Side-zip tactical boots: why?

M

MG_Saldivar

Joined
Feb 5, 2005
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857
I was flipping through a Quatermaster Supply catalog yesterday and I saw dozens of different 'tactical' boots (military/police/emergency services models) with side zippers along the inner ankle area.

Clearly, a zipper would let you put on or take off such a pair of boots quickly, but I've never felt a need to take off or put on a pair of boots THAT quickly, especially boots with speed-lace type 'D rings' rather than simple eyelets; speed-lace setups tend to be pretty quick to put on or take off anyhow.

Am I ignorant of how quickly first responders and service personnel need to don their footwear? Is there some other benefit to these I just don't see?

(I'm not trying to 'dis' side-zippers, just want to figure out what I'm missing ;) )
 
:rolleyes:

This is another one of those times when I want to just post a :rolleyes: without a word, but ...

Maybe it only takes you thirty seconds to lace up your boots. You don't mind if you're thirty seconds late for the emergency? Wait till your house catches fire....

No doubt you'll apply the same principle to everything you do. Thirty seconds here doesn't matter, ten seconds there doesn't matter, a minute more or less ... no point in tuning up that engine either, you can just sit there and warm it up as long as necessary ... no hurry ... :rolleyes:
 
As it happens, I'm very time-conscious. And I keep my vehicle, all my gear, and for that matter, my bathroom sink clean and in good repair.

I simply want folks' opinion on the relative benefits of ~30 seconds less putting-on-boot time versus walking around all day with a metal zipper rubbing up against the inner surface of my ankle.
 
I wear side zip boots as part of my stationwear in the firehouse. Getting out of a pair of boots quickly is vital when I have to get into bunker pants, boots, and jacket. They also save the heel of my boots from excessive wear when I remove them. When I ride the ambulance the side zips come in handy as well. On an emergency call the last thing I want to forget is to tie my boots when I get a hit at 3AM. I have never felt uncomfortable while wearing them either. No rubbing on the ankles in my boots either. I wear the Hi-Tec Midnite Plus II Side Zip boots.

specimage_8202.gif
 
MG_Saldivar said:
Am I ignorant of how quickly first responders and service personnel need to don their footwear?
Click to expand...

So the answer is "yes." :)


Thanks, K. V. May I ask -- are the zippers at all uncomfortable? Are you conscious of them? I'm sure some boots with zippers are better made than others...
 
Why would you assume the zipper comes in contact with your ankle? I guarantee it doesn't, and I have never even had side zip boots.
 
MG_Saldivar said:
So the answer is "yes." :)


Thanks, K. V. May I ask -- are the zippers at all uncomfortable? Are you conscious of them? I'm sure some boots with zippers are better made than others...
Click to expand...

They are not uncomfortable at all and I am not aware of them either. The zipper doesn't come into contact with your ankle at all. There is a strip of padded leather behind the zipper.
 
You all are assuming the zipper is to put the boots on quickly. Women are attracted to men who live in the face of danger, i.e. firemen. Sometimes that extra 30 seconds to take your boots off can come in real handy...;)
 
Cougar Allen said:
:rolleyes:

This is another one of those times when I want to just post a :rolleyes: without a word, but ...

Maybe it only takes you thirty seconds to lace up your boots. You don't mind if you're thirty seconds late for the emergency? Wait till your house catches fire....

No doubt you'll apply the same principle to everything you do. Thirty seconds here doesn't matter, ten seconds there doesn't matter, a minute more or less ... no point in tuning up that engine either, you can just sit there and warm it up as long as necessary ... no hurry ... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

There are times when I too have felt compelled to leave just a :rolleyes: The response to the original thread poster would be one of those times.
 
i had a pair of hi-tech boots w/ the side zipper.

the zipper eventually broke and i tossed the boots altogether.

i'll admit they were comfortable (zipper did not come in contact w/ my ankle) and convenient, but the zipper quickly degraded the lifetime of the boots.
 
MG_Saldivar said:
I was flipping through a Quatermaster Supply catalog yesterday and I saw dozens of different 'tactical' boots (military/police/emergency services models) with side zippers along the inner ankle area.

Clearly, a zipper would let you put on or take off such a pair of boots quickly, but I've never felt a need to take off or put on a pair of boots THAT quickly, especially boots with speed-lace type 'D rings' rather than simple eyelets; speed-lace setups tend to be pretty quick to put on or take off anyhow.

Am I ignorant of how quickly first responders and service personnel need to don their footwear? Is there some other benefit to these I just don't see?

(I'm not trying to 'dis' side-zippers, just want to figure out what I'm missing ;) )
Click to expand...

If you're not in the first responder field, it is a reasonable question to ask. My first day working with the Wash. DC fire dept. got me used to getting my shoes off REAL quick. I don't usually wear side zips now, low tops mostly. I don't think it was that bad of a question, some folks just don'tknow how fast we have to "turnout".
 
Hi All-

For the vast majority of people, side zippers offer many disadvantages:
  • zippers lose smooth engagement and tend to "blowout" with time
  • substantially less support
  • less torsional strength
  • water and dirt point-of-entry
  • speed only modestly affected
Without situations where individual seconds could spell the difference between life and death, I would choose traditional lace-ups across the board. Even boots used for smokejumpers are lace-to-toe for superior performance.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Blue Jays said:
Hi All-

For the vast majority of people, side zippers offer many disadvantages:
  • zippers lose smooth engagement and tend to "blowout" with time
  • substantially less support
  • less torsional strength
  • water and dirt point-of-entry
  • speed only modestly affected
~ Blue Jays ~
Click to expand...

Every zipper I have encountered on side-zips (Hi-Tec or Bates) never became loose or blew-out. The soles would wear out before a zipper failed. I have never felt that I have compromised support for ease of use either. Speed is key in my job, especially when we ride the ambulance. I timed putting on side zips and traditional lace ups and without rushing the side zips saved me 20 seconds per boot. Not much but in the grand scheme of thingsI'll admit that the first generation of side zips were less than satisfactory due to it being relatively new technology. Over the years Hi-Tec has continued to improve their product. Waterproofing has been better throughout the zipper area and I have never gotten severely soaked. I guess it all depends on what you expect the boot to do and its intended application. In my line of work I find it to be beneficial.
 
i alternate between lace up and lace/zipper boots. the lace up do offer better support.

i have tried several zippered boots and have found a bates pair that i love. ez in ez out. after a long day fussing with laces is just a hassle, that is the only advantage for me.

they are waterproof, at least the zippers are still in good enough shape to repel water. i have never blown a pair out or had them loosen. the soles wore out, but the zippers were fine.
 
one other thing: for emergency personnel seconds count. lost time could mean lost lives.
 
pcnorton said:
DO you find yourself catching/tripping with both zips facing each other?

Paul
Click to expand...

Unless you normally walk like you're legs are wrapped in cellophane, no.
 
pcnorton said:
DO you find yourself catching/tripping with both zips facing each other?

Paul
Click to expand...

mine have a velcro tab at the top to hold the zipper down, but more to minimize noise than anything else.

as far as tripping over them, ummmm, they dont stick out or anything. not sure what you mean.:confused:
 
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