[CJStudent]

So who else has had their boots fall apart in short order?

With my last boot voucher, I bought a pair of Under Armor Valsetz, which had a pretty good reputation among my coworkers. This was in April. Already, my right boot is starting to come apart, and I can feel EVERY little bit of gravel when I walk on it, or anything else uneven or sharp; no padding on the feet at all anymore. Oh, and the toecap sucks; I get better protection from my tennis shoes. I managed to smash the crap out of my big toe trying to get a door secured during count time today.

I think next time, I'm just going to go ahead and drop the cash to get a pair of Danner Acadias and be done with it.

[socalchuckster]

Look at the 5.11 XPRT boots. I love mine and they have been going strong for 4 years now. They have a kick toe in them also, which I love (I too am a door kicker like you). They are light weight like the Oakleys, but offer far superior water protection and ankle support. Best pair of boots I've ever own.

[blueiron]

American Danners. I had a pair of Rocky boots and they were worthless after six months.

Don't forget to ask how long people have had their boots. Just like new car owners, people tend to be happy with their new boots. The proof is how well they hold up after a year.

[Bren]

Originally Posted by CJStudent

So who else has had their boots fall apart in short order?

Me. I bought 5.11 HRT desert boots before going to Afghanistan. Most comfortable boots I ever bought, but they weren't used that hard and were never wet and, within 3 months, the laces were tearing through the unreinforced eyelets and the leather above the heel had torn through for no reason. Pieces of ^*$%

I contacted 5.11 - they said they'd take care of it and had me send pictures...then they said they didn't get the pictures and had me send them again...then they quit responding to my emails and I never heard from them again.

I have never bought another 5.11 product and will not.

The Afghans gave me cheap ANA-issue boots from Kabul Mili (copies of Bellevilles, down to the logo) and they held up better than 5.11.

[collim1]

Several years ago the city cheaped out and bought us Bates. They didn't last long and were not very comfortable. We went back to Danner 6 months later.

Been wearing my current Danners for 1 year this month. They still got plenty of wear left in them. A little polish every week keeps them looking nice until they are worn out.

[DoogieHowser]

5.11 Atac side zips for me, they typically last me 2-3yrs and they are as light as sneakers

[Knute]

Stay away from Belleville boots. Had a pair fall apart very quickly on me. These were recommended to me by a buddy who I used to work with.

I pretty much stick to Bates now. I have found them to be very comfortable and have lasted years.

[RyanNREMTP]

Currently been wearing a pair of I think Rockports for about 2 or 3 years. They have held up well. Probably be better looking if I shined them every now and then. I've had good luck with 5.11s as well. Another pair of their HRT ones will be my next pair. Now Hi-Tec Magnums only last a year with me before falling apart. The pair that I have right now only lasted this long because of the police academy and that now I only wear them at my reserve job which means once a week.

[RocPO]

I had 3 pairs of Magnum Spider boots go on me within 18 months. Each one had the same place it came apart, the stitching in the rear of the boot above heel. I bought a pair of 5.11 Xpert Tactical when LAPG had a sale. I haven't had a problem at all, and I've been using these since Feb. I also have a pair of Bates Ultralights that I use when the Captains are doing inspections.

[merlynusn]

I've had the Danner Stryker II for a year now. Still hold up very well. I just put inserts in to make them more comfortable. I was in a torrential downpour the other day and the only thing that was dry were my feet.

I'm not a fan of the 5.11 ATAC Storm, but they kept my feet dry in a downpour also.

The Bates I have usually only last a year or so because I wear out the sole.

[CJStudent]

Originally Posted by merlynusn

I've had the Danner Stryker II for a year now. Still hold up very well. I just put inserts in to make them more comfortable. I was in a torrential downpour the other day and the only thing that was dry were my feet.

I'm not a fan of the 5.11 ATAC Storm, but they kept my feet dry in a downpour also.

The Bates I have usually only last a year or so because I wear out the sole.

The only other pair of boots I've had really disintegrate on me were those Stryker IIs; the eyelets came out, the leather wore out on the toe quickly, etc. They looked like hell in short order, lol.

Now, I've actually had good luck with the 5.11 ATAC Storms, though I don't wear them usually because they don't clear the metal detector on my way in to work, which adds to the hassle of scanning in.

[HOTHEAD]

I have never owned a pair of high end boots. In fact, I have been researching Danner Arcadia's lately. However, with that being said, I bought a pair of Caterpillar Alaska's from Sears,5 years ago. I have worn them every day for the last 5 years on concrete floors. I did put inserts in them, but as far as durability I would stand behind them 100%. Not so much as a stitch broken, until this year when I noticed that I had worn through part of the tread.

As I stated, I have never owned top tier boots, and will be buying a pair soon, after reading all the reviews about Danner. I just hope they live up to my expectations after owning the "cheap" pair of Caterpillars.

http://www.salepricemensshoesbestbuy...oof_Steel_Boot

[Bren]

Originally Posted by Knute

Stay away from Belleville boots. Had a pair fall apart very quickly on me. These were recommended to me by a buddy who I used to work with.

I pretty much stick to Bates now. I have found them to be very comfortable and have lasted years.

Bates are the best boots and police shoes I've ever had.

