For the entirety of April, we at Team ALTAI® had the pleasure of running the Altai Photo Contest in collaboration with our friends at INDY Guide. The photo contest challenged participants to share their best photos of the Altai Mountain Range. The vast number of incredible photos that came our way was staggering. There was no way we could have selected the winners ourselves. So together with INDY Guide, we narrowed down 10 finalists, and the rest was left to the public. The polls were open for two weeks, and our two winners were finally selected. These two winners will be receiving a free pair of ALTAI® boots of their choice. You can check out our champions’ work on Instagram: their usernames are akhbupyemizan and tileukhan.gula. Congratulations to them both and thank you so much to all participants!
You can check out the rest of the amazing #ALTAIPhotoContest submissions here.
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Essential Tips for Camping in the Rain
Hiking in the rain is one thing, but camping in the rain is taking things a step further. Not only do you need to keep yourself dry as you walk throughout the day, you also need to find ways to stay comfortable when you lie down to rest at night. Our essential tips for camping in the rain will prove valuable to you if the weather forecast is looking gloomy on the days you’ve set aside for your future trip.
A waterproof tarp can provide you with some much-needed cover whenever you stop to set up camp anywhere along your journey. Tarps can also shelter your belongings from getting soaked when you set them down. They don’t need to be limited just to these roles either. String up a large tarp over your tent to provide extra protection from the elements. It can act as a buffer space for when you open up the entrance to get in and out if you extend past the opening, as well as make up for a tent that isn’t completely waterproof. Before you set out, remember that you’ll also need some rope or cord to keep your tarps from blowing away.
A bivy sack, or bivouac sack, is a waterproof bag that is designed to cover a sleeping bag. Some people use it in place of a tent, as it was originally made just for that purpose when climbers needed a minimal, easy-to-carry form of shelter. It’s probably not going to be comfortable to lie out in the rain with nothing but a bivy sack, but it can function as an added layer of protection inside your tent. The bivy sack will stop wind and water that might still get in the tent as you’re sleeping. It will also help to keep you warmer and more insulated from the cold ground beneath your tent than a sleeping bag alone.
When you are on the move from one spot to another, you’ll need to be sure you waterproof yourself as well as your stuff and your shelter. Put on a waterproof jacket, pants, and boots so that you stay dry from head to foot. If you can, find outer layers that are breathable in addition to being water impermeable so that you don’t get damp inside your clothing.
Part of waterproofing yourself is also being prepared for unexpected circumstances. With this in mind, pack a poncho that rolls up to provide extra protection. Bring plenty of base layer clothes like shirts and socks. In the event that these do get wet somehow, you’ll have more to change into that are nice and dry.
If you need to find some reliable waterproof footwear for your rainy camping, check out the lightweight duty boots that ALTAI™ offers. Our boots are made of SuperFabric® material, which is waterproof and resistant to wear and abrasion. Contact us today.
In these unprecedented times with so many businesses closed and millions of people around the world spending more time at home than ever before, it can be easy to feel uncertain, frustrated, or just plain bored. While it may seem tempting to watch TV all day, getting creative and/or productive might just be your ticket to getting out of a quarantine funk. Team ALTAI™ has put together another list of things that can help make your life at home as pleasant as possible. From creative projects, activities for kids, and tips to improve your home, we are here to help you thrive during this difficult time.
Start a Journal or Blog
While many of us are spending less time socializing than we are used to, writing can be a great way to get your thoughts out. Research shows that writing can improve mental health, curb depression, and even help improve sleep. Got big ideas or expertise in an area that you want to share? Launch your own blog to connect with people online. Whether you keep a journal or share your work publicly, writing can be immensely helpful while you are staying at home.
Go Through Your Favorite Photos
Most of us have a large backlog of photos on cameras, computers, or most likely, smartphones. Take this time at home to go through your photos and find your favorites. You can improve your living space by having prints of your photos delivered to your house. Check out services such as Shutterfly to fulfill these orders.
Bring the Outdoors In
If you are like us, then you love the outdoors. While you are spending more time inside, there are many things you can do to meet your outdoor needs.
Support Local Businesses
Most restaurants are closed to dine-in patrons, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy your favorite local food fare. Order delivery to make your meals a little more interesting. To help businesses such as movie theaters that are entirely closed for now, you can purchase gift cards so that you and your family and friends can enjoy the latest movies when theaters reopen. Check online or call local businesses to check out gift card options.
Scavenger Hunt
If you have kids who are getting a little too much screen time these days with remote schooling and iPad games, shake things up by setting up a scavenger hunt. Check out this article for tons of amazing and creative ideas for scavenger hunts indoors and outdoors. This can be a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Send an Actual Letter
Internet use has increased dramatically around the world. We connect with people via social media, FaceTime, and Zoom more than any other time. While face to face interactions and in-person socialization is vastly limited for now, writing an old school letter to somebody you care about can be a special way to connect. Sending and receiving hand-written letters just has a personal touch that electronic means of communication cannot beat. If you have kids, you might also consider including notes or artwork from them with your letters.
