The latest in the SFB line, the SFB Mountain features a design inspired by Bill Bowerman’s service in World War II. The upper consists of Kevlar reinforced canvas, which is water-repellent and breathable. The perforated bootie can be removed and worn on its own for quick drying.
The footbed is also Kevlar reinforced, which protects it from punctures. The midsole is removable, and doubles as a sockliner. The external collar helps prevent small stones and debris from getting in the boot.
It comes in one color: Military Brown/Military Brown
Hat tip: sneakernews.com/2015/02/02/nike-releases-sneaker-inspired-world-war-ii
Tags: Nike
I’ll need to pull some more data on these. The removeable insulated bootie lines up with a project.
Looks like a very cool boot option, but I’m a little reluctant on that “Kevlar protects against puncture” thing, espectially regarding stuff like rusty nails and perchance the perhaps proverbial punji stick.
There have been a number of knife stabbings through Kevlar vests (including “hey, watch this!” style “demonstrations”).
how can they resist punctures LESS then boots without kevlar? At the end of the day kevlar is a stupid strong fiber and can’t hurt anything. Weave is everything.
Well a normal boot will usually have a much thicker sole, so that is a big difference.
I agree with what AbnMedOps says regarding the pentration prevention. But, that aside, these look like a real step forward for Nike. looking forward to hearing more about them.
I ordered a pair so I’ll let you know how they work out.
I’d be really interested in seeing them!
Where did you find them in stock? Nike lists them for $300 on their site.
I bought them from Nike.com
Nike has become at best a 50/50 proposition with their statements about innovation (“this Kevlar is spikeproof”) but in the past the Bowerman name is Nike code for “we put some real effort into this, give it a shot, it may suit your needs.” Kinda like their ACG (until it went full gimmick)
Nike’s Bowerman running shoes were all I wore for a time. Then the name lost meaning (probably in service to profitability). I’ll be keeping an eye on these.
If the kevlar is tightly woven (like the kind found in Turtleskin Gloves) then it can offer a fair bit of puncture resistance.
I wish they would combine this boot with the ultralight steel toe they used in the Nike SWAT Terminators back in the day.
All the Nike boots I have tried on always fell into the “awesome! but…” category. Regardless of size they were either the right width but too long or too narrow but the right length. I want so bad for Nike boots to work with my Fred Flintstone feet. But, they do not seem to come in wide sizes. If they do I cannot find them.