I was surprised to find Altama in the Mystery Ranch booth and even more surprised to get a sneak Peek of some new shoes being officially released at next week’s SHOT Show.
This is the Aboottabad (in honor of the location of UBL’s demise) series. It consists of a Trail Run Low and Trail Run Mid and a Mid to Heavy Weight Hiker.
All of the outsoles in this line get their DNA from the old Panama tread of the USGI Jungle Boot.
Here’s an OTB Maritime Assault Shoe in Low Viz colors.
During DSEI 2015 I spied a pair of outdoor Salomon X ALP MTN GTX discretely on display in the Edgar Brothers booth, which were undergoing wear trials with several European military and civil rescue organizations at the time. Salomon took feedback from those operational assessments and created a version for the Forces line.
Salomon is set to launch another new shoe addition to its high-performance Forces collection when the X ALP MTN GTX® Forces becomes available on January 1, 2017.
The X ALP MTN GTX® is designed to be the one boot to get you to wherever you need to go-from the bottom of the mountain to the top…and back again. It’s calling cards are waterproofness, durability, protection and stability. Available in all black, the X ALP MTN GTX® Forces features a seven-inch upper that offers stability and protection from the elements, as well as a GORE-TEX® membrane for waterproofness.
It’s designed with a mountaineering last and a protective rubber toe cap. The 3D edging chassis gives it stability on rugged ground. The X ALP MTN GTX® Forces is the toughest and most rugged shoe in Salomon’s Forces range, allowing the user to attach crampons and push the barriers even farther. Whether you’re crossing a glacier, scrambling over loose ground or carrying, this shoes will do the job.
Now that you’ve read the press release, let’s take a look at what makes these special. To do that, we’re going to share a series of graphics from Salomon which depict key features.
The edging chassis is a single piece and key to the boot’s flex, front-to-back, and high rigidity, side-to-side.
The boot’s ability to flex while retaining edge stability, also aids with grip.
The X ALP MTN may feel more flexible to you than other mountain boots because the mid-sole is not a big slab of plastic or carbon with no flexion.
Here’s a view of the outsole.
These two graphics offer information about the outsole design.
The ALP MTN GTX also features lacing to toe.
During last year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market I saw these new winter boots from Vasque.
The Lost 40 has changed colors slightly since I saw the prototypes, but they’re available in both Men’s and Women’s versions.
There are two independant laces as well as a pull loop at the rear make them easy to don and doff, even when you’re wearing gloves. They also incorporate IceTrek soles, which offer increased traction, even on ice, and are lined with wool. The wool lining and an Aerogel midsole help keep your feet warm in cold conditions.
I’m always on the lookout for new kit, even if it comes from the most unlikely sectors. UAS is a new line from Under Armour which is more luxury than athletic wear.
As I own a pair of UA Fat Tire boots and love them, the RLT immediately caught my eye. Although it’s quite unconventional looking, the Fat Tire sole offers both cushion and traction.
For some, the RLT may be a choice for a duty boot. It’s available in Black, as well as a Tan color which is called Partridge along with Dress Blue, although the toe seam detail may be an issue.
www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-uas-rlt-fat-tire-boot
Coming in the Fall/Winter of 2017, Salomon will introduce a new addition to its highly regarded Forces collection. With the new Urban Jungle Ultra boot, Salomon has taken the black, polishable utility boot to the next level and created the perfect solution for police, SWAT teams and others professionals who require a reliable and durable heavy-duty footwear for their demanding jobs.
With an eight-inch upper, breathable yet durable mesh tongue, a protective rubber heel and a breathable collar, the Urban Jungle Ultra places a premium on breathability, durability, stability and protection. The high-traction Contagrip sole prevents slipping on tricky terrain. Available in all black, the shoe will also work well with just about any uniform.
During SHOT Show, the 2017 Salomon Forces line will be in display in ZENO #4803 Level 4 of the Sands Expo.
Look for the new OTB Maritime Assault Boot by Altama in both low and mid heights, with limited showings at OR for key SOF groups and a full launch at SHOT.
The Maritime Assault Boot is intended for all tactical water operations with a fin friendly fit, it will accept the toe box of just about all dive fins used by Militaries worldwide. High abrasion quick drying 1000D Cordura quarter panels are offered in both solid colors and Multicam. This is combined with air mesh linings which help wick away sweat and other moisture quickly from your foot. To further mitigate the effects of water, there is an Ultron anti-microbial PU contoured footbed which will not absorb water and the front non-metallic drain ports allow for water to drain easily when flexing the boot.
Low-profile laces will not cause pain from fin wear on long swims and the non-shine rust-proof lace hardware will not break on the go. Additionally, Altama integrates a full-length, one-piece polypropylene shank to procide stability and support when climbing a caving ladder.
