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Best Wildland fire boots?
Im just trying to get an idea of what the best wildland fire boots are. Price isnt really an issue, just want to get some boots that will last me and be worth the value. I have looked at some of the Whites Original Smoke Jumpers, and Ive heard they are very good. What about any other types? Or are the smoke jumpers my best bet?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Nicks or Whites, you cant go wrong.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Phillips on
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Thanks for the fast response, i appreciate it. are the Hathorn Hi-Line series boots made by Whites, but just not as nice as the smoke jumper originals? I was looking at the boots on the Whites website and they didnt really make the difference clear... besides the price tag.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Nick, When you pay the extra money for the White's, what you are getting for your money is a blueprint of each foot, kept in records at the White factory. This comes in handy when you send your boots in for re-soling or repairs down the road. The White is made using screws for example to make sole replacement or heal replacement very easy. While you can buy White's off the shelf, you get your money worth by having the shoe salesman at an authorized White's distributor take the 10-plus measurements on each foot. You end up with custom boots that are designed for your foot only. As soon as I got mine, they were immediately like slippers. The leather over time gets very soft with increased and frequent use of mink oil. Take all these factors into consideration and you'll find out that White makes the best boot. Everything else has some of the features but not all of them. You get what you pay for with the Whites.
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Capt, you said it well. When you can have Whites why bother with anything else. I have a pair of Whites and a pair of Nicks. I actually like Nicks better. They are designed the same way as Whites.
By the way Capt. Good to see you here.
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Thanks for the info! Ive heard a lot of good things about Whites so thats probably what ill go with! ( Ill check out Nicks like you suggested Chief) Seeing your from Santa Barbara Captain Busy, where might i go to get sized for some whites? Are you familiar with Carrs Boots in Santa Maria? Would that be a good place?
Thanks again!
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Permalink Reply by DB on
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Make sure to get the rough-outs the leather forms to the feet quicker! Bombero out!
Have a Merry Christmas and remember to not forget the cradle does not overshadow the CROSS!!
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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Down under they issue us Taipans. They are some of the most comfortable work boots I've ever worn. That said, the Whites you guys describe sound nice!
Whatever you go with, remember woodland boots need to be light and have good grip so you can walk kilometres over rough terrain. Totally different from structural boots.
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Yup, that's where I got mine years ago. I used the Solvang shoe store (the one with the giant wooden shoe out front) when I sent them back to the White factory for repairs.
Some comments on the input you've received so far...
• It is more typical to see the smooth finish vs. the rough finish. I've never had the rough exterior and too be honest, I've only seen the cowboys around here in SY Valley wearing them. With the build up of mink oil, when we returned back to the station from a wildland call, the smooth surface lent itself well for both using a hose to rinse ash, mud and to some extent (and I'm guessing here) it may be a better thing when dealing with poison oak oils... and if your going to be working in an around SB, plan on dealing with lots of oak.
• I purchased my White's from Carr's in Santa Maria. They've got the 'taking the measurements' thing down. It takes some time to get them made when you go this route vs. buying the boots right off the shelf. Some folks are lucky and have feet that are standard sized and width. Not me...
I would like to suggest that you not ask folks about what boot to get, because now you are pretty clued in to Whites. The aussie's have boots called Taipans but I'm not sure about these, never seeing them before or knowing if they are available her in the states.
Finally, I remember listening to a story years ago about boots and specifically the heels. The design of the boot heel was originally used by Roman soldiers. They found that with the heel component that they could march further and deal with mountainous terrain better which was a tactical advantage for their army's.
Stay safe, CB
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I appreciate all your guys input and help! I just picked up a pair of Whites from Carrs Boots today... lovin' 'em so far and I'm wearing them all around to break them in.
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Permalink Reply by matthew james saltsgiver on
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depending on the extent of use,i personally like the globe
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i personally like the globe total fire brand wildland boots. steel toed vibram sole very,very comfortable.
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