Best Duty Boots – reviews of top 3

This is our 10th update in the category of police duty tactical boots. Although the last one didn’t bring any significant changes in the ranking or the ratings, this update is quite a doozy. In all our years of making SoleLabz what it is today, we’ve rarely seen a tie at the very top. And seeing a tie in two consecutive updates almost never happens. We’ll here we are, with just that happening in this category.

To be specific, UA Valsetz RTS and 5.11 ATAC Storm are still the top-rated – both of them rated at 92/100.

(Last updated: March 2019)

We have fail-safe mechanisms and tiebreakers, but these two models were just too evenly matched. They’re joined by a new arrival, Danner Tachyon, which replaced Maelstrom TAC FORCE.

Before we move on to the individual reviews, here is a concise list of top best rated law-enforcement tactical boots:

TOP 3 police duty boots

Model & Ratings	Check current price
UA Valsetz RTS
5.11 ATAC Storm
Danner Tachyon Duty GTX

For those of you who are just finding about Sole Labz, here’s what to expect in the reviews of each police boot:

• Quick look at the specs provided by the manufacturer
• Customer feedback, the positives and negatives
• Overall Rating (10 categories) – based on the reviews of the users and our featured testers, we rate the boots in 10 different categories (like comfort, materials quality, true to size, durability…) and the average rating is what we call the SL Overall Rating (the 9.2 for the boots above)

With that out of the way, we can finally take a peek at the inner works of every model.

Under Armour Valsetz RTS Tactical Duty Boots – digest review

Fact sheet of the RTS duty boot :

• Lightweight/durable uppers made of Synthetic leather paired with textile
• UA ClutchFit System for additional ankle support
• DWR upper is water-resistant
• Toe wrap made of thermal polyurethane for extra toe protection
• The foot is completely surrounded by a film made of polyurethane that offers high resistance to abrasions
• 7” high
• Ortholite insoles are also anti-microbial
• TPU shanks
• Ultra-light mid-soles
• Low profile out-sole lugs made of rubber

Positive user & tester reviews of the boot:

• I work in Washington DC as a police officer, and Valsetz RTS is the most comfortable duty boot I wore in my 7 years on the job
• When I retired from the Marine Corps and became a police officer, I took my favorite duty boots with me. They’re much lighter than any other police tactical boots I’ve ever tried without sacrificing protection and support
• I was on the bubble whether I should buy these or not, but when I saw Under Armour gives lifetime warranty for all their boots they quickly became a no-brainer
• Great boots if you have to spend most of the shift on your feet. I used to wear Bates, but Valsetz makes them seem like heavy-duty boots. I can run in these, jump, maneuver faster… They’re the complete package
• It’s like I can wear my running shoes to work every day. The whole structure gives met a lot of padding and cushion, and I feel like my feet are securely locked in position every time I put them o
• Wearing boots during summer months is not fun at all. Tactical boots are generally pretty breathable, but all that pales in comparison with the ventilation Valsetz offers
• I’ve had any foot problem in the book, plantar fasciitis being the most painful one by far. Chronic heel pain really made it difficult to pick the right pair of duty boots. These were a very pleasant surprise, however. They have a very comfortable and flexible heel area, so they’ve, at least, mitigated my problems to an extent
• These helped me solve my problems with blisters. The most critical area were the heels. No matter what I did or what kind of socks I wore, there were always some rubbing in that part signaling blisters to start popping up. Valsetz moves as one with my feet, takes care of any perspiration on the inside and simply prevents blistering
• I work in a pretty nasty neighborhood, and my feet paid the price of all those chases, long hours, continuous standing… My ankles feel busted, and knees are killing me every morning. It’s just now that I realize that wrong duty boots were to blame for the most part. I’ve bought these after a colleague of mine recommended them, and I feel like a new man. They’re the logical choice if you want to get away with taking your sneakers to work
• The soles latch onto the ground like there’s no tomorrow. I’ve walked and ran over slippery and wet surfaces without even knowing it
• I used to recommend people to hike exclusively wearing trail runners. Heavy hiking boots were always a huge no-no for me, but then I’ve found Valsetz. They’re basically as if Under Armour took the most comfortable sneakers and added a little height and protection to them. Super comfortable, sturdy and protective at the same time
• The looks definitely matches the aggressive style Under Armour has going on

