Top Five Wildland Firefighting Boots

1. Whites Smokejumpers

The most comfortable pair of boots you’ll ever own

The Whites Smokejumpers provide the best comfort and durability of all available wildland fire boots.

$460 – $495 on Amazon

You’ll see this boot worn by many a firefighter on the fireline, and for good reason. Whites has been building custom, hand-made leather boots for decades and their commitment to quality is evident. These boots are made with water resistant, full-grain, oil-tanned black leather uppers. The boots are put together by hand through stitch-down construction and feature Vibram lug outsoles to keep help you keep your footing on those fire hikes.

The whites vs nicks debate is a common, recurring theme on the fireline. We’d be remiss if we didn’t add our two cents. After talking to dozens of firefighters on the matter, our conclusion is this: Whites are, at the very least, equal to Nicks, at a reduced price point. We’ve heard from more than a few firefighters who have owned both boots that in terms of comfort, they prefer their Whites.

For even more in-depth info on the Whites Smokejumpers, check out our post onthe best wildland fire boots.

2. Scarpa Fuegos

A quality mountaineering style boot

The Scarpa Fuegos are a good, durable mountaineering style boot. Though less comfortable than the Whites, they’re also a little less expensive.

$308 – $398

The Scarpa Fuego is our runner-up recommendation. The boot strikes a good balance between comfort, durability, and price. Unlike the Smokejumpers, the Scarpas are a mountaineering, rather than a logger style boot. This means that unlike the Whites, they don’t have a high heel, so you’re not getting that extra help going uphill. They do, however, provide excellent ankle support.

Drawbacks to these boots are that they run a little hot and heavy. Additionally, if, like us, you have a narrow foot, these may not be the best boots for you. We were still getting hot spots from these boots at the end of a full season of use. Still, they held up well and were in great shape after a full season of heavy use on the fire line, earning them a second place spot on our list.

3. Wesco Firestormer

A great boot, built specifically for wildland firefighting

The Wesco Firestormers are a great pair of boots, built with wildland firefighting in mind.

$475 at Amazon

Wesco has been creating quality boots for wildland firefighter since 1938. The Firestormer II is a lace to toe, water and heat resistant logger style boot designed specifically for fighting wildfires.

Handcrafted in Oregon, the Firestormer’s kevlar stiched leather upper is built to withstand the rigors of heat and abuse. Their Vibram, flame-resistand outsoles are made for heavy duty use. These boots are fully rebuildable.

4. La Sportiva Glacier

An excellent of wildland boot for mop-up and side-hilling

The La Sportiva glaciers are a good mid-range mountaineering boot that provide great arch and ankle support.

$280 at Amazon

The pros of this boot are good ankle and arch support, with no break-in period. Of course, critics of mountaineering style boots for wildland fire use will argue you will never get these boots to properly break in. The common work around for this problem is to wear thicker wool socks to give your feet some extra cushioning. This boot is insulated so, like the Fuegos, it does run a little warmer. They also run a little on the stiffer side.

There have been some reports of this boot de-laminating due to the glue becoming heated on a fire and while they do meet NFPA requirements for wildland fire boots the manufacturer does not recommend them for frontline fire work. You’d probably be fine with these boots if you’re on an engine or helitack crew but if you’re a hotshot we’d recommend investing in a boot with more longevity. The sizing on these boots runs about a half a size small so take that into consideration when you decide which size to order, especially considering you may be wearing them with thicker socks.

Designed for exceptional comfort, fit, and durability.

The Danner Flashpoints are an excellent logger style boot built to be used on the fireline.

$400 at Amazon

The Danner Flashpoint II was designed to provide wildland firefighters with the toughest, safest boot possible. We’d say they came pretty close. The Flashpoint II’s Vibran 360 Oustole was designed for fire resistance while providing superior traction. The boot is non-insulated, features extra material around the toe box for extra protection, and is totally re-buildable.