When it comes to footwear for demanding professions, the Alpha Freedom Hands-Free station work boot stands out as a game-changer. With their “step in, step out” technology, these work boots are designed for those who prioritize speed, agility and readiness, and they redefine what it means to be efficient in the field.
“What the side zipper did originally for station work boots, this is going to take … and throw it out the window.”
— Heather Roach, director of marketing, Original S.W.A.T.
I love these boots! I had the opportunity to give a pair of the six-inch Alpha Freedom work boots a test drive, though I was a bit surprised when they arrived in a box that had “Original S.W.A.T.” on all six sides (more on that later). I was impressed as I wore them for three days to replicate, as best I could, life in and around a fire station:
Day #1. Around the house for a full day doing “around the house” stuff. We live in a bilevel home, so there were plenty of trips up and down steps.
Day #2. Working outdoors mowing and trimming the yard. I live outside of Charleston, West Virginia, and our yard has about a 2% slope. The boots provided amazing support.
Day #3. In addition to wearing the boots around the house, I wore them on my daily two-mile walk wearing my 30-pound weight vest.
My impression of the Alpha Freedom work boots is that they have the comfort of a high-performance basketball shoe with the support and protection of the best station boots I’ve ever worn in the past.
EASY ON, EASY OFF
Firefighters at Jefferson City Fire Department in Tennessee take efficiency to a new level with the Alpha Freedom Hands-Free station work boot.
Original Footwear Co.
The patented cage technology makes it easy to step in and out of the boot.
Original Footwear Co.
One-two-three and firefighters are ready to go.
Original Footwear Co.
Alpha Freedom Hands-Free station work boots are both sturdy and comfortable enough to go from station to non-fire emergencies.
Original Footwear Co.
I was tasked to author an article extolling the virtues of the “easy on, easy off” features of this new station work boot, and the Alpha Freedom six-inch boot is “all that.” I set my watch timer for 90 minutes, and when the timer alarmed, I stopped whatever I was doing, easily slipped out of the boots and then just as easily slipped them back on.
To get into the Alpha Freedom boot, you simply slide your foot forward into the boot and mash down on the back with your heel. Once your foot is entirely in the boot, the collapsible heel cup springs right back up – it’s that simple.
Even right out of the box – which spells out the three steps for easily setting up your boots for success on the inside of the box lid – the boots were spot on. Getting out of them was a bit challenging at first, but that got much easier after I’d worn them half of day one. After that, taking them off was as easy as getting into them.
Original S.W.A.T. which makes the the Alpha Freedom Hands-Free line, got into creating footwear for public safety personnel in 1999, when it brought the Original S.W.A.T. work boot for tactical police work to market. Since then, the company has continued to grow through its own innovation from a single boot to entire lines of station and tactical wear, like its ALTAMA brand, by buying existing footwear brands like CAPPS, and becoming the licensed manufacturer for Smith & Wesson Footwear.
THE ORIGINAL CAGE TECHNOLOGY GETS AN UPDATE
Remember when I said, “the comfort of a high-performance basketball shoe”? Well, that’s no accident. Ever heard of Kizik? Kizik was the original hands-free shoe, and their cage technology has multiple patents.
“We bought their cage technology to get this started,” said Heather Roach, director of marketing for Original S.W.A.T. “Then we started building off of that and turning it into a tactically ready boot.”
Crafted with comfort in mind, these boots provide all-day support. Whether you’re on your feet during long shifts or responding to emergencies, the Alpha Freedom Hands-Free station work boot keeps you going. Both the six-inch and eight-inch boot heights offer superior ankle support and protection. You can confidently navigate challenging terrain without compromising safety. Additionally, Alpha Freedom Hands-Free station work boots comply with standards published by ASTM International for:
- Slip resistance (ASTM F2913)
- Steel safety toe (ASTM-F2413-18 [Alpha Freedom Safety model only])
- Resistance to electric shock (ASTM F2413-18).
Alpha Freedom work boots are available in both safety toe and non-safety toe models and come in three heights:
- Alpha Freedom three-inch: ideal for quick-response situations.
- Alpha Freedom six-inch: versatile for various environments.
- Alpha Freedom eight-inch: maximum ankle support and durability.
All models are available in men’s sizes 5½ through 15 and women’s sizes 7 through 16½.
“We take seriously our mission of serving the ‘first to the front,’” said Roach. “We want to make the best damn boots we possibly can, because we know you have a tough road, and we want to make sure you’ve got the best foundation possible.”
For more information, visit Original Footwear Co.
