Here is what R.J. had to say about his experience with Xtratuf Boots:

The Boots…and why he used them!

About once a year I embark on a special personal project I like to call “Trash the Dress.” It’s not about destruction, but creation. No disrespect towards irreverence to the wedding dress… but honestly, a bride will never wear her dress, nor will her daughter. So why not make it special when she does:) Go big, or go home. We went BIG.

A dear friend of mine and stunning wildlife photographer, Brendan Smith, came along to help with gear logistics. He recommended a pair of Xtratufs, so bought a pair while on Kodiak Island since we’d be getting dirty and wet. Never thought I’d be wading through cold mountain streams with all my lighting gear on me. I felt comfy, warm, and secure in knowing I wasn’t going to easily slip in the rocks.

Stacy reminds me the importance of living life to the fullest. Faced a rare disease, she’s battled death more times than many can would care to dream a nightmare of. Celebrating life, we decided to a no-holes barred experience in her native Alaska environment full of gold mines. She’s a gold mine herself… filled with enthusiasm, bravery, and big smiles. Heart of gold, in flesh. I wore the boots up as we headed up to Hatcher Pass to begin our bridal portrait session. I knew I had the right boots for the job. showcasing her beauty like she’s never seen before. One of the talents of a good wedding photographer is to pull out the inner-most beauty (despite vulnerabilities), and not only make their clients look beautiful… but FEEL beautiful. But I also have to feel comfy, and cold and damp in June in Alaska is an easy thing to come by.

One of my favorite parts of this shoot was any number of these images could have been taken 50 years ago. And I’d like to think in 50 years these images will still be ‘cool.’ Here’s a link to view the images and see the rest of the story: http://www.kern-photo.com/

Please let me know once it goes live and I will share with my buddies.

Kind Regards,
R. J.

It is the real life stories of why people use Xtratuf boots and the absolutely odd places they use them that keep us going!

If you have a dress, and a need to trash it then leave a comment, maybe R.J. will pick you next year!

Below are a few of the “Trash the Dress” photos (click to image to enlarge) you can see more on R.J.’s website at http://www.kern-photo.com

We recommend the 16" Xtratuf Safety Boot for Construction Workers

Construction work is tough work and by using the right outdoor construction work boots will help you keep going and doing the important work that you want to do. If you know how to wear work boots for the best time at your construction job, you will find that XtraTuf outdoor work boots, construction boots for the toughest construction jobs are tailor made to make you a great construction worker in the rain, in the heat and even when the weather couldn’t be better.

Photo Provided by Mark Zeiger

So, I started looking at what they were wearing and noticed they all wore the same boots, a kind of tight, flexible boot that was quiet when they walked. I thought it was strange that everyone wore the same boots, but decided to find out what they were. I decided to ask the next person I met on the sidewalk what they were called. “The boots? Sitka slippers.” “Excuse me?” “They’re XtraTuf Boots, but we call ‘em Alaskan Slippers. You need to get yourself some if you want to live here.” So, I did.

Xtratuf Boots are also known as Alaskan Sneakers, Alaskan Tennis Shoes, and Alaskan Slippers!

As soon as I put them on, I felt like part of the gang. I rubbed a little dirt on them so they didn’t look so shiny. Walking down the street I noticed that no one was looking at my boots. I was not an “outsider” any longer. I was now learning how to dress like an Alaskan, boot-wise, anyway…almost like the crew on the Deadliest Catch!

If you come to Alaska and plan to spend any length of time at all, you want to learn how to dress in a manner that does not make you look like a tourist. We welcome tourists here, but we also know they are from another country and won’t be staying long. We treat tourists in a friendly manner, but we don’t share our secrets like, where to catch the good fish, and where the best beaches are. If you want to know those things, you have to show me you plan on staying awhile. To do that you need to start with your boots.

If I see you in XtraTufs, then I know you plan on being here longer than a week. I think maybe you plan to find work or buy some equipment to really see our state. When you wear XtraTufs, you are making a statement that says, “I’m not a tourist any longer.”

You also want to get yourself a good sweatshirt and a pair of faded jeans. You can wear an ‘Alaskan Beer’ sweatshirt, but be sure you have washed it a few times first. And don’t wear a hat that says Alaska on it. That says tourist loud and clear.

If you are a lady, feel free to wear a dress with your XtraTufs on a rainy day. No one will stare at you or snicker. We are used to seeing that because we see it as a practical outfit. We are pragmatists up here, so, whatever works, we are for it. We figure maybe you have mud in your driveway and you want to keep your good shoes dry and in your car til’ you get to the party. We like practical ladies here. And XtraTufs are very practical…

Learning how to dress like an Alaskan is pretty easy with the right pair of boots!

I have always worn the non-insulated 16” boots. I wear them to work on the boats every day, I wear them around casually on my days off, I have golfed in them. I also find them very valuable to use for hunting and hiking boots as well.