Declutter
Perhaps the most effective and cheapest way to improve your living space is to get rid of the things you no longer use or care about. It may seem like a big task, but decluttering your clothes, papers, and other belongings can improve your happiness and bring a greater sense of calm to your home. Check out Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix to learn how you can make this happen!
Rearrange Furniture
After throwing out or donating things you no longer need, it may be time to refresh your home by rearranging your furniture. This can be a great way to improve your new stay-at-home lifestyle. Although it can seem daunting, there are simple rules you can follow for your interior design. Check out this guide to learn more!
At Home Movie Nights
There are more ways to watch movies and TV than ever before, but this can also make it difficult to choose what to watch. Finding the right movie for you and your family can take more time than it does to actually watch it! If this sounds like you, this guide includes 100 movie suggestions that make it easy to find exactly what you are looking for.
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ALTAI™ Pro Tip: Stomp Out Boredom at Home
Today’s blog post is brought to you by our fabulous blogger and outdoor guru, Katlyn Spade.
Sleeping under the stars can boost your mood, improve your health, and even helps develop critical social skills. Those who love camping know the joys of breathing in fresh air around the clock and eating deliciously grilled meals. Many also appreciate getting up close and personal with local wildlife. Just as you would prepare your sleeping and cooking gear, you might consider packing the right equipment to record the sounds of the forest and the wildlife that’s all around you.
Do Your Research
If you enjoy roughing it, you also understand that camping can provide a whole host of new activities in the great outdoors. From reading books in a hammock to taking a long hike, the options are endless. Recording wildlife sounds is an activity suited for all ages and interest levels. Whether you get your family involved or you prefer to record alone, keeping an ear out for a coyote howl or a rare bird’s mating call can be a real thrill. Catching it on recording makes it even more special, so you can relive the sounds later on. Spend some time ahead of your trip researching the wildlife that will be out and about in your area. Consider purchasing a local wildlife guidebook to learn more about the rituals and schedules of the animals. For example, some might be best to record at night, and others might not yet be out of hibernation.
Packing the Right Gear
When checking marshmallows and bug repellant off your packing list, don’t forget to include the equipment you will need to record wildlife. From wind protection to headphones, you’ll need a variety of items to catch the sounds you want. Do your research and find out exactly what you need and how you need to pack the gear to keep it safe. There are many perks to recording outdoors, and today’s technology ensures that you never have to sacrifice quality to get the wildlife recording of your dreams. You can even record on your smartphone, utilizing specific apps to improve sound quality.
Respect the Wildlife
Recording the sounds of wildlife to enjoy after your camping trip doesn’t mean intruding on their space. From deer to bears, birds, and rodents, all animals have a right to safely enjoy their homes in the woods and mountains before you arrive, during your camping trip and after you leave the scene. Remember you are entering their home, so it’s important to show respect. It’s also important to keep your safety top of mind when spending time outdoors near wildlife. Never sacrifice your well-being or that of another camper to get a recording. Also, don’t venture into unmarked, unsafe territory to capture a sound. Follow all campsite rules and regulations, regardless of what might be rustling over yonder.
We share our planet with many species of crawling, climbing, flying creatures. To spend a day or night near animals under an open sky is a gift. Recording their sounds can be quite an adventure, and you’ll be transported back to the experience every time you listen to their calls, grunts, and squeaks.
We had a few specific questions regarding sizing, and we know what a pain buying footwear online can be, so we created a measuring chart for your convenience. With a more accurate reading of your foot size, you can make a better-informed purchase. To help with this process, here are some tips for choosing the right boot size when buying online.
Remember to be mindful of whether you intend to use your boots for summer hiking, winter hunting, fall trekking, camping, or spring ATVing. Keep in mind what type of socks you plan to wear; consider the thickness, the length, and how much extra room is required for maximum comfort. For example, if you plan to go on a fun winter excursion, you may need a larger pair of boots to go with your thick socks.
Many people don’t realize that their feet change shape over time. Too often, people will wear the same size for years without remeasuring their feet. Before purchasing new boots, always measure your feet to ensure that you pick the correct size. The two measurements you should take are the length and the width of your foot. Usually, you will only need the length for your shoe size, but the width always helps to ensure a perfect fit. Also, check out the sizing chart to order the correct size for your boots.
If your boots don’t fit perfectly when you try them on at first, wear them for a couple of days. Boots will stretch and mold to your feet with time. This process only takes about two to three days and makes your boots more comfortable for your feet. Before returning your boots, wear them for a couple of days first to see if they mold to your feet.
