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Bates footwear visit www.batesfootwear.com.au or www.legear.com.au to purchase Bates Footwear online for Australian and New Zealand customers only.

Men and women in uniform take the call of public service to the extreme, setting aside their own comfort and safety to protect the rights, property and lives of others. In return, they deserve only the highest performance, most comfortable and best value footwear, made by a company that takes its duty as solemnly as soldiers and cops take theirs. Here are Bates’ credentials:

• One of the largest suppliers of footwear to the U.S. federal government and Department of Defense.
• A 120-year-old company.
• Part of Wolverine Worldwide, a billion dollar shoe corporation, giving us tremendous strength in R&D, purchasing and manufacturing.
• Priority access to the finest components and materials, including both Gore-Tex® and Vibram® as well as superior commodity products, from better leathers to stronger laces.
• Unlike most competitors, Bates’ entire business is making footwear for military, police and other uniformed public services.

Over 1.5 million pairs of Bates boots and shoes are purchased each year.

HISTORY

On the way to becoming one of the world’s largest uniform footwear companies, Bates has traveled a long and formative road. The company began as a small dress footwear maker in 1885. In the early 1960s, the Bates Shoe Company changed direction to focus on making the finest military dress shoes for the United States Navy.

The overwhelming popularity of the original Bates uniform oxford quickly led to the development of many more military styles for all branches of the armed services, until the company was exclusively making uniform footwear. Meanwhile, the demand for the Bates brand crossed over into the civilian uniformed services as the company’s products gained a reputation as exceptionally well suited for doing some of the most demanding and important jobs on earth.

The Bates experience spread worldwide during the 1970s and 80s, so that now we are outfitting elite military organizations in over 50 countries. Market-leading innovation continues to lead the way to Bates’ future — while the company will never waver from its dedication to craftsmanship, integrity and value that has proudly brought us to where we are today.

PRESS RELEASES

Bates wins Contract with U.S. Special Operations Command

ROCKFORD, MI (August 1, 2007) – Bates® Footwear, a division of Wolverine World Wide, announced today that it will manufacture advanced Chemical and Biological (CB) Protective Overboots for the U.S. Special Forces under a new $2.45 million government contract. Bates developed this cutting edge CB protective footwear in collaboration with W.L. Gore & Associates in response to the unique safety, comfort, and tactical challenges faced by the U.S. military. The overboot production decision was made by the Joint Program Executive Officer, Army Major General Stephen Reeves.The CB Overboot utilizes proprietary state-of-the-art material technologies designed to minimize warfighters’ exposure to chemical and biological agents in vapor, aerosol, and liquid forms. The CB Overboot upper consists of an impermeable, GORE® CHEMPAK® Ultra Barrier fabric, including protective seam seal tape to ensure added integrity and protection against harmful agents.The CB Overboot is compatible with standard issue footwear and all existing special operations and joint operations CB defense equipment. Integrating seamlessly with existing issue clothing, the CB Overboot provides superior tactility and comfort in multiple terrains and climates. A lightweight polyurethane outsole ensures unrivalled traction, while the GORE® CHEMPAK® Ultra Barrier fabric is used to create a rugged, easily compacted, highly protective upper. The CB Overboot’s innovative design enables quick donning and doffing under the threat of chemical or biological warfare attack. The lightweight and highly compactable CB Overboot resists mildew, fungus and other health and comfort threats while being worn or stored.

Bates and W.L. Gore originally developed the CB Overboot as a Commercial Off-the-Shelf product for the defense market. Extensive field testing proved the commercial CB Overboot’s effectiveness. With positive test results, the U.S. Special Operations Command recognized the value of a CB overboot that maintains comfort, tactical effectiveness, and ease-of-use while protecting against modern CB threats.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to offer our soldiers a boot that provides them the utmost protection as they conduct their missions in extreme conditions. This boot sets a new benchmark in utilizing technology to meet the CB protection and tactical needs of our armed services,” said Ron Woznick, Vice President and General Manager Bates Footwear.

Bates will produce 17,000 to 20,000 pairs of the CB Overboot within the next year at U.S.-based ISO 9001:2000 compliant manufacturing facilities in Big Rapids, Michigan and Jonesboro, Arkansas. This product meets the Berry Amendment conditions for 100% domestic sourcing and production of all U.S. military gear.

Bates® is part of the Wolverine Footwear Group, a division of Wolverine® World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), manufacturers and marketers of branded and licensed footwear and performance leathers. Bates is a leading supplier of uniform footwear to all branches of the U.S. Military and has been building a reputation for uncompromising performance in uniform footwear for more than 120 years. Engineered advancements such as stealth technology, Bates DuraShocks® comfort system and Bates Ultra-Lites® technology combine to set the brand apart and cement its status as the gold standard in uniform footwear. For more information and to view the product lines please visit www.batesfootwear.com.

With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world’s leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company’s portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Bates(R), Hush Puppies(R), HYTEST(R), Merrell(R), Sebago(R) and Wolverine(R). The Company is also the exclusive footwear licensee of popular brands including CAT(R), Harley-Davidson(R) and Patagonia(R). The Company’s products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and are distributed internationally in nearly 180 countries. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com

visit www.converseboots.com.au for Police Security and Military boots from Converse.

REVIEW OF CONVERSE BOOTS

Well I had heard a lot about these boots proclaimed “brand of the year” by footwear news in 2006.

The first thing that struck me was how easy it was to set up the boots for wearing. Very easy and for veteran boot wearers a 3 minute job. I have worn many different types of boots over the last 20yrs in Law Enforcement and Firefighting. Having worn everything from Baxter’s through to Swats. I expect that my boots will excel in all areas but especially in comfort and traction.

