heavy duty boots

J

Jared Stenoien

Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
1,025
I currently have these but they're pretty much worn out and I'm looking for a new pair. What I would love to find is a pair of boots with some sort of shank support, every pair of boots I've had collapse right at the back of my ankle. Money isn't that big of an object.
 
At one time when I worked security in a prison I thought about grtting a pair of those boots but the warden (who was a notorious head thumper in his day) said no way. I tried Matterhorn combat bots while in the army but my feet had already been spoiled by Danners , they make a 10 or 12 inch combat bot that has really stood the test of time and use and they resole well and I have never had any break down at the ankle.
 
The heaviest duty boots on the market if price isnt an issue are White's Smoke Jumpers,Hathorn Smoke Jumpers or Nick's Hotshot Boots. These are literally the top of the line for sheer ruggedness. Nothing and I mean nothing can come close to these boots for shear brutality. Both are the official boots of Wildland firefighting. Firefighting gear isnt like special operations gear (Yet!) where a company can simply stamp Special Ops,SEALs,Green Beret on a item and it REALLY is. No, these boots really are issued to Firefighting special ops warriors. Oh yeah, Dont even think about owning a pair if you dont have at least $350 to $450 bucks

In the Wildland Forestry Firefighting Community an individual is quickly sized up on-scene by the boots he is wearing. If you show up with a pair of sissy boots on a fire you are quickly sent home to momma. Having been an IC on a CDF and a USFS Type 1 team I've done it.

There is part of that community that has a playful debate about Nick's vs. White's boots.
I own Two pair of White's. One for Firefighting/SAR work while the other is my uniform/Station Boot. You cannot hurt these boots. They are completely re-buildable.
There is no debate that these are the toughest boots made. If someone tries to tell you there is,they simply do not know what they are talking about and is a poser,keyboard wannabee.
I also own a pair of Danner Acadia boots, very comfy,very tough. But they are sissy girls next to my White's. Put on a pair of these boots and feel your testosterone levels jump to dangerous, riots will quell and crowds will disperse simple on your arrival.

http://www.whitesoutdoor.com
http://www.nicksboots.com/
 
those white's sure look nice. maybe a bit heavy for my line of work?

ive worn danners for years, and can attest to their quality and construction. also among the most comfortable and durable boots i have ever used.
 
Mori, If you do what I think you do..yeah, wayyyy too heavy. Be alright if you were doing code 5's....but then again who needs boots when you are doing that. ;) Nice pair of Uggs on a cold fall night. Danners are 'Da Kine' for what you do. When I worked South Central around 77th street Station I wore Danners.
 
Thanks for the links, I'm looking at the lineman model on the white's boots. Do you have any idea how much reinforcement there is on the back of the ankles? The reason I ask is because I have severe foot and hip problems so my feet tend to roll around when I walk and although boots help for a couple years they always crumple right there. My first pair of boots were magnums and they actually ripped after about a year :eek:
 
You will be shocked at how much support these boots offer. I went to their store for my first pair, as I was there in the area for a fire and they always take care of firefighters.They measured my foot and had them in three days. Before that I always wore chippewa loggers which is still a tough boot but nothing like these.They even have a mobile rig they bring to large fires to sell and repair burnt boots. Their customer service is flat out amazing. They have to be. It's a niche they fall in.

Like the story I have heard so much, that you can do a great job 10 times and no one hears about you, do something crappy once and the whole world will find out.

IMHO, magnum boots are the worst. They sell them a K Mart and cheap sporting good stores. My firehouse issues them once a year for station boots, I say thank you and then give them away.
 
Jared, Give them a call on their 800 number, these guys will treat you like a king, tell them a Forest Firefighter sent you and whammo... the heavens will open and angels will sing. There is zero hype in these guys boots. Although there is a rivalry between Whites and Nicks, I cant tell the Diff.I cant wait to buy a pair if Nicks Hotshots. Here is who they do business for, Lineman,Firefighters,Foresters,Park Rangers,Search and Rescue,Loggers,Iron Workers and guys like you who want the best. I know too that alot of Harley guys wear them for status now,I know if I had a Harley thats what I would wear. You will not believe the amount of leather they use in these boots.

Saw the Lineman model, Sweet! Dude, you're gonna love them. 'Break in' is about a week, for the Custom pair I ordered, then ordered the second pair sight unseen with zero break in. Not sure if it was my feet getting broke into these boots or the boots just fit right and the other way around.
 
FireInvestigator said:
Mori, If you do what I think you do..yeah, wayyyy too heavy. Be alright if you were doing code 5's....but then again who needs boots when you are doing that. ;) Nice pair of Uggs on a cold fall night. Danners are 'Da Kine' for what you do. When I worked South Central around 77th street Station I wore Danners.
Click to expand...

i know that area well. ive worked my way to a better area after two years in the 77th/newton/southeast/century areas.
 
Mori,
Yeah, Kinda figured. We use to say you could tell by which Freeway A guy took to get home.The 10,60 or the nightmare that is the 91.

Worked a TF with some of the Suburban and Oakleys guys at Central,they seemed to have a blast. Personally I always liked the slow pace of the West side.

Shame about Rampart, now they (the public)has gotta deal with MS 13.
I am homesick for the original Tommy Burgers(Xtra chili Please) over on Rampart. Is that Big Chinese guy with the gold chains still there?
 
Thanks, I'll be calling them on monday. Hopefully they can work around my orthodics without too much hassle. :thumbup:
 
Called them this afternoon, :thumbup: great people to work with. I'm definitely ordering a pair. Thanks for the recommendations.
 
I prefer the 10" Matterhorns they provide great load bearing support carrying heavy loads over longer distances. They look very similar to the ones from uscav just higher.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top