Gear Test: Globe Supralite Boots

I was surprised to feel a moment of nostalgia when the new Globe Supralite boots arrived in the mail. I may be a bit sentimental, sure, but I had no idea that emotion would ever enter into the realm of turnout gear. There I was, affectionately placing my trusty old boots in my locker for the last time. With good care and replaced soles, they lasted 15 years and carried me through a lot of experiences-more of them forgotten than remembered, and some etched in my mind for life. I’m sure those reading this will understand as only a firefighter could. They weren’t lying when they said it’d go fast.

When I first put on these new boots, I was immediately impressed with the advances in footwear over those 15 years. After a little research, however, I realized that I hadn’t missed a steady advancement in footwear technology, I was simply wearing some of the best new turnout boots on the market. If you’re the “research before you buy” type of person, Globe’s website breaks down the Supralite into 14 different features and provides a description for each. The highlights include a waterproof, breathable interior liner, durable reinforcement for heavily-worn areas, a “Heelport” feature that keeps your heel in place while also cushioning your ankle, and a construction that hearkens to an athletic shoe, providing lighter weight and increased flexibility. One notable feature I like is the composite shank, puncture protection and toe cap-making it a lot lighter and more flexible than steel, without the heat or cold conduction.

Pulling the boots out of the box, I’ll admit I wasn’t terribly impressed with their appearance. A couple thin strips of fluorescent green material highlight the shin area, but I like the look of a good-old black work boot, not something that appears space-age. It’s a non-issue when turnout pants cover them up, but still, why add reflective striping if it’s just covered up? The other off-putting feature for me is the flame design on the toe bumper. While some might think it’s stylish to have flames etched into their boot, it only reminds me of a child’s toy. But for the solid construction of these boots with top of the line materials, I can look past some flames on the toe.

After wearing these boots for a few months, I really came to appreciate the fit and comfort. I stood for hours in them on the fireground, stayed dry while standing in water, and felt much more secure while on the ladder, like I had a good firm grip on the rung. I even dug my old boots out from the garage to do some work in the mud for old time’s sake, and after a few months in the Supralites, I immediately recognized how much better they are compared to my old turnout boots, especially with regards to support and stability.

If you think you’ll purchase these boots online or without trying them on first, here’s a cautionary note. I first ordered the same size boots as my old set, and the pair I received was much too small; I had to ship them back and go with a bigger size. Luckily the people at Globe were very friendly and worked with me, and after I received a pair that fit, I noticed a “Sizing Note” on a retailer’s website that explained how a different footbed insert in the Supralite is slightly taller than that of other models. The extra height makes the boots feel narrower. Essentially, a different boot means a different fit. It would have been smarter to do a little investigating before I had them shipped the first time.

Overall, I am incredibly satisfied with the performance of the Globe Supralite 14″ Pull-On turnout boots. I may have missed some of boot evolution over the last 15 years with my oldtimers, but this new boot is a vastly superior product to its predecessors. They feel as close to wearing sneakers as possible in a turnout boot, and have some truly excellent features. So while it may have been a bit sad to put my old turnout boots out of service, these new Globes have me looking forward to the next 15 years.

Sidebar – Pros
+ Quality construction
+ Athletic fit and comfort
+ Excellent grip and stability

Cons
– A bit flashy
– Sizing considerations

Globe
Tel: 800-232-8323
Web: www.globeturnoutgear.com