construction boots - ALTAI® Footwear

ALTAI™ Testimonial: Our boots vs. the rainy Pacific Northwest

altaidev on December 5, 2017

In the Pacific Northwest, lies the only area (outside of Hawaii and Alaska) in our country that exceeds over 100 inches of rain a year, on average. Outdoor jobs like construction or carpentry, and even outdoor recreational activities, demand the best performing gear, nearly year-round. So we decided to put our ALTAI™ MFM100 boots to the test with construction/carpentry professional, Andrew M. of Oregon. Here is his account of how our boots performed and more reason you don’t have to take our word for it: our boots will get the job DONE. (Note: the ‘MF’ in all of our model names indicates a Multi-Functional boot. The same high performance features of the MFM100 appear in all our boot models.)

Andrew M. – Construction/Carpentry professional, Recreational hiker

I’ve worked in the construction trades for over a decade. Over those years I’ve struggled to find footwear that is both comfortable and capable of performing across a variety of tasks; everything from heavy demolition or pouring a new concrete footing to painting, from an extension ladder or finish carpentry. The boots needed for heavy work are uncomfortable when not needed and shoes that are more ideal for lighter work don’t provide the durability or protection for heavier work. Since the nature of my work changes throughout the day not having one pair of shoes that suits all tasks is a problem.

ALTAI™ boots have solved this problem. They had a comfortable and natural fit out of the box needing little breaking in. Unlike other work boots I’ve had ALTAI™ boots are in fact so comfortable I have enjoyed using them as hiking boots. On the job they have withstood abuse, providing the protection and durability required of a work boot.

What has stood out the most about ALTAI™ boots is their ability to shed moisture, whether from heavy rains or errant sprays from a hose, keeping my feet dry. This alone is not necessarily unique, but ALTAI™ boots resist water while ALSO remaining light and breathable.

By providing the endurance and protection of a work boot but not sacrificing in comfort ALTAI™ boots have been an ideal choice of footwear for construction work.

Shop the ALTAI™ MFM100 and see for yourself.

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 Next Level of Protection That Hard Working Feet Deserve

altaidev on June 5, 2017

Leather, suede, nylon, canvas, waterproof sealed seems, plastic, metal, and rubber; the list of traditional boot materials goes on. We, at ALTAI™ realized that for the hardest working feet in the world, these materials just won’t make the cut. And here’s why.

Suede, leather, and other animal skin or faux version has a relatively delicate surface texture. A quick scuff against a cement block or an unexpected tangle with a thorn bush are kinds of activities that put that brand new “pristineness” out of a new boot in an instant. Overtime, thousands of little scuffs and scrapes add up to eventual boot failure. Seems like a waste: we want to build a stronger boot.

It’s just one of the reasons our boots are all made with SuperFabric® materials for the upper construction. SuperFabric® is made of tiny guard plates covering the boot, deflecting rock, ice…. Whatever you throw at it. In fact, many motorcycle gear makers use the same material in their protective gear. SuperFabric® creates a protective barrier between the pavement and a rider, especially in the event of a crash that causes the rider to slide across the road. A material that can save a motorcyclist’s life; we decided that hard working feet deserve that level of protection, too.

And like we always say, don’t take our word for it; take our real-world reviewers’ words. Watch as Ghosthawk Prepper demos what happens when a machete and box cutter meet our boots.