Anyone have any experience with Trooper Brand boots?

[Brian Humphrey]

Evan Platt wrote in alt.firefighters...

I'm looking at basically a uniform pair of boots for my vol. department.

We don't really have a

standard, and as such no requirements.

Evan:

You'll get a millions opinions on emergency service footwear, so I'll leave
you with just 999,999 to go. <grin>

While your volunteer agency has no "standards" per se, there is no harm in
raising the bar in your personal safety gear - and despite what some may
say, your boot is indeed safety gear.

Without going into the important issues of OSHA or NFPA compliance, I will
simply mention that a good pair of boots will protect you in ways that you
cannot even begin to imagine. If you can pony up the few extra dollars for a
true quality boot designed for the needs of a Firefighter, you will have
made a long-term investment in both safety and comfort.

That much said, please make certain that your boots offer not only quality
construction - and all the NECESSARY safety features, but also that they fit
you perfectly and offer plenty of support. From a supportive insole that is
impenetrable to common hazards of firefighting, to the durable and
reinforced ankle that will help steady you on a ladder, to a sole that is
chemical resistant (and won't easily mar the Fire Station floors!), there is
a good deal of homework necessary for this critical investment.

As for zippers, the opinions do indeed vary. I have found that lace-in
zippers allow me to make my own repairs when a zipper fails (and they do).
If you choose to go this route, please make sure that your zippers and boots
are compatible and don't forget to pick up an extra set or two of zippers
and store them in a convenient place such as your gear bag or station
locker, where they will be handy when you need them.

Again, I have purposely avoided mention of brand names and code compliance.
If you look in the Usenet archive at:

http://groups.google.com

...and search with the phrase: "Wildland Firefighting Boots" or simply
"Firefighting Boots", you can view a whole host of opinions that may help
further guide your purchase.


Fraternally Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Paramedic
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

E-Mail: ***@lafd.lacity.org
LAFD Website: http://www.lafd.org

[Evan Platt]

On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 18:56:47 GMT, "Brian Humphrey"

Post by Brian Humphrey
You'll get a millions opinions on emergency service footwear, so I'll leave
you with just 999,999 to go. <grin>

That's probably true.. First off let me say thanks for your input on
this and everything else. You're probably one of the more vocal people
here. I don't think I've ever known you to give a 5 word answer. :)

Post by Brian Humphrey
While your volunteer agency has no "standards" per se, there is no harm in
raising the bar in your personal safety gear - and despite what some may
say, your boot is indeed safety gear.

I may have misspoke - I'm looking for just a pair of "Uniform" boots
for casual duty - station wear, events, meetings, trainings, etc. For
Wildland wear, I need a non steel toed Vibram Lug Sole boot. (We
follow CDF requirements). That's a bit off, as i'm still in training -
and obviously due to cost, I need to make sure that this is something
I'd want to due for a while. I'm 25-30 minutes out of our
jurisdiction, so if a call comes, I'm not going to be first on scene
(I HOPE!). I'm also a volunteer for a statewide Air Ambulance (non
medical - I'm a support staff) but occasionally get to fly along, so
these boots I'm looking at would work for the air ambulance events and
fly-alongs. I asked - basically their policy is black. Shoes are
technically OK - just as long as they're black.

Post by Brian Humphrey
Without going into the important issues of OSHA or NFPA compliance, I will
simply mention that a good pair of boots will protect you in ways that you
cannot even begin to imagine. If you can pony up the few extra dollars for a
true quality boot designed for the needs of a Firefighter, you will have
made a long-term investment in both safety and comfort.

That's probably a few months down the road. I've been given a number
of reccomendations.. One for each person, actually.. :)

Post by Brian Humphrey
That much said, please make certain that your boots offer not only quality
construction - and all the NECESSARY safety features, but also that they fit
you perfectly and offer plenty of support. From a supportive insole that is
impenetrable to common hazards of firefighting, to the durable and
reinforced ankle that will help steady you on a ladder, to a sole that is
chemical resistant (and won't easily mar the Fire Station floors!), there is
a good deal of homework necessary for this critical investment.

True.. Steel toe and shank sound nice.. Unfortunately, it's a no-no
for wildland which mean one wildland boot, one 'other' boot!

Post by Brian Humphrey
As for zippers, the opinions do indeed vary. I have found that lace-in
zippers allow me to make my own repairs when a zipper fails (and they do).
If you choose to go this route, please make sure that your zippers and boots
are compatible and don't forget to pick up an extra set or two of zippers
and store them in a convenient place such as your gear bag or station
locker, where they will be handy when you need them.

