Comfortable boot that holds a good shine?

[BuisJoel]

Hey fellas, happy to say that after a couple years of testing, im getting my shot at law enforcement. Last year i was cleared for hire as a deputy at OCSD, but because of the economy they wont be hiring deps for a year or two. They did however make a new position to staff the jails, and i was lucky enough to be given a seat in the next academy. Which leads me to my question,

What boot is comfortable enough to double time in all day AND can hold a good clean shine for inspections?

[joefrank64k]

I'm probably going to date myself here...they allow boots in the academy now?

I wore Corfam-type shoes and just had to make sure that I cleaned the dust from the welt were the sole joined the upper...Windex and an old toothbrush worked great!

I know they make Corfam-type boots now...if they allow boots, then that's the way to go. Corfam saves lots of time, and you'll need it for all the gig-papers you'll be doing!

Good luck and stay safe!

[klubina]

Personally i use danner boots for my academy. they're a little bit more expensive but some models can be resoled. My other classmates use 511 which are a all around good boot.

[Uhhlexxxis]

5.11 myself, but Rockys/Danners will be most comfortable and will hold a shine.

[mlatino]

If you've got the dough to buy Danners and the patience wearing them in and lacing them up every day, you can't beat them.. If you're like me and you want instant gratification and ease of use (8" side zip) you never have to untie/tie them, get the 5.11 ATAC series.

[Timberwolf]

Cochran jump boots - once they're broke in you can spend days in them and will hold a spit shine pretty good.

[retired]

I'm with joefrank; I'll date myself also as we had to wear dress shoes in the academy and Corfam type weren't allowed. Leather dress shoes and kept to a high polish or you'd get gigged and be writing 2 page memos as to the value of a great shoe shine.

We could wear boots once we went to custody tho. I don't recall what I wore initially because it's too long ago,but my last years in patrol and my last four back at the jail as a sgt., I wore Rocky boots. I worked a lot of OT at the jail over those 4yrs. and those boots were very comfortable walking on the cement floors. In fact, they are in my closet right now and tho I haven't worn them for years, they are in good shape and ready to go!

[s2k2sti]

cant go wrong with bates and leather luster.

[BuisJoel]

thanks for the fast replies guys, ill start looking into danners/rockys/ and the 5.11's

I too thought we would have to wear corfam shoes for inspection days and boots the rest of the week but was informed last night at orientation that we were to be in hi or low boots, even for inspections days.


Any particular models i should look into for the danners,rockys, bates?

[retired]

Heck, I bought my Rockys so long ago, they have probably retired the model just like I've been retired. Mine is /was RB5066

I'm sure someone will jump in with a model. If not, just go to a store that carries them and try some on. I know that really doesn't let you know how they will be in the long run, but that is how I did it.

[joefrank64k]

I wore Danner Acadia's once I was out and about...best darn boot, IMHO.

They sell them at Botach (that's where I always got mine) for about $210.

[joefrank64k]

http://www.botachtactical.com/daac8bo.html

[joefrank64k]

I too thought we would have to wear corfam shoes for inspection days and boots the rest of the week but was informed last night at orientation that we were to be in hi or low boots, even for inspections days.

I (and many other cadets) had two pairs of corfam shoes...one pair for inspection days, one pair for the regular days. The inspection pair I kept after the academy for any formal class-A events and (thankfully not too many) funerals. The regular pair were worn out by the time the academy was over and were tossed.

If you can swing it $-wise, two pairs of boots might save you some shine time and you can keep wearing them when you make it out.

Just my .02....

[Unit74]

Original SWAT 8" boots. They can take a good shine, they are very light, feel like tennis shoes and hold up just fine.


What you want to shy away from is heavy boots. Sure, the higher end boots hold a better shine, but you'll pay for it in the long run.(Pun intended).

And here is a tip for you.... Once the Academy is over, no one cares how shined your boots were. They don't care how bad asz you were. It doesn't matter if you were top dog or just general population. What matters is you pass the academy and can go to work.

So don't stress about the BS stuff. Go with the flow and don't be a clown.

[SVT-40]

Go as light as you can. Maybe also think about getting two pairs. One for the academy and one to wear if you have "ride along" or similar type shifts in the jail. It only takes a slight scuff to ruin a spit shined pair of boots. Big 5 has some cheap and comfortable lace up boots with side zippers. They are light and cheap, but still give reasonable support.

They were advertised in today's big 5 flier made by "RG" 8" service boots. $39.99

One other thing no matter what you buy break them in BEFORE you start the academy. Your feet will be grateful