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A good pair of tactical boots is an absolute must. From urban terrain to mountain peaks, from scorching deserts to frozen tundras, and from impenetrable forests to infested swamps, a great pair of tactical boots will get you through it all.

The best tactical boots will have you resisting rocks, water, mud, and every other conceivable challenge on terra firma. Leaving you laughing off abuse after abuse as if they were mere child’s play and you a titan. Most importantly, good tactical boots keep your feet happy and comfortable even in the harshest of conditions, so you can leave those bath salts for your grandma.

TOP 3 BOOTS

THE BEST TACTICAL BOOTS

LOWA Z-8S HI TF BOOTS

LOWA Boots is known worldwide for its quality. Based in Bavaria, Germany, they are the market leader in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, producing nearly three million pairs of shoes annually.

The ATC insole and double-injected DuraPU midsole offer superb cushioning and comfort. They hug your feet tight and are true to fit.

The moisture-wicking lining on the inside, combined with the split grain and textile upper, offers a breathable and comfortable tactical boot.

This is invaluable in hot weather as it helps keep your feet cool, preventing them from heavily sweating. Less sweat equals less chance of swamp foot and hot spots.

For a more in-depth review of the LOWA Z-8S, check out my article “LOWA Z-8S: My First Choice For A Tactical Boot”

GARMONT T8 BIFIDA TACTICAL BOOT

Garmont’s upper is made of a combination of suede and 600D Cordura nylon. They have also added nylon webbing to strengthen the upper and provide greater stability.

The Eco-friendly Ortholite Ultralite Footbed, made from Garmont’s proprietary foam technology, and polyurethane midsole give the Bifida amazing cushion and comfort while keeping the boot fairly light!

The Bifida has a tough Vibram rubber outsole. Oil—and slip-resistant, this outsole reflects the spirit of the individual wearing it, the spirit that is never willing to give up, no matter the situation.

Brass eyelets give the boot strength when tightening it and a speed lace system makes the bifida easy to do up when time is in short supply.

Overall, this is a tough and comfortable boot, just like the SF requested. Garmont really came through. This is one of the most popular boots military-wide!

MERREL MQC 2.0

The upper of the MQC is made from suede and 1000D Cordura nylon. These materials give the boot a relative amount of water resistance and breathability.

With their proprietary Kinetic Fit Advanced removable contoured foam insole, these boots feel like you’re walking on air with pillows on your feet.

Some of the highest praise these boots get is for how comfortable they are and how light they are.

The boot generally fits true to size, so whatever size your regular shoes are, you can get the same in the Merrel MQC 2.0, which will fit well.

However, many users say that if you order down half a size, you’ll almost always go from a good-fitting boot to a GREAT-fitting boot.

DANNER TANICUS

The Danner Tanicus uses full-grain, rough-out leather combined with 1000D Cordura nylon for the upper. Rough out leather is known for how strong and durable it is.

Danner has used a polyurethane footbed to ensure the boot’s comfortability. Polyurethane ensures that it won’t break down over time and use.

The Tanicus features a cushioning layer in the midsole and a dampening heel cup for ultimate comfort. The Tanicus uses proprietary Danner Tanicus Rubber with a pentagonal lug pattern for the outsole.

The Danner Tanicus fits true to size, providing an athletic and supportive fit while providing ample room in the toe. For a correct fit, women should select 1.5 to 2 full sizes down.

Offering a specific heel shape that locks the heel in place for better fit and comfort on the back end of the boot, this supportive fit is ideal for those needing high mileage performance from their gear.

DANNER SCORCH MILITARY

The scorch military fits like a running shoe and is almost as light as one, at only 1.3 lbs. The upper is made from traditional rough-out leather and 1000D Cordura nylon.

The only parts of the upper made from leather are the heel, toe, and lace area. This provides great strength, abrasion, and water resistance in the areas of the boot that will suffer the greatest abuse.

The rest of the upper is textile, which helps to lighten the boot overall and adds great breathability and airflow.

The Scorch military’s Ortholite insole has three layers of varying density. Danner designed the insole to combine these three layers for maximum cushioning and support.

The boot’s comfort is further enhanced by the lightweight Plyolite midsole, which also increases its shock absorption.

The outsole is made from Danner Scorch Rubber, which is oil and slip-resistant. With the outsole being covered in deep lugs, the Scorch military will give you great traction in any terrain.

