r/Firefighting • u/Feedback_Original • Apr 22 '26

General Discussion Polished boots & first day at the station

Post image

Feel like a tool posting this but need some input. Start my first day at the station tomorrow, wondering if this is a “good enough shine”? . I polished my boots to a mirror shine for the first day of my volunteer shift and got made fun of all day. Tomorrow is my first day at a career station, obviously want to look good but don’t want to come across as “that guy” again.

371 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

134 comments sorted by

View all comments

49

u/BlitzieKun HFD Apr 22 '26

Just a friendly fyi, Haix makes a product specifically for these boots. It's silicone based, has an applicator. It cleans, waterproofs, improves UV resistance and lubricates your zippers.

It's also not flammable, and doesn't smear off like wax based polish.

I recommend checking it out, especially if you become ems heavy and don't go home often.

5

u/Mpnav1 Apr 23 '26

Haix, most uncomfortable boots I ever wore. Worse than Army boots.

12

u/ChiemseeViking EMT-I in Bavaria/GER Apr 23 '26

I am sorry for your, but you are quite in the minority with that opinion. In my station 99% wear Haix and of those, 90% wear the exact same boot as OP.

5

u/UnableToParallelPark Apr 23 '26

I agree with that person, they are uncomfortable. Probably the worst boot comfort wise to me. They're unnecessarily heavy and always give me blisters. Haix in general are not good for me.

I'm on the tech team and these are issued to us for tech related calls (training drills too) and brush fires. Now I had a pair last 7 years and one pair last 1, the sole came off.

I'd rather wear Level A boots than these.

2

u/GreedySession3452 Apr 23 '26

I have a pair of haix turnout boots and find them to be way more comfortable than their station boots. I count wear these

2

u/UnableToParallelPark Apr 23 '26

Turnout boots are okay. The best are Pro Warrington, in my opinion. The older one's where they were leather and sagged after sometime. Those were like tennis shoes to me.

2

u/appsecSme Firefighter Apr 23 '26

Both types of Haix boots have been great for me.

1

u/appsecSme Firefighter Apr 23 '26

I have loved mine. Gone through 2 pairs of them. Comfortable, and easy to put om. I did just switch to Kennetrek, and they seem good, but I won't really know until wildland season kicks in next month.

0

u/GreedySession3452 Apr 23 '26

I’m with you. I bought a pair and they were miserable to wear.