They are extremely flexible and don’t rub on your ankles or feet in any sort of way. You don’t feel like your wearing a typical rubber boot when you have them on all day long. I have friends who wear the 16″ insulated boots all the time, even during the summer time. They keep your feet cool in the summer heat and warm during the winters chill. Until you try these boots out you don’t know what you are missing out on! Anyone who wears boots needs to try XtraTuf boots. The only boot you will ever need again!

~Josh
Owner of Black Rock Charters

Footwear like Xtratuf insulated boots gives you an edge over those less than ideal conditions and allow you to work unimpeded until the day is done. Whether you find yourself slogging through a muddy field or you just need a pair of boots to help keep your feet cozy while you work, Xtratuf insulated boots offer you just that. Unlike other, more basic rubber boots, Xtratuf insulated boots feature triple-dipped shells that provide seamless construction and make them 100% waterproof. Construction is flexible and hand-layered while on the inside you will discover the comfort of the built-in cushion insoles.

But you get even more with Xtratuf insulated boots. The polymeric foam insulation helps to keep feet warm as well as dry (as soft materials also help to wick away moisture!). You can even choose whether you want boots with steel toe caps or not. Even during some of the more severe conditions you may see, these are the type of boots that you can always count on to keep your feet dry, comfortable, and allow you to avoid fatigue in both your legs and back.

There are boots and then there are Xtratuf insulated boots for farmers. When you need a pair to perform on a day to day basis with some serious results, then it’s hard to go wrong with these. Boots have come a long way from the basic rubber styles they used to be. Now with the right technologies, you can fulfill a hard day’s work without giving your feet a second thought.

Where Xtratuf Deck Boots Come In

Xtratuf deck boots are a solid choice for commercial fishermen due to their careful construction and attention to detail. Made right in the United States, Xtratuf deck boots are developed by Norcross Safety Products, a company that understands what hard workers need and deserve. With safety and comfort in mind first and foremost, they have developed the Xtratuf brand. Boots are triple-dipped for the ultimate in neoprene waterproof protection. The seamless design makes it impossible for water to get in, and it’s hard to go wrong with a 100% promise.

But Xtratuf deck boots are also highly flexible and comfortable. That means easy walking and a good range of movement so you aren’t impeded as you work, as well as no worries when it comes to arch support, tired legs, or even a fatigued back. The makers of these boots know that long hours can easily take their toll on a hard working fisherman, which is why they have done all they can to develop boots that keep your mind off your feet.

Xtratuf deck boots also provide you with high slip-resistance, especially when it comes to smooth, wet surfaces. Slip-resistance is one of the top items to focus on when creating a boot that won’t let you down, which is why Xtratuf boots got it right the first time around.

Even better is the price of many Xtratuf deck boots. While other boots retail for painful amounts of money, you can find Xtratuf boots at lower prices, making them a high quality product without forcing you to sacrifice an arm or a leg. They can be found in many retail locations, both online and in person.

When the time comes to trust in your equipment, make sure you have full confidence in what you have – especially your deck boots.

Xtratuf boots offer pliability to the wearer along with the advantage of being lightweight. This is especially beneficial for hikers as they have one less thing to worry about when it comes to climbing rough terrains with heavy backpacks. Xtratuf boots also offer a practical solution to the harsh effects that moisture can have on hiker’s feet when they venture on long backpacking trips.
Xtratuf boots are available with insulation that helps keep the feet warm and dry. A distinguishing feature of Xtratuf Waterproof Boots is their safety toe (steel toe) which makes them extremely popular amongst captains and crew on fishing boats. In addition, their grip on slippery surfaces is essential in turbulent seas. Xtratuf boots feature outsoles with a special chevron tread that gives them superior grip even on the most slippery and slimy surfaces that are a common issue on fishing boats.

The smooth fabric lining in Xtratuf boots not only makes them easy to slip on and take off, but also easily foldable to fit underneath any jeans. The neoprene boots’ triple lining provides more flexibility than regular rubber boots. Xtratuf waterproof boots come equipped with cushioned insoles that further add to the comfort of the wearer. These neoprene boots are resistant to corrosives, contaminants and acids, making them the most reliable footwear for the toughest working conditions.

Xtratuf boots have now attained celebrity status of sorts after being featured on the feet of brave crabbers in the adventurous Discovery Channel show “Deadliest Catch”. Xtratuf waterproof boots have proved their mettle week after week just like everyone from the captains to the deckhands on the show. Xtratuf hoots have a special “total protection shield” that comes from being immersed in a special sealant, giving them an edge over ordinary rubber boots. Xtratuf boots, as used on the TV show Deadliest Catch, are made to survive extreme conditions. The neoprene boots offer the same flexibility and durability as witnessed by the staff on Deadliest Catch.

All of these jobs required rubber boots and for all of these positions, I chose XtraTuf rubber boots and was not disappointed.

When you think of XtraTufs, think rubber moccasins. They do not allow your feet to slide around and create blisters. They hug your foot and calf, keeping debris out,and if you get into water over your boots, for a short period, they can keep the water out. If a sharp object creates a hole, they are easy to repair. If the top portion begins to wear out, you can cut them down and make slip-ons for running out to get the paper or to walk the dog.

