Simon Ash, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at HAIX, explores the balance between comfort and protection in the Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG fire boot
For those unfamiliar, what is HAIX and what is your experience in the fire sector?
HAIX is a global specialist footwear manufacturer with a focus on producing high quality footwear for great people doing great things.
Fire is at the heart of the brand and HAIX has a long-standing legacy within the fire sector. HAIX’s 2nd generation owner, Ewald Haimerl, was a deputy chief at the local fire station in Munich and many team members at all levels work as part-time firefighters.
In the 1980s, HAIX began to work on developing new innovations for fireboots, which at the time were made of rubber.
In 1992, HAIX launched a truly game changing innovation – the first firefighter boot made from leather, engineered with GORE-TEX.
In the decades since, HAIX has continued to innovate and produce market-leading protective footwear, including the latest Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG, for the fire sector globally.
HAIX has just launched Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG – what specific needs does this product address in the fire and rescue sector?
The demands of the job is evolving thanks to our ever changing world.
From increased prevalence of wildfires to new dangers posed by the sharp rise in lithium-ion related fires, firefighters are constantly facing different challenges across a wider variety of tasks.
Simon Ash
As a result, firefighters need PPE footwear that is lighter, more versatile and responsive to these growing challenges.
The Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG is the first fireboot to feature GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® EXTRAGUARD technology.
This innovative material is lighter than leather, creating the lightest boot offering on the market, without compromising on performance or protection.
It allows firefighters to carry out a range of jobs in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Could you explain the materials or technologies that has gone into the Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG?
The primary innovation of the Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG is the use of the EXTRAGUARD upper material.
Simon Ash
This material is lighter than leather, quicker to dry after use in wet environments and protects against commonly used chemicals, viruses and blood.
The three-layer EXTRAGUARD uppers are particularly robust and abrasion-resistant and absorb almost no moisture.
As a result, they stay lightweight even after extended deployments in wet environments, keeping firefighters’ feet warm and dry.
The uppers combine with the waterproof, breathable, bacteria-proof and virus-proof GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® lining inside the boot.
The FIRE EAGLE 2.0 EXG provides members of the emergency services with reliable protection against heat and flames, complies with DIN EN15090:2012 and meets the F2A requirement.
These fire boots are easy to clean under running water and, unlike leather boots, do not require specialist care products.
The sporty fit of the FIRE EAGLE 2.0 EXG also delivers added comfort for firefighters, with no break in period.
As part of its all-round protection, the FIRE EAGLE 2.0 EXG features a toe cap made from fibre-reinforced plastic alongside a steel puncture resistant midsole, plus a slip-resistant and heat-resistant outsole.
A pocket provides space for an RFID chip for digital PPE management. The yellow metatarsal guard has a smooth surface without any openings to ensure easy cleaning and protects the laces from damage.
Special brightly coloured inserts ensure high visibility, even in thick smoke.
How did you test the Fire Eagle 2.0 EXG to ensure it performs under real-world conditions?
We carried out field testing with the Munich Fire Service in Germany. During this field test, 22 professional firefighters wore the new fire boots over a 12-month period in various situations, including technical assistance, firefighting deployments, storm response and rescue missions.
Simon Ash
The results were very positive with 91% of participants saying that they would continue to wear the boots on the job.
In the UK and wider Europe, we conducted wear trials with members of the Firefighter Challenges team to test the boot in as many difference scenarios as possible.
What feedback have you received from users in the field, and how does that influence product design?
Feedback has been excellent throughout the process, which indicates to the product design team that they are working in the right direction.
Further results from the Munich field test found that, in total, 73% of participants described the boots as “light”, while 9% described them as “very light”.
The fast re-drying performance was also positively reviewed: 73% rated it as “good” and 27% as “very good”.
We are constantly using feedback to help improve our product design.
Simon Ash
For example, the recent update to the HAIX RapidFit lacing system came from direct feedback from users to make donning the boots even easier.
How has HAIX’s innovative thinking been reflected in its fire boot range?
Our Fire Eagle range is a perfect example of HAIX’s leading innovation.
Through technological advancements like the RapidFit lacing system and new materials, we are producing the lightest, most comfortable boots in the industry today.
Looking ahead, what’s next for HAIX in terms of innovation or new product launches?
We are always looking at how we can improve the working life of the firefighter, but for now you’ll have to wait until Interschutz 2026 to see the next big steps in innovation.