From experience good - the MEINDL Equator in long-term test.

Dust, sand, trash, liquids you don't want to step on with bare feet (oil, wastewater), plus sweat and heat. And a special challenge for tactical boots. All in all, an unbeatable combination to cause foot problems. Or one can seek professional help: the MEINDL Equator is a modern field shoe that combines two pairs of shoes in one. On one hand, the lightness of "Jungle Boots," and on the other hand, the robustness of a solid GORE-TEX® boot.

We were able to present the MEINDL Equator to you as a prototype last year, along with the latest developments in the GORE-TEX® range concerning new laminates for tactical boots. The MEINDL Equator Alpha GTX® (hereinafter referred to as MEINDL Equator) entered an extensive testing phase in the middle of last year. Through SPARTANAT, more than 200 potential participants were mobilized for a large wear test, with 49 participants pushing their boots to the limit between July and November 2016. Of particular interest: how did they experience the new boots and how did they assess the Patrol GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Footwear. We are pleased to present the results exclusively on the occasion of IWA 2017. The success of the MEINDL Equator is significantly based on the material. W. L. Gore & Associates offers a technical solution with Patrol GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Footwear that meets the demands of hot climates very well. The lightweight, extremely breathable tactical boot is primarily designed for hot-dry or hot-humid climates while maintaining lasting waterproofness. The keyword cloud clearly shows how the testers utilized their Meindl Equator: Therefore, the MEINDL Equator is suitable for various uses - from light to medium combat operations, shorter missions with light equipment, to combat situations in urban environments. These functional membrane combat boots for the first time eliminate the need for a separate lining. This means the foot and laminate work closely together.

The test survey sought to find out how this new boot concept is truly experienced. A classic question was: "Wait, you're putting on GORE-TEX® boots in this heat?" A question that the Meindl Equator can emphatically answer with "Yes" all around. Because when it came to the temperature experience in the boot: 82 percent found it "pleasant". Aside from the subjective temperature perception, the question is also related to how sweating occurs objectively in the boots. Here, 80 percent of the test subjects gave the MEINDL Equator a good report: The construction of the MEINDL Equator is the basis of its success: Thin materials and the absence of unnecessary foam layers ensure optimal heat dissipation - even during high physical activity: And when it's wet, how does the boot dry on the foot? The new single-layer shaft construction results in minimal water absorption of the upper material and very rapid drying with low weight. 87 percent of the participants were satisfied with that: A light shoe also means less weight that the soldier or operative has to carry with each step. The high frequency of wear speaks for itself, showing how quickly the MEINDL Equator became popular with its owners: around 80 percent of the soldiers wore the test shoe 2 to 5 days a week, 11 percent even more than 5 days a week. Over 64 percent of the wearers had worn the test boot for more than 6 hours daily, both indoors and outdoors, with 14 percent wearing it for more than 9 hours a day. It's no wonder that 91 percent of the testers praised the lightness of the MEINDL Equator. The geographical application of the MEINDL Equator was also surveyed. In which operational areas was it worn for what purpose: The testers were mainly in light terrain, especially in Central Europe and in sandy/dusty environments. 37 percent of the testers had also indicated wearing them in Southern Europe, Afghanistan, Africa, or in the desert. The test boots were most frequently used in training and exercises, for static activities, or for shorter missions with luggage. After 10 to 16 weeks of wear time, soldiers provided feedback via an online questionnaire. Each person could share their individual experiences with the MEINDL Equator. Honest test verdicts are particularly important for developers and bootmakers. Because ultimately, the opinion of all those who wear a boot in the field matters.

SPARTANAT is the online magazine for Military News, Tactical Life, Gear & Reviews.
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