Blog - ALTAI® Footwear

3 Simple Exercises Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know

altaidev on July 13, 2017

For many law enforcement officers, your feet and overall fitness are key to keeping you at the top of your game. Maintaining your performance is important, so here are three simple exercises you should add to your routine starting today.

Standing Sandbag Halfmoon – Stand with a heavy pack or sack on the ground to the right of your feet. Turn to your right, carefully bend down to pick up the sack, lift over your head and bring the sack down to the left of your feet in a controlled manner. Repeat motion back to the right side, and so on; be sure to bend at your back properly and lift with your legs.

Bench Press – Upper body strength is key to any police officer’s performance, from maintaining safe distances between individuals to pushing any kind of heavy object. Bench pressing is a simple, no-brainer way to build that upper core strength. As always, be sure to use a safe weight and have a spotter.

Shuttle Sprints – Place two markers or cones approximately 82 feet apart. Sprint between the two in 3 round trip increments, touching the ground at each marker. Repeat for 8 rounds; this exercise is easy to scale up with wider distances and increased repetitions.

So there you have it, simple, easy-to-do exercises that will help you keep you on your toes. The next important area to consider is your gear and its lightness. Don’t let your heavy gear work against your training, especially your footwear; ALTAIgear™ ultra-lightweight tactical boots.

The Ultimate ‘Thank You’ to Cops continues: Catching up with Tyler The Donut Boy

altaidev on July 11, 2017

It’s been a couple weeks since we introduced the young man, Tyler, who is on a mission: to thank every cop in America with a donut for his or her services. It’s a tall order for a relatively short guy, but his determination is helping him reach his goals and supporting law enforcement where it is well-deserved.

To kick off the first week, Tyler arrived at St. Augustine with 120 donuts from the A1A Dunkin’ Donuts, ready to hand them out. While grabbing a quick breakfast beforehand, Tyler was surprised by a K9 officer and K9 Kilo, given a ride (sirens, lights, the works!) and was escorted to the department to receive a parking lot full of squad cars with their lights on to honor Tyler.

After a few more grueling stops thanking cops, Tyler and his family rest in Ellijay, Georgia before hitting the road again! Just in time for the 4^th of July, the Donut Boy was able to continue his mission, where Dunkin’ Donuts, again, providing a Donut Boy discount for two dozen donuts for Tyler to give away.

https://www.facebook.com/100010151088075/videos/vb.100010151088075/483105638704468/?type=2&theater

In beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, Tyler even got to meet Officer Joe Jones, seen in this heart-warming video that went viral: a perfect example of outstanding community development by law enforcement officers, a perfect reason to thank a cop, as Tyler does.

We’ll have more updates as the week goes on, so stay tuned! If you want to get involved and help this boy and his important mission thanking the men and women who serve, visit Tyler’s Facebook page for more information.

And don’t forget! 2% of your purchase of any department approved ALTAI™ boot will go towards helping Tyler’s cause; everyone gets a treat, including your feet.

ALTAI™ Lacing System: Gear Up Comfortably, Every Time

altaidev on July 6, 2017

If your hiking, work, or general rugged boot doesn’t have that “perfect” feel, you might resort to some fancier lacing techniques. There’s the Heel Lock, the High Instep, the Granny Lock, and the list goes on. But we decided to build a boot that has a simple, straight forward lacing system that guarantees fast gearing up with a secured fit for extended periods of time.

To start, laces should be snug without being too tight. Our sausage link laces easily fit exactly in the gussets where they are supposed to; eliminating extra sliding and preventing loosened laces. Without any complicated steps, anyone can put on a pair of our boots and easily lace up for maximum performance and comfort. Bottom line: tie it once and you’re done.

We recommend securing an “anchor point” by tautly synching up the lower portion of the lacing system. Secure the base of the lacing system and then snuggly secure the laces through the quick-hooks to your preference.

If you prefer to have less “excess” when lacing up your boots, we recommend wrapping the laces back around the upper calf, top of the boot, parallel to the top quick-hook, and then bring the laces back to the front to tie your final knot.

At any time should you feel you are still not getting the right fit, the ALTAI™ team is always hear to find you the right solution; let us know any questions you have about our lacing system and finding the ALTAI™ Perfect Fit!

ALTAI™ Giveaway with Gear Junkie: Give the Boot, Get the Boot

altaidev on June 29, 2017

It’s here and our Independence Day Gear Junkie giveaway is underway and we’re giving you and a friend the opportunity to win a pair of our new MFH200 series! Just hop over to Gear Junkie’s Facebook post and follow these instructions:

1) Like this post (also, Like GearJunkie for amazing gear updates!)