Finally, Altama’s OTB Maritime Assault Boot incorporates SEAL Rubber sticky outsoles. The rubber compound was originally developed for rock climbing shoes and modified for wet tactical operations. SEAL Rubber is one of the stickiest, high traction rubbers on the market today.
Look for these and other new styles at SHOT Show.
New for 2017, Salomon will add two new color options to popular shoe models in its Forces range, designed to address the professional requirements of core safety, law enforcement and military forces. Fans of Salomon’s Speed Assault and Jungle Ultra models will now have more options to choose from.
The Speed Assault will now be available in an all-black option, joining the already available burro (brown) offering. This super light (just 11.29 oz.), protective, and fiercely gripped shoe is ready for any warm weather or wet operation. From desert deployment to jungle training camps, it will help you maintain speed for better attacks. The Speed Assault also features non-reflective materials to make it more stealth-like, as well as breathable anti-debris mesh, a protective welded toe cap and an injected EVA midsole. The high-traction Contagrip sole helps maintain balance in varying weather conditions.
The durable, protective and breathable Jungle Ultra utility boot will now be available in a new Beluga (grey-green) color addition in 2017. The previously available brown color will also remain in the lineup. For those who require a reliable and durable heavy-duty solution for demanding and active work, the Jungle Ultra is designed to withstand the punishing conditions of warm, dry environments like the desert or even wet jungle conditions. It has an eight-inch suede leather upper for durability and protection. Plus, it features a high-traction Contagrip sole, a protective rubber toe cap, molded EVA, a breathable collar and breathable yet durable mesh tongue. The Beluga color option of the Jungle Ultra boot will be available in early January 2017.
During SHOT Show, the 2017 Salomon Forces line will be in display in ZENO #4803 Level 4 of the Sands Expo.
Yesterday marked final passage by the Senate of the 2017 NDAA which includes the language that will have military issue athletic footwear made in the United States. This is a HUGE win for the Berry Amendment, the warfighter, and the domestic industrial base. My congratulations to everyone who made this happen.
Rockford, Michigan, December 8, 2016 — Wolverine Worldwide (NYSE: WWW) today hailed the passage of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the defense bill that sets the policy and spending levels for the fiscal year. Included in the final version of the NDAA is language directing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to comply with the Berry Amendment and provide 100% American-made athletic footwear to recruits upon their initial entry to basic training. The Department of Defense has been providing a cash allowance to new service members for foreign-made athletic footwear. U.S. Marine recruits have been required to spend their own funds on these items.
Wolverine Worldwide is the parent company of Saucony, a manufacturer of high performance running shoes as well as of Bates footwear, the largest and most capable provider of combat boots, dress uniform and other footwear to the military. This legislation will positively impact footwear manufacturing in Michigan as well as the industrial base throughout the United States.
Members of the Michigan, Massachusetts, South Dakota and New Hampshire Congressional delegations, notably Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), Senator John Thune (R-SD), Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) have strongly supported this provision. Their hard work and leadership during NDAA consideration has ensured that recruits will have access to high-quality, American-made athletic footwear for military training and will help expand manufacturing for footwear and related components throughout the United States.
“I thank those members of Congress who have worked to sustain domestic manufacturing and ensure our warfighters train in American-made footwear,” said Blake Krueger, Wolverine Worldwide’s chairman, chief executive officer and president. “Congressional support for American-made products for the Department of Defense clearly demonstrates an understanding of the importance of maintaining a critical industrial capability within our country and ensures that soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines will be provided with a choice of technically advanced, durable, American-made athletic shoes for use in basic training.”
Since 1941, the Berry Amendment has required the Department of Defense to purchase American-made and sourced clothing, textiles, foods, and other essential military items for our men and women in uniform. The purpose of the Berry Amendment is to ensure that the United States is able to maintain viable domestic industries to support the needs of the Armed Services.
Wolverine Worldwide recently expanded its manufacturing plant located in Big Rapids, Michigan and employs more than 600 people who proudly build a broad spectrum of footwear for the Department of Defense. Products manufactured in Big Rapids include combat boots for the service branches, mountain combat boots for Special Operations Forces, and military dress shoes. Wolverine is adding an advanced manufacturing line for Berry-compliant Saucony running shoes in preparation for the pursuit of government awards. The company is looking forward to expanding upon this American-made athletic footwear capability to serve the Department of Defense as well as commercial markets.
Saucony is a leading global performance running brand founded in Pennsylvania in 1898. The brand is known for its best-in-class design, innovation and performance technology. Saucony has recently expanded its technical research laboratory in Waltham, Massachusetts where the company performs material testing as well as biomechanical, physiological, and sensory analysis of runners.
For additional information, please visit, www.wolverineworldwide.com.
