Leather Fire Boots Warrington-Pro 3009

[colfireman]

Hi there i want to hear from the members who use the Warrington-Pro leather boots.Particularly the 3009 or 4000 series.I need to know how much the 3009 weighs compared to the 4000 model (5.5lbs).Is there really a big diffrence with the Nomex/kevlar Fabric? Does it justify the added cost? What if chief officers were wearing these as opposed to line firefighters?Any and all comments appreciated.

[tfogle]

I have a pair of warrington Pro boots (i don't know the model-they're at the station) with the kevlar front toe piece. So far they have outlasted every other boot. The toe doesn't get torn up as quickly.

Pretty comfy boots, but you have to put an insole into them to get arch support.

[Firebraun]

Just got a pair of the 3009's. First bunker boots I've ever worn that aren't rubber, and booooooy are those suckers comfortable!

I went with the all-leather 3009 instead of the Kevlar/leather ones on a salesman's recommendation. All leather is like 40 bucks cheaper (a big plus), and he said the Kevlar upper part on the combination ones doesn't flex as much, so you might get a little chafing on the calf that you don't get from the all-leather 3009. Only worn them on a few calls so far, but what he said seems to be proving true. They're "breaking in" very nicely!

No problem with the arch support on mine... Those flat feet come in handy from time to time!

The only thing I can see possibly being a problem in the future is the leather on the toes wearing out without the kevlar toe-cap. There are rubber toe-cap protectors available for these boots, and if the toes do start to wear out I'll slip some of those on to get more milage out of them. As I recall, those toe-cap protectors were sold with a disclaimer that they were "for training only" and not to be used for firefighting, though.

That struck me as odd. If those rubber toe-cap protectors aren't "safe" for firefighting then I would think that all those rubber boots that 99% of us wear all the time aren't "safe" for it either!!!

FB

[ 12-10-2001: Message edited by: Firebraun ]

[Truckman]

I wear the 4000. They are by far the most comfortable boot that I have worn. I don’t think you will notice that much difference in the two. Some of the guys in my department were issued the 3009s' and they do not complain.

Both models have the reinforced toe. And as far as the rubber overshoes, they are great for training. They just haven't been rated for firefighting.

[Firebraun]

DOH! Truckman's right... my 3009's DO have a Kevlar toe! Well, when they're new the Kevlar is "coated" with some silicon something or other that makes it shiny looking, just like the leather next to it! Mine haven't gotten enough use on the few calls they've taken me to for it to rub off!

Upon taking the proverbial second-look, I now see the toe-cap for what it is... Kevlar! And I suppose those rubber slip-on toe protectors probably have to be sold with that disclaimer because the company doesn't want to spend the zillions of dollars they'd have to spend to get third party certification and such... But I'd bet that anyone who buys them and puts them on their boots is just going to leave them on when the "training" is over.

Anywho...

FB

[ckhkjh]

Warrington 3009

I have had my 3009's since '98. This is the only pair of leather boots I have owned. I give them all the accolades everyone else has. Great fit, tons more comfortable, best money I've spent, wouldnt go back to rubber ever, etc. However, I have had one annoying little problem with mine over the years. The boot straps (all 4 of them) have broken off at one time or another on either side where they are stitched to the top of the boot. I have had each of the straps replaced at least a couple of times each. I dont know if this is a common problem with these boots. As far as I know I am the only one in my department that wears Warrington's so I dont have anyone to compare notes with. If any others out there could advise if they have experienced this I would appreciate it. I would like to find out if this is just a fact of life with these boots or if my foot has gotten so wide I have to pull harder than I should have to to get them in the boot. Once I get them on they fit great.

[fyresquid]

I love them real comfortable especially Since i am stationed on a tropical Island. It does not cause fatiage as fast as my rubber boots I used on the mainland did. well worth the cost. stay safe stay low do not eat the yellow snow