Altama Maritime boots

Photo of the day: Running a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) wide open

Pictured Above: Running a RHIB “wide open” in formation off the East Coast practicing launch and recovery from the “mothership” as well as chasing, evading and practicing small boat tactics for maneuvering against ships.

Running a RHIB wide open

RHIB’s are some of the greatest vessels to drive and honestly getting to ride/drive them every day was a blast. This photo was taken off of the East Coast after we launched from one of the “Mothership’s”. Driving a RHIB in east coast chop was honestly some of the hardest driving I’ve ever had to learn. I mean you name it – bike’s, sedans, SUV’s, truck’s, jeeps, mini bikes, jetskis; I can drive them all. But a 33m RHIB with 4-5 guys onboard hauling ass (40-60 knots) over 4-5 ft waves with close intervals between waves? It’s hard getting used to and you can definitely tell the great drivers from the mediocre drivers. I’ll be honest, I was a mediocre driver on my best day. Coming from the west coast, I’m used to long intervals between waves so driving is a bit easier for me on the west coast. The big problems I had on the east coast was finding that “groove” between speed and safety as having a rider fly out of your boat when you’re going after a ship is no Bueno. I had plenty of guys that can really drive help me out and I still was never able to find the groove after 8 months. Maybe I’ll find the groove another day, or then again maybe not haha.

Some of the gear that was always with me on the water

Altama Maritime Assault Boots
Gatorz Eyewear (Magnums)
First Spear AAC Frog Kit
Hurley Boardshorts (if it was warm)
Garmin Fenix5 plus Sapphire
Gerber LMF Survival II, Half Face Blades tomahawk, or CRKT fixed blade.

Altama Maritime Assault Shoes

On the water it’s always tough to try to get quality shoes that dry as well as shoes that keep a grip on wet surfaces. From Under Armour to Bates to Danner I’ve tried a lot of boots/shoes for operations. Altama sticks out to me as the pound for pound champ so far in boots/shoes I’ve worn or tested. They do have their place where they excel the best and that’s on the water.

A FIN COMPATIBLE BOOT

Back in the day Recon wore all black Chuck T’s because you could wear fins over them comfortably. Altama made their boot and it kind of took over the game. It’s durable as all get out, they’re stylish and last but not least super comfortable and convenient. If you’re feeling bold and want to get wet, the side vents on the boots really change the way you get water out of your boot. It also makes it easier to walk as that, in my opinion, is also a relief. The other cool factor if you’re getting wet is you can get them to dry in 8-10 hours (I’ve had them dry in as little as 6 hours after being soaked, but I said 8-10 hours to be safe).

OUT OF THE BOX

Out of the box, the Altama Maritime Assault Boots are broken in without showing the wear marks. There really isn’t a break in process and that saves time and effort on your part. The quality and craftsmanship are seen as soon as you pick them up. The amount of durability compared to how light they are is incredible as the quality resembles a well made heavy boot. But in my case, I like to be light on my feet.

ZERO FOOTPRINT

Walking in water is a good way to ditch your tracks (although you make more noise if you’re not careful when you’re walking up a creek or stream). Having that ability to walk in water or being on a boat and having the ability to have your boots drain on the spot is critical to comfort – especially when you’re not wearing socks. As my buddy nicknamed LL COOL J once stated… “there is no dive operation SOP that says you should wear socks.”. Altama nailed that aspect of their boot. No socks, no problem.

Altama Marritime Assault boots on Land

On land or in public, Altama’s are a perfect way to blend in and still be able to get somewhere quick if need be. They aren’t the best climbing shoe, but you can climb in them. In the mountains in cold terrain, they work wonders if you have warm socks. They are a warm weather show but it’s all about how you layer your socks. Waterproof socks can be worn as I wear those out in the mountains with my Altama’s.

I asked Brad what he thought of the boots during operations. “They are an amazing and comfortable boot. They are lightweight, durable and they make you look a lot cooler than you are haha”

Rule number one when you’re fixing to get into a gunfight… always look cool. Sh*t, they even make you look cool at the dog park!

AJ’s Christmas List: Last minute gift idea’s

I’m sitting here on my girlfriend’s bed at 3:45 am, 2,000 miles away from Virginia trying to come up with last minute gift idea’s for my dad. A new gun? A knife? Shoes? Clothes? What do you get for the man who has it all? I decided to write this article to give you guys last minute gift idea’s and what’s on my Christmas list this year!

Half Face Blades

Andy over at Half Face Blades makes some of the best blades I’ve ever worked with. HFB makes something for anyone and everyone – from chef to mom to hunter to operator, they make a blade or hatchet for every job. Their blades are all built by hand, in-house, by a great group of people. It’s funny how big factories make a bunch of mediocre knives in a big industrial warehouse but a “hole in the wall” makes the BEST blades/hatchets I’ve ever worked with. Check out the Half Face Blades website for a last minute, but well worth it, Christmas gift! As Andy said in a text to me “How are you going to save Christmas this year? Lol”. Check out Half Face Blades here!

