Blog - ALTAI® Footwear

ALTAI™ Fall Hiking Tips: 5 Important Things To Remember

altaidev on September 22, 2017

It’s officially fall and we know you adventurous types will be gearing up, embrace the cool autumn air, and venture out for an awe-inspiring journey. But like most things, staying up-to-date on best practices are always a good idea. When it comes to hiking, even more so; it can mean saving your life.

Here are 5 Simple Tips for making sure your fall adventures are filled with unforgettable memories and not unshakable tragedies.

Always check plan out the entire journey. This means checking weather conditions where you plan to hike, including road conditions which can vary in remote sites. Seasonal changes occur quickly so be sure to check these conditions daily.
Pack a blaze orange hat or jacket if you plan to explore near hunting areas. Be sure to have some for your four-legged companions as well.
Bring layers! While during some points of your hike you may warm up and lose a layer, you’ll want warm layers around when temperatures suddenly drop or if you hike longer into the evening.
Think carefully about your footwear and socks. Consider steepness, elevation increase, and weather conditions. Will you be crossing a small stream? Climbing a few log jams? Be sure to know what obstacles lay ahead of you to inform you on the right footwear/sock combinations.
Pack as if you need to spend a night in the woods. The essentials should include flashlight with working batteries, food, water, and a fire starting mechanism.

Introducing: the All New MFH200-Z

altaidev on September 19, 2017

A new season has arrived and we have all new styles to tackle whatever obstacles you face this fall. Whether you’re finishing up the last touches on that remodel, sneaking in those last minute yard projects, or simply extending your summer adventures into fall, any of these styles got you covered.

Side-zip models in both 6″ and 8″ versions are perfect for anyone who needs an exact fit, fast. Our quick lace models are also ideal for those who prefer to fine tune their gear each time they gear up.

Available now at our online store.

Never Forget: 9/11 Remembrance Events

altaidev on September 8, 2017

Sixteen years later and we still have not forgotten the tragedy of that day, September 11th, 2001. Whatever your political stance is, one thing we can all agree on: that day tested our country’s strength and resilience, but we pulled through, together. And so, we at ALTAI™ would like to share events around the country that will be held in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives to help their fellow countrymen and women.

Minnesota 9-11 Tribute Concert – Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis, MN (Sept. 11th, 2017)

Patriot Day flag raising – Administrative Services Building, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN (Sept. 11th, 2017)

9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies – Long Island, NY (Sept. 6th-11th, 2017)

Remembering 9/11 in 2017 – Middle Tennessee State University, TN (Sept. 11th, 2017)

16th Anniversary of Sept. 11 – Staten Island, NY (Sept. 11th, 2017)

2017 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb – Effingham, IL (Sept. 11th, 2017)

ALTAI™ Hero Update: Tyler the Donut Boy Heads to Houston

altaidev on September 5, 2017

We already know what an inspiration Tyler Carach, aka The Donut Boy, is to a multitude of communities. He has especially moved the law enforcement communities through his act of gratitude; thanking every cop he meets with a donut. But now, the Carach family are rolling up their sleeves and answering calls for help from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.

Tyler and his family have been collecting goods to then personally hand off to hurricane first responders in Houston. This family of compassion will be traveling to Houston next week with the following types of items:

1. Bottled water
2. Healthy (easily kept) snacks ex: granola or protein bars
3. Baby wipes
4. New undergarments and socks for men and women (they get wet in the waters and they are very uncomfortable to work in all day…this was suggested by first responders who worked Katrina)
5. Hand soap
6. Hand sanitizer
7. Disposable gloves
8. Inexpensive goggles
9. Dust masks

For ways to donate goods to the Carach family for their trip to Houston, find more information on Tyler’s Facebook Page. In addition, we will be sending Tyler pairs of our boots to give to first responders who are in need of appropriate footwear. Keeping them safely and comfortably equipped is a top priority in saving others’ lives. Our thoughts and prayers continue for those affected by the unimaginable disaster.

ALTAI™ Advice: Keep Your Hard-Working Feet Healthy and Happy

altaidev on August 31, 2017

It goes without saying, but it is important to always remember that the first step to having healthy, hard-working feet is having the right, comfortable fit from your footwear. For more information, including sizing and fit, you can learn more about the ALTAI™ experience here.

If you stand at a station or a small work area, be sure to adjust heights of surfaces, depending on your needs. Bring things easier within your reach and prioritize by how frequently a piece of equipment, for example, is used in a day. Make sure when you are standing, you have enough comfortable room for proper posture and be sure to give your knees and legs plenty of space when seated.

Staying fit will also improve prevention of injury, especially long-term damage. Calf stretches are an easy way to keep limber and ensure use of full range motion. Calf ‘drops’ [http://www.active.com/running/articles/8-exercises-to-prevent-foot-injuries] are a simple, effective way to strengthen and condition leg muscles key to these kinds of working conditions. In general, if your job demands your feet to perform, maintaining through conditioning will keep you performing at your best.

And lastly, don’t ever neglect signs of injury; see a doctor for more detailed information. Your feet at your most basic, necessary vehicle so take good care of them so they can return the favor.

ALTAI™ Advice: How Hard Work Will Improve Your Life

altaidev on August 29, 2017

Whether you have an office-bound job or a physically demanding one, if you’ve experienced the rush after a successful hands-on project, you understand the powerful mental benefits of working with your hands.

Mental health experts have pointed out the all-around benefits of physical work, from improved sleep to increased learning abilities. Endorphins require the body to move and endorphins are that “feel good” chemical released when physical work is engaged. This process reduces stress and becomes a beneficial, repeated cycle of sharpening the mind through physical activity which, in turn, increases overall productivity.

