I received the LaCrosse 14″ Gunnison Bunker Boots in the mail by mistake. I was expecting the company’s Blazer Wildland Boots, but as anyone who wears the usual rubber standard-issue boots can attest, the prospect of wearing leather/Kevlar bunker boots that fit like work boots was mighty tempting. So, I removed them from the box and was pleasantly surprised at how light they were (5.6 lbs.) compared to the old 8-lb. rubber boots my feet swam in all day long.
After donning the boots, I discovered I was no longer fighting to keep my socks from creeping down and around the arch of my foot. Suddenly, the world seems more vivid and cheerier; there’s a bounce in my step, instead of a slog as my heels drag through the debris of yet another salvage and overhaul.
Curious at how well these boots held up to water and heat (and cold)–especially because nothing could be as waterproof as rubberized boots–I pulled them on and hit ’em with 40 gpm of water at 125 psi for 3 minutes at point blank range. The result: dry as a bone!
As for the heat, although I’ve never held a blowtorch to them, I’ve also never been in heat while wearing these boots and thought to myself, “Boy, my feet sure are warm.” Lined with 300-gram, non-absorbent, poly-felt material, and CROSSTECH liner protection from Gore, these boots provide waterproof protection and breathability as well as protection from blood-borne pathogens and temperature extremes. Insoles are Texon/Poron for support, and they’re comfortable all day.
Footbeds are moisture-wicking, anti-microbial, dual-density and breathable. The uppers are made of 7.5-oz. DEFENDER 750 Kevlar/Nomex, which lessens weight while providing protection that’s arguably better than leather. The upper design is tapered for better comfort and fit as well as easier donning and doffing. I’d say, however, that pulling on these boots is more difficult than traditional rubberized bunker boots. They’re like a pair of insulated cowboy boots in that they have a bottleneck effect where the ankle/foot transition occurs. Compound-ing this is the problem that the liner is not attached to the outer layer, which causes the liner to bunch up in the ankle area of the boot if you’re not taking care to prevent this when pulling the boots on. However, once these boots are on, they feel like an old friend. They don’t slip up and down in the heel/ankle area, causing you to drag your feet in a vain attempt to keep your boots on, your socks up and yourself upright. Considering that running on the fireground is frowned upon, I probably shouldn’t participate in a foot race against someone wearing rubberized boots–but if I did, I’d win; whether that’s important is up to you.
Rubberized boots have superior protection (i.e., steel toes and midsoles that are unmatched)–at least, that’s what I thought. Then I started wearing these Gunnisons with specialized materials. LaCrosse uses the Flex-Shield puncture-resistant midsole that features multiple layers of Kevlar and high-density woven polyester threads to ensure under-foot protection. This meets or exceeds ANSI/ASTM requirements for puncture resistance. I’ve been wearing these boots for about a year now, and have not given my under-foot wellbeing a second thought since the first time I pulled them on. Other areas on the boot that provide extra protection: the steel toecap (also meeting or exceeding ANSI/ASTM requirement standards), the T-70 shin guard and steel ladder shank.
The lowers are made from breathable, fire- and chemical-resistant 7.5-oz. SPR struck-through leather, and feature stitchdown construction so they’re both stable to stand in (more comfortable and less fatigue) and rebuildable. The toecap is PVC-impregnated leather that’s more abrasion-resistant for when you’re crawling around on your hands and knees. I wonder if they can PVC-impregnate my knee caps too!
The long-term survivability of this part of the leather is a concern to me because of the typically hard use of fire service boots. There’s a maintenance requirement here that’s a non-issue with rubberized boots, and I, for one, am not the type of person who will keep this up on a regular basis. That said, I wouldn’t let that dissuade me from using these boots, because their comfort and light weight far outweigh any minor maintenance issues that may present themselves farther down the road.
The Gunnison bunker boots feature a newly developed outsole by Vibram called 1275 Olympia Fire and Ice. Fire and Ice was developed to be chemical- and oil-resistant, and perhaps more importantly, to afford superior traction on any surface regardless of its ambient temperature. As a firefighter in Montana, I’ve worn the boots in temperatures ranging from -30—115 degrees F, and I haven’t experienced any traction issues within these extremes.
When not in use, my boots sit on a concrete floor with radiant heating. I must say, they’re nice to slip on in the winter. You might expect to have your feet come out from under you and wind up 10 toes to the sky as soon as you step out into the cold and snow, but not so, nor does this happen upon reentering the real world after exiting live fire conditions.
Overall, the LaCrosse Gunnison Bunker Boots balance light weight and comfort against durability and protection. Their fit and finish is high quality right down to the leather pull straps and the 1″ top band to prevent chaffing of the calves.
Once you’ve worn them for a few days to break them in, they become as comfortable as any pair of lace-up workboots. They may be a bit cost-prohibitive, though, at $314.99.
The boots are available in men’s sizes 5—16 in medium, 5—13 in narrow, wide and extra wide; half sizes are available to size 13. Women’s sizes are available in 5—10 narrow, medium and wide.
LaCrosse’s Gunnison Bunker Boots
Pros
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Provide superior protection and traction
Cons
- Liner is not attached to the outer layer
- Expensive
LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.
17634 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR 97230
Phone: 503/262-0110