Altama Maritime Assault Shoes

Altama makes some badass and comfortable shoes. Want to be in with the newest trend and be an “operator”? Altama has you covered! I prefer the Mid’s and have them in tan, but the black Multicam is sweet! Check out Altama here on their website!

Gatorz Eyewear

Gatorz man. Say man, do you have a pair of Gatorz? No? Well it’d be a lot cooler if you did *Matthew McConaughey Voice*

Gatorz are hands down the best shades I’ve ever worn. Durable and comfortable, and they look cool as well. Not to mention you can pre order the black multicam and that can be your excuse as to why your special someone in your life doesn’t have them yet (they’re dropping in January I believe). Go ahead and get your significant other or children a pair of Gatorz here!

Vortex Optics UH-1 Huey

Vortex is amazing and the UH-1 lives up to the Vortex name. It’s a dead giveaway as to why this is on my Christmas list (even though I already have one, but one is better than none and 2 is better than one.) Vortex really changed the game with the UH-1 and it is hands down taken over the tactical game. From hog hunting to real world operations.. this is a badass holograph! You can check out the UH-1 here.

Breach Pen

What’s cooler than being able to break a chain with a pair of bolt cutters? Burning a chain at a couple thousand degree’s. Getting Breachpen certified and owning a Breachpen is an awesome gift for that special someone. Check out Breachpen’s website here.

Shotstop Ballistic’s LLC

Shotstop is an incredible company who really stands behind their product. From real world operations to being with the family, they make ballistic plates for every scenario. The backpack inserts really are next level and Shotstop can make custom plate sizes depending on whatever size backpack you have. Check out Shotstop Ballistics here!

Burly Boy Beard Co.

Burly Boy is my go-to choice in beard products. Used by those in active duty Mil/LEO, it is the go-to choice of many professionals. It is hands down my favorite brand of “Beard Butter”. I personally use the “Castro”. Made with Shea Butter, Palm Oil, Orange Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Cinnamon Oil, it keeps the beard looking good, feeling soft, and its made with 100% organic products right here in the good ol U.S. of A! Check out Burly Boy Beard Co. here!

Last but not least the Truly Innovations EDC shirt

A dress shirt with a built in holster? I’m sold. A great shirt for those men in your life who don’t want to go full operator but still want to feel full operator. A great way to conceal carry and a great way to look sharp! Check out Truly Innovations here!

That’s what is on my list this year! Share in the comments below of what’s on your list.

A Private Military Contractor’s Short Range Loadout

Things change and so does your gear. With the way the defense industry is nowadays somebody or someone always has something better. For instance, I have dropped a lot of gear out of my kit and added a few pieces of gear. This is what happens over time as we adapt in the dark world we live in. one piece fo gear that was dropped was a weapon retention system. It wasn’t that it was bulky, it was just something I never used. I may add it based on the mission type and so on and so forth but for the most part, it was dropped. I also added 2 new knives, expanded on my IFAK, threw in a tomahawk, and a few other things.

I was pretty primitive when I started my job as a military contractor working in maritime operations. I had gear that was issued but was excessively bulky and just all in all not worth carrying. For instance, my original plate carrier – I had to attach a mustang “horse collar” to it due to working in maritime environments. Safety first, kids, safety first. Well, the solution to that was the First Spear AAC Frog. Badass rig built specifically for those that get froggy. Yep, team guys. I AM NOT A TEAM GUY, but I work on the water so I wanted something that was lightweight and that got the job done. There were other options, but the frog had me sold. 2 built-in “water wings” that are activated by pulling a tab on each side which means it is dive capable. Kidney bladders aka water wings built into your side plates? I’m sold. Buoyancy plate compensators? Even more, sold (can you be more sold than sold? Idk but I’m rolling with it). I also chose the First Spear admin pouch, as well as the First Spear Multi-Mag Pocket, in case I’m feeling super bold and decide to run anything 7.62. You can read my review on the Multi-Mag Pocket here. Badass design that shows you where First Spear is heading.. hint: to the top of the defense industry). I still carry chemlights, Madison supply trauma scissors, zip ties, 2 Tourniquets and one of the greatest inventions out there, the BreachPen.