Some things the customers didn’t like:

• These are not winter boots by any stretch of the imagination. They’ll hold their own against a lot of things standing in your way, but snow and heavy rains are not among them
• They keep my feet dry provided I don’t literally stand in an ankle-deep puddle for half an hour. They get pretty squeaky when I get them wet and walk over smooth surfaces
• These make one great pair of duty boots. I’ve considered buying another pair for home use, but the color choices are practically non-existent
• They’re not completely waterproof

Overall rating

5.11 A.T.A.C. 8” Side-Zip Boots

Basic specs:

• Leather upper mixed with fabric patches
• Man-made sole
• Panels on the sides made from 12 thousand denier Cordura nylon
• Concealed side pocket
• Drilex lining is anti-microbial
• Triple stitching
• Grip in prone position

Quotes from the positive reviews:

• The size is exactly what it says on the size chart
• I don’t see much difference in comfort and weight when I put these on after wearing my running sneakers. ATAC definitely provides more support, but that’s it. It’s the first pair of duty boots I’m not desperately waiting to take off when I get home
• The zipper really saves time on a larger scale. It also seems pretty tough and durable
• I really like tactical boots with side zippers, but my internal brace doesn’t make things any easier. The zipper has to be really sturdy to survive with me, and these have one just like that.
  It’s been months since I bought them, and the zipper doesn’t even think about tapping out
• I can walk for miles in these without a single blister to show for it. They’re very comfortable and more lightweight than they look
• The “waterproof” part isn’t just for show when it comes to these boots. I handle k9s in law enforcement, and we had an action a couple of weeks ago. We were chasing after some guys through the middle of the forest. I don’t have to tell you about the conditions. Wet grass, puddles everywhere, mud… Long story short, my feet were bone-dry once we finally caught up with them and brought them in. Great boots, definitely recommend them
• The support is quite good if you have fleet feet like me. They’ve given my feet extra juice, so to speak, by stopping them from getting sore and tired all the time
• I’ve had them for nearly a year now, and their performance made me write my first review ever. The outsoles are still without any signs of wear, even though I’ve given them quite a beating doing construction work. They’re simply a well thought through and put together. The feel is solid, and I don’t think we’ll part ways in a long time
• The biggest selling point for me when it comes to these tactical duty boots were all the reviews I’ve read online. The grand majority stated they were super lightweight, which I absolutely agree with now that I got them. They feel almost weightless and haven’t been a huge drain on my energy like my previous 3 pairs
• Before getting 5.11 ATAC duty boots every night I got home I had a feeling like my feet are about to fall off. A whole day of walking, running and standing were so taxing on my knees and ankles I was getting desperate to find a boot that’s comfortable and supportive but also flexible. Durability is one more thing I’ll mention since I can’t afford changing boots every month on my salary as a police officer
• They’re great for everyday patrolling but also fieldwork. Whatever the terrain, they can handle it. They give me a good feeling of what I’m stepping on, but also a proper amount of protection. My best proof of quality was when I stepped on a jagged rock the other day, and it left no trace on the outsole, not to mention my foot

CONs:

• I don’t see the point of this hidden pocket. It’s not like I’m gonna keep my handcuffs keys in there, and keeping a knife or something defensive in the pocket on your boot doesn’t sound like a valid self-defense plan either. In other words, boots are good, but the pocket is pretty much useless
• Resoling these is not an option due to the construction
• Some people find the laces to be too long. When I’m done lacing the boots I’m left with about an inch that I need to put somewhere. When I tuck them inside, they leave a bulge under garment, which just looks unprofessional and sloppy
• The insoles are somewhat of a weak link with the 5.11 ATAC. You might need to add a more “giving” insole if you’re working 10-hour days.

