We spied these babies in the New Balance booth at Modern Day Marine. The Rappel from OTB Boots will be available in both low and high topped versions.
You may notice that the rubberized toe looks a little different than what you are used to. It’s because the rubber has been printed onto the toe which eliminates the glue and stitching that increases weight (and cost) and is vulnerable to wear. You will also notice the cut out breathing panels to increase airflow. Unlike other boots, the padding has also been eliminated from those areas.
While the low top version is a straight forward light hiker, the high topped variant sports a couple of features that make it a great candidate for a covert assault boot. The instep has integrated cleats to help retard descent while fast roping and the sides are covered in rubberized fabric that resists wear and increases friction.
Available early 2011 from New Balance’s OTB Boots brand.
Tags: New Balance, OTB Boots