Everything You Need to Know About Army Personnel Tactical Boots

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We have all seen a pair of tactical boots at some point in our lives. You may have seen it in policemen, military personnel, or even hikers. You may be wondering why they choose to wear tactical boots over any other type of shoes.

Well, there is more to it than just having a pair of shoes to complete the man-in-uniform look. If you are an enthusiast or have been eyeing some models available in the market, it is best that you read on. You will discover interesting truths that you can use in your venture to find the right tactical boots for you.

What Are Tactical Boots?

These are footwear originally made for military purposes. It leans toward the delivery of excellent foot protection, ankle stability and grip for various types of terrains, climates and conditions. Today, tactical boots are not limited to military use anymore.

In fact, you will see a couple of models sported by civilians for hiking or day-to-day use. This is because it upgraded to being waterproof, comfortable and well-ventilated. Let us delve in deeper to its make.

What Makes Tactical Boots Stand Out from The Rest?

Weather Proofing Feature

Tactical boots are made to weather varying weather conditions. These are made to keep the feet feeling dry and protected at all times. So, whether it is used in a rainy region, in a sunny, or in a snowy environment, you are guaranteed different types of build to choose from.

Toughness and Durability

As long as you stick to brands that use high quality materials, you are guaranteed a pair that can last even with a handful amount of trauma. Tactical boots are equipped and designed to have a lot of padding and extra protection all around. This makes it capable of being dragged through mountains, jungles, forest, deserts, and more without falling apart too easily.

Ease and Comfort

Traditional boots are nice to walk with; however, they will not be too comfortable in case you take them on a hike, on long walks, or in marches. Tactical boots are lighter than traditional ones, they are made with solid and hard-to-tear-through materials yet they give you optimal comfort. You will be surprised to finish long walk or run courses without the expected discomfort.

Safety

The safety features that come with tactical boots are amazing. Did you know that apart from being weather resistant and waterproof, these boots are capable of protecting you from electrocution? It can be equipped with features that can keep you safe even when working in wet or high-voltage areas.

Some of these boots are also equipped with a hard or steel plastic toe. This keeps your feet protected from acquiring injury in case something sharp or heavy falls or pierces through the boots. You can also opt to get one with an anti-slip feature or one that has an effective grip on sharp rock surfaces.

How to Find the Perfect Fitting Tactical Boots

Some people think that all military boots fit the same. While it can be consistent in the quality and make, the fitting can be a bit tricky. To get you to find one that will fit you well, here are a couple of guidelines that you can check.

How to Find the Perfect Fitting Tactical Boots

Try them with a pair of boot socks

When we speak of boot socks, we are referring to socks that are a bit thicker than your usual athletic socks. These are made to provide additional padding around the toe and heel areas. These work like magic because these are effective in preventing blisters and hot spots from forming. If you are to purchase a pair of military boots, make sure you try them with boot socks.

Making room is important

It is always a must to have enough toe room. You should have a bit of space to allow your toes to move a bit. This is because the feet tend to swell over the course of the day and if your boots do not have space to accommodate it, you may end up with blisters and calluses.

Walk around in them

It is recommended to do a walk test on a carpet. Pay attention to any type of sensation that resembles rubbing or pressure. This is essential to make sure you prevent the chances of getting blisters because of constant rubbing on your skin. While tactical boots take time before they become most comfortable, you should not feel discomfort during the day of purchase.

Conclusion

Military boots never left the trend. They remain on top of the list in terms of quality, comfort, function, protection and durability. Use the information discussed earlier to get you the right and perfectly suited army boots for you. There is so much value in getting good tactical boots.

Do you know which type of army personnel tactical boots you need?

Even if military boots look similar, they are various in terms of features, performance, build, etc. Selecting the excellent pair of boots means you are one step closer to doing your job without stressing about the comfort and safety of your feet.

When navigating your options, you should consider what you need them for. Will your boots have to meet certain specifications? Will you be rucking? Here are some aspects to think about when selecting:

Military

If you need military combat boots, they have to achieve specific requirements. Air Force personnel must use AFI compliant boots, whereas Army personnel must use AR 670-1 compliant boot. Some features or colors may be necessary, so the boots are compliant with the job. For example, many Airmen use side-zip boots for effortless removal in emergencies.

Law Enforcement

For decades, law enforcement offices have been used military-style boots. It’s because they engage in many physical activities. The boots must be flexible for agility but comfortable when worn for many hours. Law enforcement boots are typically black, but some requirements may apply in some departments.

