This weekend I accepted the invitation, but perhaps it would be more honest to say that I extorted it from three "woodcock" friends to take me with them to hunt the queen of the woods " Scolopax rusticola. Unfortunately, having no pen dogs, I always have to tag along with some kind friends. The conditions for an exciting day were all there, good company, experienced dogs and optimal weather conditions. In preparing the bag I make a rather unusual and risky choice: I decide to bring a new pair of boots, Certano model, from Konustex, the Konus Italia clothing and accessories line, which I asked the company to test.
A small risk, because wearing new boots, during a long day of hunting, without the possibility of changing, could have turned into a nightmare, for me, but also for my fellow adventurers, which I would have forced to slow down, if not even to stop. However, their ominous promise to leave me behind in case of trouble eased my anxiety. The final decision to accept the challenge I gained after wearing them for a while at home, and reassured by the easy fit, I decide to proceed with the experiment.
The stress test was really challenging, the battleground was the wild one of the Lazio Maremma, where shrubs, stones and "shreds" that bind you like a sausage, have no mercy! In that environment, moving with agility is not very easy and, to keep up with the dog stops, which obviously never happen in a nice open and comfortable flat lawn, you need to have a sure and decisive step.
At the beginning of the walk, the boot gave me the impression of being a bit stiff, but then, with the passage of time, and especially after grinding a few kilometers between stones, mud and water, the foot and the shoe finally found their balance, until I forget I'm wearing them.
Excellent grip on steep and slippery terrain, with the tread that resembles the footprint of the wolf, and the reinforcement on the toe and heel that helped me a lot in cushioning the blows and resistance of the terrain. The hunt was exciting, the dogs were very good, they delighted us with firm and textbook approval and, once again "Her Majesty the Queen of the Wood" bewitched us and kept us busy for more than 5 hours!
At the end of the day, tired after running almost non-stop, up and down the scrub, but satisfied by that regenerating effort that only a hunter can understand, and with a generous game bag, we returned to the farmhouse to give ourselves a well-deserved meal and to rest dogs. To welcome us a warm fire, bruschetta and wild boar sausages, accompanied by a good red wine. Of course, the discussion at the table went from the analysis of the various episodes experienced to the playful provocations for the inevitable frying pans!
At the end of the day, changing before getting back in the car, I remembered that I still have my boots on! Once off, the dry foot did nothing but make me express a positive opinion on this Konustex product. Bet won!
Now I can't wait to test them in the mountains, but I'm very confident of the result… plus, let's face it, maybe they also bring me luck, a nice game bag of 4 woodcocks doesn't happen very often! 
DATA SHEET: CERTANO model boots
2 lacing zones
Construction "booties”- height of the shoe 15.5 cm
Breathable membrane
Waterproof calfskin lining
Molded, antibacterial and breathable insole in polyurethane foam
Vibram sole - litewolf three-density with rubber tread mid sun in tpu and polyurethane, designed to give an excellent grip, thanks to the tread that takes the shape of the wolf's paw
Microfiber collar
Upper in high-quality, hydro-printed cowhide leather, thickness 2.2 - 2.4
Polyester laces (with second lace supplied)
Reinforced toe and heel to provide good foot protection
