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Posted: 5/31/2014 4:45:06 PM EDT
| Looking for a good pair of 6-8" side zip boots for rugged outdoor use... Currently looking at 5.11 Atacs but I really prefer a boot in a derker brown color and tactical looking.... Don't want to spend more than $130 |
| I use the 5.11 atacs for work (EMS), they are nice comfortable boots and I enjoy the waterproof version of the even more. I have to replace mine every year and a half to two years because the soles start to fall apart. This is from walking on everything from concrete to sand. A buddy of mine at work uses his for hiking and loves them. I would say they are not a bad starter boot but there are better boots made just for rugged use. |
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I am a user and would req. the Rocky Duty boot any time, VERY Comfy, light, water proof {for the most part}
THESE Boots |
| I got a pair of Converse on sale at LA Police gear last year for $39 with the side zip and composite toes. I wear them almost everyday and they have held up well. I LOVE the side zip for conveniece. I am in and out of the house a lot and it is effortless to take them on and off. I have not adjusted the ties since I first put them on. I am up trees and climbing thru rocks and rubble and plenty of support. |
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Two types of side-zip boots: Ones with laces on the front, and those without. Of the two, the lace-on-front are preferred, because they can be tailored to the user. HUGE difference in comfort/wearability.
Problem with zippers is they they WILL fail. Count on it. The dirtier the environment, the more mud they encounter, the less the life of the zipper. If the zipper is sewed-in to the side of the boot, it's not easily fixable. Now, then, there are zippers that can be substituted for laces on the front of the boot. Same zipper drawbacks, and no lacing to accommodate the user's unique foot/ankle/lower leg, but at least the zippers are user replaceable. Buy more than one pair, if your boots will last. Note that there are different combat boots, with different number of eyelets, Make SURE to match the zipper inserts with the correct number of eyelets on your boots. Installing the inserts was a significant lacing-up PITA, but the savvy user could get a pretty good simulation of a lace-up. a significant PITA over and above the initial installation The front zipper inserts were originally made for boots with conventional eyelets. No idea if such inserts are compatible with the modern "barrel" style lacing system. Last time I used zipper fronts was in a set of black, leather 1970's vintage GI combat boots. I tossed-out the zippers with the un-resoleable boots. YMMV. FWIW, I use GI nylon "Accessory cord" for laces nowadays, http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=21. No sense in wasting 50 cord, and the Acc cord does just fine, and is lighter on the feet. An ounce on the feet is worth many ounces on the body. |
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