By Alan M. Petrillo

At one time not long ago, rubber boots were the norm to complement a turnout coat, bunker pants, helmet, and gloves. Not anymore.

Manufacturers are turning out a wide array of firefighting boots in leather models that are functional, are ergonomically designed, provide safe footing and protection, and are more comfortable compared with their rubber ancestors.

Stats

Rob Mills, president of Black Diamond Group, notes that one data source he reviewed shows that through the first half of 2015, approximately 65 percent of the structural firefighting boots sold in the United States were leather models.

Steve Allison, director of sales and marketing for Fire-Dex, thinks the percentage of leather boot usage in the United States is closer to 70 percent, which he believes will continue to grow.

Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, agrees that many fire departments either have made the switch from rubber to leather boots or are contemplating doing so when budgets permit.

Sandy Longarzo, marketing administration manager for Haix North America Inc., says information gleaned at the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA) annual meeting shows that the proportion of leather structural firefighting boots has grown in the overall market nationally to about double the number of units compared with rubber structural boots.

Mark Mordecai, director of business development for Globe Manufacturing Co., Mark Winters, senior technical project manager for Honeywell First Responder Products, and Jeff Burns, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Thorogood Shoes, each estimate that leather structural firefighting boots make up between 60 and 65 percent of the national market.

Lion

Josh Frank, Lion’s product manager for footwear, says that with leather structural firefighting boots like Lion’s Marshall 14-inch-high model, “the first thing the wearer notices is the comfort, which you can’t get in rubber boots.” In addition, he says, Lion’s leather boots are more flexible and form-fitting. “We use a Lock-Fit Ankle Support system that clicks the foot into place inside the boot,” Frank points out. “The boot is designed to be comfortable to prevent excess fatigue and to fit well so that slips and falls are uncommon.”

1 Lion makes the 14-inch-high Marshall structural firefighting boot that has a Lock-Fit Ankle Support system built in. (Photo courtesy of Lion.)

Lion boots have a slip-resistant Vibram Fire & Ice sole, breathable and absorbent Cambrelle lining, polyfelt and aluminized felt insulation for protection from radiant heat, Pierce-Protect Arch Protection System, a molded thermoplastic heel counter, and a tempered steel safety toe. Besides the Marshall model, Lion also makes the 12-inch-high Commander lace-up leather boot with a side zipper for easy entry and the Battalion boot for structural firefighting, proximity firefighting, and liquid splash protection, Frank says.

