This story begins 100 years ago in the snowy mountains of Everest, where George Mallory and Sandy Irvine set their sights on completing an expedition that had never been done before. At unimaginable heights, the mystery of Mallory and Irvine’s journey was left unwritten. But today the story is reawakened by Hugo and Ross Turner, otherwise known as the Turner twins, and the technology is reimagined through the craftsmanship of renowned shoemakers - Crockett & Jones.
Crockett & Jones's Mallory Boot Reaches New Heights
Words by
Ella Clapton
20th October 2025
A century after the 1924 Everest expedition, Crockett & Jones and the Turner Twins follow in the legendary footsteps of Mallory himself. On the expedition of a century, the Twins will put the newly crafted Crockett & Jones Mallory boot to the test against the extremes of Mera Peak.
Presented by Crockett & Jones.
The Everest and the replica Mallory Boots worn by the Turner Twins © Crockett & Jones.
The Expedition
Filling the shoes of Mallory and Irvine are Crockett & Jones and the Turner Twins, who, after 2 years of preparation, will take on a scientific expedition to see how far mountaineering gear has really travelled from its predecessors. As adventurists themselves, Hugo and Ross Turner are no stranger to a challenge, consistently pushing boundaries with research that turns curiosity into discovery.
The Turner Twins and Jonathan Jones, Crockett & Jones © Crockett & Jones.
So, as we settle into the end of the year, stocking up on sweaters, and continuing on with the regular scheduling of daily life, the Turner Brothers will be doing otherwise and gearing up for this once-in-a-century expedition. In the coming weeks, Hugo and Ross seek to take on Mera Peak, Nepal’s highest trekkable mountain. Keeping a close eye on them is a team of researchers and scientists determined to understand the leaps we have made in the last century. With Hugo sporting gear that replicates Mallory and Irvine’s 1924 Everest expedition, and Ross clothed in modern-day mountaineering equipment, the twins will find out just how foundational craftsmanship is to sportsmanship.
The Everest boots on Hugo Turner, Crockett & Jones © Crockett & Jones.
"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 Turner says.
Though science rests at the forefront of this expedition, it’s equally a journey of homage that honours heritage and the enduring pursuit of discovery.
Heritage in Every Step
Founded in 1879 and based in Northampton, the heart of bespoke shoemaking, Crockett & Jones has spent the last two centuries perfecting their craft and establishing themselves as one of the most respected names in luxury footwear.
The making of the Mallory Boot replica at Crockett & Jones © Crockett & Jones.
Clearly, it’s no surprise that the renowned shoemakers were chosen to head this project. Best known for its iconic ‘Goodyear-welted’ shoes, Crockett & Jones take timeless craftsmanship and continually elevate it. This new project is far from uncharted territory for the brand, which is already well acquainted with pioneering expeditions, harking back to a century ago when the company produced boots for Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Endurance expedition.
The Turner Twins and Jonathan Jones with the original and replica Mallory boots © Crockett & Jones.
The Crockett & Jones Mallory Boot - A Legacy Reimagined
George Mallory's boot from the 1924 Everest Expedition, the Royal Geographical Society © Crockett & Jones.
For the first time in history, Crockett and Jones created an exact replica of George Mallory’s boot from the 1924 Everest expedition. Frozen in time, Mallory’s original boot from the 1924 expedition was recovered in miraculous condition after being lost in the snowcaps of Everest for 80 years. Preserved by the extreme climates, the boot was permafrosted, allowing for the shoe to look as though it hadn't aged a day.
The Mallory Boot being made in Crockett & Jones's factory © Crockett & Jones.
The rediscovery of the boot opened a rare window into early mountaineering craftsmanship. Even though Crockett & Jones would have been capable of replicating the Mallory boot without the original artefact, having it on hand elevated the project to something truly remarkable.
As Crockett & Jones Managing Director, Jonathan Jones, reflects "There is no doubt in my mind that no one could have made such an accurate replica without the multiple inspections we were permitted of the original boot. Remarkable."
The project began where all great things start - among the relics of the Royal Geographical Society in London. There, Jonathan Jones meticulously studied the original Mallory boot, examining every stitch to ensure that the technique was perfect.
Hugo Turner trying on the replica Mallory Boot © Crockett & Jones.
Working closely alongside local craftspeople, the project prided itself on being as genuine as any heritage bespoke product should be. Designed specifically to fit Hugo Turner and engineered to endure the extreme conditions of Mera Peak, the final product is the epitome tradition meeting innovation.
The Journey Continues - The Everest
The Everest boot, Crockett & Jones © Crockett & Jones.
Extending the legacy of the Mallory boot beyond the Turner twins, Crockett & Jones have introduced The Everest - two boot styles built on legacy and defined by bespoke heritage. Made with the same waterproof side leather as the replica Mallory Boot, a half-bellows tongue and a waterproof feather-line membrane, this design can take on mountains just as spectacular as those that inspired it. The Everest is built not just for endurance, but as an ode to history.
