Posted: 1/22/2005 4:14:08 PM EDT
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My academy starts August 6 (so anxious) and I need to purchase my own gear. I have everything except my boots. They require a 6" minimum tactical boot. Does anyone have a personal favorite boot? I'm looking at the Converse boots from Action Gear but I thought I'd turn to the experts (you guys) on the matter. Thanks, |
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If its for the academy you need to look at exactly what it is that you will be doing with them. Are you running in them or are they just "Garrison" boots for dress? If you are going to be doing any kind of physical training in them look at getting a boot that is lighter. If they're just dress boots then you may want to look for a pair that you will use on duty. I use Danner Acadia boots.. Absolutely love these boots. Vibram soles, Gortex, and very easy to polish. |
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Look into a pair of boots from Original SWAT they are comfortable and very light. They are almost like a pait of high top running shoes. They shine like corframs (sp?) in about 10 minutes. Best of all the "classic 9in side zip boots" are $65.99 If you are in Pinellas or Hillsborough county go to Law Enforcement Supply by TIA. or www.lawsupply.com great store and they are really friendly. I've only worn these boots on the street for about 6 months and they haven't given me any trouble. They feel even better than when I got them and still look new. |
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No, I'm not hired. I'm putting myself through. I won't be in FL for long. I'm getting out of the Navy in August and moving back to MO. So insulated might be in order eventually. The choice seems obvious. I just need to shop around on prices now. I'll check lawsupply.com. I'm in Jacksonville ( well currently I'm in the middle of the ocean- forward deployed) so the drive to Tampa is a bit far for a pair of boots. Thanks for the inputs. |
Bates M9 Constructed with leather and nylon uppers, these nine-inch boots lined with Gore-Tex® and 200-gram Thinsulate™ insulation are a force to be reckoned with. Equipped with a side zipper for easy on/off option. A lightweight, shock absorbing midsole helps keep feet comfortable while an aggressive Vibram® Mutant outsole provides outstanding traction. Featuring non-metallic components, these boots are ideal for travel in high security environments. |
Couple co-workers just got these... both had the back of the boot tear where the seams meet. |
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I am in the market for a new pair right now. I have had Rocky (fair), Magnum (suck), Batets enforcer (OK). Problem with all of these boots is that while they are fairly lightweight and comfortable for a 8 hr tour, when you pull a double, and have to stand around for hours on end on concrete or asphalt, they suck. All of the guys that say Danner are great....How are they when you just stand around for extended periods? I am looking at the Thorogood Air Assualts right now. They have some new type of sole with air cushions built in. Still have not made up my mind. |
I wear the same pair of Danner Acadia's that I wore for two years in the jail (on my feet for 12 hours a day, four straight days). My feet did not get tired or sore then, and don't now. I just had them resoled after 3+ years and they still polish extremely well. I tried a pair of Thorogood Force Recons for about three days in the acadamy. Haven't worn them since. Rule of thumb...You get what you pay for. Buy one pair of boots and be done with it. |
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Danners are awsome. Only concern I would have is if the dept you end up at makes you wear something other than Danners. I have the Rocky 911's and they are okay. Light enough to run in and shine up okay. I've got a pair of Hitech magnums and don't like them. I have a narrow foot. I would say that the above boots are disposable and the danners are re-soleable. Just my .02 |
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I'm gonna be picking up a pair of Danners here pretty shortly. I have only heard good things about them. I wear a pair of Thorogoods right now. They polish up like no tomorrow, which makes my Sgt. happy, but they are pretty uncomfortable wearing them for over 8 hours. You know how you can't wait to take your gun belt off at the end of the day? That's the way I feel about my duty boots. That's a good indicator that I need to get a new pair. |
If your feet start to hurt after standing around..go to a podiatrist and get your feet checked. I'm going down that road now. I pull 12 hour shifts behind the wall and can't stand for more then 15 minutes before my lower back starts to hurt. Went to a podiatrist and I have some messed up feet. Fallen arches which created a whole other set of problems with the way I walk and stand. I'm waiting for my orthotic inserts to come in. I wear $200+ Prospector duty boots. |
I went through the whole "foot specialist" thing. I have flat feet, just like Fred Flinstone. Basically no arch. I even went and had custom Superfeet insoles made, but they didn't help. I find I am better off with just decent boots with some built in arch. Only problem is that there is very little padding in the soles and arches on most boots. That is why I am looking at the Thorogood Air Assaults. They have some kind of air pocket built in. I found a place on the web that sells them very cheap and I might try them out. The Danner Acadias look very stiif with little sole support in pictures. I can't find any store that carries them to check them out though. |
Not to harp but did you see a foot "specialist" that made you stand in boxes fool of foam to make an impression of your feet or did you go to a podiatrists? The one I went to made plaster casts of my feet which will be used to make the orthotics. |
The Danners are not stiff and broke-in quickly (faster than my POS Force Recons). They fit like tennies now. I should also add that I do have heel/arch supprts (some cheapies form the local drug store). I have no issues wearing them on days off. |
If you haven't made a decision on what boots to buy, I would seriously recommend the Converse. I bought a pair and wore them all summer. I'm not sure what I'd compare them to, but they do not feel like you're wearing boots. They are very comfortable. They have gel inserts at the ball and heel, and an extra neoprene type of insert at the heel. They were great for walking and running, and they were almost as quiet as a pair of running shoes. When the weather got cold, I regretably went back to my insulated boots, which are the old style Danner Trooper's. I've had them since '99, and they've held up nicely. I know some guys who have gotten the new style Danner Trooper II, and Striker's, and they haven't held up as well as the old ones. If you don't believe me, order a pair of the Converse and wear them around your house for a day or two. I don't think you'll be be disappointed. |
Roger that, I LOVE my TASAR's!!!!  For polishing them I use Kiwi Parade Gloss, heat the polish until it turns to liquid then allow it to cool, then you can either brush shine or spit shine with cotton balls. They shine up pretty well too, but I pull out my Corcoran Jump Boots, over 16 years old, for occassions when I need to have a nice, shiney boot. Stay away from ANYTHING corofram, or fake leather, hot as he#@ and will turn your feet fish belly white.
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Did your doc tell you about stretching excercises for P.F? I have that problem big time in my right foot, along with many other foor problems. But since I started the stretching I have little to no pain now. |