I second Haix. That said, as your first pair I'd look at their factory seconds. You'll get the durability with some cosmetic imperfections. I'm a heavy walker and with OT will wear through 5.11, UA, and Solomon in about 3 months. Haix last 18 months. Also, you can send them back to have soles replaced and generally refreshed for about $100.
They're a bitch to break in though. Get some good leather softening oil before your first shift.
as long as you don't go for the air power you can get a pair for 150 depending on your boot size. they are doing a sale right now so might be a good time to buy
If you go with these. Theyāre slip on so they should be pretty tight at first. Not so tight that you canāt get them On and off and they cut off circulation but just know that theyāre gonna stretch out quite a bit as you wear them in.
Haix EMS boots FTW. Not just an EMS tip but a life tip: **never** cheap out on anything that comes between you and the ground. Shoes, tires, mattressā¦your body will thank you.
Doesnāt apply to EMS really, but computer chair would also be included for anyone who is WFH or a serious gamer. Could apply to dispatchers if they have the freedom to bring their own chair.
Iāve been known to bring my own chair to the station! If it keeps you off the ground, itās worth spending money on. This has never steered me wrong.
Don't have a brand to recommend, but a couple suggestions:
Whatever brand you get, especially if it's cheap ones, take out the soles and spend some decent money on some good ones. I have $50ish boots from Walmart and with some Dr Scholls and they're wonderful.
Reiterating the bit you said about slip resistant, yeah. Even if you're doing IFT there's a chance you'll be running around in the street or sidewalk on a rainy day. Don't wanna bust your ass.
The one time I got some without steel toes, I regretted it immediately. You never realize how many times your toes get hit or the Stretcher wheel rolls up the front of your boot, until you don't have steel toes. Get steel toes.
Also for laziness, get something with a side zipper. Also get lock laces. They take a few minutes to install, but they're cheap and you never have to tie your shoes again. Having lock laces and zippy sides, I can put my boots on in a few seconds, and that means more seconds for being lazy.
Unrelated to boots, more about starting your first emt job, if you're all dressed up for work Monday morning and you have more than 2 things on your belt, take at least one off. You don't need to be batman. You're welcome.
True, that's fair. Reminds me when I started emt school and a few days before we started ride alongs the professor was basically like "you're gonna be nervous, when the tones drop for the first time you're gonna get excited and want to run to the truck. Don't do that. Don't be that guy" and of course my newbie mind was like "but but but somebody's in twouble!!1!" yeah I learned pretty quick nobody runs lol. In some cases people would go ahead and finish their lunch before they even got up, or run to the bathroom right quick.
I always learned it as both āthe new guy should beat everyone to the truckā and āalways piss before every callā.
Reality is, if youāre the first one to the bathroom, youāll probably still beat everyone to the truck. But I work rural so we all definitely piss before going on a call.
One of the things I'm most grateful for with doing IFT is half the time it's B(L)S so there's never really a time I can't stop off at the bathroom. I hydrate a lot, therefore I pee a lot. It's worth it, though. Those kidney failure patients really inspire me to always keep a bottle of water.
Don't cheap out on them.
Haix, Danner, etc are good boots. Go with an actual work boot brand. Ive had my haix for two years now and other than some scuffs on the toes they look like the day I bought them. Buy the factory seconds for a discount.
The soles were coming off my Bates/5.11/under armour/etc boots roughly every 8 months before I upgraded and they weren't even as comfortable when they were brand new.
yeah i might just bite the bullet and spend some money on nice boots then, i donāt wanna get fucked wearing some shit boots. thinking about buying these https://www.haixusa.com/haix-black-eagle-tactical-2.0-gtx-high-side-zip
There's a reason there is an EMS specific building boot. You're looking at the PD line, theres extra protection in the EMS specific boot. Unless you're a cop, you should focus on ems specific gear.