Sorry... I'm missing it I guess. What are lace-in zippers? The boots
I'm looking at look somewhat like
Loading Image... . The other pair has a
zipper that resembles the standard 'pants' zipper - and I've had these
'break' on me all the time - they 'unlatch' to where even if the
zipper is up, it's 'open'. This 'hex' design looks more sturdy to
me... but I could be wrong.

The two models I'm looking at are Law Pro and Trooper.

Post by Brian Humphrey
Again, I have purposely avoided mention of brand names and code compliance.

Might I ask what LAFD's requirement is? Is it a model / brand (Brand X
Model Y) or a 'feature set'?

Thanks once again. :)

Stay safe.

Evan
To e-mail me, remove theobvious from my e-mail address.

[Brian Humphrey]

Post by Evan Platt
You're probably one of the more vocal people
here.

...and that often causes great angst among those here! <grin>

Post by Evan Platt
I don't think I've ever known you to give a 5 word answer. :)

In the words of a famous PIO "I don't know much, so I talk a lot to make up
for it!".

Post by Evan Platt
I may have misspoke

Actually you were pretty clear, but I appreciate the insight. Please know
that most of my replies
are geared towards also assisting the many lurkers or those who later read
this stuff in the archives. Hence my seemingly silly admonition.

Post by Evan Platt
Sorry... I'm missing it I guess. What are lace-in zippers? The boots
I'm looking at look somewhat like
http://www.qmuniforms.com/images/S89165_L1.jpg .

An example of lace-in zippers can be found here:

http://www.watkinsaviation.com/wa/store/catalog/product.asp?PC=1799

Not everyone is fond of the lace-in zippers, and you may find yourself
*initially* preferring a sewn-in zipper. In the long run though, and for the
reasons I mentioned in my earlier post, for day-in day-out use in a pair of
boots you begin to love, I find myself recommending lace-ins. That's my US
$0.02 YMMV.

Post by Evan Platt
Might I ask what LAFD's requirement is? Is it a model / brand (Brand X
Model Y) or a 'feature set'?

Feature set, built to specification.


Stay Safe, Be Well - and Enjoy the Holidays!

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Paramedic
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

E-Mail: ***@lafd.lacity.org
LAFD Website: http://www.lafd.org

[Richard Medley]

I would take a look a Bates brand boots, I have had I pair for around 2
years, with the sewn in zipper, and they haven't failed yet. They cost me
around $60. They are perfect for my work with the Ambulance service, and
other non-active funtions with the Fire dept. I don't know what the exact
model name is, but Galls has them.

www.galls.com

Post by Brian Humphrey
Evan Platt wrote in alt.firefighters...

I'm looking at basically a uniform pair of boots for my vol. department.

We don't really have a

standard, and as such no requirements.

You'll get a millions opinions on emergency service footwear, so I'll leave
you with just 999,999 to go. <grin>
While your volunteer agency has no "standards" per se, there is no harm in
raising the bar in your personal safety gear - and despite what some may
say, your boot is indeed safety gear.
Without going into the important issues of OSHA or NFPA compliance, I will
simply mention that a good pair of boots will protect you in ways that you
cannot even begin to imagine. If you can pony up the few extra dollars for a
true quality boot designed for the needs of a Firefighter, you will have
made a long-term investment in both safety and comfort.
That much said, please make certain that your boots offer not only quality
construction - and all the NECESSARY safety features, but also that they fit
you perfectly and offer plenty of support. From a supportive insole that is
impenetrable to common hazards of firefighting, to the durable and
reinforced ankle that will help steady you on a ladder, to a sole that is
chemical resistant (and won't easily mar the Fire Station floors!), there is
a good deal of homework necessary for this critical investment.
As for zippers, the opinions do indeed vary. I have found that lace-in
zippers allow me to make my own repairs when a zipper fails (and they do).
If you choose to go this route, please make sure that your zippers and boots
are compatible and don't forget to pick up an extra set or two of zippers
and store them in a convenient place such as your gear bag or station
locker, where they will be handy when you need them.
Again, I have purposely avoided mention of brand names and code compliance.
http://groups.google.com
...and search with the phrase: "Wildland Firefighting Boots" or simply
"Firefighting Boots", you can view a whole host of opinions that may help
further guide your purchase.
Fraternally Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Paramedic
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
LAFD Website: http://www.lafd.org