REVIEW: OUTER-LIMITS HAIX Sea Eagle

Amphibious special forces are not needed to be transported to the mission site by team bus. Except perhaps in a training scenario. That's why the rubber or neoprene booties that are part of a conventional drysuit are not suitable for a mission of combat divers and all professional divers. This is because the mission often does not end with the approach underwater, but continues on land and on the beach, or actually begins there. A reconnaissance mission of this kind can take days, lead over kilometers of rough terrain, and also involve contact with the enemy. No one wants to experience such dangerous situations "in socks."

At such a moment, there is certainly no time to change shoes - whether you are a commando soldier or a diver working for a civilian rescue organization.

That's why HAIX, one of the world's leading manufacturers of operational footwear and safety shoes from Germany, in collaboration with the Austrian company uuter-limits, an international top supplier of maritime special forces, has developed the Sea Eagle Amphibian Boot: A reliable shoe that performs well in water, as well as on land or in the air, allowing maximum flexibility for the wearer.

The HAIX Sea Eagle is based on the shared experience of this German-Austrian cooperation and it shines with a wealth of thoughtful details:

The upper material of the Sea Eagle, which is delivered in black, is made of quick-drying microfibers. These also stand out for their high flexibility and smooth, very quiet rolling behavior.

The fit of the shoe is adjusted steplessly and therefore precisely by a drawstring that provides a very good grip on the foot. The lightweight shoe is reinforced against abrasion on the sides.

Each side of the shoe has a hole through which water drains off during a land excursion. The lining is water-repellent and particularly resistant to abrasion.In the heel area, the shoe fits solidly on the foot due to its frame construction that prevents twisting. This leads to good power transmission during fin swimming and allows fatigue-free marches over long distances on land.

Due to its slim construction, the Sea Eagle fits into common fin devices, provided they are selected larger (XL instead of ML). The sole construction prevents the heel strap from slipping down. The Sea Eagle is designed to be anti-magnetic. This feature can be vital for mine divers who may have to defuse extremely sensitive fuses. The sole also provides excellent grip on slippery and smooth stones, and the rubber compound is designed to be antistatic and resistant to oil, gasoline, heat, and cold. A special midsole prevents sharp objects from penetrating. The Sea Eagle comes with two pairs of insoles: The EVA insole is intended for predominant use on land and during air landings, and the perforated insole for maritime operations and jungle missions. If using the Sea Eagle with neoprene socks, three sizes should be added to the regular shoe size, while two socks should suffice for trilaminate socks. The shoe is available in sizes 41/42, 43/44, 45/46, 47/48, and 49/50.

The HAIX Sea Eagle can be ordered directly for EUR 210 from [email protected].

HAIX Online: www.haix.com

OUTER-LIMITS Online: www.outer-limits.at