Posted by: dropout
White's Boots - 01/07/09 07:05 PM
This may be well known brand to some of you out there fighting fires or logging. I've owned a pair of lace-to-toe smoke jumpers for 3.5 years now and i cannot wear them out. I wear them all the time. These things are bomb proof. Whites is a company out of Spokane Washington so some of you pacific northwest folks I'm sure are familiar.
A co-worker of mine had a pair of these when he started working for us. He was born and raised in Montana. At first i was pretty skeptical. The boots come w/ a $400 price tag. I had a tendency to wear out boots in 9 month increments. So the idea of killing a $400 pair in that time period was a huge turn off. Besides the boot looks a little weird. It reminded me of something built in the 20's. But as you look at the details of the boot you notice some things not on your average work/hiker.
For instance,
1. the soles on these are screwed on. I never had a pair that offered that but there were plenty i wish that were.
2. Every seem is triple stitched (haven't popped a stitch yet)
3. The tongue is stitched all the way to the top of the boot. (I have NEVER gotten anything stuck in the boot after putting them on. 3.5 years...)
4. They use only top grade leathers
5. "Meets or exceeds requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2005 Edition" Whites Boots
6. They are completely re-buildable.
7. I've turned my ankle hundreds of times and never once have i injured myself. (you can practically run down a bolulder field blind and not hurt your feet or ankles :P )
8. Allow the ability to walk on water (ok not true but you could prolly water ski in them keeping your feet dry =D)
9. They take over 12 different measurements to get you a boot built for YOU. (White's keeps a permanent record of your specific dimensions on file for rebuilds or other model purchases) This is also nice if you have different sized feet. making a left size 12 and a right size 10 is all the same as having identical sized feet.
I could go on but i'm not trying to write book here. The price at first seems to be a con. But knowing that i've only spent the $400 in three years as opposed to the $800 i would have on redwings (don't get me wrong. i've spent hundreds on redwings and i still love them. good boots. but they aren't a White's boot). So the price issue and up not being an issue at all.
This is turning into a long ad so i'll shut up now (I'm not a White's employee btw. But I wish I was :P)
My whole point was supposed to be:
I trust whites and will own no other brand boot period!
"Life or death. White's Smoke Jumpers have often made the difference. Firefighters and smokejumpers have long depended on White's Smoke Jumper boots to get them through the toughest conditions. Now available in a lace-to-toe design for firm ankle support and adjustment, plus a deep-tread VibramŽ outsole for excellent traction. So if your job puts your life on the line, trust in a pair of White's Smoke Jumpers." Whites Boots.
http://www.whitesboots.com/store/Whites_Boots.php
A co-worker of mine had a pair of these when he started working for us. He was born and raised in Montana. At first i was pretty skeptical. The boots come w/ a $400 price tag. I had a tendency to wear out boots in 9 month increments. So the idea of killing a $400 pair in that time period was a huge turn off. Besides the boot looks a little weird. It reminded me of something built in the 20's. But as you look at the details of the boot you notice some things not on your average work/hiker.
For instance,
1. the soles on these are screwed on. I never had a pair that offered that but there were plenty i wish that were.
2. Every seem is triple stitched (haven't popped a stitch yet)
3. The tongue is stitched all the way to the top of the boot. (I have NEVER gotten anything stuck in the boot after putting them on. 3.5 years...)
4. They use only top grade leathers
5. "Meets or exceeds requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2005 Edition" Whites Boots
6. They are completely re-buildable.
7. I've turned my ankle hundreds of times and never once have i injured myself. (you can practically run down a bolulder field blind and not hurt your feet or ankles :P )
8. Allow the ability to walk on water (ok not true but you could prolly water ski in them keeping your feet dry =D)
9. They take over 12 different measurements to get you a boot built for YOU. (White's keeps a permanent record of your specific dimensions on file for rebuilds or other model purchases) This is also nice if you have different sized feet. making a left size 12 and a right size 10 is all the same as having identical sized feet.
I could go on but i'm not trying to write book here. The price at first seems to be a con. But knowing that i've only spent the $400 in three years as opposed to the $800 i would have on redwings (don't get me wrong. i've spent hundreds on redwings and i still love them. good boots. but they aren't a White's boot). So the price issue and up not being an issue at all.
This is turning into a long ad so i'll shut up now (I'm not a White's employee btw. But I wish I was :P)
My whole point was supposed to be:
I trust whites and will own no other brand boot period!
"Life or death. White's Smoke Jumpers have often made the difference. Firefighters and smokejumpers have long depended on White's Smoke Jumper boots to get them through the toughest conditions. Now available in a lace-to-toe design for firm ankle support and adjustment, plus a deep-tread VibramŽ outsole for excellent traction. So if your job puts your life on the line, trust in a pair of White's Smoke Jumpers." Whites Boots.
http://www.whitesboots.com/store/Whites_Boots.php