A superb product for the money and easy on your feet, which is the real point of good rubber boots.

A number of years ago, I worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Southeast Alaska. Our job for the summer was to cruise timber plots in remote, unexplored regions of the Tongass National Forest. We were flown by helicopter into areas that were to be laid out for future timber sales. The helicopter would set us down on a high mountain ridge and then, using aerial photographs, we would locate the designated plot of timber and determine its’ value and accessibility to the bidders.

The terrain we encountered was steep, uneven and, at times, dangerous for walking. The boots we wore were Xtratufs. In fact, I would clearly say that nearly 100% of the staff wore Xtratufs.

The reasons why we chose Xtratufs were simple: they are flexible, they have excellent traction on mossy terrain or rock, they do not slip around on your feet, creating blisters, they are totally waterproof, and, they are tough when you encounter sharp sticks and rocks.

When you are climbing up and down mountain slopes through heavy underbrush and old growth timber forest, you need boots that hug your foot and ankle and keep debris from getting into your boots.
The Xtratufs accomplished all of the above and lasted for the entire season, and then some.

I still wear Xtratufs here in Southeast on a daily basis, because you never know what terrain the day might bring.

About two years ago due to strong encouragement and prompting from my wife, (an Alaska raised women, who live in boots growing up) I purchased my first pair of XtraTuf boots. Why did I wait so long!!

With my XtraTuf work boots I never worry about getting my feet wet, and the horrible ‘boot full of sawdust’ that happens EVERYTIME I use a chain saw, no longer happen like it did with any other pair of boots that I have worn. The comfort of these boots allows me to walk on uneven slopes safely and comfortably, keeping my feet dry and warm. I have no fear of the neoprene tearing or getting holes poked in them, I just get to work.

Don’t shy away because these are rubber boots…XtraTuf boots are MUCH more.

~Tod

Apparently the manufacturer, Norcross Safety Products, makes them almost exclusively for Alaska. They say they sell some in Washington, Oregon, and a few places in California, but Alaskans buy at least a third of their yearly output. We seem to be this particular product’s niche market. And we don’t just use them, we love and revere them! They are accepted in virtually any social setting. People have worn them with evening gowns and tuxedos. The company made a special high-heeled pair for a Miss USA contestant from Alaska! People paint them, wear them plain, with pant cuffs tucked in or pulled over in any and every situation. A lot of people wear them in their wedding ceremony, especially the ones held outside. It’s a bit of a mania.

I myself don’t wear Xtratufs anymore, which for many Alaskans calls my true loyalties into question. I wore them when I was young, and found the soles too thin and flat, without a heel, to be comfortable when walking. The boot’s upper is also too thin, so that it doesn’t take long to wear holes in stress points. Also, the form-fitting upper is potentially dangerous. In the maritime communities of Alaska we are trained as children that if we fall in deep water, we should immediately kick off our boots so they don’t fill with water and drag us under. Many boots designed for fishing and deck work have a rigid upper that bows away from the calf, partly so that they can be kicked off quickly. Water pressure can press the form-fitting Xtratuf upper against your calf, so that, even filled with water, you may have to fight heavy suction to free your foot from the boot. Finally, Xtratufs are expensive. The formerly-high price of $65 a pair is considered a bargain these days. Instead, I favor the Northerner, a less expensive, in my opinion better designed rubber boot.

I concede I’m in the minority here, and that the paragraph above is likely to be considered heresy in my part of the country. I also concede that, when it came time to tell you the name of the boot I prefer, I had to go over and look to see what it was. I never would have had to do that if they were Xtratufs!

A friend related his experience at the grand opening of a new store in Juneau, Alaska. For the opening, the store offered excellent sale prices on limited quantities of items, first come, first served. My friend had two items in mind, both of which would be 50% off.

He arrived at the store 30 minutes before it opened, with, he admits, lust in his heart for the two tools. He thought he’d gone plenty early, but the line outside the door was already halfway across the parking lot when he arrived! He resigned himself to the possibility of being too late for his planned purchases, but he entered the line and filed in with the other customers when the store opened.

Eventually he got both the tools he wanted. He was happy to get what he came for, but was very puzzled—what had everyone else come to the sale for? Then he noticed a large crowd gathered to his right. People had clustered around a vast stack of shoe boxes, topped by a sign reading: “Xtratufs 50% off.” In the circle of people closest to the stack, people were down on their hands and knees. He heard a lot of shouting, and caught phrases like, “No, no—eight and a half, eight and a half!” He said it resembled a rugby scrum, “only (somewhat) more polite.”

My friend told me, “From this I learned that if you want to start a riot in Juneau, put up a sign: “XTRATUFS ONE HALF OFF” and get out of the way. Better have a lot of boots.”

[This is an edited version of the article, the full article can be found here: http://akzeigers.com/blog/?p=41]