Protective Footwear - High technology for keeping your feet safe.
As the twentieth century reached the end of its first decade, one German shoe manufacturer, Johann van Elten, introduced a major step forward for safety footwear. Traditionally made of wood, protective footwear was unwieldy, ill fitting and rarely watertight. In 1910 the Elten Company’s founder decided to design and produce a more satisfactory safety shoe from leather. Based at Uedem, in the vicinity of Düsseldorf, almost a century later those employed by Elten continue making safety footwear.

1993 saw the launch of a new concept in chainsaw boot manufacture. Greg Shotliff of importer Fortec explains: “Until then all chainsaw boots had soles which were either stitched or stuck on – old- fashioned methods that caused the product to be very stiff, heavy and, worst of all, lacking in comfort. This was the first chainsaw boot to use the method of directly injecting a foaming polyurethane sole onto the upper, so gaining a huge improvement
in weight, flexibility and comfort. This product, a predecessor to the present day Terrain boot, was an immediate success, with Fortec securing some 50% of the market within a few years.”

Elten have continued to produce new concepts, one of which is the Aquafell Xpert, a 100% waterproof chainsaw boot designed with the help of a team of tree surgeons. These lightweight boots utilise a Hyper-Shock foot-bed, Arbortex waterproof lining and Nomex heat-
resistant stitching throughout. Elten also manufacture the lightweight Hydrofell chainsaw boot and the Fellsman Xpert non-waterproof chainsaw boot. Made of six-hour waterproof leather, the Hydrofell model is equipped with a steel shank foot stabiliser, anti-static safety grip sole and Sympatex waterproof/breathable lining.

Fortec adds: “The flagship products, Aquafell Xpert and Fellsman Xpert, offer features such as a wide fit and speed lacing, and give excellent levels of comfort and flexibility as well as being very light. Many arborists have commented that the Xperts don’t need breaking in and are comfortable straightaway.”

Traditionally known as ‘the Eltens’ and more basic in appearance, the Hydrofell, Terrain and Fellsman Basic are boots that have become favourites with many arborists. Lightweight, flexible and robust, they offer excellent value for money. Arbortec also cater for the smaller
or larger foot with the Woodsman boot offered in sizes 3 to 15.

info@fortecfootwearltd.com Tel: 0800 652 3292

Back in 1926 Andreas Stihl, a native of Zürich, set up his company in Stuttgart with two employees. A little over a decade later the company had expanded into the riverside paper mill at Neustadt, Waiblingen, that still serves as today’s Plant One head office.The first ever Stihl Timbersports ‘Champions Cup’ timber felling competition took place at the organisation’s Waiblingen HQ in 2003. A e40 million investment in 2004 heralded the opening of Stihl’s state- of-the-art Engineering Centre also at Waiblingen. It is reported that Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was “…visibly impressed with the new technology.”

Stihl chainsaw protective footwear offers three leather boot styles (one of which is the ‘Ranger’ launched in 2007) and two made of rubber. Those made in leather offer class 1 protection, as does the recently introduced Standard rubber boot. Also in rubber, the Special boot meets class 3 specifications.

Standard ‘wellington’ style boots incorporate steel toe protection and cut resistant inlay. Rough tread profiled soles provide a firm foothold and incorporate excellent damping properties. Optimum comfort levels are achieved by the inclusion of a cushioned foot lining and ankle protection.Fitted with a textile collar the inexpensive Standard has a quick- fastening lacing system at the top of the leg allowing easy adjustment.

