Hi-Tec hiking shoe

Hi-Tec is a globally recognized outdoor footwear and apparel brand. Founded in 1974 by Frank van Wezel in Shoeburyness, England, the brand gained initial fame with the development of the first high-performance squash shoe. Over the decades, it expanded into the hiking and outdoor adventure market, becoming famous for its lightweight trekking boots and multisport shoes.

While the brand originated in the United Kingdom, manufacturing is primarily carried out in Asian countries, including China, Cambodia, and Vietnam, to support its global distribution network. Ownership of the brand has transitioned over time; in 2016, Hi-Tec was acquired by the brand management company Cherokee Inc., which later rebranded as Apex Global Brands. This acquisition was aimed at leveraging the heritage of the Hi-Tec name while expanding its lifestyle and technical gear footprint worldwide.