HAIX charts history of company supporting firefighters with dedicated fire boots

First founded in 1948 by Xaver Haimerl (with the HAIX name being a shortened version of the ‘Haimer Xaver shoe factory’), the HAIX brand quickly became synonymous with quality work and outdoor footwear. While working as a certified master shoemaker in his father’s factory, Ewald Haimerl had also risen to the rank of deputy chief of the Mainburg Fire Service.

In 1992, when finding that he and his colleagues were not satisfied with the rubber boots they had to wear on duty at the time, Ewald decided to design a collection of functional leather firefighting boots for his colleagues.

The boots set new standards for functionality, protection and comfort and were so well regarded, in fact, that HAIX began selling them, expanding into developing footwear for rescue service workers and, indeed, the police service the following year.

Seventeen years later in 2010, the launch of the HAIX Fire Hero revolutionised the fire boot industry for a second time, affording firefighters around the world access to what were considered to be the safest firefighting boots ever developed.

Commitment remains the same

A decade on and. although HAIX offers a wide range of firefighter footwear to suit the demands of a diverse range of job roles, the commitment to the essential needs that firefighters expect from their boots remain the same.

Boots must protect the wearer from hazards, be quick to put on at a moment’s notice, be rugged enough for long-term wear in extreme environments and also provide comfort and support for every wearer.

HAIX’s long history of supporting firefighters has ensured that its fire boots will always provide these essentials because they’re designed by firefighters, for firefighters.

Features that are at the top of the list for today’s firefighters when it comes to their boots are protection, grip, durability, fit and support.

Protection

Firefighters need to know that every item of their kit is working to protect them in the extreme and often dangerous environments in which they operate. Their boots need to be made of tough materials to keep their feet safe.

HAIX firefighting boots across the range feature steel puncture-resistant midsoles, meaning that wearers can operate in environments with underfoot hazards including broken glass or fallen masonry with confidence.

Ultra-light, reinforced toe caps protect the wearer from falling debris and injuries as well as potential trip hazards, while high-quality leather uppers mean the boots are sturdy, flexible and hydrophobic.

The Fire Eagle boot incorporates a CROSSTECH membrane that insulates wearers from water or external bodily fluids. Many boots in the range also feature ‘signal yellow’ colour patches designed to ensure that wearers are always visible even in those areas with a lot of smoke or low light visibility.

Grip

Firefighting operations mean that the individuals involved can never be sure of their footing. Variable terrain in and around structures coupled with the potential for wet floors and spillages involving oil and petrol present a ‘perfect storm’ of potential slip hazards.

HAIX’s fire boot range features a PU sole across all models with a deep tread that provides a guaranteed firm grip, even on slippery surfaces. Boots such as the Fire Eagle have been developed with a two-component tread, making them completely slip resistant. 

Combined with special fins used in conjunction with additional grip elements, this provides outstanding stability even on wet ground or on ice.  

Durability

High-quality fire boots are an investment and should be made to stand up to the demands confronting their wearers. Manufacture using high-grade materials, such as bull leather, anti-static non-marking PU rubber, fibre reinforced toe caps and CROSSTECH membranes ensures that HAIX boots ‘go the distance’ (even after long periods of wear in extremes of temperature).

Fit and support

Long shifts spent on their feet, moving, climbing ladders and tackling uneven terrain put firefighters at risk of foot injuries and even longer-term issues like musculoskeletal disorders if their boots do not provide the right levels of support.

HAIX’s designs include elements such as PU sole support wedges, two-zone lacing systems, foot arch support and heel cup cushioning to ensure that wearers are guaranteed the best fit, no matter how long the wear time.

HAIX’s fire boots also feature designs made to make donning/doffing them smoother and faster. That’s ideal when a call comes in and every second counts.

The work of today’s firefighters is evolving as the built environment and the way in which we live changes. Firefighters face new challenges, but HAIX will continue to innovate to ensure that its products are one-step ahead.

Now, more than ever, firefighters remain at the very centre of the HAIX family.

*Further information is available online at www.haix.co.uk