For over seventy years, Ellis Brigham have been at the cutting edge of UK mountain footwear retail. The founder of the company was one of the pioneers of mountain footwear manufacture and people travelled for miles to visit F.R. Brigham's Manchester shop and discuss nailing patterns and other specific requirements. Over the years, we have worked very closely with key European boot manufacturers being the first to bring iconic mountain footwear names such as Galibier, Meindl and Dolomite to the UK market, placing these new brands alongside our best selling FEB Mountain Boot. The last ten years have seen a revolution in outdoor footwear design with the advent of fabric and suede uppers, waterproof breathable inserts and low cut approach footwear. This spring, more than ever, we see new categories emerge to answer the demands of fast moving, multi discipline mountain athletes as well as the reinvention of the classic alpine mountain boot as a light, precise footwear tool. You cannot doubt our commitment to outdoor footwear: we have over 120 different models across all outdoor disciplines with specific women's and children's models from which to choose. Above all, comfort is the key and there is no doubt that whether your outdoor experience leads you to gentle hills and moorland or windswept ridges and craggy alpine peaks, Ellis Brigham's selection and unmatched experience should make us your first choice for outdoor sports footwear.

This category of footwear is designed for steep mountain terrain, often in snow and ice conditions. Delivering maximum longitudinal and torsional support for edging and use with crampons, the latest designs in this category off more ankle flexibility to facilitate precise footwork on the toughest routes. All boots in this category are crampon compatible to some extent, please refer to individual descriptions for more specific crampon use recommendation.

Next Generation mountain footwear for moving light and fast in steep but less extreme mountain terrain. This category is aimed at people who want to leave the valley with one set of footwear and walk, scrambling and climb at moderate grades all day long. Generally not crampon compatible.

Classic British mountain boots for ridges and high level paths. Boots in this category deliver solid reliable performance, often with flexible crampon compatibility for winter mountain walks. This category of footwear is also perfect for rugged alpine walking terrain in the summer months.

From lakeland fells and long distance paths to Morrocan deserts and Nepal treks, this category of comfortable, supportive footwear delivers performance for a broad range of less mountainous but not necessarily less demanding terrain. Including traditional leather boots and low-cut footwear offering increased ventilation, underfoot traction in this area is positive whilst the flex is soft and easy. Many of the shoes in this category have become outdoor lifestyle classics.

Light and Fast. For rough-terrain running, mountain biking, crag approaches and generally moving fast in the great outdoors, this category of footwear is very popular. Traditionalists may quake at the sight of people wearing trainers on the hill but these are no ordinary sports shoes - specifically designed for fit outdoor athletes who demand a unique combination of mountain boot traction and sports shoe fit and comfort. Modern performance and urban lifestyle footwear for the new freeride mindset.

Not just small sizes or miniature versions of men's footwear, we specialise in offering women's boots and shoes specifically designed and lasted to suit the specific morphology of the female foot.

Check out our competitor's ranges - less than 30 models, very few half sizes: our 120 plus models are generally offered in half or continental sizes, meaning that your perfect fit is far easier to achieve.

BOOT & CRAMPON COMPATIBILITY (by Nigel Shepherd)
It is vitally important that you select the correct crampon for the boots you are going to use on snow and ice. Inappropriate compatibility is extremely dangerous. Some years ago a grading system for compatibility was introduced which works very well. The grading system was devised by Mountaineer and Mountain Guide, Brian Hall on behalf of Scarpa. It should be stressed that these are only guidelines and should be used as a supplement (not a substitute) for good advice from experienced shop staff, experienced mountaineers or mountain guides.

CRAMPONS
Crampons are made for different purposes - walking, mountaineering and ice climbing and need to be compatible with the boots they are fitted to so they work in harmony. Even relatively stiff boots can flex and the crampon has to be able to flex and twist to stay safely on the boot. Crampons have two components which define their use and hence their grade. The metal spiked base, which can be hinged (articulated) or rigid depending on model and the strapping or binding system which secures them to the boot.
C3 - Technical climbing crampons which can be articulated or fully rigid technical crampon attached by full clip-on system of toe bar and heel clip.
C2 - Articulated multi-purpose mountaineering crampon with 10 or 12 points including front points. Attached with straps all round or straps at the front (ideally with a French ring system) and clip-on heel.
C1 - These crampons are used for walking. They are generally made as a hinged flexible 8 to 10 point crampon with or without front points attached with straps.
Boots in the B3 category are ideal for C3 crampons and will also take C2 and C1. Boots in the B2 category will also take a C1 crampon. At the other end of the spectrum a B1 boot could only be recommended with a C1 crampon.

BOOTS
B3 - Technical mountaineering and climbing boots are designed to have a rigid midsole and upper to provide support when climbing. Their stiff sole provides a platform to fit any type of crampon including totally rigid C3 ice climbing crampons.
B2 - Leather mountaineering and four season mountain walking boots have a stiff flex with the equivalent of a three quarter or full shank midsole and a supportive upper made from high quality leather (probably over 3mm thick). These boots can be typically used all day with C1 or C2 crampons, for example on the easiest Scottish snow and ice climbs and straightforward alpine glacial terrain.
B1 - Four season hill walking boots usually have a reasonably stiff flexing sole and the uppers provide enough ankle and foot support for traversing relatively steep slopes. When fitted with certain types of flexible C1 crampons they are suitable for the easiest snow and ice conditions found when hill walking. They are for emergency and occasional use when crossing a short patch of snow or ice, rather than setting out initially fitted for a full days walk.
B0 - Most two and three season walking boots are not recommended for crampon use. They are designed to flex for comfort and do not have sufficient lateral and longitudinal rigidity in their midsole and as a result crampons cannot be fitted securely and may fall off in potentially dangerous situations. Additionally the upper is often made of soft calf leather or a combination of suede/fabric that compresses easily under crampon straps causing discomfort and cold feet.