Apparently their mad German designers have knocked up the largest torch in the world! This beast of a torch measures about 4 metres long (that’s about the size of a VW Golf).

Here is the press release straight from LED Lenser:

“LED Lenser, as the world’s leading torch brand, is no stranger when it comes to winning awards for design, technology and performance. Over the years our superb hand-held torches and head lamps have won numerous national and international awards.

Now LED Lenser is proud to announce the latest…and biggest… addition to this ever expanding award collection – that for the World’s Largest Torch

On Sunday 25th September LED Lenser officially unveiled the World’s Largest Torch in front of an expectant crowd in the German City of Soligen at the Night of Lights Festival which attracts around 30,000 visitors. The LED (Light Emitting Diode) torch, nearly 4 meters in length and weighing 216kg, incorporated 19 high-end LEDs that generated an awesome 100,000 lumens of light. On hand to witness and verify this extraordinary testament to LED Lenser’s world-class engineering skills was a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records.

This record breaking torch was not only developed with size in mind, but also to highlight energy efficiency as well. Today’s LED lights are up to 13 times more efficient than conventional light bulbs, and last 1000 times as long. If a luminous flux of 100,000 lumen is supplied to the torch, it consumes 1000 watts of energy. In comparison, 250 conventional 40-watt light bulbs consume 10,000 watts of energy.

The design of the World’s Largest Torch by LED Lenser is based on the powerful and widely available LED LENSER X21 which features a Dynamic Switch, Speed Focus and the patented Advanced Focus System. Powered by just four standard D-cell batteries, the X21 emits a breathtaking 1000 lumens of light that has a range of around half a kilometer.

This dedication to be the best, combined with a magnificent feat of engineering, truly reflects the nature of LED Lenser – that of state-of-the-art innovation, technological superiority and world-class performance.”

Found a little video as well:

So there you have it.

For a range of slightly more practical (but still pretty impressive) torches, visit our LED Lenser section

As the range has expanded over the years, new styles have been introduced which can vary in terms of comfort and fit depending on your own foot shape.  Foot shape can have a big impact on the comfort of a boot, even if you have picked the top-of-the-range Magnum with luxury footbeds and memory foam!

In the absence of the ability to try these different styles on (except for those lucky enough to be able to visit us at our warehouses in Ramsgate), I’ve decided to impart my knowledge as regards the fit of the current Magnum boot range.

From experience I can say that the Magnum Classic and the Magnum Panther are a relatively narrow style of boot, which well suit the average to narrower foot shape.

The Stealth Force range of boots (unisex) generally come up wider, and we highly recommend these as a good fit for those with regular to wide feet.  Sometimes those with narrow or dainty feet will find that a Magnum Stealth will gape at the foot’s flex point, or the foot will slip up and down in the boot, causing discomfort.  Naturally the Stealth Liberty Mid Women’s boot is the exception to the rule in this particular range  – being made specifically for women, the foot shape is daintier and narrower all round!

Slap bang in the middle in terms of width fitting are the Patrol, Scorpion, Spider Urban series and Elite Force WPi.

Short and sweet and by no means a cast iron guarantee of success, but I hope this information assists in picking a boot that’s right for you!

At the entry level point are the Magnum Classic, Magnum Patrol, Panther and duty shoe ranges – these boots offer all the EN certification an officer needs, together with an easy shine leather finish for parade use.

The Magnum Stealth Force

Magnum’s mid to top ranged product is the Stealth Force range.  You pay a bit extra for the comfort technology that goes into these boots.  Whereas the Classic has a basic footbed and construction, the Stealth range have contoured foam footbeds and superior padding around the ankle, as well as better shock absorption properties in the sole – something you’re likely to notice when running.  There are a wealth of options with the Stealth range as well, which push some of the styles into Magnum’s top tier – safety toecap options, side-zip options, fully waterproof options, take your pick!