Last year’s introduction, the Ranger boot, meets the new EN 17249 class 1 standard at 20 m/s chain speed. The product incorporates steel frontal foot protection and a profiled sole for secure grip and foot comfort.Stihl’s Ranger boot has a padded leg top, ankle protection and a replaceable orthopaedic insole design. Made in high grade durable materials, the boots’ completely cowhide outer is water resistant. The inner is fitted with a breathable textile lining and the boot is available in sizes 38 to 48.

www.Stihl.co.uk Freephone 0800 137574 (quote PRFJ)

Established in 1945 by Xaver Haimerl, Haix Schuhe manufactures footwear in Germany’s Mainburg, not too far distant from Munich via the autobahn. Made of 2.8mm thick leather and
Kevlar-protected against cuts, Haix Protector Xtreme boots are waterproofed by GoreTex laminate technology. Featuring a torsion-proof plastic insole, exchangeable footbed and toe protection, the lightweight, rubber-shell soled boots are well insulated by micro-dry lining in the upper leg. Importantly, however, the non-slip soles of Protector Xtreme boots are fitted with the pioneering Haix Forst Gripp.

The company explains: “We can all learn from nature. For example, how to climb up a damp tree as safely as a squirrel – and at the same time use your strength in as controlled manner as a bear.” The ‘spike-like’ elements of the Forst Gripp are claimed to help prevent slippage and can be easily removed or exchanged as required.“The terrible storms of the last few years and the year-round requirement for fresh timber have also changed the requirements for safety boots. 60% of all accidents in forestry arise from slipping over. Forst”

Haix also offer Blue Ridge protective boots which do not have the GoreTex waterproof membrane. Blue Mountain protective boots, on the other hand, still benefit from the high quality technology.

www.haix.com tel: 01228 591091 www.workware.co.uk

Writing one May on an internet forum concerning protective footwear, a tree feller by the name of Oskar commented: “If you’re looking for boots with chainsaw protection I can recommend ‘Meindl’. I bought my pair of Meindl Waldläufer in February and have enjoyed wearing them every day since. At first they were extremely stiff like the boots worn for downhill skiing, but after a few days they softened up and seem to fit better and better.”Working since the ’80s with GoreTex to develop Meindl Air Active Technology, which helps maintain optimum foot temperature, Meindl also requested researchers at Tübingen University to study the human foot and walking motion. For example, the exact pressure exerted on various parts of the foot whilst walking was measured. This enabled the manufacturer to develop footwear designs that “… minimised the impact shock on problematic foot zones while maximising rolling feature and vibration values.”

The company explains: “Although video footage suggested that when unshod the human foot adapts readily to a range of environments, the wearing of unsuitable footwear can prove dangerous in rugged terrain. Anatomically exactly cut, Meindl footwear guarantees optimum
stability and support.” Waldläufer boots are FPA approved and tested to satisfy EN345T2 class 1. Full cut without a side seam and leather lined, they are produced from 2.8mm thick waterproof leather. The boot benefits from a GoreTex inner membrane, Kevlar anti-cut frontal protection, a steel toecap and an Air Active footbed. Weighing only 2200 grams per pair and standing 21cm high, the boots also have a 6mm deep Vibram Meindl trekking sole set with pliable polyurethane spikes.

Established at Kirchenschöring, Bavaria, by Lukas Meindl in 1928, the Meindl family had already been making footwear in the town since 1683. Now employing 200 workers, Meindl produce over a million pairs of footwear annually. The Everest Llhoste Expedition of 1978 saw ace climber Hubert Hillmeyer conquer the imposing peak wearing Meindl boots. More recently, together with DGW of Hannover, Meindl have been involved in the construction of a recycling system for old boots.

www.bramwell-int.com Tel: 01539 560214

Swedish company Husqvarna has operated from the town of Huskvarna for over 300 years. While some 1800 employees out of its complement of 2200 concentrate their efforts at HQ on research, product development and production, and marketing, the majority of production is also carried out in Sweden before being exported to around a hundred countries.

Husqvarna has developed an approach that affects their entire operation from production methods, packaging, noise and consumption of materials to energy consumption, exhaust emissions and finally the recyclability of the products. Their preference is to use environmentally compatible materials. Improved fit Leather Forestry boots are constructed from polyurethane- treated leather, stitched with Kevlar thread for increased strength. Clasps are fitted to the top of the boots which also feature a recently developed, long-lasting and waterproof polyurethane sole that extends over part of the upper.