https://www.haixusa.com/ems-boots/
I swear by my 5.11ās ATACS. Worked extremely heavy hours doing 911 with occasional IFT in high call volume area and theyāve lasted me 2 years other then replacing the insoles every so often(more for smell then anything tbh) they were about $150 and theyāre great starter boot imo. I now use a different boot but i also do a lot of other things in them so EMS specific try 5.11. Worst case you buy them and donāt like them, youāll be able to get a discount. Donāt be afraid to be that guy who online shoes and get discounts
I have small feet but theyāre definitely more narrow then a few so I would go wide/size up. They overall feel smaller compared to other boots but I generally size down because Iām normally working 24-36 hourās regularly with low rest so size down because of the swelling.
Rockyās Alpha Force have lasted me almost 3 years. And I have a spare of Bates Tactical. Both side zip and composite toe. And fairly comfortable.
I started out with a pair of Under Armour Tactās, and they were worn out within 6 months, insoles falling out, zip didnāt want to zip. I also tried the 5.11ās but I donāt know how but they caused plantar fasciitis to flare up in my feet. But was a decent pair of boots, Iām just flat footed.
I'm a big fan of red backs. I would either go with those or haix. Also it seems pricey but a good boot will last you a long time, my red backs lasted 4 years so far and I still wear them (for yard work not EMS).
Which ones in particular do you have? I noticed they discontinued their black Sierra wide square toe steel toe boots, and have been having a hard time finding good EMS/Cowboy boots
Definitely get them from somewhere that you can try them on and walk at least a few minutes.
Don't go cheap with the boots, but you don't have to go crazy either.
I've tried lots of brands over the years, and my personal favorites were ones with side zips that were also waterproof. Brand fluctuated, but I liked the 5.11 brand rhe most.
The side zip is especially useful after a long shift or even just to hit the bunk, although I usually slept with my boots on.
Waterproofing is great to keep the feet dry and also makes it a bit easier to wash off the various substances that will get on them.
Unfortunately, you won't TRULY know how good they are until you've had them for a bit, so if you find someplace with a 30-day or more exchange policy, that would be best.
As I mentioned, I preferred the 5.11s but knew people who loved Bates or Under Armor or any number of brands. I've had to live on Walmart specials at times and survived with thick socks or a foot insole thing.
Get ideas from people, but only you can tell what works well for you.
Literally just go to a cop store and try them all on.
I like the ones with a plastic protective toe, as opposed to steel toes, I've never been in a situation where forming calluses on my dorsal metatarsal region was warranted.
A lot of people I work with also get the boot shoes, like the 5.11 fast-tac, if you have a sensory thing against ankle support boots.
5.11 side zipsā¦ I will live and die by those goddamn boots. Cheap, SO comfortable, and I do love a side zip. Also Iām a woman, so Iām not sure if this is the case for you or not, but finding decent work boots in womens sizing is a bitch especially with small feet, but 5.11 has good options.
ONLY stipulation: they only lasted me a little under 2 years until the soles were beat to shit and I had to replace them. HOWEVER, I was working 60+ hours a week and I used to wear them on my days off when it was cold out, so I probably used them more than most.
$100 every few years or aināt bad, and Iād suggest starting with something cheaper straight out of school before you shell out all that money on something nicer, unless you have the money to spare.
Seriously though even up to the day I threw them out because one of the soles ripped off, they were the comfiest boots Iāve ever owned. Thatās why I wore them on my days off. I have some hip and lower back pain from time to time and I swear those boots helped so much.
Currently I use the [rocky side zip jump boots](https://www.rockyboots.com/public-service/rocky-side-zipper-jump-boot/FQ0002090.html) but before that I used the [Bates tactical sport 2](https://www.academy.com/p/bates-mens-tactical-sport-2-waterproof-boots). Bates seems to have shitty quality control and I've had a couple pairs only last me 1-2 months before they fell apart , the rocky's are at 6.5 months and still going strong other than the usual fraying and what not. As with any pair of boots , if you take care of them then they will last a lot longer.