2) #GiveTheBoot: tag 3 friends in the comments who could also use a new pair of these boots

3) And that’s it, you’re entered to possibly #GetTheBoot yourself: winners will be announced this 4th of July so stay tuned on our Facebook page!

Contest is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook; by entering you agree to a release of Facebook from liability in connection with this contest.

ALTAI™ Top Picks: Gear Reviewers

altaidev on June 27, 2017

It’s that time of year. You’ve dragged out all your gear from the closet and are inventorying and testing how your gear is holding up. So, if you’re in need of a ton of new gear, here’s our Top Picks for Gear Reviewers, to help you find the best gear for your adventures.

Instinct Survivalist – http://instinctsurvivalist.com/

For the ultimate bushcraft expertise, Instinct Survivalist is a wealth of knowledge beyond your wildest dreams. From reviews on machetes to DIY advice on how to fashion almost any piece of wood into a survival tool, this blog can probably save your life. As far as product reviews, Instinct Survivalist doesn’t hold back. He gets down in the real world, the real wilderness, and pushes every product to its limit. Take a look at his review of our MFT100 boots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaiWuxSNzgY

The Smart Lad – https://thesmartlad.com/

Hands-down, yes, The Smart Lad is your quintessential “geek at heart” when it comes to outdoor gear. Shawn Michaels, a Florida native, took life by the horns at a young age and decided to pursue his dreams: outdoor adventure. For someone who has rejected the “normal office job,” Shawn has developed a keen passion for finding gear that will not disappoint. Check out one of his reviews here: https://thesmartlad.com/hunting-boot/

Geek Prepper – https://geekprepper.com/

Combining the powers of geekery and preparedness, Geek Prepper has thought of everything and the gear needed when self-reliance is a necessity. Besides the knowledge-base of this survival resource, check out how real-world this reviewer’s attitude is when it comes to reviewing outdoor gear:

“If I’m going to review boots, I am going to live in them. I’m going to climb, slip, and stomp around for more than a day or two. When I review any gear, like a boot, I’m not trying to make the supplier happy. I am very clear about that right from the beginning… ALTAI™ didn’t even hesitate.”

Tyler the Donut Boy

altaidev on June 22, 2017

Tyler the Donut Boy’s mission is to directly thank each individual Law Enforcement professional in the U.S. for their commitment and service to their communities.

ALTAI™ is proud to sponsor this inspiring young man.

Buy any Department-approved ALTAI™ boot model online today and 2%* of your purchase will go to support Tyler’s mission.

Department-Approved ALTAI™ Boot Models:
MFT100
MFT100-S
MFT100-Z
MFT100-ZS

It’s not every day you meet an inspiring 9-year-old like Tyler Carach, also known as the Donut Boy. Tyler has taken up a special mission that made us stop in our tracks and want to highlight what this young man has been doing for the men and women of Law Enforcement.

One day, Tyler and his mother noticed several police officers at a gas station stop. Being a passionate boy about law enforcement, Tyler asked his mother, Sheena Carach, if he could buy those officers donuts – with his own money – to thank them for what they do. After that, Tyler made up his mind: to give away donuts to every single cop in America.

To date, Tyler has given away over 60.000 donuts to Law Enforcement men and women to thank them for their service. During the Summer of 2017 alone, Tyler gave over 10,000 donuts away to the New York Police Department in New York City. That summer, Tyler and his family started in Mobile, Alabama; made their way through New Orleans, Louisiana; then went onto Ft. Myers and Naples in Florida; and worked their way up the East Coast, stopping at various cities, handing out thanks in the form of a sweet, doughy treat.

Tyler’s passion for thanking every cop in America comes from his family’s strong support and history with Law Enforcement. Mother, Sheena, said, “We’re a strong supporting family of Law Enforcement men and women. I’m a former Law Enforcement Officer myself, so I know personally what they go through every single day. So it’s really amazing to be able to watch Tyler make a difference. Something as simple as a difference as a donut, says Thank You.”

Tyler wants to become a Law Enforcement professional himself one day. He told us that he dreams of either SWAT team or K9 unit, between the two, he can’t decide. But one thing is for sure, he is not looking forward to getting tasered during training!