DANNER RIVOT TFX

The upper is made with Danner’s rough-out full-grain leather and 1000D Cordura Nylon. Danner has also treated the Rivot TFX to be fire-resistant!

The Spacer Mesh lining is excellent at letting your feet breathe, letting the heat from your feet escape the boot, and allowing air to flow through the boot to help keep you as comfortable as possible.

The Rivot TFX has a polyurethane insole and midsole that provide great cushioning and can mould to your foot for comfort.

The Vibram Rivot TFX outsole provides superior overall traction in rugged terrains with 360° pivot point lugs and strategically placed broad flat lugs.

Vibram Fire and Ice material compound is incorporated to maximize extreme temperature conditions.

The TERRA FORCE X platform provides lightweight, durable traction, heel-to-toe energy transfer, side support to enhance maneuverability, and arch overwork and fatigue protection.

PROPER SERIES 100

The Series 100 is an 8″ boot. The upper is made from Suede and 1000D Cordura Nylon. Although suede is not as durable as full-grain leather because it is not as thick, it is still very tough in its own right.

The suede, combined with 1000D nylon, adds breathability to the upper. The combination also allows for a tight fit around your feet and ankles, giving solid support on all terrains.

The PREMIUM MEMORY FOAM insoles provide optimal comfort for all-day wear. At the same time, the included FREE washable, removable fit inserts add an extra layer of cushion and shape to your feet for arch support and weight distribution.

The midsole is made from supportive and comfortable polyurethane, and the outsole is made from oil—and slip-resistant rubber.

The arch design of the sole is meant to resist wear and tear from ladders and fast-roping. The sole of the Series 100 was meant to keep on trucking no matter your task.

ROCKY S2V TACTICAL MILITARY

The Rocky S2V Tactical Military boots are a staple boot in American and Canadian militaries.

The upper of the S2V Tactical is made from a combination of rough-out leather and 1000D Cordura nylon. The rough-out leather makes the S2V Tactical extremely tough and durable.

The upper is also PTFE-coated for optimal flame resistance.

The Rocky Air-Port footbed cushions your foot and has perforations for airflow. An Aegis microbe shield on the footbed helps fight odour and bacteria.

The fibreglass shank supports the arch of your foot. In addition to this superior cushioning, the S2V has a polyurethane midsole for added cushioning and comfort.

The S2V comes with Proprietary high-walled Vibram soles aggressively designed to give you traction on any service. This aggressive sole is Rocky’s signature calling card, and it’s rare to find a meaner-looking boot

LOWA R-8S GTX PATROL

The Lowa R-8S GTX Patrol’s upper is made from Suede (Split Leather) combined with 1000D Cordua nylon. The split leather isn’t as tough as full leather, but it is still quite tough.

What the split leather gives up in toughness, it makes up for in comfort and the ability to mould to your foot. The 1000D nylon adds flexibility, toughness, and breathability to the boot, which is nice, as it has a Gore-tex lining.

The boot has a speed lace system with a lace-locking loop right at the ankle. The locking loop on the R-8S prevents your laces from slipping out and keeps your laces and the boot snug.

The ATC insole and DuraPU midsole offer superior comfort and stability. They feel like part of your feet and will make you forget you’re wearing them.

The R-8S GTX Patrol outsole features 5mm deep lugs for reliable traction on dirt and mud. It’s also slip-resistant, heat, fuel, and oil-resistant, and insulating against heat and cold.

BELLVILLE KHYBER TR-550 HW

The KHYBER TR-550’s upper is made of rough-out leather combined with 1000D Cordura nylon for maximum strength and some breathability.

The 1000D nylon is extremely strong and adds airflow to the boots, helping keep your feet cool in the hot summer months. The Leather web design adds stability and strength around your ankle.

The TR-550’s comfort and cushion are top-notch, thanks to the TR-1 Load-bearing Orthotic insole and polyurethane midsole. The insole also adds complete lateral arch support.

A critical component of any tactical boot is the heel cup, built into the midsole to prevent ankle injuries and maintain a secure, stable fit. The Bellville Khyber TR-550 HW comes with a solid anti-roll heel cup.

The exclusive Vibram IBEX rubber sole features rappelling bars to maximize lifespan, sharply angled lugs for increased traction, and well-defined heel grips to improve control.

