Montebelluna is an unassuming city between Venice and the magnificent Dolomites in the Italian province of Treviso. With layered, mountainous walls backed by snow-capped peaks to the north, and flat plains dominated by the wide Piave River and dotted with vineyards, it’s a fair setting, where we lay our scene. The region is rightly proud of its heritage and we have it to thank for prosecco, radicchio and tiramisù.
This part of northern Italy also is home to more than its fair share of premium hiking and mountaineering boot manufacturers. This family of close-knit brands includes the likes of Aku, Scarpa and Asolo. In conversation with Guilio Piccin, Aku’s Sustainability Manager, he told me that there’s little that’s private between these hiking boot heavyweights. News spreads fast across the prosperous region due to the shared network of tradespeople who supply the leather, laces and components.
