In 1924, British mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine set out to conquer Mount Everest and become the first climbers to reach the top of the world’s highest peak. Their fateful disappearance remains one of history’s greatest mysteries, but a century later, their legacy and explorative spirit live on. This autumn, identical twins and adventurers Hugo and Ross Turner (known as the Turner Twins) are heading to the Himalayas – and taking Mallory and Irvine’s 1924 Everest kit for a pioneering scientific expedition.

As the twins scale Mera Peak (Nepal’s highest trekking mountain at 6,476m), their mission is to explore how mountaineering equipment has evolved. While Ross will be kitted out head-to-toe in state-of-the-art modern mountaineering gear, showcasing advancements in technology, insulation, and design, Hugo will be wearing exact replicas of Mallory’s original clothing and footwear. This includes hand-stitched woollen garments and custom-made replicas of Mallory’s leather boots, recreated by British heritage shoemaker Crockett & Jones. 

Together with a team of researchers and scientists, the twins will track how the century-old equipment performs, measuring thermal efficiency and endurance under extreme conditions, how equipment affects the physical and cognitive functions of the wearer, and how it compares to modern-day technologies.

“We want to experience the mountain with the same mindset as Mallory did, to understand his clothing systems, and highlight some never-before-revealed scientific data,” Hugo explains. “Mera Peak gives us the altitude and exposure to test that safely, but authentically.”

What began as an idea turned into a two-and-a-half-year project – and a serious undertaking for Crockett & Jones, unlike anything it had ever done or produced in its 145 years of business. After extensive research, a highly skilled team with nous for quality craftsmanship and expert development and production succeeded in creating a one-of-a-kind, practically identical boot to the one worn by Mallory, now known as the Mallory Reimagined.

The process began with a team visit to London’s Royal Geographical Society, where Mallory’s one remaining original boot is housed. It was found in 1999, having been preserved in permafrost for some 80 years on Everest, and remains in remarkable condition. 

“Seeing the original boot was awe-inspiring,” says Jonathan Jones, managing director of Crockett & Jones. “There is no doubt in my mind that no one could have made such an accurate replica without the multiple inspections we were permitted.”

After intricate and careful inspection, authentic materials were sourced to create the boot, many from traditional British suppliers, including high-functioning leathers, felt and metals developed with local engineers. Yurt felt, sourced in Lancashire, was used as the main insulation layer, sitting between the outer and lining leathers; the Alpine clinkers and Tricouni hardware, meanwhile, were produced entirely by hand. New bespoke lasts were created to fit Hugo’s feet (plus three pairs of wool socks), while the boot’s construction required overcoming several technical challenges, including lasting and welting around a 10mm midsole of preserved wool. 

The final result is extraordinary. The boots are impressively accurate and surprisingly lightweight, and before setting off to the Himalayas, the twins tested the boots on Mount Snowdon in North Wales, Mallory’s own proving ground a century earlier. At the time of writing, the Turner Twins have started their ascent for the real expedition. 

Of course, the Mallory boot itself was never designed for the average consumer – it, and its replica, are impractical for 99.99 per cent of Crockett & Jones customers. But the shoemaker was determined to honour the project with a wearable version; named Everest, in a nod of appreciation to Mallory, the new boot is built for modern, everyday wear.

The Everest has been created using dark brown waterproof side leather and green rough-out suede, featuring storm welt and waterproof membrane, Yurt welt lining and sitting on English-made Commando cleated rubber soles (a design that was used by British troops during both World Wars). The durable design, which is as close to the original as possible, offers a rugged yet refined boot that embodies both Mallory’s and Crockett & Jones’ pioneering spirit. A fitting tribute for modern pioneers.

Everest boot

£695

Buy Now

Discover more at crockettandjones.com