With that reduction in stress comes a good night’s sleep. Being physically tired, not just mentally, is what allows the body to maximize the benefits of deep, necessary sleep. People who dedicate an average of 5 hours of physical work a day tend to sleep well through the night and feel rested the following day.

In addition to lowering obesity, hands-on work also encourages better learning abilities. Take learning a bike, for example. Reading about how to ride a bike or watching a video online can provide a little insight to the imagination, but actually grabbing a bicycle and getting on it are the only real ways to ever learn the skill. With a rewarding activity like riding a bicycle, the drive to learn new things is enhanced.

So in the spirit of today’s blog post: get out there, roll up your sleeves, and get down in that dirt! Scale those rocky trails to a new viewpoint in your local national park. Get your gardening gear on and tackle that monstrous project, head-on. All the benefits point to having a healthier, happier body and mind.

The Rise of the ‘Blue Collar’

altaidev on August 24, 2017

It may be surprising, but a resurgence in what are sometimes referred to as ‘blue collar’ jobs could be coming back stronger than you may have expected.

With higher education costs continuing to rise, more younger groups are choosing pursuits like on-site training or job-specific certifications. While college is still a main goal for many, others are beginning to hedge their bets on starting a skill-based career with hands-on experience. There are a litany of available ‘blue collar’ jobs that seek experiential knowledge, over a general degree.

Coinciding with this trend, there also is a shortage of skilled and semiskilled workers for these types of roles. Carpentry occupations, for example, are expected to grow 24% by 2022; and many other similar occupations will likely rise as well. Some 600 or more of these kinds of occupations will see significant growth and demand in the next few decades.

That being said, we are proud to see a potential future where ‘blue collar’ jobs gain interest and respect from a new generation that can take up labor roles for many other generations to come. Power to the labor workers of the world; society runs on the fruits of your labor.

The History of Footwear for Labor

altaidev on August 22, 2017

If you’ve ever worked a tough job, 10 or more hours on your feet, hauling, grinding, or patrolling away, you can appreciate what difference your favorite pair of work boots make. It’s quite the wonder, then, to take a look back at where footwear for laborers started and its evolution through the ages.

Around the 16th century, sabots were the common “protective” footwear for steel workers and the like, all the way up through the Industrial Revolution. The word sabotage originated from the known act of workers’ throwing a sabot into factory machinery, in order to shut down production.

However, as you can imagine, wooden sabots were protective only to a degree and mobility was gravely compromised. Leather boots came out on the rise but without any real protective qualities, protective toe components became the compromise to satisfy performance capability and safety.

Seeing how far work footwear has come over the years, we are proud to be part of the newest generation of footwear innovators. From space-age material SuperFabric® to world-reknown Vibram® soles, we will continue to outfit the hardest working people with the hardest working boots.

Working Canines: Work Like A Dog

altaidev on August 17, 2017

You’ve probably heard the expression “work like a dog” and we want to shed some light on some of the hardest workers, with four legs. Working dogs are all around us, from airport security to disaster rescue missions, canines are more than just a wonderful companion. They are an integral part of making human society function at its best.

Canines trained for bomb detection in combat or military zones have a 98% success rate in detecting such dangers. Many dogs who have experienced war often go home with their partner and have been known to help military and law enforcement veterans with PTSD symptoms. (Learn more about our friend Joe Locus, veteran police officer who’s service dog, Jinky, fills this enormous role in Joe’s struggle with PTSD. You can follow the resilient pair here.)

Police dogs are an integral part of many law enforcement departments and these dogs walk the Thin Blue Line alongside our men and women of the badge. From taking down suspects on a tiring chase to detecting and locating drugs and other contraband, these upstanding canines require intensive training. Off the job, many of these canines are family dogs and enjoy time off duty like any officer should.

Search and Rescue canines play a critical role in locating those in need where humans cannot easily traverse. Four legs come in handy when climbing through piles of rubble or scaling steep slopes off the beaten trail to find a missing person.

Farm dogs also put in a serious days’ work. Herding, especially, requires sharp attention span, masterful execution of commands, and all the while, staying quick on their feet to avoid getting trampled. But farm dogs can be much more than an expert cattle or sheep herder. Guard dogs act as patrol and keep predators at bay.

Whatever the task, canines are always pushing the limits, eager to deliver and please. It’s an infectious attitude and we should all learn a little bit from these paw-somely relentless spirits.

Experience the ALTAI™ Difference: Side-zip models

altaidev on August 15, 2017

Boot laces are a critical part of all-day comfort and continuing performance. With proper gussets, laces gives you the unique fit you require; the last touch that give you a ‘custom’ feel. But as we all know, lacing to get that exact fit can take time. Configuring the snugness takes some trial and error to dial it in and undoing your intricate ‘custom’ lacing every time you remove your boots, means starting over again each time.

That’s why we introduced the MFT100-Z and MFT100-ZS, our side-zip models, to get the best of a ‘custom’ fit without the hassle of lacing up every time the mission calls for action. Lace up your pair to fit your exact needs; essentially now because of the side-zip, you can set it and forget it. Also, 2% of the sales from these models go to help support a national program to thanking law enforcement officers around the country, learn more here.

A real-life test of our boots came during the behemoth that is known as SHOT Show. Thousands of square feet of show floor featuring firearms, Personal Protective Equipment, tactical gear, and more. So when you’re about to put in close to 10 plus miles in a single work day, here’s a real-world testimony of the ALTAI™ Difference from PoliceOne.com reviewer, Nikki Lawson. [Hint: side-zips also make going through security at the airport a breeze!]

If your job has you constantly jumping into action, or if you have a penchant for nifty conveniences, our tall and short side-zip models will ‘fill those shoes.’ See our current side-zip models at our online store.

For those of you who prefer a lacing-only model, learn more about the best lacing technique.