[lawman800]

You know... we haven't talked about boots in this forum... ever... wonder why... it's such an important piece of gear for us. Glad this boot thread is here.

Oh, my Magnums last forever. I know it's not the latest and greatest and it sure ain't no Danners, but they work for me and have since the mid-90's.

[CJStudent]

Originally Posted by lawman800

You know... we haven't talked about boots in this forum... ever... wonder why... it's such an important piece of gear for us. Glad this boot thread is here.

Oh, my Magnums last forever. I know it's not the latest and greatest and it sure ain't no Danners, but they work for me and have since the mid-90's.

I know, right? I was a little bit perturbed at the time, though, lol.

[lawman800]

I've heard of some guys having failures with their 5.11 HRT boots in short order as well.

[Agent6-3/8]

I'm currently wearing a pair of Bates Zero Mass boots. So far they're awesome, but I've only had them about a month. Very light and comfortable though.

For long lasting quality Danner is very hard to beat. I'm also a big fan or Corcoran's various cap toe jump boots.


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[IrishSheepdog54]

There is no perfect brand of boots. Ever.

I have Danner Acadias that I'm breaking in now, and they're great boots. However, they're also heavy. Haven't worn them in a foot pursuit yet.

I have 5.11 Taclite boots. Very comfortable, breathable, and have held up fairly well. I don't feel like my feet are that protected though.

I have UA Tactical Gym Shoes (whatever they're called). Comfortable, extremely breathable, but offer no protection. Plus they look dumb.

I had the 5.11 ATAC boots. Lightweight, decent comfort, but would hurt my feet after about 5-6 hours. Would always come untied. Don't seem like they would be very durable, since they were coming apart after a few months.

I had Magnum Viper boots, and they were crap. My feet would sweat in winter, and white salt stains would form at the seams. Nasty. Also fell apart quickly in the winter.

I had Bates Ultra Lights, 6" boots. Hurt my feet like hell, even with Dr Scholls inserts. Started looking like crap after a few months, even when I tried to shine them up.

I had UA Speedfreek boots. Very hot; made my feet sweat a lot. Comfortable. Weird sole that would make your foot "roll" on the toe... Hard to explain, but I didn't like it.

My vote? Get Danner Acadias. Even though they're heavy, they'll protect your feet and your ankles. After the lengthy break-in period, they're comfortable. Accept the fact you may lose a foot pursuit versus a 17 year old kid wearing gym shoes.

I should have bought the Acadias a long time ago, and saved myself all the agony of spending lots of money on crap boots!!!

[Kadetklapp]

I have never owned high-end boots. Just cannot afford. However, last winter I bought some Rockys waterproof side zips with a real nice "showroom shine" on them. Gave them a try. They polished better than any boot I've ever had. However, in six weeks of courthouse and reserve use, the zipper snap broke clean off of one and the sole started to separate on the other. I warrantied them in even exchange but the new ones don't shine up as nice, have some sort of grey haze.

Outdoor Hub mobile, the outdoor information engine

[Ftttu]

Originally Posted by CJStudent

So who else has had their boots fall apart in short order?

With my last boot voucher, I bought a pair of Under Armor Valsetz, which had a pretty good reputation among my coworkers. This was in April. Already, my right boot is starting to come apart, and I can feel EVERY little bit of gravel when I walk on it, or anything else uneven or sharp; no padding on the feet at all anymore. Oh, and the toecap sucks; I get better protection from my tennis shoes. I managed to smash the crap out of my big toe trying to get a door secured during count time today.

I think next time, I'm just going to go ahead and drop the cash to get a pair of Danner Acadias and be done with it.

I wear Valsetz mostly at night and I only recommend them to those who only care about comfort and foot pursuits but not for any type of protection. I've had them getting close to a year and they are still together. During day shift(when I wear my straw uniform hat), I wear Magnum Stealth Force quarter high/zipper side boots which have stayed intact for the last few years.

[SCSU74]

had my Danner GTX 2's for about 3 yrs now. Granted i hardly ever wear them now, i wore them steady for 2 of those 3 years and they are great boots. They arent made in america like the acadias, but they are a cheaper option. They are now my dress boots, as i had to spit shine them in the academy.

[Hack]

Unless they really improve the product I will never again get Chinese made Wolverines. Mine fell apart in less than half a year. Now, if Danner had composite Safety toes I would try those out, if they are USA made.

[Ftttu]

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Produ...-Zip-Boot.html

The above boot I used to wear all of the time when we wore BDUs but now, I only wear them during cold winter days. They have stayed together and the only thing I would add is a composite toe. They also shine up really well.

[CJStudent]

Originally Posted by Ftttu

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Produ...-Zip-Boot.html

The above boot I used to wear all of the time when we wore BDUs but now, I only wear them during cold winter days. They have stayed together and the only thing I would add is a composite toe. They also shine up really well.

I used the waterproof version of that, as well as the 6" version, for the last several years, and overall like them a lot. The only issue I had is the damn side-zips won't clear the metal detectors coming in to work, which means off my feet and on to the x-ray machine they go.

[ottomatic]

Just a reminder to all those thinking on buying Danners (I've had my Ft. Lewis' for 24 YEARS!!!!)
Contact the factory directly to get your 40% LE discount.