… and finally, Magnum have a number of specialist boots sitting at the top of the tree, for one reason or another.  The Spider Urban range offer a trainer-like alternative to the regular patrol style, backed up with some serious performance technology when it comes to comfort, agility and speed of manoeuver.  The Shield Public Order boot – the clues in the name really, a specialist product for a specialist market. The Elite Force Wpi is Magnum’s flagship product – waterproof, breathable, blood pathogen resistant, heat and cold resistant, the list goes on.  The cost (or value) of an Elite Wpi is in it’s unique leather infused waterproofing technology, amongst other features, which may or may not be a benefit that you decide you need.  Either way, there should be a Magnum product to suit your particular operational need and, just as importantly, to suit your budget.

The Tactical Jack Medium Bag

When it comes to choosing a kit bag, there are a fair few on the market, and to be honest the vast majority of them look pretty much the same.  But this is where looks can be deceptive – there are a raft of cheaper ‘copies’ on sale in the Police and security market, and in most cases you’d never be able to tell the difference from a website photograph.  Where cheaper bags let you down is in the quality of the fabric used, the quality of the zippers and the overall build quality and stitching.  A patrol bag needs to be user friendly and durable above all else, and so when your kit bag falls apart after three months of throwing it from your locker to the back of the patrol car and back again, you may be seeing that £20 Ebay bargain as a bit of a false economy!The medium Tactical Jack police bag is our best seller and has an excellent rep for all of the afore mentioned points – 1000d Cordura construction and YKK zippers for durability, double stitching in key stress areas, and enough pockets, dividers and internal space for the vast majority of kit applications.If you’re going to splash out on a kit bag, the best advice I can give is to do your research or ask a colleague, and buy by recommendation rather than by price…

TaskForce Boots - Bargain!

Grafters and Taskforce boots are good examples of what could be described as ‘budget’ patrol boots, although to be honest feedback shows that these boots last every bit as long as some of their more expensive branded counterparts.  We have a large contingent of officers who swear by these brands for comfort and durability, as well as value for money, and where Council and Security heads are looking to issue their teams with smart and reliable footwear within a specified budget, they find you really can’t go wrong with either of these ranges.Cadets love the Taskforce boot – where else can you buy a brand new, rugged and durable fully waterproof patrol boot for under £50?Where the price differences between boots tend to become more evident is in the internal comfort features of the footwear – something that becomes more noticeable for those on their feet all day every day, and especially in specialist roles or in tactical situations. Magnum boots are probably the most well known of the patrol boot brands amongst Police officers, and most newbie officers mention the Magnum Classic as being the boot that was recommended to them when they joined.  Whilst the Classic continues to be a popular choice, there is a whole raft of new and more technologically advanced alternatives now within the Magnum range, from the super-lightweight Stealth range (with a variety for all applications) right up to the flagship Elite Force 8” WPI boot complete with self-moulding footbeds, Vibram soles and groundbreaking breathable water repelling Ion Mask technology.

Lovely Lowas

At the top of the tree, in terms of sheer luxury, are the specialist boot ranges – Lowa, 5.11 Tactical, the Adidas GSG9.2 and Danner.  These ranges offer new niche features, superb comfort technology and a generally more tailored fit by offering half sizes and width fittings (in some cases).  Historically well represented within the Military, Lowa boots are now extremely popular with Police officers for their tough and rugged good looks, as well as their unparalleled foot comfort and support.  For those with weak ankles, fallen arches or similar podiatric issues you really can’t beat Lowa for comfort.  Not surprising then, that the Armed Forces continue to issue their guys with these boots to rectify foot problems caused by inferior footwear.The Adidas GSG9.2 boot is the polar opposite of Lowa in terms of its styling, for whilst Lowas are sturdy and solid, the GSG9.2 is light as a feather, supple and immediately fits like a glove – basically like your most comfortable pair of trainers!  No wonder considering the GSG9.2 is made like a running shoe, and not like any other pair of patrol boots.  Driving, as well as running (and rope climbing, if that’s your thing) is a breeze in a pair of GSG9’s! Danner boots are possibly the most specialised of all, with a price tag to match.  Unbelievably in this day and age, the Danner Recon and Danner Acadia are still made in the US, as they have been for eons.  Hand craftsmanship still goes into these boots, and specialist Firearms Teams across the country continue to rely on Danner for the comfort and reliability that this brand commands. From Grafters to Danner boots, your choice will ultimately depend on budget, personal style preference and operational requirements.