These boots are the safest for US wildland firefighters. Fewer and fewer can afford them
The handcrafted leather boots are a century-old tradition – but with money tight, the cost of up to $800 is harder to justifyFor 18 years, one of the most important relationships in Luke Mayfield’s life was with his boots. As a hotshot – one of the US’s elite firefighting crews sent deep, on foot, into wildfires – Mayfield hiked a thousand miles a fire season in his boots, stood in them 16 hours a day and slept near them on assignments that lasted weeks in terrain no truck could reach.Like every wildland firefighter, he learned the rituals of their upkeep: how to grease them, how to lace them, how soon before the season to break in a new pair so the blisters came during training instead of on duty.
Reported by 1 outlet — The Guardian US. See all sources ↓
Handmade leather boots are considered the safest shoes for US wildland firefighters. Hotshot firefighters are elite crews that fight fires on foot. These boots can cost as much as $800 each. Many firefighters now find it hard to pay that price.
Why it matters
Good boots protect firefighters from burns and injuries on dangerous terrain. If they cannot afford the best boots, their safety may be compromised.
- What makes these boots special for firefighters?
- They are handmade leather boots that give the best protection on rough terrain.
- Why are fewer firefighters able to buy them?
- The price can reach $800 each, which is too high for many firefighters' budgets.
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These boots are the safest for US wildland firefighters. Fewer and fewer can afford them
Sources1TypeCoverageThe Guardian US