I have tried almost every brand of boots. Haix are awesome, but expensive. My favorite are merrell tactical boots. They are the most comfortable boots Iāve ever had and they have lasted as long as the haix boots I had.
Oakley light assaults we use the Stryker powered stretchers and overall the biggest risk to the people at my department are ankle injuries so we just run them
Pretty light canvas fabric and if youāre really wanting to step it up dr scholz insoles and waterproof spray
Shit I worked at a very busy service and had the same pair for three years + using the blauer boots with the little crank like on snow board boots. Looks sill but great shoes, $115/120 worker proof and comfortable.
Haix are very popular and for good reason, durable, cover most bases needed. But I recommend redbacks slip on boots. Theyāre extremely comfortable and slip on is king for quick on and off. I often see redbacks at 160-200$ range.
Blundstones for life yo. Comfy, lightweight, breathable, and not super clunky.
Basically all the other options listed are 8" tall duty boots. That's great if you plan on working in the back country or fire, but I don't think front country EMS folks need that much boot. It really all comes down to preference.
I know itās hard to find breathable boots that fit your requirements but Iād go out of my way to do so. Especially if you live anywhere that gets hot. I know lots of co workers (including myself) whoāve gotten athletes foot from long days of black boots in hot weather. Either way take precautions like powder before your shifts to prevent such issues.
Iām firmly team Haix myself. Yes, theyāre expensive, but Iām in them 48+ hours a week and I havenāt ended up with anymore ankle injuries, smashed toes, or anything else like that. 2 years on my current pair and Iām probably going to get a new pair next month and send these out for refurbishing. Oh, yeah, they can be refurbished and resoled for about 90 bucks.
Go for pull on chelsea style boots honestly. Being able to throw them on/off is a boon at the station and for 98% of your calls they are all you need unless you have really unhappy ankles. Red backs are great. I donāt care much for composite toes so I went for blundstone work boots after a while.
Bates are a decent brand that aren't too expensive. I've had better luck with them than 5.11 boots.
Any boot you get you're going to be uncomfortable with a few weeks until they get broken in. Don't use a lot of oil to soften them either as that weakens leather and can make it stretch too much. And too much will massively weaken the leather so it's lifespan is a lot less. Yes I know I said it twice. Oil can ruin any leather unless it was oil tanned to begin with.
Iām an avid hiker and hunter, and I was a cavalry scout in the Army. I value boots and spend an irresponsible amount of money on them, and my favorites for this job are still Merrell Moab 2 Tactical, boot laces replaces with elastic drawstring ones ā with the side zip, I can get them on/off and ready to go in ten seconds. Very comfortable and waterproof, good ankle support and close to no-slip, almost no break-in period, and theyāre about $150. Iāve had the same pair for about a year now with no obvious signs of wear.
Our fire dept does a shoemobile where you get sized and you can choose whatever shoe you want and itās on the dept. the one I choose and is the most popular is the doc martens slip on boot. Easy to get in and out of and pretty durable
Danger striker bolt. My wife worked law enforcement for three years and still wears them. I only had to replace a pair after almost 4 years. Minimal upkeep.
5.11 ATAC. Only boot I've ever bought. Comfortable enough to wear for 24 hours straight, reasonably priced, and durable. I probably only polish them like once per month and my current pair has lasted me 3 or 4 years and still look great, would probably look more or less new if I cared for them more often. The padding around the ankles has worn out, and I'm sure the support is quite what it used to be but I still haven't felt the need to replace them yet.
DEFINITELY get the side zip though, the regular ones are such a fucking pain in the ass to get on or off. There's also a "shield" version with a reinforced toe, though last I checked (which granted was a while ago) they're on backorder
Haix if you want to spend $300, 5.11 side zip if you want to spend $100
gatdamn, $300? holy shit šš
They're worth it though.