Firefighters and EMT

It’s also common for EMTs and firefighters to wear black boots with safety features such as composite or steel toes. The boots should have excellent traction, regardless of the surface. They also need to be comfortable, so check out the comfort features: midsole, insole, and outsole. The boots also have to meet all OSHA requirements.

Tactical users

If you plan to buy boots for your outdoor activities, the options are numerous, to say the least. There are no restrictions about the colors, so you only need to know where and when to wear them. If you want boots that military personnel approve of, you will make a wise investment. However, you can also try unauthorized boots, so make sure you don’t end up with a lemon.

Let’s take a closer look at the army personnel tactical boots!

Whether you work as EMT, military, law enforcement, etc., or want boots for tactical activities, you should start with learning about the parts of the boots.

Let's take a closer look at the army personnel tactical boots!

Upper

The upper covers most of the foot and is found above the sole. Most military tactical boots have uppers made of leather and nylon for extra durability.

Insole

The insole is where you rest your foot when wearing the boots. Many boots come with removable insoles and you can use aftermarket insoles if you need additional cushioning and support.

Midsole

The midsole ensures structure to the sole and it’s placed between the outsole and the midsole. When you check out a boot, you might notice a line (slightly different colored) between the upper and the bottom of the boot—that’s the midsole. The cushioning is commonly placed in the midsole.

Outsole

The outsole of the boot is found on the bottom. It’s a fundamental part because it offers various levels of flexibility and traction. When you work on a boat or ruck through muddy conditions, you need an outsole with excellent traction. If you do a lot of running, you will need a flexible outsole.

Boot Height

The boots can have various heights from the heel of the foot and up toward the knee. If you want to reduce the risk of ankle injuries and look for excellent ankle stability, look for military boots at least 8″ high.

Heel

As you can tell by its name, the boot heel is found in the back of the boot and supports the heel. You can choose heeled combat boots and un-heeled boots. Various heel heights work better for some missions and foot shapes, so make sure you choose right.

Toe

The toe is the part that protects the toes. Steel toe, composite toe, and soft toe boots are the main categories to choose from. Steel toes and composite toes are safety toe military boots. According to the job, you might need a particular toe construction.

The boots have to withstand the elements

As you realize, the military’s tactical boots should be challenging and capable of resisting the elements. How tough should they be, though? Do they always have to be water-resistant, for instance? The rule of thumb is to get safe boots for the climate and work you will do.

Hot weather

Jungle boots are made to withstand the hot, wet, and humid weather typical for jungles. They’re not made of leather too thick and not breathable for the hot conditions. Instead, the jungle boots are nylon for efficient ventilation and water repellency. The jungle boots present intense tread on the sole to give extra traction in the muddy jungle weather.

Hot weather boots and lightweight boots resemble jungle boots because they have nylon uppers for excellent breathability.

Cold weather

Cold weather boots are made with uppers that insulate the feet dry and hot. The outsole is slip-resistant and can be made with rubber for excellent durability in cold temperatures.

How do you find the right size?

Most military boots will need some time to break in. You don’t want to take them on the job for the first time and develop annoying blisters and sore points. It would help if you always broke in the boots before taking them to work.

How do you find the right size

Get the right size

If the boots are too small, they will cause you blisters and become uncomfortable. Even if the boots shouldn’t fit tightly, you don’t want them to be too loose either. The risk of chaffing is high and you get the same result: uncomfortable boots.

We recommend you take the socks you typically have on the job when going in-store to try the boots. Go in the afternoon, when the feet are swollen. If you use special inserts, don’t forget to take them with you.

Use a Brannock device

The shoes you have at home will only give you a starting point when shopping for military boots. You need to use a Brannock device, a particular tool that you can find in shoe stores. Measure your feet both standing up and sitting down as the foot’s arch might flex and grow when you add some weight to it. Use the device to measure the foot’s width—some boots come in narrow or wide models.

Don’t forget to adjust the laces once you have the boots on. They can be crucial for the fitting.

Walk, run, and jump

Be active when trying your boots, the same way you will when on a mission. Walk, lunge, run, jump—make all the moves you typically do when working. If the boots rub or pinch, look for another pair. Such issues don’t get better in time, but worse. We recommend you wear the boots for 15 minutes before making a decision.

 

Robert Dwayne

Robert Dwayne

To say that I am an outdoors enthusiast is probably an understatement. I am hyper passionate about everything outdoors: hiking, survival, hunting. On this website I am sharing my stories and experiences, and I hope you'll find inspiration to take up your own adventures!

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