This threads getting pretty gay. I've worked in wildland.
The old standard is not to dissimilar than this:
>>2301289A lot of the most recommended seem to be in Spokane as they all started from White's (bought out by fashion company in 2014). Franks, Nick's, Jakes.
More firefighters are recommending direct attach boots, such as something similar to the M77. The main reason is the amount of long-term injuries created by wearing heavy boots. Wearing 25+ pounds on your back with the boots leads to a lot of knee, back, and foot problems.
Many of the newer boots made by Danner and Haix don't have the same durability, but they are lighter and easier on the body.
For wildland, you do need approved boots though. Welted boots use a material that is flame resistant, and most glues detach with heat so don't work either.
PS: Alfa m77 is way better than Varusteleka's. Direct attach boots have hydrolysis where they break down if they are not used. Companies with a lot of stock sitting around are going to have poorer management of moving stock, whereas Alfa just sells on their website.
You couldn't pay me to wear the 5 pound boots. I've had my own issues wearing them in, and glad to live in a time where other options exist or I may have more irreparable damage than I could manage.
So the old shit from Spokane, and those super duty boots from Austria/Germany are still great. They last forever. I still own a couple pairs of welted shoes/boots, but would only use them for a formal situation or if the world ended.
