When last we met, my buddy Jim Brunelle was awaiting delivery of a pair of Black Diamond firefighting boots to test out, while my fingers and brain took a mini-vacation from blogging (my imaginary trip to my own private Idaho was lovely, thanks very much).

Jim sent me an email with his thoughts regarding the boots, and I opened it, fully expecting a knuckle-dragging Cro-Magnon-esque male perspective.

You know; something along the lines of “Boots good. Feet happy. grunt, grunt” and I’d be expected to add some sort of florid commentary to bolster the expected lack of verbiage.

Well thanks for NOTHING ….as it turns out, Jim can be rather chatty when the mood strikes. And descriptive to boot (get it? “to boot” ? a boot review? get it?! –cue the crickets–)

So here is Jim’s review, in all of its unexpected and pithy glory—Guess I’ll shut my mouth, eat my words and await his next commentary after he’s had a chance to test them in the field.

“So I received my new Black Diamond Boots today. I felt like a kid at Christmas. I opened the box with much anticipation, as expected, a beatiful new shiny pair of Black Diamond boots…Sweet!!!!
Looking at the boots, I couldn’t help but notice the fine workmanship,the high class of leather used in producing the boots, and the rugged looking sole.

I slipped them on for a test fit…they fit like a glove. I’ve had a couple pairs of leathers and these felt nothing like the others, usually you are looking at a stiff boot with break- in time.Not these babies, they felt comfortable as well as light. One thing a firefighter doesn’t need is a pair of weights on his or her feet when they’re on a 3 or 4 hour battle with the beast or in the road working a bad MVA or directing traffic for that matter.
And last but not least the boots have a great look to them, very stylish. They look very professional and accent my bunker pants nicely.
Ok, so now to wait for a chance to dig in and put them to work. Stay tuned!!!!!”

To read the article on Mel’s Page visit: http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blogs/black-diamond-boot-review-part

Another great turnout at FDIC this year. Here are photos from the Black Diamond team so that you can feel like you’re right in the action.

Meet The Black Diamond Girls – Mary, Claudia, Kara and Jessica.

They have been busy all day signing posters and helping people try on Black Diamond’s new X2 boot.

One Happy Firefighter!

Just for trying on a pair of boots, everyone receives a Firefighter hat!

Just another busy day at FDIC.

For all of you who couldn’t make it to FDIC, feast your eyes on this – the latest edition from Black Diamond Footwear.

There is something big happening at this year’s FDIC. Black Diamond Footwear will be debuting the next evolution in comfort and protection footwear – The X2 Boot. Currently in the certification process, the X2 will soon take its place as  the most advanced fire boot on the market.

The 2010 Features:

• The Calf-Fit System: allows for maximum comfort and fit
• Integrated Pull-On System: integrated and reinforced loop pull on system
• Shin Guard Protection: maximum protection that conforms to the shape of your shin
• Leather Upper: fire retardant, genuine heavyweight FireTuff leather
• Fusion Upper: a powerful alloy of solution dye Nomex / Kevlar and Teflon F.P.P.E. Combines the durability of Nomex, the strength and abrasion resistance of Kevlar and water resistance of patented Teflon F.P.P.E.
• 3-Point Heel Lock System: exclusive 3-point heel lock system for comfort and fit. Ankle guard for maximum protection
• Lining: CROSSTECH membrane with Omaha lining is a high performance, wicking fabric originally developed for aggressive military applications
• Lining Construction: stitch-down ‘Stroble’ lining  construction ensures non liner pullout and maximum fit
• 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material: flame-resistant, fluorescent, and reflective material for added viability
• Ortholite Footbed: Tri-density, multi-fit, removable footbed with TPU heel cradle for comfort, anti-odor, anti-fungal, breathable, and shock absorption
• Toe Cap Protection: rubber top cap protection for high-abrasion and a steel toe, HI 500 Oblique Comfort Toe meets or exceeds ASTM Standards
• Lenzi Puncture Protection Midsole: high performance composite, penetration-resistant

Not only the solution, but the new standard. Black Diamond Footwear. The Best Damn Fire Boots.

So remember to stop by booth 410 at the FDIC to be one of the first to try on this boot!

April is here and the FDIC is upon us. Come join us for the Indy Meetup!

What: Meet other firefighters and your favorite bloggers from Fire/ EMS Blogs.com

Where: The Rock Bottom 10 Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 map

When: April 23, 2010 8pm – 11pm

Who: Presented by Black Diamond Footwear and Black Helmet Apparel

Check out the official Invitation on Fire Fighter Nation

Come stop by the Black Diamond Booth #410 and the first drink is on us!

Thanks to our friends at FireRescue1 and Fire Engineering for letting everyone know about our American Podiatric Medical Association approval. This is BIG NEWS – Black Diamond Footwear is the first and only fire boot with this distinction.  To read the full articles please click the links below.