So, go ahead—measure up and see what ALTAI™ size is right for you! And, as always, feel free to contact us directly with any specific questions about sizing and fit.
ALTAI Boot Measurements:
Check out this recent post to find your foot measurements:
ALTAI™ Pro Tip: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Feet
It’s no secret that the world is getting more and more advanced and technology is constantly changing the way we live our lives. E-commerce has revolutionized the way we shop; whether you need a dozen eggs or a new car, it can be purchased and delivered to your home at the push of a button. While these types of futuristic changes can make our lives easier, they can also come with drawbacks. Shopping online for shoes and clothes can be particularly difficult; purchasing these goods without being able to try them on first can be daunting. Sure, most companies have return and exchange programs, but that can take extra time and effort to get the perfect fit. That’s why we are here to tell you how you can find the perfect boot size, without having to try them on.
You may already know the shoe size you typically wear. However, different brands can vary by size. For example, your tennis shoes could be a size 10, and your work boots a size 11, but they both fit your feet perfectly. Now, let’s say you’ve been researching the Internet for the perfect new pair of shoes, and you finally find the pair that has the style, type, and reviews that match your needs. But you don’t know what size will be best for you. Here’s how to find the perfect size:
Here at ALTAI™, we do offer a return and exchange program, as well as a one-year warranty guarantee. So even if a sizing issue does occur, we got you covered! So measure up and compare your measurements to the ALTAI™ boot size chart below!
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How to Care for Your Feet
What you wear on your feet as you hike has a great effect on how comfortable and safe you are. Quality hiking boots will take you through all types of terrain, rain or shine. You barely even notice them because they become a natural part of your body, giving you more space to savor the natural beauty you’re exploring. Unfortunately, nothing truly last forever, and it’s likely that your boots will need to be retired after a while. How do you know when their life is drawing to an end, though? The answer is to check for some universal signs you need to replace your hiking boots.
If you’ve had your boots for a long time, you can periodically give them a visual inspection to see if they are worn down beyond a useable state. Some areas of note include the outsole (bottom part of the sole with the tread), lace eyelets, and leather/fabric components of the main body or upper.
All these parts are crucial to the boot’s performance. A worn outsole will no longer provide much traction because the lugs have become smooth. Broken eyelets will prevent you from securing the boots on your feet. Leather or fabric that has holes in it can let it in dirt, debris, and water.
Most hiking boots are designed to be waterproof so that the wearer can move through wet areas and precipitation without an issue. Old boots may have their surface damaged in some way that allows water inside though. This compromises their safety since prolonged exposure to water coupled with the friction of hiking can do serious damage to the skin of your feet.
Leaking could occur by means of the aforementioned holes in the upper created by tears and cracks or small openings that have formed in the sole, or near loose stitching. Often, these entry points can be difficult to spot. However, if water keeps ending up in your boots when you hike despite your efforts to apply waterproofing substances to the surface, they should be replaced.
Another sign that you may check for is a flattened midsole cushion. Hiking boots usually have a degree of springiness to add to their shock absorption, support, and softer foot feel. This comes primarily from the midsole, which is the part of the sole above the bottom treads and below the area where your foot sits. You can see the midsole from a side view of the boot.
Over time, the weight that the midsole bears as it is used can compress it to a point where it is much harder than before. At that point, it no longer provides the benefits it once did, and you should consider replacing the boots. To figure out whether your midsole has become too hard, press on the bottom of the boot and look for compression lines on the midsole. If there is no give to the sole and the compression lines are deep and close together, the midsole is worn.
For footwear that you can trust to support you while hiking, contact ALTAI™. We have waterproof combat boots that are built to stand up to whatever rough conditions you find yourself in. From the soles to the uppers to the laces, every detail of our boots has been crafted to ensure your comfort and safety.
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The Altai Mountains are a mountain range in Central and East Asia where China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia meet. The name translated from Turkic languages literally means “golden mountain,” which makes a lot of sense when you visit or see it in photos. Home to many large lakes, rivers, and diverse flora and fauna, this area has stunning sights to behold. These beautiful mountains are also the inspiration for the name of our ALTAI™ brand. We are proud to live up to our namesake by making boots tough enough for adventures through any outdoor setting.
A few months ago, INDY Guide reached out to us to collaborate on the ALTAI Photo Contest, and we knew the results would be epic. INDY Guide is a company headquartered in Switzerland that specializes in guiding clients on tours through the ALTAI™ mountains and other amazing places in several different countries. They offer life-changing opportunities for travel and adventure in underrated locations. Our contest challenged adventurers from around the world to submit their best photos of the Altai Mountains. Two winners will be chosen and will receive a free pair of ALTAI™ boots of their choice.