Read more 639 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Jan 8, 2016 Leather Boots Gain Market Share in Fire Service By Alan M. Petrillo At one time not long ago, rubber boots were the norm to complement a turnout coat, bunker pants, helmet, and gloves. Not anymore. Manufacturers are turning out a wide array of firefighting boots in leather models that are functional, are ergonomically designed, provide safe footing and protection, and are more comfortable compared with their rubber ancestors. Stats Rob Mills, president of Black Diamond Group, notes that one data source he reviewed shows that through the first half of 2015, approximately 65 percent of the structural firefighting boots sold in the United States were leather models. Steve Allison, director of sales and marketing for Fire-Dex, thinks the percentage of leather boot usage in the United States is closer to 70 percent, which he believes will continue to grow. Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, agrees that many fire departments either have made the switch from rubber to leather boots or are contemplating doing so when budgets permit. Sandy Longarzo, marketing administration manager for Haix North America Inc., says information gleaned at the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA) annual meeting shows that the proportion of leather structural firefighting boots has grown in the overall market nationally to about double the number of units compared with rubber structural boots. Mark Mordecai, director of business development for Globe Manufacturing Co., Mark Winters, senior technical project manager for Honeywell First Responder Products, and Jeff Burns, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Thorogood Shoes, each estimate that leather structural firefighting boots make up between 60 and 65 percent of the national market. Lion Josh Frank, Lion’s product manager for footwear, says that with leather structural firefighting boots like Lion’s Marshall 14-inch-high model, “the first thing the wearer notices is the comfort, which you can’t get in rubber boots.” In addition, he says, Lion’s leather boots are more flexible and form-fitting. “We use a Lock-Fit Ankle Support system that clicks the foot into place inside the boot,” Frank points out. “The boot is designed to be comfortable to prevent excess fatigue and to fit well so that slips and falls are uncommon.” 1 Lion makes the 14-inch-high Marshall structural firefighting boot that has a Lock-Fit Ankle Support system built in. (Photo courtesy of Lion.) Lion boots have a slip-resistant Vibram Fire & Ice sole, breathable and absorbent Cambrelle lining, polyfelt and aluminized felt insulation for protection from radiant heat, Pierce-Protect Arch Protection System, a molded thermoplastic heel counter, and a tempered steel safety toe. Besides the Marshall model, Lion also makes the 12-inch-high Commander lace-up leather boot with a side zipper for easy entry and the Battalion boot for structural firefighting, proximity firefighting, and liquid splash protection, Frank says. Read more 616 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Jan 8, 2016 Leather Boots Gain Market Share in Fire Service By Alan M. Petrillo At one time not long ago, rubber boots were the norm to complement a turnout coat, bunker pants, helmet, and gloves. Not anymore. Manufacturers are turning out a wide array of firefighting boots in leather models that are functional, are ergonomically designed, provide safe footing and protection, and are more comfortable compared with their rubber ancestors. Stats Rob Mills, president of Black Diamond Group, notes that one data source he reviewed shows that through the first half of 2015, approximately 65 percent of the structural firefighting boots sold in the United States were leather models. Steve Allison, director of sales and marketing for Fire-Dex, thinks the percentage of leather boot usage in the United States is closer to 70 percent, which he believes will continue to grow. Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, agrees that many fire departments either have made the switch from rubber to leather boots or are contemplating doing so when budgets permit. Sandy Longarzo, marketing administration manager for Haix North America Inc., says information gleaned at the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA) annual meeting shows that the proportion of leather structural firefighting boots has grown in the overall market nationally to about double the number of units compared with rubber structural boots. Mark Mordecai, director of business development for Globe Manufacturing Co., Mark Winters, senior technical project manager for Honeywell First Responder Products, and Jeff Burns, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Thorogood Shoes, each estimate that leather structural firefighting boots make up between 60 and 65 percent of the national market. Lion Josh Frank, Lion’s product manager for footwear, says that with leather structural firefighting boots like Lion’s Marshall 14-inch-high model, “the first thing the wearer notices is the comfort, which you can’t get in rubber boots.” In addition, he says, Lion’s leather boots are more flexible and form-fitting. “We use a Lock-Fit Ankle Support system that clicks the foot into place inside the boot,” Frank points out. “The boot is designed to be comfortable to prevent excess fatigue and to fit well so that slips and falls are uncommon.” 1 Lion makes the 14-inch-high Marshall structural firefighting boot that has a Lock-Fit Ankle Support system built in. (Photo courtesy of Lion.) Lion boots have a slip-resistant Vibram Fire & Ice sole, breathable and absorbent Cambrelle lining, polyfelt and aluminized felt insulation for protection from radiant heat, Pierce-Protect Arch Protection System, a molded thermoplastic heel counter, and a tempered steel safety toe. Besides the Marshall model, Lion also makes the 12-inch-high Commander lace-up leather boot with a side zipper for easy entry and the Battalion boot for structural firefighting, proximity firefighting, and liquid splash protection, Frank says. Read more 430 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious4651465246534654465546564657465846594660NextLast Theme picker Section Quick Links   Fire Mechanics Documents EVT Discussion Forum Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery Training & Testing 2019 Scholarship Logo Wear Store Upcoming Events Theme picker Sponsors Fire Mechanics Section Board Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Chair Elliot Courage North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Vice Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Vice Chair Mike Smith  Pierce County Fire District #5 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Secretary Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Secretary Greg Bach South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #1 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #1 Doug Jones South Kitsap Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #2 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #2 Paul Spencer  Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #3 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #3 Jim Morris Mountain View Fire Department Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #4 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #4 Arnie Kuchta Clark County Fire District 6 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #6 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #6 Brett Annear Kitsap County Fire District 18 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #5 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #5 Jay Jacks Camano Island Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Legislative Representative Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Legislative Representative TBD TBD Read more 3512 0 Article rating: No rating Immediate Past Chair Posted: Oct 20, 2015 Immediate Past Chair Brian Fortner Graham Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating RSS Theme picker 2020 CAR SHOW Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2025 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM