Being retired I don’t need to wear boots day to day. Black Diamond Footwear asked me if I would take a pair of their boots for a test drive and I said why not. The boot is the X-Boot, Stock #0975 and out of the box it looks like this.
Here is what I thought when I put them on. First off they were a perfect fit right away. The company did a good job quizzing me on my foot size. The fabric lining on the inside made the boot feel more like a comfortable pair of shoes than a work boot. They go on easy with the integrated loops and they seem to snap in once the foot is in the boot. The other thing is the style, they look good. Like I mentioned I am retired so I cannot speak to how they feel on a full work shift around the firehouse or fire ground but I can imagine.
I can represent how they feel after a couple of days of wear around my home and property. One review I read likened them to wearing a pair of tennis shoes. I second that sentiment. I have to say these boots are something I would be comfortable in for continuous workdays or an extended shift.
9.5 out of 10! Solid A grade.
Here are the particulars;
Comfort System : Comfort Fit Plus – with Enersole
Boot Height : 14 Inches
Leather Upper : Prime’s Firestorm(TM) Genuine Leather
3-Point Heel Lock System : Exclusive 3-Point Heel Lock for Fit & Comfort
Lining : CROSSTECH(TM) Fabric with Cambrelle(TM) 300g
Kevlar Lining : Kevlar(R) lined for maximum protection
Venting System : Reinforced Ventilation Eyelets to Promote Airflow
Tibia Protection : 1/4″ Sponge Rubber for Maximum Protection
Toe Cap Protection : Tuffy Shark Scuff Resistant Leather
Steel Toe : Hi 500, Meets of Exceeds ASTM Standards
Steel Midsole : Stainless Steel
Steel Shank : Double Ridged Steel
Midsole : 2.2MM Rubber Mid
Outsole : Vibram #1275 Rubber
Footbed : PU Orthotic Footbed, Fabric-covered, Removable
Pull-On System : Integrated Loop System for Add Strength
Certification : NFPA 1971 Edition Standard for Structural Firefighting
To read the full article online please visit http://firefighterblog.com/2010/08/not-your-grandpas-boots-black-diamond-fits-just-right