Duty boots

[jshoebot]

Just wondering, what kind of duty boots do you guys wear? I work a private security job walking a beat of about 8 miles per night, so I go through a pair or two every 6 months or so. I've been wearing the Bates Ultra-Lights for the past year and I really like them. Extremely light (compared to other 8" boots) and very comfortable. I recently bought a pair of Rocky 10" paratrooper side-zip boots and they're working out alright for me. Interested in your preferences. Thanks!

[fullrearview]

Response Gear Tactical: $25 @ big 5!!!

Comfortable, easy to break in, plus NO MATTER what kind of boot I wear, I need new ones in less than 8 months....No Danners for me with that kind of a turn around!

[fullrearview]

BTW....When I get the side zip type, I never use the zipper. It tends to break....Even on the magnums I bought.

[jshoebot]

Really? The Bates Ultra-Lights' zippers never broke on me and I only used the zippers, just left the laces tied. So the Big 5 boots are alright? Probably should have tried those before I shelled out the 109.99 for my new Rocky's

[sniper5]

When I worked as a medic, I started off in the 80's wearing Chippewa's or Redwings. I switched over to Goretex Magnums with the zipper tongue in the mid 90's and never looked back. The only mod I made was to use small zip ties to fasten the tongue in instead of laces. If you break one, the whole thing doesn't come undone and it's simple to install the tongue. The zipper is in the tongue which is an add on. Never had one break buy I always kept a spare set on hand and with zip ties it's a 5 minute replacement.

Really light, like wearing tennis shoes. I loved them, almost felt like I could use them for running shoes and have waded in water almost to the top of the boot and had dry feet. I live near an outlet store so they are easy and cheap to replace. I don't buy footwear as a lifetime investment.

[Triad]

Adidas GSG9

/thread.

[geo141]

Oakleys or Blackhawks

[shooterfpga]

i liked my pair of rockys, they were so comfortable, and i could go splashing through big puddles of muddy water and not get my feet wet. they also lasted me a long time, which was a big surprise since i tear through shoes quick.

[PatriotnMore]

I am not sure if you need a certain look in a patrol boot but, and I don't go through boots anywhere like you do, but I can say the most comfortable boot I have bought is the Timberline Pro series http://shop.timberland.com/category/...goryId=4397219
I have Danner's which I use for hunting, but I needed a steel toe work boot. I must have tried on 15 different brands looking for comfort and durability, when I put on the 6" http://shop.timberland.com/product/i...ductId=4208474 it was unreal how good they felt, better than tennis shoes.

[biglou]

I use Original SWAT boots with the side zip. If you shop around you can usually find them on sale.

http://originalswat.com/productdetail.php?product_id=NTY=&category_id=MTA=

[jshoebot]

i liked my pair of rockys, they were so comfortable, and i could go splashing through big puddles of muddy water and not get my feet wet. they also lasted me a long time, which was a big surprise since i tear through shoes quick.

Which Rockys were you using? I just got the 10" paratrooper side-zip boots, but I hear they absorb water like crazy. These are the ones I got:

http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4361/1600FQ0002090/Rocky--Men's-Zipper-Paraboot-Duty-Boot/

These are the Bates Ultra-Lights:

http://www.batesfootwear.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/8471M/0/Footwear/Mens/8-inch-Tactical-Sport-Boot?galleryId=G-F

I've worn the Bates for the past year (gone through 2 pairs), and I walk in them at least 8 miles per night on my job site, 5 nights a week. Probably the most comfortable boots I've ever worn and as light as Converse Chuck Taylors. Don't know why I decided to buy the Rockys, the Bates really served me well. I think I just like the look of the Rockys; hopefully they work out as well as the Bates did!

[Boone]

Nike SFB or Oakley.

[J_B]

5.11 HRT for the winter & Oakley SI for the summer.

[fullrearview]

Really? The Bates Ultra-Lights' zippers never broke on me and I only used the zippers, just left the laces tied. So the Big 5 boots are alright? Probably should have tried those before I shelled out the 109.99 for my new Rocky's

I've never had the bates, but most cops I talk with say the zippers on their boots fail....The RGT's zippers lasted longer than the magnums I had.

The adidas gsg9 are nice, but they run small, and two raids in the woods and they are too messed up to wear on patrol...

The RGT's are not for everyone (Some people cant stand buying new boots every 6-8 months, but for me, no matter the pair, they break down in that time. They work great for me!

[Ron-Solo]

I use the RG "Deputy" from Big 5 and get them when they are on sale for about $30. They take a nice shine, are comfortable, and I get about 18 months on a pair. Even the Bates, Rocky's, HiTec, etc only last about 2 years. Side zips are nice, but every brand I've tried over the years has lasted about 6-8 months max.

Seriously, the zipper is a bunch of hype in my opinion. You put them on at the start of your shift and take them off at the end. I can see where they might be nice for firefighters or EMS that have to dress quickly in the middle of the night. Not applicable for LE/Security duty really.