Upper part of the boot
The upper is the part of the boot that wraps around the foot and may reach the ankle or higher, depending on whether the boot has a high, mid-height or low shaft. It is made from various materials to meet the specific needs of each service or use. Here are some upper materials to consider when choosing your boots:
- Suede: it is the most commonly used material, made from treated animal or synthetic leather with great durability.
- Leather, whether natural or artificial: it can be combined with a waterproof membrane as is the case with Crispi boots. It is often used in police boots.
- Cordura: a durable textile material used in high-wear areas.
- Waterproof membranes: the most used and popular is Gore-tex, but there are also other waterproof membranes like the eVent from 5.11.
Midsole
The midsole is the part of the boot just below the removable insole and its material directly influences comfort, cushioning, fatigue and many other factors. From this area, frames or structures can also extend that wrap around the boot to give it greater torsional resistance as is the case with some models of Lowa, Crispi, Salomon, etc. Here are some common midsole materials:
- EVA: EVA foam is one of the most used materials for the production of midsoles due to its mechanical properties. It increases cushioning and reduces fatigue.
- Polyurethane (PU): It is used to enhance the integrity of the midsole, usually mixed with EVA to form a more complete midsole.
- Reinforcement plates (Shanks): sometimes the midsole is reinforced with puncture protection, and other types of protection as needed. For police and military use, it is recommended to use boots with puncture protection.
Sole
The sole is the part that makes direct contact with the ground and provides protection, traction, and comfort. There are well-known brands of soles such as Vibram, Continental, Contagrip, etc. They are neither better nor worse than manufacturers’ own soles; they simply have different characteristics. Some features of the outsoles include:
- Rubber: material with which the sole is made.
- Lug pattern: this is important when choosing a sole. Using it for trekking or mountaineering differs from using it on asphalt or for a range of activities. The pattern should suit the boot’s intended use.
- Fast rope capability: There are boots that allow for fast rope. This is a very important point to consider for those professionals who use this technique in their work.
Certifications
This feature deserves particular attention if the boots are to be used professionally. We must check that the boot is certified as work footwear in accordance with the EN ISO 20347:2012 standard. A reference to this standard alone does not guarantee antistatic properties: we must check each model’s markings and documentation. Antistatic footwear helps reduce discharges of static electricity that could generate sparks.
The sole’s insulation against cold and heat must also be checked in the model’s markings and documentation. In addition, the outsole must be slip-resistant (this is very important for police officers working on wet surfaces, such as asphalt) and, depending on the requirements of the service, its resistance to oil, gasoline and contact heat must be checked.
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