Blog - ALTAI® Footwear

Happy Trails from ALTAI™: On-The-Go Lacing Techniques for Happy Feet

altaidev on September 27, 2018

Specific lacing techniques can help alleviate discomfort, especially when putting in those miles on the trail. And while we build our boots super lightweight with no break-in period, here are some techniques that may help with situations while you’re on-the-go.

Lacing For Top-of-Foot Relief

Window lacing can help relieve pressure on the top of your foot, should the need arise on the trail. Simply undo your standard lacing down to where you feel discomfort on the top of your foot. Then bring each lace directly above (not across) to the next available eyelets. Continue normal lacing (or other preferred method) the rest of the way up the boot.

Lacing To Prevent Heel-Slip

Heel-slipping can make life miserable on your feet and is usually a result of too much excess space in the front interior of the boot. While we would highly recommend considering a different size for a better fit, this lacing technique will help in a pinch when you’re already deep into your long-haul adventure. (If your ALTAI™ boots don’t fit quite right when they arrive, we have a fair return policy to get you the exact fit you need.)

Undo your standard lacing down to where the top of your foot meets your ankles. Determine which two sets of eyelets match up with this spot and cross the laces over, like usual, but wrap each lace around the other twice before securing the tension with the next set of eyelets.

ALTAI™ Pro Tip: How To Keep Your Work Boots Working

altaidev on September 19, 2018

You work hard and so do your feet. Day in and day out, your work boots are one of the most important gear you wear and need them to reliably deliver every time. Your job depends on it. So here are 3 simple steps to take to help keep your work boots working longer.

Keep Your Boots Clean

A clean boot is far less susceptible to unwanted fungus or bacteria building up. If you have an especially dirty job, it is recommended to clean your work boots off every night. Since our boots are waterproof, a quick hose-off are a low-effort way to clean off the day’s grime. For tougher debris, a soft bristled brush will easy clear away the grime and, thanks to our SuperFabric® uppers, your boot won’t get scuffed or scratched in the process.

Dry Your Boots

A dry boot is also key to avoiding fungus or bacteria. While many boots are waterproof, breathability can be a challenge for many traditional boots made of leather. Again, SuperFabric® delivers maximum breathability, while remaining waterproof; the best of both worlds. ALTAI™ boots will quickly dry overnight and be ready for work again the next day.

Cleaning the Inside of Your Boots

Baking soda is one easy home-remedy for cleaning the interior of your work boot. We cover other ways to disinfect and clean the inside of your boots in our ALTAI™ Pro Tip article here.

The ALTAI™ Experience: In Real Life

altaidev on September 6, 2018

Any boot company can tell you they have the best boots. But here at ALTAI™, we believe in the importance of reviews; reviews are proof of our boots’ performance. Feedback and input from wearers of our boots are how we can continue to strive to bring you the perfect, multi-purpose, rugged boot. Recently, we received this personal account of our MFT100s; so you can see the proof for yourself.

A big ‘Thank You’ to Dylan Sauer for sharing his ALTAI™ experience.

Many ALTAI™ customers are ecstatic about the boots they have, including myself. I have worn these boots for my security job, doing work for Bay City Public Safety’s Reserve Unit, and for playing intense scenario paintball in the woods. I was initially only going to use the pair for police work and security, but I decided to try them out on a paintball field. I did receive a few paintball splats to my feet, but the paint and mud come off very easily with a wet rag.

Back in January, there was a charity auction for a famous paintball player, Chris Lasoya. Chris was a firefighter who was burned trying to put out a fire. With the medical expenses being so high due the amount of burns he received form the fire, medical expenses would be astronomical. Another fellow paintballer, and ALTAI™ sponsored athlete, David “Reaper” Justin, knew it was time to step in and help out a fellow paintball player. David put together a charity auction and I was added to the group auction on Facebook. After a short bidding war, I won the pair of MFT100s.

After having these boots for nearly 7 months, I would consider these boots to be the best I have ever worn. I’ve gone through many pairs of boots throughout my time and none has lasted as long as my pair of MFT100s. My legs will give out before my feet decide to blister or cramp up. I’ve crawled through swamps and waded through water with these boots on and they have never smelled “swampy” afterwards. On top of all that, I have also been working around forty hour work weeks with these boots on.

I have also worked plenty of police details in Bay City, including concerts in Wenona Park for concerts, Southend Little League for their National Night out, and Veterans Park for the Bay City Fireworks Festival. ALTAI™ boots support me while I am supporting my community.

