Held Annone 2 GTX boots in black

The Held Annone 2 GTX is a mid-height boot. At 24 cm high it's about 7 cm shorter than its predecessor: the original Annone GTX.

 

The chassis of the boot is a full-grain cowhide. Now everybody claims that their boots are made from a full-grain cowhide, but sometimes when I look at such boots I cannot detect any grain. Often the leather feels more like plastic. But not here. Cows have definitely made their contribution to the Annone, as indeed they did do with the previous model.

 

For waterproofing you get Gore's soft, padded, waterproof liner that's identical to the one you'll find in a Daytona boot. And, of course, what that means is that waterproofing is guaranteed for life. And it's a guarantee that stands up. If in 10 years' time your Annone boot leaks, you send it off for independent testing. If the test centre agrees with you, they will tell Gore, and Gore will send you a new pair. It really is as simple and straightforward as that.

 

Of course, there is one slight issue that might be worth mentioning here. On a pari-pasu basis a shorter boot will never be as waterproof as a taller one. And that's because rain hitting the road and bouncing up will find it easier to get over the shaft of a lower boot than over the shaft of a taller one.

 

Now the Annone is a long way from being an ankle boot, but if you commute all through the winter in the worst of conditions a taller boot tends to edge things in your favour, especially if your trouser is a little on the shorter side. What we really like is for there to be a good three or four inches of coverage from the hem of the trouser to the top of the shaft of the boot. And that is going to be less likely with the new Annone than it might have been with the old one.

 

As with the old boot you get twin zips for easy entry and exit, and as the zips go all the way down almost to the sole this will be a fairly easy boot to get into and out of, although you still have to negotiate the inner waterproof 'bootie'.

 

At the back of the boot, there's a small calf adjuster. In the heel and forefoot you get some padded concertina panelling to make the boot both easier to ride in and walk in.

 

In the toe box you get a super-strong counter. You get something similarly industrial grade in the heel. You also, of course, get pucks to protect the ankles. Obviously there's a gearchange pad on the toe. The shin is protected with a hard protector.

 

The package is finished off with a hard-wearing Vibram sole.