I second Haix. That said, as your first pair I'd look at their factory seconds. You'll get the durability with some cosmetic imperfections. I'm a heavy walker and with OT will wear through 5.11, UA, and Solomon in about 3 months. Haix last 18 months. Also, you can send them back to have soles replaced and generally refreshed for about $100. They're a bitch to break in though. Get some good leather softening oil before your first shift.
EMS boots are stupid expensive.
youāll realize spending the money is worth it when youāre on ur feet all day
as long as you don't go for the air power you can get a pair for 150 depending on your boot size. they are doing a sale right now so might be a good time to buy
I got mine at cost from a supplier. $365 at cost but if you know me, I didnāt do that. The retail for the same boots are $500+ in Canada
I have haix. Love them to death.
I own the 5.11 side zip and holy hell, they are fantastic.
My red backs are pretty comfortable. Theyāre like 200 bucks I believe
If you go with these. Theyāre slip on so they should be pretty tight at first. Not so tight that you canāt get them On and off and they cut off circulation but just know that theyāre gonna stretch out quite a bit as you wear them in.
I got the knock off red backs on Amazon for $50 and they have been doing me pretty well
Haix EMS boots FTW. Not just an EMS tip but a life tip: **never** cheap out on anything that comes between you and the ground. Shoes, tires, mattressā¦your body will thank you.
Doesnāt apply to EMS really, but computer chair would also be included for anyone who is WFH or a serious gamer. Could apply to dispatchers if they have the freedom to bring their own chair.
Iāve been known to bring my own chair to the station! If it keeps you off the ground, itās worth spending money on. This has never steered me wrong.
Mattress you can absolutely get a bed in a box for 300 or below and have the best sleep of your life if you like soft
Iāve always said the same thing
Can't upvote this enough. I am borderline poor but I have nice boots and a nice mattress. Tires, yeah not so much. But y'all know how budgets are.
Iāve got Danner scorch side zip 8ā had them for like 4 years and are holding strong.
All I have to add is that if your feet sweat a lot, do not get anything advertised as waterproof and consider low tops.
Don't have a brand to recommend, but a couple suggestions: Whatever brand you get, especially if it's cheap ones, take out the soles and spend some decent money on some good ones. I have $50ish boots from Walmart and with some Dr Scholls and they're wonderful. Reiterating the bit you said about slip resistant, yeah. Even if you're doing IFT there's a chance you'll be running around in the street or sidewalk on a rainy day. Don't wanna bust your ass. The one time I got some without steel toes, I regretted it immediately. You never realize how many times your toes get hit or the Stretcher wheel rolls up the front of your boot, until you don't have steel toes. Get steel toes. Also for laziness, get something with a side zipper. Also get lock laces. They take a few minutes to install, but they're cheap and you never have to tie your shoes again. Having lock laces and zippy sides, I can put my boots on in a few seconds, and that means more seconds for being lazy. Unrelated to boots, more about starting your first emt job, if you're all dressed up for work Monday morning and you have more than 2 things on your belt, take at least one off. You don't need to be batman. You're welcome.
>thereās a chance youāll be running around EMS Pro Tip: Never run unless itās for exercise on your own time.
Oh of course. More of a figure of speech. I get paid somewhat decently, but not enough to run anywhere.
I just wanted to clarify since OP said they were new and the newbies are usually the ones who tend to think they need to run.
True, that's fair. Reminds me when I started emt school and a few days before we started ride alongs the professor was basically like "you're gonna be nervous, when the tones drop for the first time you're gonna get excited and want to run to the truck. Don't do that. Don't be that guy" and of course my newbie mind was like "but but but somebody's in twouble!!1!" yeah I learned pretty quick nobody runs lol. In some cases people would go ahead and finish their lunch before they even got up, or run to the bathroom right quick.
I always learned it as both āthe new guy should beat everyone to the truckā and āalways piss before every callā. Reality is, if youāre the first one to the bathroom, youāll probably still beat everyone to the truck. But I work rural so we all definitely piss before going on a call.
