On Day Two at Enforce Tac 2025, WL Gore & Associates invited specialist media to a briefing on their new EXTRAGUARD footwear material, reports Bob Morrison.
~
I was not only at the EXTRAGUARD launch in Nuremberg twelve months ago, but I also have a pair of brand new pair of Meindl combat boots manufactured from the new material currently on test, so I was really keen to accept the invitation to the update briefing at Enforce Tac 2025.
As well as Gore’s Footwear Product Specialist Martin Pfister, who I have known for years, explaining the technical properties to us, company CEO Lukas Meindl also briefed us on using the leather substitute. Additionally, Bundeswehr Reservist Officer André Forkert related his experiences of testing EXTRAGUARD boots alongside colleagues in both the Indonesian jungle and under cold weather conditions in Europe. After the briefing I grabbed the chance to ask Lukas what the specific issues were in working with the revolutionary new material to craft combat boots destined to spend weeks at a time in challenging conditions.
Once I have had time to wear my new Meindl boots over different terrain in different climates, I plan to delve a little deeper into the EXTRAGUARD story.
~