ALTAI™ Hero Spotlight Update: Tyler the Donut Boy

altaidev on August 29, 2018

It’s hard to believe that only two years ago, we met and partnered with this amazing 10 year old, Tyler Carach, a Florida boy who is on an important mission: thanking every cop and first responder in America, one donut at a time.

Since then, Tyler’s organization, I Donut Need A Reason To Thank A Cop, has given away over 70,000 donuts to law enforcement officers in 39 states! Here are a few snapshots of his latest journey to Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana! Follow Tyler on Facebook for up-to-date info on his next adventure thanking cops; Tyler may be visiting your local police department sooner than you think!

Want to contribute to Tyler’s cause? Here are some ways you can help support I Donut Need A Reason To Thank A Cop.

ALTAI™ 2 For the Blue Program – buy any department-approved ALTAI™ boot model at our online shop and 2% of your purchase will go to support Tyler’s mission.

Donate directly to the Donut Boy – direct donations are accepted online to support Tyler’s goal to thank every cop in America.

ALTAI™ heads to Game Fair 2018 with UWC Adventures

altaidev on August 15, 2018

August is a busy month for the ALTAI™ team! This weekend, August 17-19, we are headed to the 2018 Game Fair with our partners, Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge (UWC Adventures), in Anoka, Minnesota. (Right in our backyard!) If you live near the Twin Cities area, you won’t want to miss this family friendly, outdoor sporting event.

Look for us and our boots with Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge and enjoy exhibits that include: archery, decoys, duck boats, art, dogs, dog accessories, taxidermy, and all the latest in hunting equipment for the outdoor enthusiast.

Check here for detailed information on Game Fair 2018.

ALTAI™ Pro Tip: Cleaning the Insides of Your Boots

altaidev on August 2, 2018

If you have a pair of our boots, you understand the benefits of having ONE pair that does it all. From work to play, like a trusty friend, your boots are with you through it all.

You already know how easy it is to clean the exterior of our boots (just a hose and a soft bristled brush, if needed) but here are some tips to keep the interior of your boots clean and lasting longer than ever.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has powerful odor removing qualities. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda into your boots and let them sit overnight. This is often preferred over “masking” the scent as baking soda actually absorbs odors and neutralizes them. Shake out baking soda before wearing again.

Kitty Litter

Kitty litter has natural deodorizing capabilities. For lingering odors that one night of baking soda can’t eliminate, try knotting kitty litter into a thin fabric (perhaps a sock) and stuff into your boots each night.

Air It Out

Place your boots overnight in a warm dry place. Loosen the laces enough so you can allow as much air flow into the interior of the boot as possible. Placing your boots in the sun can be a safe, easy way to air out your boots and helps prevent bacteria that can cause odor.

Disinfecting Spray

Whether it’s pharmaceutical grade or a homemade version (rubbing alcohol and/or vinegar mixture), a disinfecting spray will help kill odor causing bacteria over the long term.

ALTAI™ Update: Refreshed Inventory

altaidev on July 20, 2018

ALTAI™ Update: We’ve Refreshed Our Inventory!

It’s your lucky day and just in time for the mid-summer heat! We have recently refreshed inventory of select sizes from some of our most popular styles! Now is the perfect chance to get that back-up pair of boots for the pair you already love. Or tell a friend; you enjoy the ALTAI™ Difference, so share the experience with someone who could use a new pair of hard working boots.

Don’t miss the opportunity for REFRESHING summer footwear: lightweight, breathable AND waterproof. (Like a breath of fresh air for your feet.) But HURRY! This inventory is for select styles and limited time ONLY! Check out what’s in-store right now!

ALTAI™ Pro Tip: How To Get The Most From Your Hiking Boots

altaidev on June 28, 2018

Comfort is something that is unique to each individual, especially when it comes to our footwear. So even when you find the perfect boot for hiking, here are some things to consider for total comfort that fits your specific needs.

Socks For Hiking Boots

Whether you will be trekking through the desert or crossing mountain streams will determine the kinds of socks you may opt for. Thin, wicking material would be ideal for hot, arid conditions and you will want to factor in either shoe size or how snug you may want to lace up. For cold, wet conditions, wool and similar heat-holding materials may be a temperature solution, but you will definitely have to consider shoe size in this scenario. Thicker socks will take up more room in your boots, so plan your boot size accordingly, especially when getting a new pair.