The top 10 finalists have now been selected and voting is in progress on the INDY Guide Facebook page. This is where you come in! Head over to their page and help decide the winner of this contest by liking your favorite photos. The two photos with the most likes will be the winners. Deciding finalists for this contest was incredibly difficult as there were hundreds of stunning photos submitted. You can see all the submissions for yourself here. We could not be more amazed by the photos submitted. Thank you to all contestants and congratulations to our 10 finalists. We cannot wait to announce the winners! Voting is open to the public until April 26. Have fun deciding your favorites—we promise it’s not an easy choice!
Photo Contest Finalists Gallery
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During these unprecedented times as the world deals with the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, we have all faced a lot of uncertainty. Millions of American workers are now facing unemployment, employees of essential businesses soldier on, and healthcare workers on the front lines are fighting this invisible enemy that we know little about. In the midst of this new reality, we at Team ALTAI™ wanted to reach out and provide an update on how we are dealing with this crisis, and to express our gratitude to our healthcare workers, police, first responders and everybody else keeping our world going. Our hearts go out to everybody facing new hardships because of COVID-19.
Since ALTAI™ provides gear to police organizations and other first responders, we are deemed an essential business and are working through the COVID-19 pandemic to provide critical gear for those who continue to protect the public. We are taking extreme caution and have provided every measure possible for social distancing at our headquarters in Oakdale, MN. We wear masks at work, wash our hands often, sent high-risk individuals to work from home, and use videoconferencing software to conduct our business meetings. We care about the health of our team and the general public, so we are also abiding by the shelter-in-place orders that are currently in effect in Minnesota. Although this is a chaotic time, it is heartening to see so many citizens working together to keep each other safe so that we might get out of this situation sooner rather than later.
May you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy during this time!
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ALTAI Uniform Boots
Here at ALTAI™, we are extremely passionate about the outdoors. Hiking, camping, fishing, and more are a big part of our lives. So, when many states began instituting shelter-in-place orders to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we knew we would have to get creative to stay happy and healthy! We have put together a list of several indoor activities you can do to stay active and keep your spirit of adventure alive and well during these troubling times. We are here to help get through this together! Here is our guide to social distancing for outdoor enthusiasts:
Condition for Hiking
Hiking is a favorite outdoor activity for Team ALTAI™. Collectively, we have been on hiking trips all around the Twin Cities and many other places around the country. If you are an avid hiker as well, there are many ways you can keep your body in shape and prepare for hikes in the future while staying indoors!
Make Your Own Puzzle
This company offers an affordable way to design your own jigsaw puzzles. Upload your own images and then they will make the puzzle and ship it to you! You can use a photo from a past adventure, or any other image near and dear to your heart. Consider this as a gift option as well—you could make a family member or friend’s day by sending them this unique personalized gift.
Prepare Fishing Gear
If you enjoy fishing, consider preparing lures, lines, and rods while at home! Here are some great guides for fly fishing knots, general fishing knots, seven best fishing knots for any situation, and how to set up a new rod and reel. You can also check out this guide to some of the best fishing areas in America. For tips on catching and cooking fish, check out this article. It’s always a good time to plan a fishing trip for the future!
Map Your Adventures
Get a map of your state, the U.S.A., or a world map and use pins to track your past adventures! You can also use different colored pins to map trips you will take in the future. Just because traveling options are limited now, doesn’t mean you can’t put together the adventure or vacation plan of your dreams! The sky’s the limit.
Go Camping at Home
If you have young kids at home, a wonderful way to stay occupied is to build a blanket fort inside. There are many techniques to build a fort. Use sheets, blankets, or comforters, and drape over chairs and/or sofa. You can also use a broomstick to help prop up the fort. Make your fort comfortable with your favorite cushions and pillows. You may also want to improve the fort with flashlights or Christmas lights, and of course—snacks and games! You can also set up a tent in your own backyard and go camping at home. If you have a firepit, pick a nice evening and build a fire. It’s always fun and delicious to cook up hot dogs and s’mores—these classic snacks are a great way to have an adventure at home!
Paracord Projects
Paracord is the ultra-versatile rope used for parachute suspension lines. It has been used by NASA for repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope. It is also a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and survivalists alike. There are many everyday use items that can be fashioned out of paracord and then disassembled in survival situations. Whether you make a lanyard, belt, bracelet, or keychain, paracord is an incredible product. It can be used in survival situations for everything from tying off a wound to trapping prey animals for food. Here is a comprehensive list of projects you can work on using paracord.
Call A Friend or Family Member
Perhaps the most important item on this list, it is vital that we take care of each other in these times. It is helpful to call and check in with friends and family who are in isolation to make sure they are doing okay. Just a short call or text can make a big difference in somebody’s day. We at ALTAI™ wish you and your loved ones the best—we can get through these times of social distancing together!
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Waterproof Outdoor Boots
6″ Zip-Up Hiking Boot
