Here’s a quick update on the Rocky Jungle Boot. Testing in jungle environments has been very positive but testers asked for a slightly less stiff lining in the toe box. Test samples used the same liner as snake boots in order to defend against black palm. Rocky has identified a new material and these should be ready for market in late summer. The boots will still have unlined Cordura uppers, metal mesh screen behind the drain holes and ‘snail snot’ on the toe.
Garmont are some of the most comfortable and popular tactical boots out there and for a short time, the T4 is on sale from Extreme Outfitters with a price that is 30% off retail. Just use code “T430†at checkout.
The Garment T4 is a hiker design with nubuck/fabric uppers lined with Gore-tex. Available in Black or Tan.
We’ve mentioned the Magnum Intrepid HPi running shoe a couple of times, but it’s been the MultiCam variant. Today, we want to show you their Black model that most of us would wear while PTing. One of the things we like about the shoe is the incorporation of Magnum’s ion-mask technology. It’s a nano-technology waterproof surface treatment that keeps the shoe itself from absorbing water. It also features a dual-density midsole with a 3D counterbalance for stability even on trails and a Seamless Upper Zone Engineering (SUZE) upper design that mixes weave patterns to mold to the contours of your foot. Available in US sizes 7-12 and 13.
The Marine Corps is getting ready issue a solicitation for a full and open competition for both Temperate Weather and Hot Weather Rugged All Terrain Boots. Just a few years ago the Marines began their love affair with the retro look (and construction) of the RAT Boot. They’ve had a couple of contractors build the boots but haven’t been very happy with the product. Rather than look at the 19th century construction of the boots as the real culprit they decided to treat at least one vendor with disdain publicly and blame them. But, I’ve heard from more than one company building them that the boot’s design is the issue.
Originally innovated by Danner for the Marine Corps, the RAT is available in both Hot Weather and Temperate versions with the Temperate model incorporating a Gore-tex liner. It features a lace to toe system with a flex “V†notch. It also features a heel and toe counter that helps resist abrasion. Overall, it’s a great looking boot. As you probably know, Marine Corps combat footwear is “Olive” (originally Olive Mojave) in color but it really resembles Coyote. Additionally, he heel is branded with the Eagle Globe and Anchor insignia. The boot has a couple of great features but the stitch down construction between the sole and upper remains troublesome.
The Marine Corps anticipates a maximum quantity of 325,000 Boots consisting of 162,500 pairs TW and 162,500 pairs HW. With shrinking demand for military footwear it will be interesting to see which companies are willing to dance with the devil on this one.
The actual solicitation hasn’t been released yet but you can read the per-solicitation here.
Nike has added the popular SF boot to their Nike iD program. While you’re sitting around waiting for the big game to start head over to nikeid.nike.com and try out a few combos.
With color and material options including synthetic suede and full grain leather lowers and leather or canvas uppers, including solids and camo prints you can build exactly the boot you need.
We’ve been asked a couple of times if the special deal on Roclite 295s from Extreme Outfitters is still valid and the answer is, “Of Course.” I own a pair and they are a great shoe, and this is a great deal.
Working in conjunction with Inov-8, Extreme Outfitters recently introduced the Roclite 295 Multi Purpose Trainer. Available in both Black and Sand, the Roclite 295 is an excellent minimal structured on/off road trainer suited for nearly all terrain and hard road surfaces. Weighing in at 295 grams, this shoe is awesome for gym use providing an excellent stable platform utilizing its sticky rubber outsole which provides amazing grip in wet conditions and dries out very quickly!
The Roclite 295 features:
– Synthetic leather and breathable mesh upper.
– Webbing upper support – lacing is attached to nylon webbing to cradle and secure the upper behind the metatarsal heads.
– Advanced Meta-Flexâ„¢ technology is anatomically aligned in front of the metatarsal heads for a natural forefoot flex.
– New 5-finger meta-shank aligns with each individual metatarsal for greater flexibility when contouring while retaining underfoot impact protection.
– Advanced Meta-Flexâ„¢ technology is anatomically aligned in front of the metatarsal heads for a natural forefoot flex.
– Met-cradleâ„¢: The upper webbing support is anatomically positioned to cradle the forefoot behind the metatarsal heads and provide a secure foot hold.
– The Fascia Band increases the structural stability of the arch area and the propulsive efficiency of the shoe
– Sticky rubber outsole compound has been specially developed using climbing rubber technology. This rubber optimizes grip in wet conditions.
We’d like to thank Extreme Outfitters for offering SSD readers a special 25% off this product for a limited time. To receive this discount simply use discount code 295 at checkout. This is a limited time offer as there are only 1,100 of each color in stock and they are moving out fast.
The color options for the popular Lowa Zephyr keep expanding. Here is a Grey model.
They also showed us the Focus GTX QC. This quarter cut shoe features a Gore-tex lining and a lightweight trekking sole which is actually stiffer then the Zephyr. It also incorporates a unique lacing system with free floating fabric loops that allows a more customized fit across a wider range of foot types.
