*Boot Review*

[UtahProtectionForce]

Hello folks!

I thought i would share my opinions and review of different boots i have worn. over the last year or two, so that maybe if your out shopping youll have a little more information on how the feel and wear :P

1. Response Gear tactical duty boot w/ side zip (cost: 25.00)

- This boot is a cheap boot that i picked up in the summer, form BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS, The boot is an overall cheap boot, but it was okay
i wore the boot for about 6 months, the boot wore okay, a little on the
heavy side, the zipper would jam sometimes, the waterproofing wore off quick,
had decent traction for icy/snowy conditions, the undersole(heel) wore quickly
making the shoe uncomfertable. but for a cheap shoe it lasted better than i thought it would. i give these boots a C-

2. Hi-Tech Magnum 8" lace up (cost: 60-90)

- This boot gets a short review, i did not care for the feel and the way the boot felt after wearing it for about 2 months, some of the stitching came loose leaving the boot very flimsy around the toe area. i dont care for these boots, i give them an F

3. Survivor "Cougar" Boots 8"(wal-mart brand) (cost 55.00)
+thanks GCMC for the correct name, i just remember they had a cougar logo on em+

- This boot is another cheap boot that i picked up, it wore okay, little flimsy along the ankle support, but wore well, had excellent snow traction, waterproofing lasted about 3 months, boot held up well until about 4th or 5th month then the sole started to wear pretty heavy down to the bladder of the boot. These boots wear a little heavy, but wore decent. i would give these a C

4. 5-11 HRT 8" (cost 125.00)

- This boot is an ugly looking boot, but i found it to be very comfertable, excellent waterproofing, lasted a long time. These Boots are non-metal so you dont have to worry about setting off detectors, these boots were meduim weight not to heavy not to light, they have Superb snow/ice traction, these boots lasted me about 8 months, then the undersole started to wear out, these boots have removeable insoles, they stay pretty warm, but can get cold at times, these are a nice boot, i would give these boots a B-

5. Danner Acadia 8" (cost 240.00)

- This boot is what i am currently wearing, i like them alot very comfertable boot, has goretex liner bootie, so your get waterproof barrier all the way up the boot unlike most are just around the ankle depth on their water proofing, this boots come with ankle support heel inserts, these boots have okay icy/snow traction the 5-11 are a little better in the traction, these boots fit well around the entire foot, i enjoy these boots, the feel like your walking on pillows, they weigh a little more than the 5-11, but due to the confert level youll hardly notice your wearing the boot, whats nice about these is that the undersoles are replaceable, so if your like me and wear through soles quick danner will replace them at free or low-cost fee to replace the soles, so that way you dont have to buy a new boot, if the rest of the boot is fine. i give these boots a A -.


well if you all want to add your reviews feel free to do so.

[GCMC Security]

I bought a pair from wal-mart (the inside tag says Survivors) going on 2 years ago and I still wear them from time to time. They are getting a lil worn in the sole now but for over a year they were awesome, wore em everyday even off work. Very Comfortable.

On a side note...anyone ever wore the boots made by converse?? I always wondered how comfortable those were.

[Chucky]

Utah You have hit home with me on the problem many of us have and suffer with about LE/SO foot wear. The term Flat foot as referred to cops is a real not fictitious problem. In the old days cops could be fitted with a good pair of shoes to help out the condition, but now a days there is so much crap on the market that finding a good comfortable pair of foot wear is near imposable.

When I was in the army good foot care was constantly stressed as it is very important to your job. My present assignment does not allow sitting and I am on concrete for shift after shift. If you think that your Danner Acadia 8" (cost 240.00) was a lot of money then you might feel my pain. Inserts only from a Company called Good Feet at a cost of $342.00. I would say that they have taken away 70% of the pain and worth every penny. Thanks for the boot info as you never know. One last question do they have a steel puncture plate in the bottom as my old jungle boots did? Rusty nails can be pretty bad for your health.

[ValleyOne]

Air Tacs w/zipper. Love 'em. Like wearing a running shoe.

Purchased one, and will never make the mistake again, pair of boots from Galls. My feet never hurt so much.

Personally, I avoid steel toed boots, I like the steel shank though.

[Mr. Security]

Air Tacs w/zipper. Love 'em. Like wearing a running shoe.

Purchased one, and will never make the mistake again, pair of boots from Galls. My feet never hurt so much.

Personally, I avoid steel toed boots, I like the steel shank though.

I bought a pair of their Duty-Pro shoes. They looked good and the price was right. At first, they felt comfortable. After a few months, the shoes began to fall apart and my feet hurt. I'm going to try a pair of Dr. Scholl’s and see if they help.

[N. A. Corbier]

I had a pair of Galls boots. They lasted a year and a half. They weren't bad, and I only got them cause I needed boots right then, and they were out of the Bates I wanted.

