

Here is the first picture sent to Peter Limmer showing the boots on top of Kathmandu in Nepal.

Sources: http://www.limmerboot.com/#