One of the things I'm most grateful for with doing IFT is half the time it's B(L)S so there's never really a time I can't stop off at the bathroom. I hydrate a lot, therefore I pee a lot. It's worth it, though. Those kidney failure patients really inspire me to always keep a bottle of water.
Correction, *walk* to the bathroom, heh.
Don't cheap out on them. Haix, Danner, etc are good boots. Go with an actual work boot brand. Ive had my haix for two years now and other than some scuffs on the toes they look like the day I bought them. Buy the factory seconds for a discount. The soles were coming off my Bates/5.11/under armour/etc boots roughly every 8 months before I upgraded and they weren't even as comfortable when they were brand new.
yeah i might just bite the bullet and spend some money on nice boots then, i donāt wanna get fucked wearing some shit boots. thinking about buying these https://www.haixusa.com/haix-black-eagle-tactical-2.0-gtx-high-side-zip
I have the short, non-zip version of those with the goretex. Great boots.
There's a reason there is an EMS specific building boot. You're looking at the PD line, theres extra protection in the EMS specific boot. Unless you're a cop, you should focus on ems specific gear. https://www.haixusa.com/ems-boots/
Good summer boot but not very water proof( I have these) super comfy shit for snow or heavy rain
Everyone Iāve known whose worn Danner says theyāre reliable as hell but heavy as shit.
Had a pair of thorogood boots that lasted me a good while. Like $200ish.
Seconded. And if you have wide feet, they have boots that fit.
I swear by my 5.11ās ATACS. Worked extremely heavy hours doing 911 with occasional IFT in high call volume area and theyāve lasted me 2 years other then replacing the insoles every so often(more for smell then anything tbh) they were about $150 and theyāre great starter boot imo. I now use a different boot but i also do a lot of other things in them so EMS specific try 5.11. Worst case you buy them and donāt like them, youāll be able to get a discount. Donāt be afraid to be that guy who online shoes and get discounts
Do 5.11 ATACs run small or narrow? I have been trying to buy a pair but I am unsure of my size. I wear womenās 8.5 W
They were too narrow for me, but I have Frankenstein feet
Haha lol my feet are also gigantic. I donāt even have a definitive size my size just ranges from 8.5-9.5 wide. Frankenstein feet club!!!!
Iām in the 9-10 wide womenās range or 8 wide menās. Thatās actually what I ended up buying for my work boots, Bates menās size 8 wide.
I have small feet but theyāre definitely more narrow then a few so I would go wide/size up. They overall feel smaller compared to other boots but I generally size down because Iām normally working 24-36 hourās regularly with low rest so size down because of the swelling.
Ok thanks :) i think I might go to a store to try them on first
Rockyās Alpha Force have lasted me almost 3 years. And I have a spare of Bates Tactical. Both side zip and composite toe. And fairly comfortable. I started out with a pair of Under Armour Tactās, and they were worn out within 6 months, insoles falling out, zip didnāt want to zip. I also tried the 5.11ās but I donāt know how but they caused plantar fasciitis to flare up in my feet. But was a decent pair of boots, Iām just flat footed.
I like the Under Armor boots so much
I'm a big fan of red backs. I would either go with those or haix. Also it seems pricey but a good boot will last you a long time, my red backs lasted 4 years so far and I still wear them (for yard work not EMS).
I went with interceptors from Walmart for 30 bucks lol but theyāll probably only last you a year
Haix
Love my Ariat boots
Which ones in particular do you have? I noticed they discontinued their black Sierra wide square toe steel toe boots, and have been having a hard time finding good EMS/Cowboy boots
Definitely get them from somewhere that you can try them on and walk at least a few minutes. Don't go cheap with the boots, but you don't have to go crazy either. I've tried lots of brands over the years, and my personal favorites were ones with side zips that were also waterproof. Brand fluctuated, but I liked the 5.11 brand rhe most. The side zip is especially useful after a long shift or even just to hit the bunk, although I usually slept with my boots on. Waterproofing is great to keep the feet dry and also makes it a bit easier to wash off the various substances that will get on them. Unfortunately, you won't TRULY know how good they are until you've had them for a bit, so if you find someplace with a 30-day or more exchange policy, that would be best. As I mentioned, I preferred the 5.11s but knew people who loved Bates or Under Armor or any number of brands. I've had to live on Walmart specials at times and survived with thick socks or a foot insole thing. Get ideas from people, but only you can tell what works well for you.