We were required to wear steel toe on several sites, so I got steel toe. BTW, it saved me on a few occasions from loss of toes.

[ValleyOne]

I had a pair of Galls boots. They lasted a year and a half. They weren't bad, and I only got them cause I needed boots right then

Ditto, plus I was short the few extra bucks to get another pair of Air Tacs, next time I will just go and gather up pop cans and turnthem in forthe refund....

We were required to wear steel toe on several sites, so I got steel toe. BTW, it saved me on a few occasions from loss of toes.

As I said it was my personal view. Steel toed boots are a good thing, I just don't care for them.

[gonzo1510]

I currently wear the Danner Telson boots (?) I have had boots where the plastic cups for the heel rub against the back of the ankle. These boots eliminate the problem by putting the cup on the outside, an exo-skeleton.
I think the boots were marketed to the SRT types 'cause there isn't much leather to polish. I like them and they were only about 160.00. So far I've had them for about a year but they look rough so it might be time for a new pair.

The Danner Acacia also rock, I had them for about 5 years before they just gave out.

[SEO_09]

A good substitute for steel toe boots is the new composite toed boots. They have the same saftey rating as steel and i hear they are a lot lighter.

[Chucky]

I heard that they OSHA requires steel toe boots not be worn because the steel stays bent against your toes as the plastic will tend to contour back toward its original shape making it easier to extricate your foot in a timely manner.
Also in cold weather the steel tends to conduct the cold faster leading to frost bite.

[N. A. Corbier]

I heard that they OSHA requires steel toe boots not be worn because the steel stays bent against your toes as the plastic will tend to contour back toward its original shape making it easier to extricate your foot in a timely manner.
Also in cold weather the steel tends to conduct the cold faster leading to frost bite.

Composite toes supposedly also don't decapitate your toes when a large weight is violently dropped on them. They spring back, or they just shatter. The steel cap just, you know, cuts your toes off.

[FDG06]

AirTac's awesome boot.
2nd best is Magnum Viper II (have air cushion). very similar to a running shoe, curved side zipper, good stuff.

As side note, steel toes have also been known to cause actual amputation of the toes when enough momentious weight was applied at the terminal end of the cap (think of a clever), but I guess in those situations, one would have lost thier toes anyway...if this happens, be sure to call a "tow-truck"..sorry couldnt resist!
Yoda

[ff000525]

New Boots

So I just received my new boots from Quartermaster the other day. They are 5.11 Tactical Strike 8's. Here's a little review on them.

Pros-
Great Ankle support, being new the ankle support is still pretty stiff and will probably loosen up after a while, but time will tell

They hold a shine very well, this model has a toe that would make one think they are steel toed (they aren't) that shines up very nicely and sticks around.

Great grip, I felt as if I had tiny suction cups on the the soles when I walked across my hardwood floors (same for almost all surfaces), you have to remember to pick up your feet when you walk in these.

Very comfortable, I wore them on shift the night I received them and they were more comfortable than the broken in boots that I had been wearing for 5 months. I also did a little sprinting in them and they provided more cushion (in my opinion) than my running shoes.

Cool little pocket on the side, it fits my buck knife folder perfectly but since I live in WI, there's no way I'd carry it in there. An ID would probably fit and stay in there just fine as long as one doesn't care how dirty it gets.

Cons
Should come with a side zipper option. We'll see how easy they are to take off and put on in a few months, but for the time being I can say there is no quick way to get in and out of these things. The supports prevent one from just step pushing their feet into these and likewise for the removal technique of loosening the laces, stepping on the heel, and sliding the foot out.

A good pair of socks is needed. I have a couple pair of sweat wicking hiking socks that I like to wear to work and they are needed with these boots. They have pretty good ventilation, but with a regular pair of black socks, my feet tended to get a little swampy by the end of my shift (right now 5.11 is offering 2 free pairs of socks with a boot purchase).

Overall
I love them, they have the comfort, look, grip, and mobility that I require in a boot. I'm sure that they will hold up for a while, but you will be the second one's to know if they don't. The pro's make up for and out shine (pun intended) the petty cons that I found with this boot.

[tlangsr]

my wife hates it when I buy a $50 pair of boots, how were you lucky enough to get your $240 pair. Wal-mart has Ok boots but I have to buy a new pair every 6 months or so. I prefer Cat's or Survivors if they are from wal-mart

[ff000525]

my wife hates it when I buy a $50 pair of boots, how were you lucky enough to get your $240 pair. Wal-mart has Ok boots but I have to buy a new pair every 6 months or so. I prefer Cat's or Survivors if they are from wal-mart

The boots weren't $240, I purchased them for 69.99 on Quartermaster.com, that's still expensive for me but I am able to write them off on taxes next year (as well as most of most of my gear/uniforms).