Tactical military type boots.

[C-dub]

I did a little searching and found a couple threads that are 3 and 4 years old. I'm in the market for a new pair of boots and after seeing those Tactical Research boots from the NRA I started looking at Belleville's boots. I've seen all the Bates and Danner and Reebok and Rocky boots. I like the looks and reviews on the Belleville Khyber and Sabre boots, but am having trouble distinguishing what the differences are between them other than price. Feature wise, they seem like the same boot. Does anyone have any experience with either the Sabre or Khyber models or the Tactical Research boots offered from the NRA?

[Seburiel]

am having trouble distinguishing what the differences are between them other than price.

This is really the most important bit, C-dub. They really all function more or less the same.

[The Annoyed Man]

I've read in several books written by former SEAL team members that they often wear commercial brand hiking shoes like Merrell brand boots, even in combat. My "tactical" shoes are these: Merrell Moab Hikers, and I've seen these very boots on the feet of SEAL team operators in various pictures from Afghanistan. They are comfortable, water-proof, and they breath. At roughly $120/pair, they are mid-priced.

I actually have two pairs, the old ones which have been relegated to gardening duty but are still holding up, and the newer ones that I wear for hunting, the range, inclement weather, etc.

[gringo pistolero]

One very important thing you can't find out online is how they fit your feet. If the fit of a shirt is a little off it's no big deal for most people. Poorly fitting boots on the other hand...

[C-dub]

I noticed in one of the threads from a few years ago that I mentioned that my feet aren't that picky when it comes to shoes. My only tactical type boots so far were the Commander things from Walmart that I wore for about two years and that my flight deck boots were also comfortable. That I can think of, I've only had one pair of shoes that were uncomfortable to me and those were a pair of Under Armour running shoes.

Anyway, those Merrell's look pretty good. I like the Vibram soles. The only thing I'm not a big fan of is different colors on my boots. I suppose I could get used to it. I'll check those out.

[The Annoyed Man]

Other suggestions:

We geared up, wearing black BDUs (Battle Dress Uniforms— the name for the military’s former combat uniforms). On our feet, we wore Adidas GSG9 assault boots. They’re soft on the bottom and grip well, like wearing a tennis shoe with ankle support. You can get them wet and fins slip on easy over the tops. To this day , that’s my favorite boot.

Wasdin, Howard E.; Templin, Stephen (2012-04-24). I Am a SEAL Team Six Warrior: Memoirs of an American Soldier (p. 46). St. Martin's Press. Kindle Edition.

desert khakis with Oakley assault boots — stepped outside into a light, warm breeze. It was March 2005, not yet hotter than hell, like it is in summer. But still unusually warm for a group of Americans in springtime, even for a Texan like me.

Luttrell, Marcus (2007-06-12). Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 (p. 10). Little, Brown and Company. Kindle Edition.

I was wearing simple hiking boots rather than combat boots. That was my normal style— they were lighter and more comfortable, and ordinarily more than enough to protect my feet.

Kyle, Chris; McEwen, Scott; DeFelice, Jim (2012-01-03). American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History (Kindle Locations 3910-3911). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

With my camouflage uniform on and my gear ready to go, I grabbed my Salomon Quest boots and pulled them on. They were a little bulkier than the low-top trail-running shoes my teammates sometimes wore. I swore by these boots because they protected my baby ankles, which I twisted with great frequency. I had climbed the mountains in Kunar Province and patrolled through the deserts of Iraq in these boots. All of my gear was proven and had been vetted on previous missions. I knew it all worked.

Owen, Mark; Maurer, Kevin (2012-09-04). No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden (p. 205). Penguin Group US. Kindle Edition.

A broad array of boot choices from people who operate at the tip of the pointy end of the spear....

[mojo84]

I like hiking boots better than military/tactical boots for kicking around in casual clothes. Whether right or not, I usually think "wannabe" when I see a guy in the grocery store with dessert tan military combat boots on with his 5.11 tactical pants.

[C-dub]

I like hiking boots better than military/tactical boots for kicking around in casual clothes. Whether right or not, I usually think "wannabe" when I see a guy in the grocery store with dessert tan military combat boots on with his 5.11 tactical pants.

Yup. I will probably only wear whatever I get for actually playing wannabe at IDPA or 3-gun or some other type of match rather than everyday use. They will probably not be worn during honeydo urban assault excursions outside the wire/home. That's also why I kinda like the looks of a couple of the Belleville boots. When mostly covered with pant legs, they don't look as big and bulky as some boots. I think the Rocky S2V boots are also a bit like that, but the Belleville Sabre and Khyber boots look a bit more like hiking boots rather than straight up military combat boots. Well, except for the 8" upper. But, I guess "combat" boots haave changed quite a bit from 30-40 years ago.

[C-dub]

BTW, TAM, way to muddy the waters with all those other excellent suggestions.

EDIT: However, after looking at several of these online, it will probably be easier to get my feet into a pair to try on before buying them, which is very difficult and sometimes impossible with many of the other tactical military type boots. Thanks.

[CoffeeNut]

I like hiking boots better than military/tactical boots for kicking around in casual clothes. Whether right or not, I usually think "wannabe" when I see a guy in the grocery store with dessert tan military combat boots on with his 5.11 tactical pants.

I wear my desert tan Corcoran jump boots with tactical pants to the store from time to time. Maybe we've crossed paths? Should I start blousing 'em?

I'd also recommend Merrell boots/shoes. I've had positive experiences with several of their offerings although one pair of their shoes caused my feet to stink so bad that I was banned from confined spaces. Ended up returning them.

[Pawpaw]

I was never a "tactical operator", but when I was on active duty, my absolute favorite was the jungle boot.

They're light and comfortable. They also dry out quickly when you get them wet.

[C-dub]

I was never a "tactical operator", but when I was on active duty, my absolute favorite was the jungle boot.

They're light and comfortable. They also dry out quickly when you get them wet.

I bought a jungle camouflage pair of those when I was in the PI, but never got to wear them. They were stolen from me before we got back.

[tomdavis]

Now this is a topic the wife will not complain if I spend money on as she is a shoe freak. The most likely BG I will come across is a rattle snake. Does anyone have a suggestion for what one should wear to be prepared for that SOB?

[CoffeeNut]

Now this is a topic the wife will not complain if I spend money on as she is a shoe freak. The most likely BG I will come across is a rattle snake. Does anyone have a suggestion for what one should wear to be prepared for that SOB?

Snake Guardz over your favorite boots.

[RJGold]

Having worn military issue Jungle Boots and also Herman Survivior and Mendl brand cold weather military boots, I am not really a fan of "military" boots.

I wear Columbia waterproof hiking boots in warmer weather. I think I bought them at Bass Pro and I probably paid $100 - $120 for them.

I wear Wolverine leather hiking boots (non - steel toes) with thinsulate in cold weather (i.e. pheasant hunting in South Dakota). I wear Wolverines for my work boots (steel toe) and my feet love them. The hikers I wear in cold weather are probably the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. I bought them at Academy and I would guess they were $120 as well.

Both of the boot brands I mention above have a Vibram (or Vibram style) sole.

My view is there are too many good civilian brands out there who make excellent tactical boots to wear military issue (assuming you don't have to).

I am a big believer in wearing what feels good on your feet (i.e. I can't wear Red Wing brand work boots yet to many, they are the absolute standard in work boots).

My two cents...