Since 1952 · The Old Mill, Battlesbridge
A family ski shop in an old mill
The Hart family have been part of skiing and the Alps for nearly sixty years. Since 1952, Skee-Tex has been run by the family from The Old Mill at Battlesbridge.
- The family business begins
- 1952
- The family business begins
- Years in skiing and the Alps
- ~60
- Years in skiing and the Alps
- Our own thermal boot first made
- 1950
- Our own thermal boot first made
- What that boot is guaranteed to
- −50°C
- What that boot is guaranteed to
About our store
One family, one mill
Everyone on the team is trained to help and advise — on the latest ski clothing, and on what's genuinely new in equipment rather than what's merely new this season.
We carry skiwear, skis, poles, boots, bindings and accessories for adults and children, from brands including Salomon, Head, Atomic, K2 and Goldbergh.
The shop has one of the UK's best-equipped workshops, where we repair and maintain skis and snowboards to a very high standard, and our fitters offer proper boot fitting — measuring, customising, heat-moulding and shell work.
We also make our own Skee-Tex footwear and clothing for bad weather: protection from the elements for everyone from Arctic explorers to anglers on a winter bank.
Seventy-odd years
At the mill
1950
The thermal boot
The first Skee-Tex thermal boot, built round an aluminium liner that sends your own heat back to your feet.
1952
The mill
The family business opens at The Old Mill on the river at Battlesbridge — and never moves.
−50°C
To the ends of the earth
Sir Ranulph Fiennes wears the boot on expedition, and says it's the only one that kept his feet warm.
60 years
Roy at the counter
Roy Hart runs the business for nearly sixty years, with Julie alongside him, and builds the shop the way it is.
Today
Justin and the team
The next generation: a full workshop, fitters with decades behind them, and the family's own range still made.
Under one roof
What you'll find here
Skis, boots and kitFor adults and children, from Salomon, Head, Atomic, K2, Goldbergh and more.Find out more
Boot fittingMeasured, heat-moulded and adjusted to your feet. Walk in — no appointment.Find out more
The workshopOne of the UK's best-equipped: stone grinds, edges, base repairs and binding checks.Find out more
Skee-Tex originalsOur own thermal boots and bad-weather clothing, made to the same principle since 1950.Find out more
On film
See us at work
The workshop grinding a base back to flat, the shop on a busy morning, the river in the frost, and our own boots out on the bank. Press play for sound.
Meet the team
The people you'll meet
Our team is made up of passionate skiers and specialists who want you to get the most out of your time on the mountain. Years of experience, honest advice and a friendly word — whether you're choosing new kit, sorting out your setup or getting ready for your next trip.
Justin Hart
Owner
Justin has been part of the business since his teens and grew up in the ski industry. The founder's grandson and now the owner, he pairs a deep-rooted understanding of the shop with a modern approach — carrying the family legacy forward, with the hands-on experience to give advice you can trust.
40+ yearsNicola Jones
Company secretary and boot fitter
Nicola has been a valued member of the team for over 40 years, with even more experience across the ski industry. As company secretary she keeps everything running smoothly — and as a skilled boot fitter she helps customers find real comfort and performance on the slopes.
10+ yearsVicky Adams
Clothing specialist
Vicky has been with us for over 10 years, bringing experience from working in resort in Wanaka as well as in the shop. A retail clothing expert with a friendly, approachable manner, she'll help you find exactly the right ski and outdoor wear.
3+ yearsKatie Parker
Boot fitter and social media
Katie is the newest member of the team, with three years in the ski industry — two of them in Banff, Canada, where she learned boot fitting hands-on. She also looks after our social media, keeping customers informed and inspired.
Alongside the full-time team we have a group of experienced part-timers who bring extra expertise to the shop. Many of us wear and recommend Skee-Tex's own products, too — the family's long-standing commitment to quality, in use.
Where it started
The Hart family
Roy Hart
Ran the business for nearly 60 years
Roy owned and ran Skee-Tex for nearly sixty years. He carried the legacy of the iconic Skee-Tex originals — the famous fishing boots — and was a driving force behind the company's growth and reputation. His lifelong dedication and knowledge still inspire the team and customers alike.
Julie Hart
Company director
Julie, Roy's wife and a company director, worked alongside him for many years and helped shape the business into what it is today. She's stepped back from the day-to-day, but still pops in regularly for a coffee and a catch-up with the team and customers.
Battlesbridge
The mill through the year
Frost on the river in January, gold on the water in October. The same building, on the same bend of the Crouch, since 1952.
Come on in
Inside the mill
“The only waterproof boot I have worn in eighteen years of expedition work which has kept my feet warm to minus 50 degrees.”
Visit the shop
The Old Mill, Battlesbridge
The Old Mill, Battlesbridge, Essex, SS11 8TR
Closed now · opens tomorrow at 09:00
- Friday
- 09:00 – 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 – 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 – 16:00
- Monday
- 09:00 – 17:00
- Tuesday
- 09:00 – 17:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00 – 17:00