Some of Converse’s claims are:

• Extra ankle support via their ankle stabilizer system.
• A moisture absorbent liner.
• Fewer foot and leg injuries.
• No break in period required.
• Reduces lower back, muscle, and joint pain.
• Superior cushioning and comfort due to the Converse Foot Force insole molding to your foot’s shape.
• Superior Traction.
· Freedom that is Converse Tactical and Military footwear is made with 100% non-metallic components making them 100% security friendly.

What I found:I found these boots to be all of what they claim to be, the traction has always been a bug bear for me. I am very impressed with them in both wet and dry conditions. They were put through their paces on numerous occasions in all kind of weather conditions.

One of the problems I have found with past boots is that as soon as it rains you have to be very careful how you walk. With the Converse I relaxed after awhile as the traction didn’t let me down. I also found that the waterproofing qualities of this boot were excellent. We have just had a week of quite wet weather in which at times I was up to my ankles in water and the boots held up without a drop of water coming through. Mud simply wipesoff and the soles seem to self clean.

On Day 1: I found the Tread to be unbelievable, holds like glue, very impressed so far. Very comfortable and my feet were dry at the end of the shift. Feet are feeling great. The only problem I had was driving to work in the old manual Ute, bit stiff at the moment but had no problemsdriving the work car, yes it’s an auto.

On day 2: I really gave them a workout as I was on Foot Patrol for 12hrs Well all I can say, crikey what a hot day, I sweated like a pig but the boots held up just fine. For the first time in a long long while no sore feet after such a long beat shift. The liner worked overtime today and is still dry to the touch. The very next night I did another 12hr Foot Patrol I was very impressed with these boots, the leg aches are completely gone. Last night consisted of many long 2hr foot patrols which included many stair wells etc and my feet are feeling a million dollars.

On the 4th shift I spent 12hrs in the car running around schools Once again the boots stood up better than I expected, one thing that has really struck me is the tread on the boots. I know from my previous boots that running on wet surfaces has been somewhat of an issue in the past. Not so however with the Converse boots, they are living up to the hype. Even several of my colleagues are buying a set.

On day 5 I was involved in 2 foot chase’s and found the boots to be excellent to run and jump fences in. A big part of our job is climbing fences on a regular basis. Now for those that know me I am a rather large bloke and put untold stresses on my boots. The Converse boots have really stood up to the tests.

During the trial period a large low moved in off Fraser Island which resulted in some rather wild weather including torrential rain which caused some flooding to occur. I found the boots to stay dry even when the water was up over my ankles for extended periods of time. The tread only let me down once which was when I stood on a wet oily railway sleeper. However the boots seemed to disperse the oil very quickly and much quicker than any other boot I have worn in the past. In the past it has been hard to get comfort and great traction in the same boot; however Converse seems to have done a great job at combining both.

Some more notes from my diary: Day 6, 12hr Foot Patrol, Once again these boots really worked a treat, no sore feet or legs at the end of the day. Only one bad point so far and that by the end of the shift the boots are a little wiffy. Day 7 12hr Mobile Patrol Group Can’t say enough good things about these boots, if you can find me a better one please try. The boots have loosened up a bit which was easy to fix, just adjust the laces, boots waterproofing properties are excellent, spent a whole week walking around in very inclement water with dry feet at the end of every shift.

“The boots are extremely lightweight so you conserve energy and reduce fatigue”, that is the Company’s claims and I would have to agree. I have found a significant reduction in leg and foot pain since wearing these boots. The sole seems to mould to the shape of your feet. Something else I will talk about is the favorable comments from my colleagues. So much so that quite a few of them have are or in the process of purchasing a pair of these boots for themselves. If you are looking for a great boot for walking Patrol in, then these would have to be it!! I am seriously considering buying myself a pair for hiking/fishing purposes as I believe that these boots would be ideally suited for this pastime as well. The only negative thing that I have been able to find is that the boots can get a little smelly at the end of the day. However this dissipates and disappears within hours of them being taken off. I have also found these boots to be dry on the inside for the entire time I have trialed them.

Some of Converse’s claims are:• Extra ankle support via their ankle stabilizer system: Absolutely without a doubt, something that I noticed the more I wore them.• A moisture absorbent liner: Like I have said previously the weather has been very wet and humid for a lengthy period of time and has really worked overtime to live up to this claim.• Fewer foot and leg injuries: Well I haven’t had any so far. The ankle control is very good.• No break in period required: I would have to agree for the walking part. However the boots needed a few days to loosen up enough to drive easily.• Reduces lower back, muscle, and joint pain: Can’t say enough about this aspect of the boot. The pain I used to get in the arches of my feet and lower back especially have all but disappeared.• Superior cushioning and comfort due to the Converse Foot Force insole molding to your foot’s shape: Yes, like I have reported previously the claim is 100% true and correct.• Superior Traction: Once again the traction can not be spoken of highly enough. I have been told many times by footwear companies that the traction has been improved on the last model, yeah yeah sure. However for once Converse has gotten this right.• Freedom that is Converse Tactical and Military footwear is made with 100% non-metallic components making them 100% security friendly: Yes well we played around with this on some WTMD’s and to no effect. So yes this claim would be correct.

I have worn the boots now for 14hrs a day 6 days a week for just over 4 weeks. They have been through all types of terrain and weather with the exception of snow and ice. They have been through just about every thing imaginable in an Operational setting. I thoroughly recommend these boots to anyone who is serious about looking after their feet and needs a rugged, comfortable and easily maintained set of boots.

Chris Berry served as a Volunteer/ Auxiliary Firefighter for 26yrs including over a decade as a Remote Area Firefighter. 11 yrs with the Australian Army Reserve in Field Force Combat Units, and 18yrs with the Federal Parliament’s Security Service. He has worn just about every boot available in Australia and then some. From Blundstone to Swat, Oliver’s to Hi Tech