Duty Boots

**Drico** · 12-27-09, 11:31 AM

Looking for some good user feedback from LEO on duty boots, my department mandates that boots must be all leather so some of these Bates for instance with the Nylon won't fly. I had my eye on the Danners but for $250 I'm looking for a cheaper alternative without sacrificing quality too much.

Rocky all Leather paratrooper looks great and they seem to be pretty popular with the Patrolmen in my department, any opinions or suggestions especially after prolonged use?

Dave

**lewisipso** · 12-27-09, 11:37 AM

I can't comment on most boots because I wear special made boots. I would refer you to Baumshoe for an expert opinion and great prices.

**Bob Loblaw** · 12-27-09, 11:38 AM

If you spend the $250 on Danners, you will be glad you did. You don't have to replace them every year llike cheaper boots, plus the are the most comfortable boots you can get. I used to spend $120 a year on a new pair of crappy boots...then 3 years ago I bought a pair of Danner Acadias, and I'm still wearing them today with no end in sight. Do the math...you actually save money that way!

**Five-0** · 12-27-09, 11:41 AM

I like the Rocky paratroopers and have been through several pairs. However, if you have to stand in them for a long period of time you will hate life. The Danners are worth every single penny. I just bought a pair of the Fort Lewis line with 200 grams of insulation. Best boots I have ever worn. Customer service at Danner is second only to Baumshoe. I have had to stand in these for hours at a time already and I have found that they are completely waterproof. Granted the Fort Lewis line is more expensive than what you quoted. You might want to look at the Acadia line of boots.

**Jks9199** · 12-27-09, 12:33 PM

Talk to the people you work with; they can tell you what works both with the brass and while actually working.

You may want to look at Sears; over the years, I've bought several pairs of boots from them and been more than satisfied -- and the prices are often much lower. (In fact, the pair I bought for the academy is actually still servicable after 10 years. I use 'em at home for heavy snow.) They're not "law enforcement boots", but the only person who'll know is you.

**Twan007** · 12-27-09, 12:39 PM

I would love to buy a pair of Danners - but can't quite swing them yet... so for the mean time I wear Thorogoods - and I love them

all leather and the sole will need replacing after a bit, but they've lasted over a year with the only maintenance being some polish

not bad for about half the cost of the Danners

**Five-0** · 12-27-09, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Twan007

I would love to buy a pair of Danners - but can't quite swing them yet... so for the mean time I wear Thorogoods - and I love them

all leather and the sole will need replacing after a bit, but they've lasted over a year with the only maintenance being some polish

not bad for about half the cost of the Danners

Throrogoods were going to be my second brand to try. This is what sold me on the Danners:

Boot Recrafting:
Boot Recrafting - Danner

**Xiphos** · 12-27-09, 12:51 PM

I need to ship my Danner's back for recrafting. They are no longer waterproof. I've had them nearly 10 years and love them. They are worth every penny. Keep your old crappy boots on a little longer and save up for them. They are worth it.

**jmur5074** · 12-27-09, 05:25 PM

Do they have to be boots?

I wear a pair of Skechers work shoes that are black leather that are fantastic. Lightweight, durable, with a good non slip sole.

It similar to this one, but mine has a steel toe.
SKECHERS Official Shoe Store | Men's Work and Industrial Shoes | Work: Felix - Keystone

**Xiphos** · 12-27-09, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

Do they have to be boots?

I honestly can't think of a good reason not to wear big boots at work. Between standing in gasoline and oil, blood and guts, dog and human shit in people's houses, I can't imagine not having high boots that are easy to hose down. Not to mention running through creeks and standing in deep snow. Also, for riot control issues, tall leather boots are the most appropriate when bottles of urine and feces, and possibly molotov cocktails are thrown.

I see the "comfort" issue with shoes the same as with a vest. Boots are a more appropriate tool and relatively comfortable ones are available.

**thanantos** · 12-27-09, 09:33 PM

Others will undoubtedly disagree, but I've not been impressed with Danner so far. I bought a pair of Ft. Lewis boots 5 years ago and wore the soles flat in a year. No local companies will resole them, and it costs (i believe) $70 plus shipping back to Danner to get them resoled.

