UP CLOSE Protective Apparel I Reebok Krios Tactical Boots


evaporating (transpiration) water passes right through. Waterproof and breathable equals all-weather comfort. For his inven- tion, Robert Gore was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.


Premium Upper, Midsole, Insole, Midsole T e Krios boots have an upper made of genuine cattle hide leather and 1000 De- nier Cordura® nylon. Denier is a measure of weight of the fabric. A 1000D nylon has more abrasion resistance than 500D nylon, for example. Cordura has a more natural or cotton-like appearance. Cordura is the best name in nylon fabrics. T e built-in durabil- ity of the Krios comes from this use of a real leather and Cordura nylon upper. T e insole sits directly beneath the foot.


T e insole helps distribute the weight of your body evenly over your heel and arch to reduce trauma. T e midsole is located between the outsole and the upper and is an extremely important part of the boot. It stabilizes excess foot motion and provides cushioning and shock absorption. T e premium materials for these parts of the boot are EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and PU (polyurethane). EVA is a foam that is light and gives excellent cushioning. PU is also a foam, but it is denser, heavier, and more durable than EVA.


MeraMAX and PU Construction T e insole has a removable polyurethane cushion insert with a gel heel pad. T e out- sole is a two-part, dual-density construction made of a MeraMAX® polyether polyure- thane bottom and a shock-absorbing poly- ether polyurethane cushion midsole. Polyethers work well in applications re- quiring direct contact with human skin. With a high resistance to skin oils, polyethers have high moisture-vapor transmission rates, maintain their fl exibility in low-temperature environments, and can withstand prolonged exposure to high humidity environments without degradation. Polyethers weld easily, have a softer, non-plastic feel, and will not support fungal growth. T e MeraMAX OS-42 midsole material is used in conjunction with the MeraMAX outsole material. OS-42 is made to en- hance shock absorption and energy return. T e Krios does not use the sewn outsole


52 Tactical Response Winter 2015


construction. Instead, they use the direct attach molding technique. OS-42 is used as the midsole material for failure-proof adhe- sion between the midsole and outsole, and between the midsole, leather upper sur- faces. T is combination of OS-42/Mera- MAX boot soles reduce weight, improve comfort, and increase durability.


All-Weather Traction


Krios comfort comes from Gore-Tex. Dura- bility comes from Cordura and MeraMAX. However, none of this matters without trac- tion. T e Krios boot is rated “Best” among Reebok tactical boots for wet and oil surface slip resistance, based on ASTM Mark II slip-resistance testing. Footwear traction, of course, like tire traction, is a combination of tread patterns and sole compounds. MeraMAX dual-density soles are NATICK approved for the U.S. Army Hot Weather Boot contract. Compared to rubber com- pounds, MeraMAX polyurethane soles have three times the wear, two times the slip re-


arson Brands, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is a global manufacturer and marketer of military, tactical, and industrial safety footwear since 1989, and provides a variety of work and duty footwear under the world’s fi nest brand names, Reebok, Rockport Works, Florsheim, Iron Age, Grabbers, and Knapp. Warson Brands is best known for innovation in the areas of foot protection and comfort. Warson Brands’ innovations in the area of foot protection include developing 100-percent non-metallic protective toe caps made from composite material that is stronger and lighter than steel, and also will not conduct heat, cold, or electricity. Innovations also include protective arch, heel, and metatarsal guards; outsoles that resist chemicals, abrasion, slick surfaces, and extreme heat; and patented devices to protect workers and equipment from static discharge.


W


Reebok International, headquartered in Canton, Mass., is a leading worldwide de- signer, marketer and distributor of fi tness and lifestyle footwear, apparel and equip- ment. An American-inspired global brand, Reebok is a pioneer in the sporting goods industry with a rich and storied heritage in running, training and fi tness. Reebok is committed to helping consumers fulfi ll their potential and be “fi t for life.” A subsidiary of the Adidas Group, Reebok operates under the multiple divisions of the Reebok brand, Reebok-CCM Hockey and the Sports Licensed Division. W.L. Gore & Associates, is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well known for waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex fabric, the com- pany’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing components and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Del., Gore employs approximately 10,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide.


sistance, 50 percent better shock absorption, better low temperature fl ex, and are non- marking. T e Krios has a grip tread similar to their Fu- sion Max. T e Krios uses a modifi ed version of the RECON Rugged Terrain tread pattern used on the Fusion Max. Both use a polyure- thane bottom, while all the other Reebok tacti- cal footwear uses a rubber compound bottom. T e Reebok Krios comes in four ver- sions—Desert Tan, Sage Green, Tactical Black, and Coyote Brown. Desert Tan and Sage Green were the fi rst to be released in mid-2015; the other two are coming soon. T e Krios series of boots is made in the USA and Berry Amendment Compliant. T e Krios boot is available in Men’s sizes from 7½ to 12, in half-size increments, and all sizes (except 7½) are available in Me- dium and Wide widths.


Field Test Results A few years ago, Tactical Response Magazine tested 11 pairs of 8-inch tactical boots. T e


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