B5 Systems

Posts Tagged ‘Bates Footwear’

Bates to Unveil New Footwear at SHOT Show

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Naturally Bates is going to unveil at least a couple of new styles at SHOT Show. After all, they are a footwear company and that’s the prime place to do it. But we have been fortunate enough to see behind the curtain and preview a couple of these styles at their headquarters in Michigan last fall. What we saw was awesome.

Bates is expanding their iCS line with the Delta-9 in Desert Tan. What it does is introduce the Individual Comfort System’s (ICS) Adjustable Comfort Technology to the world of desert boots. This “dial” technology allows each individual can choose the comfort zone that’s right for them by inserting a disc shaped dial into a channel in the heel of the boot. Different positions correspond to different ways that the foot interacts with the boot’s sole.

Additionally, Bates is introducing the Light Hiker and we think it is going to give the Improved Combat Hiker currently used by troops in Afghanistan a run for its money. Obviously, by looks alone you can see that it is not the same boot but rather incorporates some commercial technologies that many in the military will already be familiar with from the outdoor segment. The Light Hiker is just that, being designed for use as a hiker and perfect for scrambling and carrying light loads.

These are but two of the many tactical and duty footwear that Bates will be launching at SHOT show. Be sure to visit them in booth #12262.

www.batesfootwear.com

Extended Comfort Footwear

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

We have a little more information on the new boots mentioned in military.com’s Kit Up!. These boots are actually manufactured by STC, a Canadian company with the tan model being called the ‘Zulu’, and a black full grain leather version being marketed to military and law enforcement agencies who still require black boots.

This new Gore construction technique that STC has utilized doesn’t have the bulky lining found on all other military/tactical type waterproof/breathable boots, and is more like the inside of a Gore-Tex jacket, so it means that the perspiration moisture escapes faster and more efficiently and will retain less heat. This also means that if the inside of your boot gets wet (from ops like river crossings, stepping in puddles/holes deeper than the boot, etc.) they can simply be drained and toweled out, and will be dry within a couple hours, as opposed to the few days it seems to take to dry with other waterproof/breathable boots in the field. Additionally, according to WL Gore reps at Modern Day Marine, a new DWR finish similar to that used on Gore-Tex outerwear has been applied to the boot to help bead water up on the exterior of the boot.

These boots are more like a pair of USGI Panama Sole Desert or Jungle Boots (without the drainage eyelets) in terms of breathability and heat retention. The Cordura nylon on Desert/Jungle boots is coated in a layer of polyurethane which provides water resistance and impedes breathability to a point, but both these models of boots are far more breathable and cool than the traditional Gore-Tex lined boot.

Another benefit to having a Gore-Tex lined boot for ops in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and most other areas where public sanitation consists of living upstream from the canal which your raw sewage drains into is that a Gore-Tex membrane can provide increased protection to your feet when exposed bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in the local water.

It’s nice to see some real innovation being done in a boot which should pass the Command Sergeant Major’s interpretation of AR-670 approved footwear, but no word from STC yet as to whether they will be doing versions in Mojave Olive for Marines, or Sage for Air Force personnel. However, we do know that both Danner and Bates will be introducing boots with this new technology later this year.

We were able to try them out at the Modern Day Marine expo at Quantico, Virginia today in a special simulator developed to demonstrate the versatility of the boots across a wider range of climatic conditions than traditional boots. The whole point of the Extended Comfort Footwear is to combine the capabilities of both Hot Weather and Temperate footwear into a single boot. While the experience was far too short to really form an opinion, we get the concept and we like it.

New Bates Cold Weather Boots

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

In collaboration with Extreme Outfitters, Bates Footwear will release its ever popular M-6 and M-9 boots with 400G of Thinsulate® insulation. Bates will produce two colors of these special versions of the M-6 and M-9. The Mojave version is due to ship the beginning of October, while the Desert Sand version will ship early February 2011. Both models will feature a breathable mesh lining, removable insole, slip resistant Vibram Mutant Rubber Outsole, and cement construction. Combine these boots with Covert Threads® Ice Military Boot Socks and ArchFlex® insoles for superior cold weather performance with added support and comfort. Preorders from now until September 30 will save 25% off the retail price. Go to www.tacticaledge.com for more information.

Learn About Bates Boots at the Navy League’s Show of Pride Celebrating the New Breed of Warrior

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Bates Footwear’s Dick Cheniae will be presenting “New Breed of Footwear for the New Breed of Warrior” at 11:00 on Friday at the show. For those of you unable to attend the break out session be sure to stop by the Bates Footwear booth #527 to take a look at their entire line of tactical footwear.

www.batesfootwear.com

Team Bates Monthly Giveaway

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Join Team Bates and you are automatically entered in the Bates Footwear monthly drawing. What’s even better, you can enter up to one time per month. To enter, all you have to do is visit www.batesfootwear.com and sign up.

Bates C3 Technology

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Available beginning in May, the new Bates Cross Channel Circulation is designed to help keep you cool when you spend all day on your feet. While you move around air is forced into the sole of the boot to increase cooling.

Bates C3 Boot

“Bates is continuously unveiling new technologies with the goal of being a clear innovative solutions provider,” says Ron Woznick, Vice President and General Manager of Bates Footwear, “Comfort and footwear breathability remain high priorities for the law enforcement profession. We are looking forward to seeing this new technology on the streets where it will provide noticeable comfort differences in the everyday lives of men and women in law enforcement.”

We would also like to welcome Bates as our latest advertiser.