Taunton Leisure stocks vegan walking boots to meet growing demand

WALKERS and hikers from Devon wishing to have boots made from non-animal components and materials can now walk-away with the latest vegan outdoor footwear thanks to Taunton Leisure – Exeter (2019).

The family-run, independent retailer on Fore Street in Exeter is stocking the new Dalesway Vegan Walking Boot, which has no animal derived parts, including adhesives, to help meet customer demand.

Store Manager, Nick Baron said: “We’re increasingly being asked by vegetarians and vegans for alternatives to the traditional, high-end leather-based walking boots that we stock and we’re offering this new range to help meet growing demand.

“More and more people are removing animal products from their diet and lifestyle due to environmental concerns, fears about animal cruelty, for health reasons or a combination of all three.

“More than 3.5 million people in Britain are vegan, approximately 7 per cent of the population. This is a huge leap from 2016, according to The Vegan Society, when the number of vegans over the age of 15 was around 500,000.”

Taunton Leisure on Fore Street in Exeter has been helping its customers get the right clothing, footwear and outdoor leisure equipment for decades.

“The Dalesway Vegan is made by the traditional British outdoor footwear company, Altberg. It designs and handcrafts its boots in factories in the UK and some are manufactured in Italy, the home of exceptional boot-making.

“The Dalesway Vegan is a two-three season boot made from non-animal components and materials. It gives the same performance and support as the rest of the Altberg two-three season range of boots, however the materials and components used are non-animal.

“Animal-derived glue is often made by boiling an animal’s connective tissue or bones, so even if you purchase leather free shoes, they still may not be vegan-friendly, hence why Altberg have created these walking boots. 

“We’ve tested the Dalesway Vegan thoroughly in-house and they are comfortable and robust, so we are more than happy to recommend them to our customers. The upper is breathable, waterproof and the midsole excellent for medium to rough terrain. The boots are lined with a waterproof lining and are the lightest weight boot in the Altberg two-three season range.”

Customers travel specifically to visit the store as it is well-known and respected for its specialist expertise and skills, including its boot fitting and rucksack fitting services.

From walking boots to climbing shoes or tents to outdoor cookware, Taunton Leisure supplies more than 3,500 products online or in-store and has friendly knowledgeable staff on hand to offer expert advice too.

Taunton Leisure, which has stores in Bristol and Taunton as well, stocks well-known brands such as Altberg, Rab, The North Face, Vango, Outwell, Osprey, Mountain Equipment and Meindl to name a few.

It also provides niche products and is the only retailer in the UK to sell Snow Peak Titanium Cookware.

For more information, please visit Taunton Leisure on Fore Street in Exeter or www.tauntonleisure.com. Alternatively, please call 01392 410534 or connect via https://www.facebook.com/TauntonLeisure/ or https://twitter.com/tauntonleisure.