The Last Boots You’ll Ever Buy

Submitted by Eric Daniel

An interesting thing happened this year.  As a National Guardsman I was activated on three separate occasions for firefighting related activities.  What made this unusual was the fact that it was actually the first time I’ve been activated and I wasn’t already fighting fire with the USFS. 

Fortunately, those three activations were for support and security roles, and didn’t actually involve firefighting duties (this was because in order to go on the line you have to go through mandatory, annual, fire fighting training, and we didn’t have time to get the class in; we’ve scheduled one for next year.) 

I say fortunately because when I got the call, I suddenly realized how ill prepared I was for cutting line.  The neat new uniforms the Army issued us might make us excellent soldiers (or is it strong soldiers now, I can never keep up with the marketing adjectives) but they make for poor firefighting duds.  The biggest issue is boots.  According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2005 Edition guidelines, firefighting boots must be all leather construction with ten-inch tops.  Those high speed GORTEX lined cordura mesh issue boots are a big NOGO.  Unfortunatly, I still see troops on the line wearing them.  The common answers are, “They told us they were ok”, “These are all I’ve got”, “We’re just doing mop up, so I’m fine” or, my personal favorites, “We’re not authorized to wear the old black speed-lace boots with ACUs” or, “Not everyone has black boots and we all need to be uniform.” Being a slave to fashion (or Army uniformity in this case) is one thing, but having a nylon boot melt around your foot because you stepped into a smouldering stump hole is a whole new world of pain.

When I started firefighting in 1993 I was wearing my old speed-lace issue boots.  Unfortunately, they just weren’t up to the challenges and abuses that wildland firefighting places on footwear.  In a four month period I destroyed (and by destroyed I mean rendered unrepairable and completely unservicable) three pairs of boots.  At the end of the season my Engine Boss told me, “You’ve got some money now. Get your self some White’s.  They’ll be the last pair of boots you ever buy.”

So I did, and I have to agree, they were the last firefighting boots I ever bought (ok, that’s technically not true; I bought a second pair of White’s in 1998 and had cork soles put on my original pair for logging and spring/fall burning operations.)

White’s Smokejumpers (the ones I have) are of all leather construction, with some serious arch support.  You can purchase them either “skin out” or “rough out” which refers to either the smooth side of the leather or the rough side of the leather on the surface.  Me, I prefer skin out as I believe the rough interior helps grip my foot better, and the smooth exterior surface is easier to clean.  They can be purchased in standard 8” or 10” tops, in black or brown leather.  They come standard with leather laces (I’ve seen some folk use 550 cord but I’d counsel against that; the leather is more fire resistant, but I’d recommend packing two pair of extra laces in your redbag as well) and are completely rebuildable.  As long as there’s some leather left to stich them back together, you’ll get your boots back (after 8 years of annual rebuilds my second pair of White’s finally gave up the ghost and they couldn’t be rebuilt, which is why I was worried when I got the call this year.  I have since ordered new boots.)

It used to be that you could just call White’s and order boots.  Things have gotten a little more complicated and now they ask for physical measurements (to the point of asking you to trace your foot on a piece of paper) but that’s probably a good thing because the end result is a thing of beauty.

Get a pair of White's here.

Comments

[Austin]

Agreed great pair of boots!!

[anubisleader]

I love this....boots. There always seems to be a super boot, that every one says, will be the last pair you will ever buy.

Ever burned your foot through a leather boot with the eyelet? when you pull off the boot, your skin, some muscle goes with it. Hurts like the **%& world hit you hard. The leather of the boot stays intact, and heats up super hot, and wholllah, you get a nasty burn.

Each boot the military issues, does have a purpose behind it. Cordura, and gortex keep your feet dry. Wool socks, and wool inserts keep your feet warm. But, nowhere does it say, that a pair of issue boots are made for fire fighting...thats why they have specialty boots.

[Eric Daniel]

The nice thing about the Smokejumpers is that all the "brasswork" (i.e. the eyeletts and hooks) are on a leather flap external to the boot. At no place does any metal touch your skin (or socks in this case.)

[Joe Franz]

I've been a Seabee for 18 years now and while on a field exercise I ran across a firefighter (we were sharing the same base and facilities/different ranges) with a pair of Smoke Jumpers on. I asked about them and he had the same "never need another pair in your life" mantra with one addition; two pair, one to wear while the other is being repaired.
The end result has been several deployments enjoyed without foot damage, maintained solid footing, and dependable service. I have had to fend off the occaisional "those aren't issue" and those aren't uniform" comments but being able to recite uniform codes and demonstrate that the boot meets the criteria I've had little trouble and big dividens. These are boots that far excede expectations! Seabees are the most equipment abusive people on the face of the planet because of the work we do and where we do it. The boots have always passed muster. I would not leave home without my White's.

[Eric Daniel]

Joe,

Actually, I ended up investing in a second pair of Whites for that very reason (I have torn the heals off in mid fire, so having a second pair is a lifesaver.)

[Brandon]

All you have to say is we need a bigger round to do the job. The 5.56mm and smaller are not what we need or want. So nobody wants the G11.

[Ernie Wells]

I have been doing wildland fire for 14 seasons and I have to agree that a quality pair of boots goes a long ways. I wear a pair made by a company called "Nicks" and will never buy another pair of boots off the shelf again. I am going to get a pair made to wear with the new navy working uniform.

[David]

I have to agree I've had my WHite's smokejumpers for over 5 years and they are great boots. Sending them back for a rebuild this summer.

[MQ]

I am a forestry major and recently joined the National Guard. I've seen several posts here about wildland fire fighting equipment. I've talked to my recruiter (who is actually a real helpful recruiter) and he really didn't know anything about wildland firefighting in the guard. I was wondering had any information on this!