Other protective lightweight (wellington style) boots are the Light 24 and 28. The 24 offers reinforced protection to the toes and approved saw protection fit. Studs can be inserted into the non-slip sole on both models, with a ridge on the heel aiding removal of the boot. A new, handmade boot, the 28 also benefits from approved saw protection with extra reinforcement
to the upper, toe-cap and sole. Cotton lined, lacing, ridges and the addition of a heel cap aid easy boot removal.

www.husqvarna.co.uk

1907, the hey-day of the textile weaving industry in western Belgium, saw Adolf Sioen establish a mill at Rubeke. Eventually the expanding company relocated to Ardooie in the mid 1970s. During the course of the next decade Sioen expanded their operations into France, Ireland and Tunisia and Jean-Jacques Sioen received the prize for export from Prince Albert.

Today the company manufactures in 16 different countries, employs some 5000 people and uses the brand name SIP. Sioen Apparel France, Division SIP Protection (forestry), is based in the south western town of Narbonne, close to the Mediterranean and only a short distance from the Spanish border. Worldwide the Apparel Division has eight centres.

Sioen points out that a considerable proportion of those chainsaw accidents necessitating a stay in hospital involve leg injuries: particularly the left leg. To address this, over the last twenty years SIP Protection has carried out studies into not only the designs of their footwear, but the materials to be used in the production of protective clothing and boots. Unique SIP anti- cut material is reported to “incorporate a combination of a number of immobilisation and speed reduction principles of the saw chain.”

SIP Ranger style safety boots are offered in sizes 36 to 47 and are made of tough, water-resistant hide over 2mm thick treated to resist cuts. Fitted with a ‘breathable’ membrane, they feature a steel safety mid-sole and a steel top to protect the toes. The double- sealed, stitched, nitrile anti-skid sole is made to resist oil and heat. Sioen emphasises however
“There is no protective clothing that guarantees perfect protection against injuries. European Standard EN381 states: ‘No personal protective equipment can ensure 100% protection from a hand-held chainsaw…’ Safe working practices are the most important method of protection.
It is therefore necessary to observe the safety regulations included within the instructions for your clothing.”

www.sioen.com

Part of Oregon Cutting Systems, Blount UK is the company established in the UK’s Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, some 30 years ago to promote and distribute Oregon products in Britain. The Oregon Saw Chain Company was founded in 1947 in Portland, Oregon, by Joseph Buford Cox – a tree feller with an interest in innovative engineering. From small beginnings – one product and four workers – today the corporation employs some 3000 persons and has an extensive product range. A recent introduction onto the market, Oregon Super Comfort chainsaw boots are made of water- resistant leather and fitted with a non-slip sole and steel toe-cap. Several layers of Kevlar protection are used to help resist cuts.
Waterproofing is further aided by the use of a Windtex membrane, and ‘breathability’ is assured by a Cambrelle membrane.

The Oregon Logger chainsaw boot too comes in water-resistant leather. Of German origin, the lightweight footwear benefits from a breathable leather inner, ankle support, steel toe protection and a sturdy, cleated anti-slip sole.

sales@blount.co.uk

Too numerous to include in this brief look at the product, there are many other brands of protective boots on offer in this competitive market. So with an eye to attracting brand loyalty, companies are continually striving to improve the safety qualities and comfort offered by their particular products. You may already have struck lucky, found a boot that suits your job, foot and pocket and decided to stick with it. Other forestry professionals who may still be searching for the elusive, perfect pair and have a particular boot in mind, should find their dealer willing to obtain it. Whichever boots you opt to stand in though, keep abreast of what is new on the market and check out the best offers.

Susan Burke

Top row (left to right) Fortec Footwear: Terrain boot, Hydrofell boot, Aquafell Xpert, Fellsman Basic boot; Haix: Protector Xtreme boot.

Bottom row: Meindl Waldläufer boot; Husqvarna leather forestry boot, Light 24 boot; Stihl Ranger leather boot and Standard rubber boot.