Enforce Tac 2024 Robust and lightweight - GORE-TEX Professional Fabrics and leading footwear partners present the first police boots with groundbreaking EXTRAGUARD upper technology
Technology sets new standards in terms of weight, robustness, and comfort
Putzbrunn (February 23, 2024) - The innovative EXTRAGUARD upper material technology for police boots is lightweight, yet robust and noticeably more comfortable to wear: GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD police boots remain lightweight even when emergency services have to stand out in the rain for several hours at a demonstration, for example. The innovative upper material is also flame-retardant. At Enforce Tac 2024 (February 26 to 28) in Nuremberg, Gore will be presenting police boots from leading manufacturers with GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD upper technology for the first time.
Police forces need robust, waterproof, and breathable footwear that reliably protects them in all weather conditions and during dangerous operations or demonstrations. Until now, the robustness and waterproofness of the boots have had a significant influence on comfort - conventional police boots are rather heavy. As the product's service life increases, they can lose their waterproofing, meaning that conventional upper material can become soaked in the rain, making the boots even heavier. Another challenge is the re-drying of soaked boots: it can take many hours before they are completely dry again. However, if they have to be worn again in the meantime, this can draw heat away from the foot and create cold bridges.
Is light, stays light and dries quickly
With EXTRAGUARD, GORE-TEX Professional has developed a completely new, sustainable outer material technology: it combines the advantages of robust leather with those of lightweight, flexible, and breathable textile outer materials. The technology consists of three layers: a highly abrasion-resistant and flame-retardant outer protective layer, a functional layer that protects against mechanical impacts and an innovative inner construction layer that absorbs hardly any water. When dry, the EXTRAGUARD outer material is 40% lighter than dry leather of the same thickness. It absorbs less moisture from the outside and remains dry and light even after prolonged exposure to water or loss of the initial impregnation. Moisture penetrates from the outside only as far as the inner construction layer of the EXTRAGUARD upper material and is then kept out by it. This minimises heat loss and prevents cold bridges, keeping feet dry and comfortably warm even in wet or cold conditions. The robust boots dry quickly, are ready for use again a few hours later and are comfortable to wear. In combination with the internal, waterproof, and breathable GORE-TEX lining, this means an enormous increase in protection and comfort for the police.
First models available on the market this year
"Our EXTRAGUARD upper technology is a real game changer for the police. At Enforce Tac, we will be presenting models for various areas of application, from very lightweight tactical to flame-resistant riot styles. The response has been great: a German police unit will soon be putting a model through its paces in tough everyday police work. The first models are expected to be available on the market before the end of this year," explains Johannes Krieg, Product Specialist at Gore.
High performance and reduced environmental impact
Function and performance have top priority at Gore because the company makes no compromises when it comes to protection and comfort. At the same time, EXTRAGUARD technology also sets new standards in terms of sustainability: the use of water and chemicals is minimized during production, and CO2 emissions are comparatively low. And finally, the longevity of the products also contributes to a better eco-balance.
Facts & figures about GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD technology
· GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD combat boots are permanently waterproof and breathable. They exceed the required values in accordance with EN ISO 20345/347 many times over.
· The abrasion-resistant upper material is 40% lighter than leather when dry. As it absorbs virtually no moisture from the outside, the GORE-TEX boot remains dry and light even after prolonged exposure to water or loss of the initial waterproofing.
· Heat and flame resistance in accordance with DIN EN 15090: If these boots are exposed to an open flame for 10 seconds in accordance with DIN EN ISO 15025-A/DIN EN 15090, there is no afterburning.