Merrill, WI (JANUARY, 2016) – Thorogood, a division of Weinbrenner Shoe Company, announces the Knockdown Elite, a structural fire boot that takes protection and comfort to the highest level possible. It’s a boot specifically designed to help firefighters perform at their best in all terrain and weather conditions while letting them do their job without having to worry about footwear fatigue caused by improperly designed footwear for the task at hand.
Knockdown Elite features Thorogood’s exclusive “Fire and Ice†ATS (All-Terrain Sole) with aggressive, multi-directional grooved lugs for exceptional traction on all surfaces, both cold and hot, on any terrain and in all weather conditions. It utilizes a special Vibram® rubber compound that maintains a superior grip year-round and will not freeze in winter. The exclusive Vibram tread pattern was designed by Thorogood to wrap up the side of the boot to provide better multi-angle traction at the edge of the foot. Veteran firefighters know how important this can be on pitched roofs, wet embankments and other inclined surfaces.
The boot also boasts several elements borrowed from hiking boot technology to provide support and comfort under the most complex ground conditions. The instep and achilles are cushioned with flexible padding. An ankle-lock system keeps the ankle firmly in place for extra support and secure footing. The wearer can also step more efficiently with a built-in instep flex-point that allows a more natural stride.
The Knockdown Elite includes all the protective features you’d expect from Thorogood’s job-focused reputation: The boot uses black prime leather that’s waterproof, flame resistant and cut-resistant. Unique shin, sole and ankle protection is built-in to help prevent foot shock, puncture and impact injuries. A built-in air venting system and tested, X-STREME PTFE, waterproof, breathable membrane keeps feet cool, dry and energized. The reflective, 3M™ Scotchlite™ piping helps keep firefighters visible to others in dark, smoky conditions that won’t brownout when exposed to heat. The exclusive 66 semi-oblique last and matching composite safety toe were two years in the making to ensure a roomy fit and that exceeds all NFPA 1971-2013 standards.
Thorogood has also built-in specialty features that make doing a firefighter’s job easier, like a new, rugged pull-handle system that gives firefighters extra leverage to don the boot quickly and a new incorporated heal kick that allows for easy doffing back at the station.
In total, Thorogood’s Knockdown Elite is the ultimate model for how structural firefighting boots should be made. It has all the features (and then some) firefighters demand in order to do their job safer, better – AND in comfort.
Thorogood is a division of Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Merrill, WI. Weinbrenner Shoe Company is an ISO 9001 company and has been manufacturing special designed occupational footwear in the USA since 1892. Weinbrenner Shoe Company leads the industry in occupational safety, fire, rescue and uniform footwear. For more information, call 1-800-826-0002 or visit www.thorogoodshoes.com.
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