My wife bought a pair of Danner Striker's (non-resoleable) and after about a year they literally fell apart.

Best boots I've ever bought were Rocky Eliminator's. In fact I bought the Danner's to replace them before they wore completely out (after about 3 years) so I could use them for hunting, etc. off duty. Been about 8 years now since I first bought them and they are still going strong.

Seems weird, but not a bad choice is a $70 pair of Hi-Tec boots. You have to replace them every year like sneakers, but they're cheap.

I bought a pair of 511 boots (sneaker style boots like the Hi-Tec's) to replace the Danners and they're not bad, but don't breathe very well. Don't wanna be around my feet after a whole shift in them

**Xiphos** · 12-27-09, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by thanantos

Others will undoubtedly disagree, but I've not been impressed with Danner so far. I bought a pair of Ft. Lewis boots 5 years ago and wore the soles flat in a year. No local companies will resole them, and it costs (i believe) $70 plus shipping back to Danner to get them resoled.

The Vibram soles on them do wear out quickly but they are a simple matter of pulling off and gluing a new set on. I can't believe you don't have a real shoe store that can do that anywhere near you. We have at least 2 and we're pretty backwards here.

**Cidp24** · 12-27-09, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

I honestly can't think of a good reason not to wear big boots at work. Between standing in gasoline and oil, blood and guts, dog and human shit in people's houses, I can't imagine not having high boots that are easy to hose down. Not to mention running through creeks and standing in deep snow. Also, for riot control issues, tall leather boots are the most appropriate when bottles of urine and feces, and possibly molotov cocktails are thrown.

I see the "comfort" issue with shoes the same as with a vest. Boots are a more appropriate tool and relatively comfortable ones are available.

All that AND ankle support for the more hefty of us.

**Five-0** · 12-27-09, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Cidp24

All that AND ankle support for the more hefty of us.

The Thorogoods and Danners are top notch for this. I will blow out a knee before I turn my ankles over in these Fort Lewis boots (10 inch boots

). If you read my rubber band ankles post in the Last Night's Shift you will know I have very weak ankles due to past injuries from work and football.

Rubber band ankles post:
http://officerresource.com/forums/f2...-ankles-36741/

**TXCharlie** · 12-27-09, 10:41 PM

I bought some Georgia Giant work boots like this that I wore while reserving for about $80. They're fairly lightweight and comfortable, but have enough support to negotiate holes and rocks in the fields around here:

6" Georgia Giant Safety Toe Lightweight Boot Style: G6370: Georgia Boot Store=

**OfficerResource.com** · 12-27-09, 11:07 PM

I swear by the 5.11 atac storm boots. Police Equipment :: Public Safety Equipment :: Police Uniforms :: 5.11 Tactical :: Duty Gear :: Baumshoe Law Enforcement Supply ::5.11 ATAC Storm Boots
I have 4 pair. One are for court only, one are for on duty, one for when I'm hiking in the woods, and one for cutting grass.

I got 2 years out of my current pair. This year I will replace them with my court boots and purchase a new pair for court. They are very comfortable. I actually wear ankle socks with these boots and they require almost no break in.
For the price I think these are the best boot on the market.

**CountyWolf** · 12-28-09, 01:30 PM

Guess it is my military background, but I prefer good old combat boots. I have tried the more expensive Danner, Rocky, etc... and they all wore out in roughly a year... combat boots seem to last me much longer.

**Car 4** · 12-28-09, 02:24 PM

Our department spent years trying boots....they finally decided to issue the Danner Fort Lewis. Now all of our deputies get a pair and a great deal for both the deputy and the department it is.

Keep the orthotics that come with them too....helps if you have any kind of foot problem.

Car 4

**conalabu** · 12-28-09, 02:26 PM

I was never a big lover of Bates boots until I bought my Durashocks. They have been great boots considering I normally can not get more than a year from a pair of boots. Good buy in my eyes. And go with Gore tex/ waterproof no matter what you get.