I currently wear 5.11 Speed 6's (were required in the academy and have just been using them since) but am thinking it's time to change. I am probably either going to go with the new Bates C3 or Bates Heel to Toe Lace Military style. What ever I go with will be side zipped and need to be light weight. What do you guys recommend and where is the cheapest place? I have used Copshoes.com and LAPolicegear.com before but didn't know if there was a place that could do better.
Boots
- Thread starter RL1
- Start date
I have some 5.11's from when I was in the academy as well. There a good boot.
Most of the guys around here wear the bates brand boots with the zippers on the side now though.
Most of the guys around here wear the bates brand boots with the zippers on the side now though.
out of the 4 brands of boots ive worn that were side zipped, ive liked the bates the most. currently have them on. as comfortable as tennis shoes. I think these are ultralites? these have also outlasted other pairs.
ive had
Atac ridges (blew the air cushions out after a year, currently using as mowing boots)
magnum (tread was gone after a year, zippers were not well made)
and my first pair were something called code3 responders or something like that, hurt my feet and fell apart after a year. the soles looked like a mouth flappin.
ive had
Atac ridges (blew the air cushions out after a year, currently using as mowing boots)
magnum (tread was gone after a year, zippers were not well made)
and my first pair were something called code3 responders or something like that, hurt my feet and fell apart after a year. the soles looked like a mouth flappin.
I generally stick with bates...
The one time I tried another brand, they didnt last more than a month before the soles were completely FUBAR. (magnum)
soo, bates ultralites FTW
The one time I tried another brand, they didnt last more than a month before the soles were completely FUBAR. (magnum)
soo, bates ultralites FTW
I have 3 Pairs of boots I generally wear.
Everyday use I've been wearing a pair of 5.11 Shields for 2 1/2 years now. The toe is pretty chewed up leather wise, but thats from such use as a work boot, EMS/FD Rescue boot, everyday wear boot. Its comfortable, dry, and very supportive. Favorite Boot.
For Winter at work I have another set of 5.11 Shields. Have had these for about a 1 1/2 years and have held up well for use through the Academy and then now at work. Just a really really good boot again.
For summer use and use when on a foot/bike patrol I have a pair of Danner Pursuit 8" XCR Uniform Boots . These boots are really light and very comfortable. Gives a LOT of support and are great for chases since they are really light and really gives you security. They are waterproof which is awesome but dont have toe protection like the shields. The leather on the toes and soles have held up very well after a year of use, summer time for me is always Foot/bike patrol so get lots of wear and tear time.
I'm actually debating whether to just wear the Danners year round and replace my old pair of 5.11s with my PD pair. They are just that nice.
Everyday use I've been wearing a pair of 5.11 Shields for 2 1/2 years now. The toe is pretty chewed up leather wise, but thats from such use as a work boot, EMS/FD Rescue boot, everyday wear boot. Its comfortable, dry, and very supportive. Favorite Boot.
For Winter at work I have another set of 5.11 Shields. Have had these for about a 1 1/2 years and have held up well for use through the Academy and then now at work. Just a really really good boot again.
For summer use and use when on a foot/bike patrol I have a pair of Danner Pursuit 8" XCR Uniform Boots . These boots are really light and very comfortable. Gives a LOT of support and are great for chases since they are really light and really gives you security. They are waterproof which is awesome but dont have toe protection like the shields. The leather on the toes and soles have held up very well after a year of use, summer time for me is always Foot/bike patrol so get lots of wear and tear time.
I'm actually debating whether to just wear the Danners year round and replace my old pair of 5.11s with my PD pair. They are just that nice.
I've heard lots of good things about Danner's they just look heavy to me and I HATE heavy boots (went through AF basic with winter weight boots in May and June... if there is a word stronger than hate, I choose it). Also, my dept. will only buy new boots ever 18 months or so and I really like side zips, so this will be an out of pocket purchase and I know Danner's are pricey.
I use Bates. They are priced great and durable. In 7 years I have only had 3 pairs with full time use. I do not get the side zip version. The one time I tried Magnum with side-zip and the zipper broke in under 6 months. I just bought a new pair of Bates on clearance at Galls for $50.
I currently wear a pair of rocky alpha's 8'' zipper..comfortable and lightweight... Have had them for about 2yrs now. I recently had a pair of magnum stealth 2's they were ok but they didnt have as much sole as the rocky's did and they weren't that comfortable.
