Shoe and Allied Trade Research Association - History

History

SATRA played a role in the successful expedition to the top of Mount Everest in 1953 in which Sir Edmund Hillary, along with Tenzing Norgay, became the first person to 'stand on top of the world'. In 1952, SATRA was approached by The British Expedition to produce 34 pairs of boots to meet the challenge of climbing in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. The boots were designed to provide a high level of thermal insulation for use in high altitude and saw a combination of inner vapour barrier, mesh insoles and an integrated rubber outer gaiter: the water resistant vapour barrier’s inner layer stopped the boots becoming soaked with sweat then freezing; the mesh insole allowed sweat to disperse from the socks; the outer gaiter prevented melting snow soaking in to the boot itself. In addition, there were five layers of kapok, a natural hollow fibre and a forerunner of synthetic versions. The boot lasting technique helped prevent compression of the vital insulation material and microcellular resin soles further improved insulation and decreased weight. The end result was boots that weighed only 4 lb 4oz and a successful expedition in which no-one who wore the boots got frostbite – a remarkable achievement.

In 2002 SATRA acquired Hampden Test Equipment which supplies test machinery for hardness, resilience and abrasion measurements; it also makes ozone cabinets, mainly for the polymer industries. Hampden also calibrates hardness testers and services, and calibrates ozone cabinets.