What are the Wildland Fire Boots NFPA Requirements?Are you a wildland firefighter looking for a pair of boots that can stand up to the tough and rugged conditions of the job? Now before we dive into the full specs of the NFPA requirements, some of the details are in flux right now. As of this writing, the NFPA 1977 requirements are being phased out and combined in the NFPA 1950 standards. That said, all the following is true for wildland fire boots. Wildland Fire Boots NFPA Requirements The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has esta...
Which Part of Insulated Work Boots is Dielectric?Not every work boot offers dielectric protection. To be electrically insulating, boots must have a rubber sole and some form of waterproofing. Additional insulation inside can also provide dielectric properties. Electrical Hazard (EH-Rated) leather boots won’t be dielectric as they’re not waterproof. If you’re looking for a dielectric work boot, you’ll need waterproof, insulated boots, preferably with a high shaft. Insulated winter work boots are dielectric, as they can be used in wet, icy, ...
Are Wildland Fire Boots Good for Hiking?As a wildland firefighter, you know the importance of having a reliable and durable pair of boots that are specifically designed for the job. But what about when you want to hit the trails for a casual hike? Are your wildland fire boots suitable for hiking as well? Well, there are some pros and cons of wearing fire boots for hiking and if you’re looking for a boot that can do both, then you’re in luck: the JK Fire Inlander is a wildland fire boot all the way through, but plenty of our custome...
10 Tips to Make Your Work Boots More ComfortableBreaking in a tough pair of work boots? At JK, we’ve been handcrafting the most durable work boots since the mid ‘90s in Spokane, Washington, so we know a thing or two about breaking in tough boots. We ship a lot of boots out to wildland firefighters, linemen, loggers---some of the toughest jobs on the planet. And if you have a tough break-in while out on the job, it can make for a long day. It might surprise you, but even though JK Boots are built like tanks and look like they’d take year...
Why are Handmade Boots More Comfortable?Photo: Well-worn pair of handmade JK work boots History of Bootmaking Handmade footwear was the norm for millennia until the 19th century with the development of industrial machines which flooded the market with synthetic materials and more styles of boots than ever. The mass production of boots allowed for lower prices and greater accessibility to, well…the masses. Today’s boot manufacturers boast of high-tech construction and maximum comfort with unfamiliar terms like “air-infused PU midsol...
How to Fit Wildland Fire Boots: 5 Tips to Get the Right FitYour feet are the foundation of your firefighting success, so let's make sure you've got the perfect boots to withstand those challenging conditions. These are the five most important factors to consider when getting the ideal fit for your wildland fire boots, ensuring support and comfort when you're out battling the flames. Remember, when the going gets tough, it's the tough who get going---and that starts with a reliable pair of work boots. So here’s how you get the righ...
How JK Crafts American Made Work BootsTrue American made work boots are a dying breed. Sure, you can find boots that are sewn together in the USA. Brands that print the Stars and Stripes on a little tag and attach it to the inside. But what about boots that are USA-made all the way through? There are a handful of brands still crafting true American made work boots, from the style all the way through to the materials. Here’s how it’s done. The Best American Made Work Boots Are Handcrafted For a truly durable work boot, there’s n...
What Leather is Best for Fire Boots? NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards require an 8-inch lace-up style leather boot with a melt-resistant sole. That’s a mouthful, ain’t it? What’s not as clear is what type of leather is the best for fire boots. Because even two boots that look the same can have a vastly different performance in the field. So if you’re getting a new pair of fire boots, you want to make sure you’re getting the right leather that’ll keep your feet protected and comfortable. And if you pick a ...
What are the Wildland Fire Boots NFPA Requirements?
Are you a wildland firefighter looking for a pair of boots that can stand up to the tough and rugged conditions of the job? Now before we dive into the full specs of the NFPA requirements, some of the details are in flux right now. As of this writing, the NFPA 1977 requirements are being phased out and combined in the NFPA 1950 standards. That said, all the following is true for wildland fire boots. Wildland Fire Boots NFPA Requirements The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has esta...
Which Part of Insulated Work Boots is Dielectric?
Not every work boot offers dielectric protection. To be electrically insulating, boots must have a rubber sole and some form of waterproofing. Additional insulation inside can also provide dielectric properties. Electrical Hazard (EH-Rated) leather boots won’t be dielectric as they’re not waterproof. If you’re looking for a dielectric work boot, you’ll need waterproof, insulated boots, preferably with a high shaft. Insulated winter work boots are dielectric, as they can be used in wet, icy, ...
Are Wildland Fire Boots Good for Hiking?
As a wildland firefighter, you know the importance of having a reliable and durable pair of boots that are specifically designed for the job. But what about when you want to hit the trails for a casual hike? Are your wildland fire boots suitable for hiking as well? Well, there are some pros and cons of wearing fire boots for hiking and if you’re looking for a boot that can do both, then you’re in luck: the JK Fire Inlander is a wildland fire boot all the way through, but plenty of our custome...
10 Tips to Make Your Work Boots More Comfortable
Breaking in a tough pair of work boots? At JK, we’ve been handcrafting the most durable work boots since the mid ‘90s in Spokane, Washington, so we know a thing or two about breaking in tough boots. We ship a lot of boots out to wildland firefighters, linemen, loggers---some of the toughest jobs on the planet. And if you have a tough break-in while out on the job, it can make for a long day. It might surprise you, but even though JK Boots are built like tanks and look like they’d take year...
Why are Handmade Boots More Comfortable?
Photo: Well-worn pair of handmade JK work boots History of Bootmaking Handmade footwear was the norm for millennia until the 19th century with the development of industrial machines which flooded the market with synthetic materials and more styles of boots than ever. The mass production of boots allowed for lower prices and greater accessibility to, well…the masses. Today’s boot manufacturers boast of high-tech construction and maximum comfort with unfamiliar terms like “air-infused PU midsol...
How to Fit Wildland Fire Boots: 5 Tips to Get the Right Fit
Your feet are the foundation of your firefighting success, so let's make sure you've got the perfect boots to withstand those challenging conditions. These are the five most important factors to consider when getting the ideal fit for your wildland fire boots, ensuring support and comfort when you're out battling the flames. Remember, when the going gets tough, it's the tough who get going---and that starts with a reliable pair of work boots. So here’s how you get the righ...
How JK Crafts American Made Work Boots
True American made work boots are a dying breed. Sure, you can find boots that are sewn together in the USA. Brands that print the Stars and Stripes on a little tag and attach it to the inside. But what about boots that are USA-made all the way through? There are a handful of brands still crafting true American made work boots, from the style all the way through to the materials. Here’s how it’s done. The Best American Made Work Boots Are Handcrafted For a truly durable work boot, there’s n...
What Leather is Best for Fire Boots?
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards require an 8-inch lace-up style leather boot with a melt-resistant sole. That’s a mouthful, ain’t it? What’s not as clear is what type of leather is the best for fire boots. Because even two boots that look the same can have a vastly different performance in the field. So if you’re getting a new pair of fire boots, you want to make sure you’re getting the right leather that’ll keep your feet protected and comfortable. And if you pick a ...
