The 5 Best Duty and Tactical Boots of 2024
Keep your feet comfortable no matter the situation
You always want your gear to be comfortable and functional, no matter what it is whether that be a plate carrier or tactical helmet, all the way down to your socks and shoes. That’s right, whether you are out in the field, hiking through rugged terrain, pitching tents in random areas, running for cover in a survival situation, or kicking down doors to engage enemies in close quarters, what you have on your feet matters, and we are not talking about just your socks, we mean your boots.
The boots you choose can be a real game changer when it comes to training or real life missions that involve a lot of moving around and different terrains. That being said, finding the best duty boots is a crucial aspect of your kit, so what are the best options out there?
To make it easy to find, we have compiled a list of the 5 best duty boots of 2024, so let’s dive in.
What to Look for in duty boots
To begin, we should address what to look for in the best duty boots, as there are a few key things that you will want to consider when shopping. You don’t want to just buy the cheapest option, as you wouldn’t do that with a bulletproof vest or a backpack, you want quality. For one, you want boots that are reliable, meaning they won’t fall apart on you after a little bit of wear and tear, or getting hit with some debris. They need to be able to handle rough terrain, but also be good when maneuvering through close quarters.
Another important thing to look for with duty boots is something that is breathable and comfortable, but not too loose. If they are too loose, you run the risk of getting injured, but also the risk of being downright clumsy, which is not good when you are on assignment or hiking through the wilderness. Have you ever tried to run with loose shoes? It doesn’t work. However, while you want a pair of boots that are comfortable, they also need to be breathable, as many times your boots will tend to trap in the heat, and having your feet soaked with sweat is certainly less than ideal and can even cause health issues.
Finally, you need duty boots that are protective. They don’t need to be bulletproof, though that would be nice, but they need to be protective enough to keep you safe from other elements such as cold, hot, wet, heavy objects falling on your feet, and so on. That being said, let’s dive into our choices for the best duty boots of 2024.
The Best Duty Boots Overall
The best duty boots overall are going to be good for everything you can imagine, which is hiking, rucking, hunting, police, or military work.
Rocky S2V Predator
The Rocky S2Vs are a well known duty boot within the tactical gear community. They are simple, and effective, and provide a good bang for your buck as they are cheaper than more premium brands, yet still deliver a great performance.
The Rocky S2Vs come in black and tan, provide good traction, are water resistant, and have 9” ankles, so your risk of rolling an ankle is at a minimum, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen, and you should always have a first aid kit handy. The soles are made of Vibram, which is the best rubber outsole you can get, and aside from being waterproof, the Rocky S2Vs are flame resistant. They are crafted from leather and 1000D Cordura Nylon, and to put that in simple terms, that is some of the toughest fabric on the market, meaning you can put these duty boots through trials and tribulations, and still have them for a long time.
Overall, the Rocky S2Vs are simple and versatile, which is why they easily make the list for the best duty boots overall.
Price: $155.52-$199.95
Best Duty Boots for Operators
As an operator, your boot selection has to be precise. You need something that is lightweight, reliable, provides ankle support, comfort, and protection, as you never know what you will be facing, and the Salomon Quest 4D Forces do just that.
Salomon Quest 4D Forces
Crafted from anti-debris mesh and nubuck leather, the Salomon Quest 4D Forces are duty boots specifically made for the military. They have 6” ankle height, which is enough support to keep you protected, but makes them lightweight enough for you to be quick and clean on your mission. They also have closed lace eyelets that won’t interfere with MFF or fast roping, and the 4D Chassis gives the same support as a mountain boot but still has the flexibility to kneel or sprint to a target.
The 4D Forces duty bopots closely resemble the design used in standard issue tactical boots, and have been proven and tested in the field by actual operators on deployments.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for the best duty boots for operators, the Salomon Quest 4D Forces are your best bet.
Price: $248.08
Best Affordable Tactical Boots
It is no secret that things are expensive right now, and if you are someone who likes to spend your money on other aspects of your kit like night vision goggles or radios, then maybe duty boots are something that you choose to be a little more frugal with. That being said, the 5.11 A.T.A.C 8” boots are great tactical boots that will not break the bank.
5.11 A.T.A.C 8”
Though they are not the most aesthetically pleasing options for duty boots, they still do a pretty good job for the price. It is not recommended to take them out on a deployment as they are not built for extreme terrains or climates, but instead these are more for urban scenarios and indoor conditions, so your CQB training could benefit from these boots.
The Chinese made A.T.A.C boots have a tactical knife pocket on the side that is big enough for foldable EDC knives, but not much more than that. These tactical boots are lightweight and breathable, but not the most durable option.
The main takeaway here is that if you are looking for a good set of duty boots, maybe watching your budget is not the best option if you want a pair that are effective.
Price: $120.00-150.00
Best Water Resistant Duty Boots
When you are out in the field, there is always the chance of getting your feet wet, literally. Whether it be rainy conditions, or footing it through a source of water, you do not want to be left with soaking wet feet all day, so finding water resistant duty boots is a good idea, and the Thorogood Gen-Flex2 Jump Boot is a great option.
Thorogood Gen-Flex2
With a classic army jump boot design, the Thorogood Gen-Flex2s are reliable and keep your feet dry in any kind of weather. These boots are crafted from full-grain leather, and built to last for a very long time. The one downside is breathability, which is pretty much nonexistent with these boots, so if you are in a hotter climate, a nylon duty boot is a better option.
However, for the colder weather or wet conditions, the Gen-Flex2s are a great option.
Price: $149.95
Best Duty Boots for Running
A scenario where you are running is where you especially do not want your duty boots to fail you or weigh you down. For a lightweight yet reliable boot, the Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX might be the best duty boots for running.
Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX
With 4” ankle height and a lightweight design, these duty boots provide protection as well as speed, two things that can come in handy at any time. The Salomon XA feels like regular tennis shoes on your feet, as they are made from mostly nylon and have moisture wicking lining, perfect for breathability especially in hotter conditions. Another plus of these duty boots is that they include Gore-Tex fabric, making them waterproof.
While they are designed for speed, they cannot handle longer treks and rough terrain as much. That being said, choose wisely.
Price: $N/A
Training
All that being said, picking out the best duty and tactical boots is worthless if you are not training with them. Tactical training is largely important, as it helps to get you used to your gear. Think about it, your firearm is going to be a foreign object to you if you are placed in a situation where you need it, but have never fired it. The same goes for gear like your duty boots. If you do not train in them and break them in, you’ll have a hard time adjusting when you need them most, and that can be a life or death situation.
If you are looking for other training courses to get used to your gear like your boots, then check out Core Vision Training. Whether you want medical or close quarters, or even some night vision courses, Core Vision Training has it all. In order to be a well rounded individual that knows how to survive and win in multiple different environments, scenarios, and more, then these courses could be your new best friends. Core Vision also offers different fitness programs for you to choose from, so when you are out in the field and need to maneuver with all of your gear on, you won’t be out of breath too quickly.
Best Duty and tactical Boots Wrap Up
Overall, finding the best duty and tactical boots can make or break your performance, but there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing. Take everything you can into consideration, and choose wisely.
Do you agree with our list of best duty boots?
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Images courtesy of Amazon and Survival Mag