How To Break In Hiking Boots

They key to breaking in hiking boots is gradual use. Start by wearing the intended socks, insoles, or any other inserts with your new hiking boots around the house. Make adjustments to the lacing, for example, while you walk around. Then step up to a quick walk around the block or a short errand with your new boots. This gives you another opportunity to adjust while faced with ordinary elements in the outside world. Gradually increase the time spent in your new boots during the day; take them for a day at the office, then maybe graduate to a longer walk. All the while, adjust and pay attention to small details that could become large issues when on longer distance hikes. While we develop our boots for a no-break-in period, everyone is unique and there are ways to customize the exact, comfort fit, just for you.

Most important: enjoy the adventure! Happy Trails!

ALTAI™ Spotlight: The History of the Hiking Boot

altaidev on June 26, 2018

Definition – hike,verb; walk for a long distance, especially across country or in the woods.

Since the moments humans first walked the earth, you can be we were doing just that: walking. Walking upright, on two feet, gave us survival advantages in environments like the forest and grasslands. Two free hands and a unique, elevated view, allowed opportunities for new kinds of exploration, small and large. The first footwear were intended for, what we are familiar with, hikes; across deserts, plains, rocky mountains, and more. An early resemblance of a shoe of this kind was discovered and thought by experts to be around 5,000 years old.

This boot was thought to be issued by the Italian Army during World War I; designed with a leg splint for common injuries that occur in harsh, alpine terrain.

But it isn’t until the early 20th century that we begin to see boots that more closely represent what we are familiar with when it comes to hiking boots. With more free time to enjoy the outdoors for leisure, rather than purely travel or work, footwear designed for hiking quickly burgeoned into an industry that was here to stay. In the early hiking boot days, almost the entire boot, uppers and even the sole, were made out of leather. We’ve certainly made some pretty big leaps and bounds in hiking footwear since then!

The outsole is the next biggest leap in the hiking boot evolution. Boots with rubber outsoles were now easier to make, repair, and boots lasted longer. However, the outsoles really hit their time to shine when Vibram® arrives on the scene. A new universe of possibilities for boots opened up, offering outdoor experts and enthusiasts footwear for specific environments and conditions. All our boots use a Vibram® outsole for a boot to conquer a variety of terrain, working conditions, and all with extreme lightness.

The next huge step in outdoor boot evolution (and another one all our boots are a part of!) is SuperFabric® uppers. Leather, suede, nylon uppers have traditionally been used in hiking footwear. But now, SuperFabric® offers an ‘amored’ yet flexible and breathable solution; and it’s in every pair of ALTAI™ boots. Easily deflects scrapes from rocks or sharp edges, maintains its “out of the box” look longer, breathes, and waterproof; it is clear why we chose to be at the forefront of this boot evolution.

For more information on our boots, check them out on our online store.

ALTAI™ Pro Tip: How To Choose the Right Combat Boot

altaidev on June 22, 2018

How to choose the right combat boot: the choices seem endless. There are a number of factors when considering the right combat boot for your needs. Here we address environmental obstacles we keep in mind when designing every pair of ALTAI™ boot. No matter the brand of boot you choose, here are some challenges to consider when choosing your next pair of combat boots and keep you performing at your best.

Jungle Environments:

Seek out truly WATERPROOF boots. While a wide variety of types of jungles exist, one thing they all pose as a challenge for troops on foot is water or moisture. Whether it be thick, heavy mud or hours on end ankle deep in water, the right combat boot has features to help avoid these exhausting obstacles. You can see for yourself how compelling completely waterproof boots can be a big step up by watching our boots in action.

Desert Environments:

Consider BREATHABILITY. It is clear that in desert environments, soldiers are feeling the heat; and not just from combat. Extreme temperatures have posed challenges in places like Iraq and Afghanistan so it is crucial that the right combat boot for desert environments offers a “cool” solution in footwear.

Cold Environments:

WATERPROOF combined with BREATHABILTY mean less heaviness or thickness to keep warm. Since feet naturally produce moisture, cold environments can be trickier than just throwing on an extra pair of socks. Wet, moist feet are nearly impossible to keep warm; they must be dry to avoid losing heat quickly. For this kind of environment, breathability and waterproofness are a key combination of features that help prevent unnecessary loss of heat due to dampness.

For more detailed advice on how to choose the right ALTAI™ boot for you, please contact us!