RL1 said:
The one's I have are really light. They are lighter then the 5.11 shields. Also keep in mind that side zippers add a little bit of weight.
Ok, since we have some boot knowledge here, I'm looking for the lightest pair of 6" boots I can get. I'm looking for an almost sneaker weight, if there is such a thing. These will be packed up in my DMAT deployment gear for use in the base camp. I wear the steel toes on the plane enroute to the site, and these get lugged on my back. Appreciate ay ideas.
Contrary to other's input, I love my Magnums. Wore one 8 in pair (Stealths) for 3 years, like wearing tennis shoes. We get a new pair every 3 yrs at the dept, so I tried a pair of Magnum side zip. Gonna have to agree, the zippers suck, mine were crap on 8 months. Got the dept to buy another pair, Stealth IIs I think. I think they're very comfortable. However, not sure I'll ever buy another pair of side zip. They weren't all that convienient, kept coming loose, so I'd have to keep retying them anyways, or I'd tie them so tight, I couldn't hardly get my foot in with them tied.
Ive worn a pair of bates and basically hated them, very uncomfortable felt like walking on concrete. But I dont think the werethe better bates boots. I KNOW bates makes alot better boots, I just havent tried them yet.
I then had a Pair of Nike ACG's. More of an athletic boot, and have some stitching on the toe so may not be approved in your dept, but they are very confortable.
And currently I am wearing Magnum Viper II side zip 8", which I never thought I'd buy. I got them for $70 and I absolutely love them. I added a gel insole and they are super comfortable. Everything has held up well so far, not too much wear and they get a TON of use. And if you have a Sports Authority near by, they usually give a Police/FF discount and then they offer a plan to replace boots within 12 months. Its 10 bucks, and they will replace them for free for ANY reason, worn soles etc. I didnt opt for it but I'm thinking it was worth it.
I also went and bought the magnum short boot (sneaker height) incase of any duty with shorts on or station house work.. they are confortable as well.
I then had a Pair of Nike ACG's. More of an athletic boot, and have some stitching on the toe so may not be approved in your dept, but they are very confortable.
And currently I am wearing Magnum Viper II side zip 8", which I never thought I'd buy. I got them for $70 and I absolutely love them. I added a gel insole and they are super comfortable. Everything has held up well so far, not too much wear and they get a TON of use. And if you have a Sports Authority near by, they usually give a Police/FF discount and then they offer a plan to replace boots within 12 months. Its 10 bucks, and they will replace them for free for ANY reason, worn soles etc. I didnt opt for it but I'm thinking it was worth it.
I also went and bought the magnum short boot (sneaker height) incase of any duty with shorts on or station house work.. they are confortable as well.
ill throw a question in here.
does any brand make a 8" side zip versions of these?
polishing boots the way i do now is alot less time consuming as my army days way but id rather just use windex and paoertowels to clean these.
does any brand make a 8" side zip versions of these?
polishing boots the way i do now is alot less time consuming as my army days way but id rather just use windex and paoertowels to clean these.
I've never seen those in zips but I know *shudder* Galls has a pair of high gloss boots. Unknown if zip or not.
Edit: Not zipper http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort= ... tyle=FW043
Edit: Not zipper http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort= ... tyle=FW043
Those bad boys would probably DESTROY your feet. Those "plastic" shoes are the worst made shoes out there. From bates on down.
i know the thread has been dead for a while but i am in the same boat currently. anyone heard of Thorogood NEW and IMPROVED 6" Commando Deuce Waterproof Side Zip Boot ?
Thats from thefirestore. I am a size 15/16 shoe and have never worn any of the uniform/duty boots, I always managed to get by without it but I am currently running into a bind where I need them. Thus I do not know what I will actually fit into, and am trying to do some research before i put some miles in to go looking.
Thats from thefirestore. I am a size 15/16 shoe and have never worn any of the uniform/duty boots, I always managed to get by without it but I am currently running into a bind where I need them. Thus I do not know what I will actually fit into, and am trying to do some research before i put some miles in to go looking.
Not sure about big boy sizes, but I switched everything to 5.11 a few years ago and have never looked back. I used to wear Bates, Thorogood, and Rocky, and they were OK, but 5.11 is outstanding.