Overall rating break-down

Danner Tachyon 8″ GTX Duty Boots

The info Danner shared on the boot:

• The upper is made by combining full-grain leather and Denier nylon (500)
• The upper features GTX membrane and nylon shank
• Speed lacing system featuring brass hardware
• EVA midsole under polyurethane open-cell footbed
• Tachyon outsole,  slip-resistant (durable rubber)

Favorable user reviews:

• All the reviews of these duty boots I’ve read said they’re feather-light. What I didn’t expect, though, is so much comfort and support. They really exceeded all my expectations
• They’re true to size, which was always my first concern when I order online. It doesn’t matter is they’re the best duty boots in the world if I have to hunt for my size
• Tachyon can go head to head with my previous duty boots whose price tag said 50% more money. Great value for the price
• I was looking for a pair of boots that would be comfortable for my marathon shifts. I’m talking 10-12 hours of beating the curb. A couple of my colleagues recommended Danner Tachyon, and I went for it since I didn’t try them before. I can tell you they were a revelation. Comfortable and light but supportive and sturdy. They keep my feet comfortable whole day every day
• They’re just water-resistant enough for my needs. I won’t submerge them under water or anything like that; I just needed them to repel some morning due and occasional light rain, and they do it like champs
• Very flexible compared to other duty boots I had. They follow the movement of my feet perfectly and add a lot of cushion and padding into the mix
• Until a couple of years ago I could wear pretty much anything during my shift, and there wouldn’t be much difference. I could’ve tied two bricks to my feet and still sprint. I’ve had a heel injury in the meantime and even developed a bunion. Needless to say. That changed things a bit. Now I need the best duty boots my salary can afford, and Danner Tachyon would be it. They’re comfortable and cradle my feet in just the right way. I’m able to do my job today mostly because I’ve decided to go with online reviews and give them a shot
• This is my 3rd Danner boot, I wouldn’t change brands for anything in the world. I did own the praised Acadia but it was too sturdy for every-day duty. Bottom line – I think, for police officers, Danner is the best brand by far and there’s no better model than the Tachyon GTX
• I’m a picky freak when it comes to boots I’ll wear for work. I’ve been burning through combat boots like a hot knife through butter over the years, and these are the best I’ve come up so far. Perfect balance of price and quality provided
• The traction on these Danner boots is excellent for wet and slippery asphalt. I’m a city cop, so I don’t have rocky or muddy terrains to cross, but snow and ice are a genuine problem. They’ve kept me stable and sure-footed in all the scenarios I’ve put them through so far. My sincere recommendation

Critical reviews shared by the users:

• They don’t have enough arch support for me. I had to buy additional insoles, but that solved the problem
• Yes, they can be polished, but it takes ages to get that first shine just the way I want it. Once you get through that initial barrier, though, it gets much easier, and they hold the shine exceptionally well
• I’ve been using them for a week, and I can already see some stitching becoming undone. I’ll contact the company and ask for a replacement. I hope I just got the faulty pair of boots rather than this being a general practice

Final Ratings of the Tachyon GTX Duty:

Final thoughts on the best tac boots for law enforcement officers

Well, we’ve just witnessed something that doesn’t happen very often. Under Armour and 5.11 ending up in a tie for this update of best duty boots. All the boots that were in the competition had so many hoops to jump through that tying it, in the end, is almost impossible, but it happens as we can see. The Tachyon is also one of the more budget-friendly options out there – you can see the full list of cheap police boots here.

We also can’t say that Danner Tachyon came out of nowhere. There’s a lot of data you don’t get to see concerning models that didn’t make the cut in any particular update. Tachyon was eyeballing that 3rd spot for some time now.

We at SoleLabz are always glad to see a vicious battle at the top, but we also like to see some fresh contenders climbing the ladder. We have no doubts you like to see new arrivals as well.

So, this update had it all. There was a lot of data to work with to get to the TOP 3 choices among police duty/law enforcement boots. It’ not easy choosing, it never was. But, with time we improved our rating model and increased the volume of data we have on each pair, we’re more cat ease with the recommendations that we make.

Things change and pretty much every few months we see something new, whether in terms of design, new durable/comfortable materials in the tactical arena to the price adjustments. We’re making sure that we stay on top of it all and keep our choices relevant. We pay special attention to balancing out the factors like comfort as a whole-day wear to how well they perform while running.

If you got this far in the text, please do share your questions or thoughts – whether general or specific, whether about our picks or unrelated experiences. We often have giveaways and, we typically choose the giftee among our testers and people who commented with useful stuff.

Stay safe and comfortable

Last updated: March 2019