Want to help Tyler’s cause? Follow his Facebook Page, I DONUT Need A Reason to Thank A Cop [https://www.facebook.com/IDONUTneedareasontothankacop/] And if you’re looking to return the favor back to Tyler, his favorite donuts involve blueberry icing and raspberry drizzle

Tyler The Donut Boy Takes His Message To Steve Harvey:

*2% is based on net proceeds received after transactional processing costs and expenses are deducted from gross proceeds.

ALTAI™ Toughest Jobs Spotlight: Wildlife Enforcement Officers

altaidev on June 20, 2017

Wildlife Enforcement Officers – You can’t begin to imagine the variety of terrain wildlife officers have to face on a regular basis; not to mention, the amount of steps they can rack up in a day! (The average person puts in approximately 10,000 steps per day, so you can safely triple that for these men and women!) Whether they face marsh, desert, or bad stormy weather, these professionals’ feet are practically their main vehicle.
Keeping feet dry is tantamount to being able to keep performing on the job well. But many waterproof boots do not use breathable materials and, ironically, can cause a moisture problem from within the boot. This, of course, leads to quick failure: smelly boots mean bacteria growth and that lands those pair of work boots straight in the trash.
Once again, the super-material SuperFabric® saves the day and a big reason we are able to engineer a superior work boot. Locally hard (protective) and globally flexible (breathable), our work boots don’t have to compromise between thick, heavy leather for protection or delicate meshes for air flow.
If you or someone you know works in the grueling profession of wildlife enforcement, do them or yourself a favor: get the ALTAI™ experience.

ALTAI™ Toughest Jobs Spotlight: Paramedics

altaidev on June 16, 2017

Paramedics – This group of amazing professionals definitely sit high on the list of people who rely on their feet to do their job. Staying calm under pressure, these men and women are trained to save lives in the trickiest, time-sensitive scenarios; every second counts.

The stamina of these fine folks is incredible and it has to be. Long hours and thousands of calls mean constantly thinking on your toes. Heavy gear is unacceptable in this occupation and we all know that over-use of lifting heavy feet can cause fatigue, sometimes, injury.

Combining Vibram® soles and SuperFabric® is our solution for a better-performing boot in the class of weight. Every pair, approximately 40 oz, have the lightweight feel of a sneaker but with the precision of a tactical boot.

Are you a medic or have a similarly demanding job? Consider our latest model, the MFT100-Z with it’s quick-action side zip. You can gear up fast when you answer the call and stay focused on the job at hand: saving lives.

ALTAI™ Toughest Jobs Spotlight: Tree Fallers

altaidev on June 13, 2017

Some of the toughest occupations in the world are not the ones you always expect. Tree fallers, wildlife officers, paramedics, the list goes on… and so do the folks in these types of jobs. Today we spotlight tree fallers and the occupations that demand 110% from its workers and how we strive to improve every single step.

Tree Fallers – Chainsaws, sharp axes, broken branches, rock, and typically, some of the most untamed forests make tree falling an extremely rugged job; not for the faint of heart. While leather is a common material used to fend off these kinds of nasty, sharp objects, we all know how easily leather erodes under long-term, daily abuse. All it takes is one decent scuff and that’s the beginning of the decline of your work boots.

SuperFabric® materials change the game when it comes to long-lasting, durable work boots. With this futuristic level of abrasion and slash resistance, we were able to engineer a better boot, meant to thrive in these kinds of harsh environments.

Are you a tree faller or work in a similar rugged environment? We dare you to take the next step and experience the ALTAI™ Difference.

Hard-Working Boots Just Got Smarter: The ALTAI™ Difference

altaidev on June 8, 2017

Your old work boots. You’ve put them through the ringer, day in and day out. But if your job is anything short of a desk job, you know how quickly that relationship ends. The typical work boot lasts anywhere from 7-8 months; we decided to push those limits and, once again, future material SuperFabric® was key in extending the durability of a reliable work boot.

Used in a variety of applications, SuperFabric® is the solution for many industrial-grade wear and tear problems. Many Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) companies incorporate the guard plated textile for some of the highest safety standards. Our boot engineers thought, “Hey, hard-working feet deserve that kind of durability out of one pair of boots, too.”

After 500 miles of training through rain, snow, hot weather, these pair have really shown their Born To Outperform™ roots. Many of our customers still have their original pair of MF Tactical boots from our early days! We’re proud to be give you exactly what we aimed to: a super-rugged, work boot that works as hard as you do and can also throw down in any tough situation.