It also has a deeply serrated toe bumper to assist with crawling and climbing. The sole is designed to be low-profile, increasing mobility and decreasing weight.

MCRAE HW TERASSAULT T-1

The Mcrae HW Terassault T-1’s upper is made of split leather suede and combined with 1000D Cordura Nylon. The Suede is tough and durable, giving the boot a long shelf life.

The addition of 1000D nylon gives the boot breathability and allows for extra airflow, which is ideal in arid climates. The Terassault also comes with Mcrae’s proprietary tendon relief dip in the back, which helps reduce fatigue and enhance mobility.

The Terassault upper also features nylon-coated brass drainage vents and perforated ankle protection pods that double as additional ventilation ports.

The boot comes standard with a speed lacing system above the ankle and Mcrae’s TeraLoc lace system, which lets you get your boots completely snug without the annoyance of having them loosen as you tighten them.

Mcrae and Vibram created the T-1 platform for the Terassault T-1. It is a proprietary, high-traction rubber outsole combined with a lightweight, low-density polyurethane midsole.

SALOMON GUARDIAN CSWP

The Guardian’s upper is made using Suede and 1000D Cordura Nylon. Suede is a split leather, which means it is naturally less tough than full-grain leather. You also gain flexibility, comfort, and a shorter break-in period.

The lining is twofold in the Guardian CSWP as it comes with a textile lining, a soft, breathable lining offering extreme comfort.

At the same time, it has Salomon’s ClimaSalomon waterproof full boot membrane. The ClimaSalomon waterproof membrane delivers complete waterproof protection but remains flexible and comfortable.

The Guardian comes with Salomon’s Molded OrthoLite Sockliner. This insole molds to match the exact contours of your foot and provides superior cushioning, breathability, and durability.

The Guardian also comes with Salomons SensiFit foam. The SensiFit foam cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system, providing a secure, snug, and virtually customized fit around the foot.

The outsole of the guardian is Salomon’s proprietary all-terrain Contagrip.

BELLEVILLE C320 ONE XERO

The C320 One Xero upper is made from extremely tough, rough-out leather and is combined with 1000D Cordura Nylon. The rough-out leather is around the foot and up the laces for maximum strength where the boot needs it most.

The rest of the upper is 1000D nylon, which makes the boot lighter and improves breathability and airflow. The nylon section also has nylon webbing.

The upper also has ventilation holes along the lower and rear of the boot for airflow and to lower dry time when wet.

The C320 One XERO’s insole is a removable single-density polyurethane. This, combined with the polyurethane midsole, gives the boot great comfort and stability as it conforms to the exact contours of your foot.

The Belleville C320 One Xero has teamed up with Vibram to use the exclusive Vibram Incisor design for maximum traction. It has 5mm deep lugs and a 100% rubber outsole that is slip, oil, and chemical resistant.

SALOMON QUEST 4D GTX

The Quest 4D GTX’s upper is made from full-grain Nubuck leather. Combined with the nubuck leather is 1000D nylon, which offers strength in its own right, as well as flexibility and breathability.

The Quest 4D GTX uses double-layered leather loops along the foot and a speed lace system above the ankle. At the top of the leather loops, Salomon’s proprietary lace lock system is also present.

The midsole combines foams with two different densities, providing superior cushioning, stability, and motion control.

The Quest 4D GTX uses Salomon’s 4D Advanced Chassis. This chassis construction harnesses midsole components for enhanced foot control and active comfort.

The Salomon Quest 4D GTX’s outsole uses Salomon’s aggressive Contagrip Rubber. With 5mm deep lugs, you’ll have incredible grip and stable footing on any terrain.

Check out my in-depth review of the Quest 4D “Salomon Quest 4D: The Boot of The Elite”.

BOOT BUYING GUIDE

When buying tactical boots, one must consider some key features—features that stand out above the rest as important and make one boot better than another.

Some of these features are very important if you’re in the military, law enforcement, or are a first responder, as they may affect whether you can wear them while on duty.

For those who aren’t in those professions, these features will set apart those worth your dime and those who aren’t. So, what are some of these key features to pay attention to?

KEY FEATURES

BRAND

Know some brands. This might seem silly, but I promise you it isn’t! There are some areas within retail where you pay a lot of money for a brand, but the quality is really no different than the cheap brands, and knockoffs.