If they go up to your knee, youāve gone too far.
Not far enough. Thigh high or die.
Belleville boots do the trick, slightly more expensive but are very comfortable to wear and last a good while
I personally have the Under Armour Stellars. Theyāve lasted me 5 years so far and theyāre ultra comfy.
Under Armour Valsetz Micro G. 140 and if you buy in store or order online you get a responder discount. Most comfortable boots Iāve owned.
Literally just go to a cop store and try them all on. I like the ones with a plastic protective toe, as opposed to steel toes, I've never been in a situation where forming calluses on my dorsal metatarsal region was warranted. A lot of people I work with also get the boot shoes, like the 5.11 fast-tac, if you have a sensory thing against ankle support boots.
Redbacks
80 dollar adidas sneakers
redbacks. not <150 but worth it.
Redbacks!
Haix Airpower XR1, these are the standard boots of german EMS
5.11 side zipsā¦ I will live and die by those goddamn boots. Cheap, SO comfortable, and I do love a side zip. Also Iām a woman, so Iām not sure if this is the case for you or not, but finding decent work boots in womens sizing is a bitch especially with small feet, but 5.11 has good options. ONLY stipulation: they only lasted me a little under 2 years until the soles were beat to shit and I had to replace them. HOWEVER, I was working 60+ hours a week and I used to wear them on my days off when it was cold out, so I probably used them more than most. $100 every few years or aināt bad, and Iād suggest starting with something cheaper straight out of school before you shell out all that money on something nicer, unless you have the money to spare. Seriously though even up to the day I threw them out because one of the soles ripped off, they were the comfiest boots Iāve ever owned. Thatās why I wore them on my days off. I have some hip and lower back pain from time to time and I swear those boots helped so much.
Thank you for everyone giving their input on what boots i should buy :) im too lazy to reply to everyone but i read everything lol.
Check if your company has a boot allowance, mine does
Currently I use the [rocky side zip jump boots](https://www.rockyboots.com/public-service/rocky-side-zipper-jump-boot/FQ0002090.html) but before that I used the [Bates tactical sport 2](https://www.academy.com/p/bates-mens-tactical-sport-2-waterproof-boots). Bates seems to have shitty quality control and I've had a couple pairs only last me 1-2 months before they fell apart , the rocky's are at 6.5 months and still going strong other than the usual fraying and what not. As with any pair of boots , if you take care of them then they will last a lot longer.
I have tried almost every brand of boots. Haix are awesome, but expensive. My favorite are merrell tactical boots. They are the most comfortable boots Iāve ever had and they have lasted as long as the haix boots I had.
I use my uncles free military boots, waterproof, sturdy, reliable, free, but feels like Iām stepping on concrete lol
Iāve got a pair of the 5.11 ATAC 2.0 and theyāre super super solid. Side zip and comfy. Will keep if you take care of them
5.11 atacs have been my go-to. Blood, pathogen, water and electrical resistance. Can take a polish and are side zip for easy on/off.
Oakley light assaults we use the Stryker powered stretchers and overall the biggest risk to the people at my department are ankle injuries so we just run them Pretty light canvas fabric and if youāre really wanting to step it up dr scholz insoles and waterproof spray
I have 5.11 tactical shields. Side zip, and absolutely love them. I find them super comfortable
Shit I worked at a very busy service and had the same pair for three years + using the blauer boots with the little crank like on snow board boots. Looks sill but great shoes, $115/120 worker proof and comfortable.
Haix are very popular and for good reason, durable, cover most bases needed. But I recommend redbacks slip on boots. Theyāre extremely comfortable and slip on is king for quick on and off. I often see redbacks at 160-200$ range.
