Tougher than boot cam

Ever wondered what makes the US Elite Special Forces oh-so-formidable? Well, you can probably say it’s their training. It could also be their skills. Then again, it might just be their boots. You heard that right, boots. These boots play a fundamental role so that these specially trained forces could give their peak performance.

Ever heard of the Oakley Elite Special Forces Standard-Issue Assault Boot (or S.I. Assault Boot)? It’s made by the same guy who’s been making some of the most eye-catching sunglasses you’ve ever seen, that boast sophisticated and revolutionary technology. And to think that this guy, Jim Jannard, who’s No. 472 on the list of the World’s Richest People 2004, was a college dropout! You can say he had vision and an eye for innovation. He made his products truly visible and popular by having them endorsed by high-profile athletes like Michael Jordan.

The mere mention of the word "Assault" probably gives you the impression that this shoe is a toughie. Well, it is. For starters, its upper primary outer material is 1.4-1.6mm full grain soft temper leather. This keeps it comfortable while giving it support. Most important, this material allows walk-in complete silence, which is an important factor in a critical assignment. As if that’s not enough, its secondary outer materials are made of 1.4-1.6mm Nubuc leather quarter panels and 1.3mm high abrasion, urethane coated leather toe cap for utmost durability. And you haven’t heard it all. Even its laces are made of fire-resistant Nomex with aramid core for additional strength.

The lower part of this SI Boot is just as remarkable. Its footbed is made of shock-absorbing prime urethane with anatomical curvature, providing the feet with biomechanical support and cushioning. The outsole is made of high NBS vulcanized rubber, which gives wet and dry slip resistance for both smooth and rough surfaces. And what guess what? This assault boot weighs a light 610g, allowing full-speed performance. Now you know why members of the special forces could run so fast even in those boots!

So, as you can see, the Oakley Assault SI Boot is a very serious shoe, available at all Oakley stores nationwide. These boots are made not just for hiking but also for high performance in the most endurance-testing situations.

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E-mail me at ice_wave_42@yahoo.com.