“XtraTuf - Alaska to Anglesey
Magazine feature for XtraTuf, detailing the brand’s history and how the product works just as well in Anglesey as it does in Alaska
“Alaska. When you’re not taking in the regions stunning vistas, you’re doing everything in your power to stay alive. Alaska doesn’t care whether you slept well, what you ate for breakfast, or how much water you’ve drank in the past 24 hours – it will punish you at every chance it gets.
Alaska’s uncompromising landscapes makes the locals pickier dressers than most. Gear is a means to survive. Function is wholeheartedly above fashion – and that’s why at the top of every ‘What Alaskans Wear’ list, you’ll see the name XTRATUF.
Founded 75 years ago, XTRATUF was born out of a desire to provide genuine solutions to Alaska’s harsh environments. The rubber boots were originally produced for small fishing communities, but now, it is estimated that one in seven Alaskan’s own a pair of XTRATUF boots. A testament to the brand’s uncompromising attitude to design.
For XTRATUF’s FW25 campaign, we wanted to test the boots in a place where the stakes weren’t quite as high. Where there weren’t temperatures, or animals trying to kill us at every opportunity. So, we traded Alaska for Anglesey, in a bid to see if XTRATUF could seamlessly transition into an environment where the most dangerous animals are ones that moo.
Aside from our risk averse attitude, we had good reason to pick Anglesey as our testing grounds – the Welsh island, just like Alaska, has a variety of vastly different landscapes. Wind beaten beaches, dense woodland, and rocky shorelines. And just like Alaska, most are untouched and breathtakingly beautiful.
After selecting the silhouettes we wanted to field test, we proceeded to drive through some of the heaviest rain of the year, and it quickly became apparent that we would have our work cut out for us when we arrived on the Welsh island.
When we did eventually cross the border, good fortune was upon us. The weather had shifted and dappled sunlight coated our first destination – Newborough beach, a stretch of golden coastline encased by jaunty angled trees, on account of the relentless windspeeds. Here we wanted to assess just how well XTRATUF’s iconic Ankle Deck Boots (affectionately known by locals as ADBs) would function when stomping from sand dune to shoreline – and unsurprisingly they didn’t flinch. The 6-inch height kept sand and debris far away from our toes, and the 100% waterproof construction was a perfect solution for an unpredictable tide. But perhaps even more important, was how good the boots looked in this new environment, 4,700 miles away from home. Brown and cream tones not only complimented the hues of the coastline, but also worked effortlessly with the indigo denim and down jackets we paired the boots with.
After covering said denim in ketchup after a quick visit to a quintessentially Welsh burger van, we loaded up the car and got ready to embark on a journey to the opposite coast of the island. We prepped games, snacks and playlists, but with Anglesey being 2046 times smaller than Alaska, we were there within the hour.
