Need new boots

P

Psychopomp

Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
2,662
Hi guys.

For the past five years or so I've been wearing Bates Ultralights, the 8 inch model, and I love them. But it'll soon be time for something new. I've been looking around but I keep coming back to the Bates.

I love the Bates because I can be up and going all day and my back, ankles and knees never get tired because they're so light.

But is there something else I should be looking at? I like the price of the Bates and two pairs have lasted five years, so they're good boots for the money. But I will spend more on something that'll last even longer.

I don't really want to spend more than $150, but I'll go up to $200 on something that'll last.

What I'm looking for is a light weight, relatively waterproof, slip resistant boot. Zipper sides are a plus but not absolutely neccessary. I don't really need a safety toe, but the current pair of Bates that I'm wearing has a composite toe.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
 
take a look at SWAT boots. I've liked them, same idea as the bates but I've only gotten about a year a pair, which I figure is pretty good. I found them to be hands down better than Magnums.
 
The only thing I don't like about the Bates is that the zipper is plastic. They have some silly idea that the boots need to be "stealthy" and undetectable by metal detectors and that means a weak zipper. After about two and half years the one of the zipper pulls broke off my first pair. I put a key ring through the zipper and kept wearing them.

The zippers on the pair I'm wearing now are fine, but a hole is wearing in the back.

As to where to buy... I've been buying from Brigade Quartermasters for years (good prices, quick shipping and great people working there). But like everyone else, I'm trynig to save money these days, so don't hesitate to point me in the direction of good deals :).

I should add that black is a must. If I see one more pair of desert camo boots I'm going to throw up. I wear khaki pants a lot, I don't need my feet to blend in with my legs.

Thanks.
 
I hadn't thought about Asolo. My girlfriend swears by them. She got a pair at Christmas two years ago and wears them all the time and they still look new (she get her first pair when she was in high school and still wears them from time to time).

I'll have a look at them too.
 
I am a 5.11 guy, I love there boots, wear well, very supportive an great all day comfort.
 
I wear boots every day on the ambulance, as well as my time in the Army. I wear Oakleys now, and they are the most comfortable Ive ever owned. 5.11s are great too. My winter choice is Gore tex Danners. I had a pair of Bates ultralights and wore em out pretty quick. Broke the zippers in no time.

If your military or public safety, you can get a discount through Oakleys US Standard issue website.
 
I've tried on the 5.11s and they weren't as comfortable out of the box as the Bates were.

I don't really have a lot of options locally to try things on, which is why I'm still leaning towards the Bates because I know how they fit without needing to try them on.

But I am giving Oakleys some consideration. My primary concern with any footware is how they're going to feel after eight hours.
 
One of my previous favorites....

Air Tac Zipper by Ridge. I've had two pairs of these so far. Very comfortable and durable.

Presently, I'm wearing department supplied Converse Size Zip Waterproof duty boots. They're pretty comfortable. We were just issued these less than 6 months ago so I can't honestly comment on long-term durability yet but so far they've held up well. Only bad thing I can say about them so far is that the waterproof lining doesn't let your feet "breathe" as readily and they tend to get very hot on the foot. I think the model number for these is 8877 if you want to do an online search. I couldn't locate the listing on the manufacturer's site.

For the record, I've been a Paramedic for 16 years and have gone through quite a few different manufacturer's boots including Rocky, Hi Tec and others. The two I listed above are the one's I have liked the most thus far.

Personally, I prefer the tactical-style boot for ankle support but I know another medic who swears by the Redback UBBK's. They are a slip-on style boot and he says they are the most comfortable that he has ever worn. YMMV.
 
Psychopomp said:
I've tried on the 5.11s and they weren't as comfortable out of the box as the Bates were.

I don't really have a lot of options locally to try things on, which is why I'm still leaning towards the Bates because I know how they fit without needing to try them on.

But I am giving Oakleys some consideration. My primary concern with any footware is how they're going to feel after eight hours.
Click to expand...

After 24 in my Oakleys they are still comfy. :thumbup:
 
Oakleys, I've tried them on and I've never felt a boot so comfortable before, guys in my dad's unit like them too.
 
I dig Danners. Next to that are Matterhorns. My every day wear boots are Carolina Engineers, steel toe.
carolina115.jpg


These side zip Corcorans will probably be my next purchase.
http://www.copshoes.com/c-jump-boots-p-COV-XC1585.html
XC1585BIG.jpg
 
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I have a pair of oakleys crazy comfortable ,BUT I wore them around to get used to them and all was fine then I wore them to work and the dew in the grass made me slip off a step ladder first thing in the morning and the sole squeeks like a mother if you go into a store when it`s raining.I also have a pair of Matterhorn Mach boots I like very much .I am a big boy and they have enough support for me even all day on concrete,they don`t look as good as the day I got them but durability seems as good as the oakleys for half the price.
 
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