When you buy these items, most of what you pay for is the name brand itself, not better quality products. You see this a lot these days with electronics, for example.

Tactical gear, however, is generally not an area where this is true. In the tactical gear genre, you get a wide separation between your bottom tier/cheaper brands and top tier/generally more expensive brands.

I have found this especially true for tactical boots, as I have owned boots from all over the spectrum. The bottom-tier boots do not hold up under strenuous, hard, violent use.

The stitching comes out, so the upper material tears apart. The eyelets tear apart and tear out, and the soles separate from the upper boots.

With top-tier boots made by top-tier companies, things like these are rarely an issue. They’re made better; they’re made stronger; they’re made more durable; they can take beating after beating and not fall apart on you.

They last longer, which means you buy boots less often, keeping more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. They’re more COMFORTABLE, so you can keep your feet in them for much longer if needed, and they won’t bother you.

You also DO NOT NEED TO BREAK the bank! Top brands quite often make boots with a lower price tag, but don’t worry—all the same effort and love goes into them!

A friendlier-priced boot from a top brand is better than an expensive boot from a bottom brand!

Know some good brands beforehand! Websites like mine, www.tacticalgearguy.com, and similar websites are great places to learn which brands are top-tier and worth your money.

COMFORTABILITY

The world’s warfighters deserve comfy boots, too(probably even more, if you ask me). Your feet will be in these boots for hours on end!

Whether you’re in an urban environment on smooth pavement, out in the field humping 150 lbs up the side of a mountain or stalking a bear through the woods, your feet need to be comfy in your boots.

If you have boots that pinch your heels, rub and create hot spots, or are too tight around the top of your foot, creating pressure on your bone, life will be miserable! A strong, thick sole, cushioned midsole and inner lining are a must!

Comfortable boots are extremely important, as they free you up to focus on what’s most important: the mission at hand. They prevent you from getting bogged down by the trivial and becoming a casualty of your own making.

UPPER BOOT

The upper boot is the section of the boot from the sole up. It is one of the two main parts of the boot that will suffer the greatest abuse while you’re wearing it and is the most likely part to start showing wear and tear.

For these reasons, the upper must be strong and durable.

There was a time in history when tactical boots were made entirely of leather, but these days, they are almost always made with a combination of leather and textile fabrics.

You’ll see two basic types of leather on tactical boots: Top-Grain (made from the outer layer of the cow’s hide) and Split-Grain (made from the inner layer of the cow’s hide).

Top-grain leather is also known as Roughout leather, flesh-out cattle hide, Nubuck, and full-grain leather. It is generally stronger, tougher, and more durable than split-grain leather.

It has greater inherent water resistance than split grain and holds on well to water-resistant treatments. Being thicker, though, means it can be a bit stiffer, a little less flexible, and will take a little more effort to break in.

Split-grain leather can also be called suede. Although strong, tough, and durable, it isn’t as good in any of those areas as top-grain leather.

Split-grain leather is thinner and more pliable than top-grain leather. It’ll be less stiff and easier to break in than a top-grain boot.

The textile part of tactical boots will generally be Cordura nylon between 600D and 1000D. The higher the number, the better the nylon, as it is much tougher and much more durable.

Quality boots made by quality companies (like the boots in this article) will almost exclusively use 1000D Cordura Nylon. Adding these textiles makes the boots much lighter, which is a huge tactical advantage.

Textiles also allow tactical boots to be more breathable and form-fitting, allowing for a much more snug and comfortable fit.

BOOT LINING

The boot lining is the surface inside the upper section of the boot that will sit against your socks and skin.

Boots are divided into two general categories, and depending on which category you choose, you’ll get several different types of lining.

These two categories are Hot-Weather or Arid Boots and Cold-Weather/Wet-Weather Boots. Each category of boot will have a lining suited to its intended environment of use.

Hot Weather / Arid boots generally have some form of mesh, moisture-wicking textile lining. This style of lining focuses on keeping feet dry.

It’ll help to wick away moisture, such as sweat, created by your feet in the boot. This will keep your feet dry and prevent your foot from rubbing and slipping inside the boot, which can lead to hot spots and blisters.

It also lets water that may come in from the outside, such as rain, drain easier, so your feet dry faster.

