Rubber Versus Leather

[crashoakley]

I am the Chief of a small volunteer department. I am looking into leather boots. The rubber just doesn’t seem to hold up. For the money what is the best leather boot on the market.

Any comments would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

[pkfd7505]

We use the 14" BlackDiamond, I have never worn a more comfortable boot in my life.

[Gx7E10]

Haix, hands down. Pull-Up or Zip-Up, you won't go wrong.

[mark440]

ProWarrington or Thorogood

*Mark

[RFDACM]

Awesome Chief. One of the best moves you can do for the firefighters. We pay for our own leathers here and to a man none of us would go without them again. I used to go through a pair of rubber boot in two years, my first leathers retired with 5 years and are decent backups whent he new ones are wet. having tried most, I prefer the Haix also. My most recent pair are Haix and other than a small crease occuring from leaving the bunkers pulled down over the boots, they are perfect. The crease tends to rub on the ankle as if the inner rigid material ought to extend just a little higher.

Oh by the way, ther reason their so great is comfort!!! Walk all day with little to no irratation vs. clod hopping blister boots.

[E229Lt]

second vote for Warringtons

[firefightermfd1]

Thorogood leather square toe, or regular toe

The only leather boot I have ever had a problem with is lacrosse boots for some reason after you get them broken in the liner pulls out when you take your foot out.

[truckmonkey42]

Back to the original topic. There is no rubber vs leather debate in my opinion. The only question for your Chief should be " Which company do I go with to buy my FF's leather boots?" I have never heard of anyone switching back from leather boots to rubber boots. I personally wear Warrington Pro 4132's. I also have used the 5000 series, but punctured a hole in the kevlar material behind the "power toe" so will no try them again although the "power toe" is invaluable.
Now cost of course is a factor, but spend the extra $100/pair for leather and your ff's will appreciate it.

[TFDNICK]

If you go with the Thorogood's I would suggest the squared toe version. They appear to have more ankle suppot. We have suffered multiple sprained ankles with the regular Thorogoods. Also the square toe boot has a steel shin shank another plus is they are the least expensive. I have wore Thorogoods, Black Diamond, and Warringtons and if I had to pick one it would be the warringtons hands down.

[Weruj1]

Pro Warrington 5000's..........

[stretch13]

I had the old warringtons, all leather, and now have the 5000's. I love both of them. The 5000's are lighter.

[mercjr]

After one fire i knew i needed something different, bought leathers (warringtons) that was in 97 they are backup now but aside from worn toes good to go. I was on a committee to research for new gear and boots at my dept. remember chief ALL PRICES ARE NEGOTIABLE dont be afraid to ask for discounts for large order

[cdemarse]

Pro Warrington 5000's..........

Great boots

[PFDTruck18]

I love my leathers over the rubber ones. I dont know what we use, but I know the next pair will be purchased out of pocket cause Philly stopped issuing leather. Says there too expensive.

[BrianHFDLT]

We use the 14" BlackDiamond, I have never worn a more comfortable boot in my life.

We also have the Black Diamond's, I have found that in the snow and cold that the bottoms become very hard and ridgid, making for a less comfortable boot and a very slippery one as well, other than that they are great boots.

For those that are subjected to the snow , do any of the other brands take on this characteristic or is this a downfall of the Black Diamond ???

[FrFtr28]

A couple of guys in my department are switching back to rubber because they say that the leathers don't have good traction in the winter. I have worn leathers for a few minutes and can say that they are alot more comfortable then my rubbers. But, for a place where it snows 9 months out of the year it doesn't make a lot of sense to wear something that doesn't have decent traction. Anyone else have this problem or is it just the brand of leathers we have?

[fireguy919]

Pro Warrington 5000's..........

I'll second that. Love them like working regular shoes. I've never had any problems in snow, ice, mud the seem to grip well for us everyone loves them.

[Dalmatian190]

Traction is in the sole, not what the uppers are made of.

The solution isn't to go back to rubber boots, it's find a leather one with a better sole.

As a general trade off, the "stickier" the sole, the less it resists abrasion & abuse.

[FrFtr28]

Traction is in the sole, not what the uppers are made of.

The solution isn't to go back to rubber boots, it's find a leather one with a better sole.

As a general trade off, the "stickier" the sole, the less it resists abrasion & abuse.

So you're saying if they get a different brand of leathers than that will solve the problem? I'm not sure what they have now, but I'm pretty sure it's not Pro Warrington.

[fireman4949]

Warrington Pro 5000.

Best boots I've ever worn!




Kevin