FireRescue1

Fire Engineering

ORTHOLITE TO HELP FIGHT FIRES WITH BLACK DIAMOND FOOTWEAR

Fire boots to feature OrthoLite’s innovative insoles for unmatched comfort

Amherst, MA (April 9, 2010) – OrthoLite, the world’s leading supplier of open cell foam insoles in the performance and footwear category, has partnered with Black Diamond Footwear to become the official insole of its protective footwear.

For the past three generations Black Diamond has been the leader in performance protective footwear with boots, used daily in fire departments around the world. The insoles feature performance properties essential to firefighters demanding jobs, including breathability, moisture control and anti-microbial benefits.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with OrthoLite,” said CEO of Black Diamond, Alan Lunder. ”OrthoLite’s mission to promote comfort and optimum performance are consistent with our efforts to build boots that help firefighters brave extreme conditions by providing maximum protection with all-day comfort.”

“Firefighters need product that performs in extreme conditions,” said Pamela Gelsomini, President of OrthoLite. “The quality and integrity that Black Diamond boots are known for, coupled with OrthoLite’s high level of under-the-foot performance creates the most durable and comfortable footwear for those who need it most.”

Consumers will be able to easily identify the ten different styles of rubber boots that provide OrthoLite’s comfort by finding the OrthoLite name included in the description of the boots and by the logo on the insole. Black Diamond footwear featuring the OrthoLite insoles are available at www.blackdiamondfootwear.com.Boots retail from $129.99 to $259.99, respectively.

About OrthoLite: OrthoLite, headquartered in Amherst, MA, is the world’s leading supplier of open cell foam insoles found in more than 80 million shoes each year including, Asics, New Balance, Merrell, Nike, Vans, Puma and Timberland. OrthoLite combines polyurethane and recycled rubber to provide superior cushioning, comfort, breathability and durability. OrthoLite was originally founded in 1997 and is a product of O2 Partners LLC. For more information, visit www.ortholite.com.

About Black Diamond Group: Black Diamond is a leading brand of performance protective footwear.  The company’s highly acclaimed fire boots are used by fire departments around the world and are developed with the finest, most durable materials and components to endure the extraordinary demands placed on firefighters.  Black Diamond is the only brand in the industry to combine the latest technologies for superior comfort and performance in harsh conditions. They are the only boots to be certified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and receive the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Approval. For further information, please visit www.blackdiamondfootwear.com.

This article is the conclusion of a review on Black Diamond’s Leather Fire X-Boot that I started a couple of weeks ago.  Part 1 of that review can be found at this link.  The first part of the review focused on the looks, materials, and initial feel.  This article will focus on how the boots performed out and about and after some extended use.

For those of you that didn’t read the first part of the review when it was published, or were lazy and didn’t click the link to read it now, I was blown away by the comfort of these boots the first time I put them on.  They really did feel like a comfortable pair of tennis shoes.   I was eager to see if that same comfort would be still be there after wearing the boots for a comparably long time.  I also liked the looks of the boot, as I feel they blend tradition with new technology.  So how did they do?

The first day I wore them I kept them on for about 8 hours.  I wore them just doing general chores and work around my residence and property.   During most of the day they felt good, again feeling more like tennis shoes rather than boots.  However, after about 6 hours I must admit my toes started hurting.  The soreness was in my pinky toes due to rubbing.  I kept them on for a couple more hours and the pain was minor and after checking my feet I was happy to see no blisters.  I guess the bottom line is even with as comfortable as these boots are, they are still boots and need broken in a little bit.  Heck, even tennis shoes need broken in sometimes.

On the second day of wearing them, I am happy to report no pain or soreness at all.  I was expecting my toes to hurt a little bit but there was no pain at all.  Again, I used them around my property and did some testing with them.  I did some sprints and running in them just to see what they were like.  They were a little heavy, they are boots after all, but I was able to run fine in them with no slippage or balance issue.  I also used the chainsaw around the property and I was extremely happy with the boot makeup.  They are slim and non-bulky and don’t get in the way while cutting.   I also gave them a good workout in the mud.  Again, they performed great, giving great traction and not getting bogged down in the mud.  I tested them out on ladders and as expected I felt sure-footed going up and down the ladder.

Some of the call types that I was able to wear them on included an motor vehicle accident and a brush fire.  I know I’m sounding like a broken record but these boots impressed me again on the incidents.

I’m sold on these boots, so lets recap:

Pros: Great comfort (feel like tennis shoes), Good looks, Not bulky or “clunky”
Cons: Minor soreness while breaking them in the first day (I know I’m stretching it a little bit on this one since most boots and shoes need broken in)

In conclusion, I found these boots to be great.  As you can see with the Pros and Cons, I really couldn’t come up with any major things that I didn’t like with these boots. I highly recommend your department giving them a try.  You can also try to win a pair from Black Diamond on Black Diamond’s site.