We asked Capt. Caleb Langer to give us his thoughts on what makes the KrakenEXO "legendary" – and what that even means. Here's what we heard from him...
“The fire goes as the first line goes.”
– Lt. Andy Fredericks
That is one of the most respected truths about fire suppression. The late Lt. Andy Fredericks emphasized this in what are now legendary teachings on engine company operations. His influence reminds us that being “legendary” isn’t about status—it’s about relentless commitment to excellence.
KrakenEXO became part of that pursuit when it launched in 2010. In the decade and a half since that time, KrakenEXO hose has seen fire duty coast to coast and beyond, from urban fire factories to small rural towns. Now available in seven different diameters, from 1.5” up to 3”, KrakenEXO hose lines have risen to the occasion over and over again.
5 REASONS KRAKENEXO IS LEGENDARY:
So what is it that allows KrakenEXO to play its part in that legendary pursuit so well? In short, KrakenEXO provides a balanced set of traits that support the success of that first line every step of the way – all with unwavering standards of quality.
1. Packs Better – Starting at the hosebed of the engine, KrakenEXO packs better than any other premium attack hose on the market. While a neatly packed hosebed is considered a marker of company pride, more importantly the tight folds reduce stack height and allow firefighters to deploy hose more easily and reliably. As they say – our hose "Packs Pretty, Pulls Pretty."
2. Easier to Carry & Deploy – Lighter than other premium attack hoses, KrakenEXO reduces firefighter fatigue, making shoulder carries and stair stretches more manageable. Particularly with low staffing and longer stretches that are becoming more and more common, a successful stretch can hinge greatly on how well 100-150’ of hose drapes on the shoulder of the firefighter and remains tight and intact until reaching the drop point.
3. Charges Smoothly & Fights Kinks – Once stretched and flaked, the ease with which a premium attack hose charges and “pops” kinks affects the time and manual intervention required to get an effective fire stream from the nozzle. Here again, the construction of KrakenEXO shows its advantages. It advances easily around corners, slides across floors, and resists kinking, helping firefighters establish an effective stream faster.
4. High Performance at Low Pressure – As the nozzleman flows water, the line supports low pressure operation balanced with the other characteristics, as well as minimizing any fluctuation in flow from tight corners and other kink-prone areas. Additionally, the exclusive Mertex lining of the inner jacket creates the smoothest waterway for minimal friction loss.
5. UL Tested & Proven – As proven by UL certification of NFPA heat tests, the self-protecting design of the KrakenEXO’s layers work to ensure that the nozzle team will have a usable fire flow, even when exposed to high levels of heat. We've seen this proven in real fireground scenarios, where crews didn't realize there was a burn until cleanup.
Combined, all of these characteristics provide the first line with the advantages for winning on the fireground.
Beyond the Fireground...
Beyond the individual fire attack, KrakenEXO’s quality standards continue to provide benefits to fire departments.
✅ Lifetime Warranty Against Delamination – The unique Mertex® liner delivers an inner assembly so well constructed that Mercedes has the confidence to offer a lifetime warranty against dangerous delamination.
✅ 2-10-L Warranty – A 2-year all-hazards guarantee, 10-year manufacturer’s defect warranty, and lifetime delamination warranty. Unmatched confidence in quality.
✅ Precision-Machined Couplings – Designed and manufactured in-house for smooth operation, reduced friction loss, and built-in features like WAYOUT indicators, recessed iDentify slots and thread protection.
The First Line Matters
Every fire, every stretch, every drop point—it all comes down to performance when it counts. For 15 years, KrakenEXO has been there, proving itself in the hands of firefighters who demand the best.
Being legendary isn’t about a title—it’s about showing up with passion, persistence, and positivity every time you step on the rig.
Because when it comes to being legendary, it’s not just a tagline to us. It’s a commitment.