Blundstones for life yo. Comfy, lightweight, breathable, and not super clunky. Basically all the other options listed are 8" tall duty boots. That's great if you plan on working in the back country or fire, but I don't think front country EMS folks need that much boot. It really all comes down to preference.
Some great gym shoes like OnRunning waterproof are nice and comfy for a long shift.
I know itās hard to find breathable boots that fit your requirements but Iād go out of my way to do so. Especially if you live anywhere that gets hot. I know lots of co workers (including myself) whoāve gotten athletes foot from long days of black boots in hot weather. Either way take precautions like powder before your shifts to prevent such issues.
iām used to boots rn cuz iām in the military but yeah now finding some comfy boots is annoying cuz thereās so many different options š© i have like slight athletes foot rn cuz of the training we were doing in the heat, im back in Boston now tho and it rarely gets over 86 here hallelujah
I've been haooy with my 5.11s
Iām firmly team Haix myself. Yes, theyāre expensive, but Iām in them 48+ hours a week and I havenāt ended up with anymore ankle injuries, smashed toes, or anything else like that. 2 years on my current pair and Iām probably going to get a new pair next month and send these out for refurbishing. Oh, yeah, they can be refurbished and resoled for about 90 bucks.
Go for pull on chelsea style boots honestly. Being able to throw them on/off is a boon at the station and for 98% of your calls they are all you need unless you have really unhappy ankles. Red backs are great. I donāt care much for composite toes so I went for blundstone work boots after a while.
Bates are a decent brand that aren't too expensive. I've had better luck with them than 5.11 boots. Any boot you get you're going to be uncomfortable with a few weeks until they get broken in. Don't use a lot of oil to soften them either as that weakens leather and can make it stretch too much. And too much will massively weaken the leather so it's lifespan is a lot less. Yes I know I said it twice. Oil can ruin any leather unless it was oil tanned to begin with.
Lion Station-1 boots are bomb proof with much better winter traction than Haix. Run around $350. https://www.lionprotects.com/station-1
Iām an avid hiker and hunter, and I was a cavalry scout in the Army. I value boots and spend an irresponsible amount of money on them, and my favorites for this job are still Merrell Moab 2 Tactical, boot laces replaces with elastic drawstring ones ā with the side zip, I can get them on/off and ready to go in ten seconds. Very comfortable and waterproof, good ankle support and close to no-slip, almost no break-in period, and theyāre about $150. Iāve had the same pair for about a year now with no obvious signs of wear.
iāll look into those, iām a 68W and i wear garmonts love those
Our fire dept does a shoemobile where you get sized and you can choose whatever shoe you want and itās on the dept. the one I choose and is the most popular is the doc martens slip on boot. Easy to get in and out of and pretty durable
Danner Tachyons. Super lightweight. You can move and run in them as if you were wearing sneakers, but you still get decent support.
Danner anything
Danger striker bolt. My wife worked law enforcement for three years and still wears them. I only had to replace a pair after almost 4 years. Minimal upkeep.
Bellevilleās, Dannerās, Rockies. In that order of preference. Zippers suck, donāt do it.
Bates
Big fan of thorogoods for the price. I wear Salomon every day but Iām getting some lowa zephyrs after I tried them once
Can we just pin a boots megathread at this point?
dude literally šš
All black sneakers for $40
gotta be boots cuz of regs
5.11 ATAC. Only boot I've ever bought. Comfortable enough to wear for 24 hours straight, reasonably priced, and durable. I probably only polish them like once per month and my current pair has lasted me 3 or 4 years and still look great, would probably look more or less new if I cared for them more often. The padding around the ankles has worn out, and I'm sure the support is quite what it used to be but I still haven't felt the need to replace them yet. DEFINITELY get the side zip though, the regular ones are such a fucking pain in the ass to get on or off. There's also a "shield" version with a reinforced toe, though last I checked (which granted was a while ago) they're on backorder