ALTAI MFM100-S Military Boot Reviewed

Marketing from ALTAI

The ALTAI™ tactical boot is made for men and women who are going through harsh, outdoor conditions. Whether you are in the military, working outdoors on telephone lines all day long, or if you are trudging in different weather conditions, you need a boot that lasts. For this reason, ALTAI chose to put SuperFabric® in the upper part of our boot. It offers so many benefits to our shoe and has the right quality that people look for when choosing a good outdoor boot. This portion of the boot extends past the ankle and is designed to provide both support and protection from the elements.

Never compromise quality when it comes to boots, especially if you’re in the great outdoors. Many experienced wilderness enthusiasts and backpackers say footwear is the most important piece of equipment. Far from civilization, a little cut can turn into a major problem and nothing is more vulnerable while trekking in the wilderness than your feet. ALTAI tactical boots are the best lightweight, yet highly durable solution for any type of survival applications, with comfort straight out of the box.

So if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors, it may be time to reconsider your boot selection. If the SuperFabric® Tactical Boot is good enough for Superman, it is good enough for everyone else too!

 

Manufacturer: ALTAI, www.altaigear.com
Model: MFM100-S

Size: 10
Height: 6″
Weight: 43 oz (pair)
Material: SuperFabric® Upper, EVA Midsole, VIBRAM® Outsole
Color: Mojave
Origin: Imported
UPC: 093000930015
MSRP: $149.00
 

The Review

I received a pair of ALTAI’s new waterproof MFM100-s 6″ Military Boots to try out a little over a month ago and have been wearing them off and on ever since. Since I’ve been able to put a little over 25 miles on them which I felt was just enough time to form a reasonable opinion of them.

ALTAI boots are constructed from a series of lightweight breathable synthetic materials for superior comfort and durability. These materials are 100% waterproof to provide exceptional resistance to stains, liquids and abrasion. The 6″ military boot upper extends beyond the ankle for maximum support and protection from the elements, even in extreme weather conditions.

The Boot Upper is made from a uniquely designed synthetic material that they call SuperFabric, which is also used in a wide variety of rigorous applications including diving suits as well as military, motorcycle, and other outdoor sports apparel. It consists of tiny armor plates embedded on a durable cloth material offering unmatched comfort, breathability, flexibility, protection, and of course complete weather and stain resistance.

The Boot Midsole is made from the waterproof material called EVA (Ethylene-vinyl Acetate), commonly found in running shoes for its superior impact, moisture and stress-resistant properties. As a result, EVA provides ALTAI boots with enhanced comfort and shock absorbency thus minimizing fatigue.

The new mudguard design provides an additional layer of protection and support for added comfort and durability, thus further enhancing the abrasion resistance and waterproof properties of the boot.

The Insole consists of a durable molded foam rubber covered with a durable reinforced cloth and an additional layer of a rigid foam plastic underneath to further enhance the heel and arch support.

The Boot Outsole is made by VIBRAM, which makes highly durable and lightweight non-marking rubber soles that are completely resistant to oil and other industrial substances for excellent performance and traction, even in extremely wet conditions or completely submerged in water. The field-tested anti-clogging tread pattern is designed to reduce the amount of mud, dirt, and other debris from building up on the outsole. Perfect for most outdoor uses.

The ‘last’ of a shoe, or in this case a boot, is the shape that is formed on the inside where your foot goes. Breaking-in a boot is usually a result of a poorly formed last. ALTAI boots provide a well-formed last to ensure there is plenty of comfortable and somewhat giving foot space which eliminates, or at least minimizes the amount of break-in necessary to achieve that perfect fit and feel.

ALTAI’s Speed Lacing System consists of six rustproof metal eyelets and four rustproof metal lacing hooks near the top of the boot for rapid lacing and a stronger lace pull. When used in concert with the rugged crimped laces set in a figure-eight pattern the lacing system provides consistent tension for a reliable and continuous hold without loosening, even after being worn all day.

The boot also has a wide heel pull for added durability and grip, making the boot much easier to pull on.

ALTAI boot sizing is typically a half-size bigger than the designated men’s size. For example, a men’s size of 10.5 would order a 10. For women, sizing is usually 1.5 sizes bigger than the designated women’s size. For example, a woman’s size 9.5 would order an 8.

The boots can simply be hosed off for a quick cleanup, or thoroughly cleaned with a nylon brush, mild detergent, and some water. The boot is quick-drying by nature so it will not take long for them to dry off completely.

According to the ALTAI website, the MFM100-S is NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association) member tested and approved making them a perfect alternative for any branch of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or the Marine Corps.

Typically I wear a 10.5 in most boots so based on ALTAI’s recommended sizing, for the testing I chose a size 10. It was the perfect size to accommodate thick socks. However, in the brutal heat of Southern California, I did not need the extra room. As a result, I inserted a thin insole below the factory insole and it fit my foot perfectly and even added a little extra comfort to boot.

When I first slipped my foot into the boot, I was rather impressed by the ample amount of toe room inside. Most boots seem to run narrow, but thankfully not these. However, the boot did feel a little rigid initially. But after about 2 miles of walking in them, the boot materials seemed to loosen up leaving that ‘broken-in’ feeling. From that moment on, the boots remained supportive, flexible, and very comfortable to wear.

One of my trips took me to the desert where I spent a few hours outside in scorching 104° weather. I noticed that my feet felt quite hot inside the toe box, but once I was able to get my feet into the shade, they cooled down rather quickly.

At one point, I stepped down into a water pocket until the water level completely covered the toebox of the boot, but not very far up the tongue to prevent water from going over the top of the tongue stay. I never felt even a little moisture reach my foot, leaving my feet warm and dry.

After a little over a month of on and off use, I’ve been able to put about 25 miles on them through many different kinds of terrain. They’ve been exposed to everything from typical dirt, sand, and rocky trails to miles and miles of concrete sidewalks and asphalt pavement, and these outsoles show almost no sign of wear whatsoever. This actually surprised me quite a bit as I am known for being very hard on them.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are trekking through the outdoors in wet weather, hard at work on a construction site, or just finishing up a home landscape project, these ALTAI boots will keep your toes warm and your feet dry, and they clean up in a snap. They are high-performance lightweight waterproof boots that are extremely comfortable, with little or no break-in period necessary.

ALTAI’s exceptional comfort, durability, abrasion resistance, and ability to withstand harsh environments are simply phenomenal, especially at their amazingly low price. Perfect for the military, law enforcement, contractor, or a survivalist on a budget. Two thumbs up for that. However, if you are headed for cold weather where a Gor-Tex liner is absolutely necessary, you’ll certainly have to look elsewhere.

About ALTAI

Leveraging our patented SuperFabric® brand materials the ALTAI™ brand has created a revolutionary tactical boot that is lightweight, durable and extremely comfortable. The ALTAI™ team has worked vigorously to identify the exact needs of its market and audience. We have collected our findings from nationwide trade shows to meet with local law enforcement and have focused on listening to what matters most from our consumers and then bringing their desires to life. The ALTAI™ team, through our diligence, has discovered the compelling opportunities that exist within the market, where others have fallen short.

The ALTAI™ Mission
The ALTAI™ tactical boot was specially designed to meet the demands of today’s law enforcement professionals. We have combined research and technology with superior materials such as SuperFabric® along with intelligent design to create the world’s most comfortable, durable and lightweight tactical boot.