There are numerous brands and varieties of firefighting boots, so consider each boot's potential characteristics before selecting your own pair. Wildland firefighting boots all share some similar qualities, such as being fire-resistant, but each pair is likely to feel different on your feet. In addition to looking for key safety characteristics, you need a boot that is comfortable and easy to put on and remove.
Start by examining your boot's safety features. To start, your boot needs to be flame-retardant. If you are going to be fighting fires, you need a boot that neither catches fire nor contains materials that easily melt and adhere to the skin. You also need a boot that is cut-resistant. Fighting fires often requires using an axe to cut through wood, and you do not want boots that are easily torn either by an accidental axe stroke or by the jagged edges of the cut wood.
Your firefighting boot also needs to be easy to put on and remove. If your boot includes laces, they must be made out of a fire-resistant material, such as Kevlar thread. Practice putting your boots on and taking them off. If you cannot do so quickly, and if you cannot remove your firefighting boots while wearing your firefighting gloves, you need to select a different pair of boots.
Lastly, your firefighting boots need to be comfortable. You cannot fight fires effectively if you are focused on your feet. Walk around in your boots, and see if you feel stress or resistance; these are the areas where you develop blisters and pain points later. Choose a pair of boots that are comfortable and easy to walk in. Practice jumping, crouching and crawling in your boots as well.
Wildland firefighting boots are all safe and designed to handle the stresses of firefighting, but do some personal testing before deciding which boot is best for you. Try on several different pairs of boots until you find the pair that fits perfectly. Then, make sure you clean them after each use, and make sure they are always ready to go the next time there is a fire emergency.