Working our way down to my belt, I am still carrying 3 mags of .45 for my Sig Sauer p320. I am running the full-size barrel and slide on a compact grip. You can read why I am carrying that here. Total of 4 pistol mags, 4 m4 mags. I also carry my IFAK on my belt as well. Below the belt (wait not like that ladies, calm down) I have a badass Half Face Blades tomahawk for anything and everything – breaching, hatchet kills (just kidding.. is that sore subject to liberals still?) and all the cool guy things you do with tomahawks. Half Face Blades makes some of the best blades out there, I won’t even lie to you. I almost spent all my savings on every one of their knives.. until my girlfriend shut that down as soon as she got wind of it. If I ever break up with her and I’m broke and on the street with 40 blades attached to my clothing you now know why (is “will work for knives” a thing?). Speaking of knives, I am carrying a Helle Wabakimi. That name makes me smile every time. Badass knife, THE most durable blade I’ve ever used, review coming soon. I switch out between the Gerber LMFII and the Wabakimi a lot depending on the mission set. I also have a Kershaw Tanto folding knife I have as a backup to my primary knife.

My weapons platform is a custom built and cerakoted Aero Precision M4E1 upper and lower. The BCG is classified as it is not out for production yet, SilencerCo Omega 30 suppressor, Magpul ACS and Magpul mags. For the cherry on top, I am running the most revolutionary optic out there, the UH-1 Huey by Vortex. BETTER than anything EOTech has ever come out with. Yes, you read that right, sorry L3. For shades or Clear glasses, I’m rocking Gatorz Magnums. Nothing beats Gatorz, period. I am running the Ops-Core FAST SF Super High Cut helmet with an S&S Precision manta strobe. I run White Phosphor NVG’s and I will never go back to green. We run ATN at work, so that’s who makes my NVG’s. Some guys like 2 tubes, but for driving rib’s at night I run a single tube NVG. I wear whatever feels best for clothing. I moved away from LBT, they are just overpriced and frankly behind the times in all aspects. In my opinion, they are still riding the train from 2008. I found there are better options out there. If I’m going with a jacket, I run an Arcteryx jacket that was built specifically for Naval Special Warfare Development Group. I got it from a close buddy of mine integrated into that community. The jacket is priceless, in my opinion, and has seen a lot of stuff. Lastly, I’m wearing Altama Maritime Assault shoes, aka the greatest thing my feet have ever stepped on. They dry within 6 hours, have ultra grip and are fin compatible. Best things in life are made for comfort and altama hit it right on the bullseye with their take on tactical boots (are they even boots? They feel like a pillow of comfort for your feet).

Like I’ve said things have changed as far as my gear goes and probably will continue to change in my loadout, but this is what I’m wearing and using these days in real-world maritime operations.

Altama Maritime Assault boots

I was in the market for a new pair of shoes when I spotted these browsing Instagram. I at first scrolled right past thinking they were another pair of black chucks, but upon closer inspection, these were a whole different animal. The Altama Maritime Assault boots come in two heights and I opted for the mid height for some more ankle stability, finning, and a more classic styling. I hate shopping online for shoes so I went down to a local store and picked some up for the decent price of $82.00. They fit true to size for the most part and fit my feet well.

The Altamas are constructed from a durable feeling Cordura outer, mesh tongue, mesh lining, and serious rubber sole complete with jungle boot tread and siping for gripping slick bar floors and zodiac metal floors alike. The inside of the shoe is a quick-drying mesh complete with mesh ports at the sides of your foot to facilitate flex in the foot. The insole of the boot is a gripping rubber that while making your foot sweat a bit more, allows for better feel when finning that almost eliminates the slipping around of the shoe.

Altama played off the classic styling of the black “chucks” so fondly worn by Recon Marines ever since Vietnam. The idea of an “OTB” as Altama calls it is not a new concept. Amphibious forces for years have had the need for a shoe or boot that can take them from ship to shore and possibly inland for a small ways. The classic goto has been broken into two categories; Chuck Taylors, and the neoprene variety of dive booty. The dive booties were unreliable when it came to movements inland and the Chucks lacked a good mud tread. Altama answered the call fitting both the quick-drying dive boot and the rougher tread to facilitate moving inland.

I am not a Recon Marine, however, I did do a short fin with the Altamas and they performed excellently. I made a trip to the range with many kinetic shooting drills with no issues, and I have also worn them in the gym for a myriad of workouts, and for 5 hours while working the door at my local bar. The Altamas do not disappoint. From the beach to the bar these are a classically styled, well-constructed boot/shoe that is as comfortable on a skateboard as it is on the gun range. The Altamas come in Coyote, Black, Multicam, and Multicam Black to fit your personal style and mission set.

Author – Tanner Hodges is an Active Duty Marine Infantryman currently serving as a Platoon Sergeant with 3dBn 2d Marines. He holds two infantry MOS’s (0351/0365) and has completed Infantry Small Unit Leader’s Course, and Advanced Infantryman Course. He has trained in Mountain Warfare, Desert Warfare, and Jungle Warfare all around the globe.