This material is also breathable, allowing your feet to stay as cool as possible, again preventing hot spots and blisters. It allows air to flow through the boot to help dispel the hot air inside.

Cold-weather and wet-weather boots are insulated with heat-retaining or water-repelling material.

There is some crossover in these materials. For example, GTX, which is meant to keep your feet dry, also adds heat retention to your boots, but it isn’t as good as Thinsulate, which is meant specifically for heat retention, and vice versa.

Gore-tex or GTX is hands down the main water-repellent lining in tactical boots. It effectively keeps feet dry and happy in cold and wet environments.

I love my Lowa Zephyrs, but if it’s going to be chilly or wet out, whether I’m working or hunting, I go for my Lowa R-8S GTX Patrol boots. That GTX just cannot be beat.

Boots focused more specifically on cold weather generally come lined with Thinsulate, Polartec, or Primaloft. All are very good options for keeping feet warm in frigid winter conditions.

Cold-weather boots are a great second pair to own and throw on when needed. From my personal experience, Thinsulate seems to be the most common.

The Tactical Research Khyber TR550WPINS are a great example of cold-weather insulated boots.

LACING EYELETS

When you do up your tactical boot, you pull your laces as tight as possible to get a snug fit. I can speak from experience!

Unless I’m popping out of my tent in the middle of the night, I always put on my boots as tight as possible. I never want my feet slipping around in my boots, especially not before I head out for a 20-mile march.

Because you are doing your boots up tight and constantly pulling hard on the laces, a common spot for boots to break down is the eyelets.

For this reason, you want your boots to have strong nylon-coated brass eyelets! The metal reinforcing the nylon of the upper provides much greater strength than the nylon of the boot alone.

Your boot should have a good, solid speed lacing system from your ankle up. Most high-quality boots have exactly that, though they can look slightly different from one company to the next.

The speed lacing system will prove very handy when you get bumped and need to put on your boots quickly (believe me)!

Another kind of eyelet is used on some high-quality boots but is seen much less. This is a loop of 1000D Cordura Nylon, found on boots such as the Lowa Zephyrs and the Salomon Quest 4Ds.

Both have pros and cons; one is not necessarily better than the other. With the brass eyelets, the eyelets themselves are stronger and won’t tear, however it’s actually the nylon upper the brass is attached to that will tear.

The nylon loops will tear before the boot’s upper does. It will come down to personal choice, but most top-tier boot companies use brass eyelets.

BOOT HEIGHT

This is a very important feature for military personnel, as we have to wear boots that meet certain height criteria. Those criteria would be 8″ in the US military and 8″ or 6″ in the Canadian military.

If you’re an avid outdoorsman who loves hunting, hiking, or mountain climbing, the higher 8″ boot will give you added ankle support, stability, and moisture protection in tall, damp foliage.

There’s always a trade-off. The higher the boot, the more support but less mobility. The lower the boot, the less support but more mobility.

This is why special forces often use 6″ or lower boots and hiking shoes; speed and mobility are their assets!

BOOT WEIGHT

The weight of your boots can be a very important factor, depending on the general activity you’ll be doing while wearing them.

If you’re a clerk or other desk jockey in the military or if you’re part of a reconnaissance unit, you’ll want a fairly light pair of boots.

Boots that won’t weigh you down and won’t feel overly heavy after wearing them all day, or boots that let you step lightly and move quickly and quietly.

A heavier, tougher boot will suit you better if you’re a regular grunt or just someone who hikes, camps, climbs, and explores.

Boot weight is very task-dependent, so know what you’ll use them mainly for and select based on that.

TOE PROTECTION

Most tactical boots are plain-toed, or in other words, they have no toe box protection. This is good because hard-toed boots tend to rub and scrape your toes in the field for marching, hiking, and the like.

However, tactical boots are made with composite and steel toes to meet the needs of the many serving military members who function in a vital support role working on and around heavy machinery, keeping the big war machine moving.

Two great tactical work boots with toe protection are the Belleville 550 ST 8” USMC and the Bates Ranger li Composite Tactical Boot.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Feet are very important, and therefore, our footwear is very important. A good pair of tactical boots is vital to every soldier and every adventurer.

Even though some gear is fine to maybe go a bit cheaper on or get a knockoff brand, boots are not one of those pieces of gear.

Take care of your feet, and they will take care of you.