Best police tactical boots – reviews of TOP 3

This is the 5th update in the best police tactical boots category, and I’ll just say it right off the bat. This category looks frozen in time if you ask us.

The list of our winners was the same, ever since we introduced police footwear as a line of interest for SoleLabz, and it doesn’t look like it’s changing anytime soon.

We still have Bates GX-8 on top, and you can just take a peek at almost 500 user reviews on Amazon to get the whole picture. Police officers LOVE this boot, and it looks cemented on the throne for now. It’s followed closely by 5.11 ATAC and Under Armour Speed Freek. The way things are looking, this is one of the rare categories where Under Armour doesn’t have the lead.

We’ve been busy ants since the last update and spent these two months researching new customer reviews, revisiting the reports from our featured testers and contacting more than 200 people who bought these police work boots. Although the standings stay the same, we’ve dug up a bunch of new material in the meantime.

So, let’s take a quick look at our winners so we can go in-depth and see all the new goodies we have for you.

Here are the TOP 3 pairs we mentioned:

Picture	Model	Rating
	Bates GX-8 Ultra Lites	95 / 100
	5.11 Storm	92 / 100
	UA Speed Freek	90 / 100

Now we can get cracking on specific digest reviews.

Bates GX-8 8” Ultra-Lites GTX Tactical Boots

Product specs:

• Waterproof leather upper with nylon patches
• Rubber sole
• EVA midsole
• The outsole is slip-resistant and made of rubber
• Cement construction

New positive customer experiences:

• The price is completely proportionate to the quality these boots provide
• I’ve seen combat in various conditions during my previous employment. I’m talking mountainous, tropical, jungle, desert, just to name a few. This boot was my personal choice then and also now that I’m in law enforcement. It’s extremely comfortable and able to withstand a ton of abuse. Huge recommendation from this old dog
• They fit to size 100% and provide extra tight feel due to their length. I prefer 8” police duty boots because of the size I wear, and these fit the bill there as well
• These police combat boots weigh around 22 ounces a piece, which is pretty light for 8-inch footwear
• They give all the support my busted ankles need in order for me to function properly. My whole foot seems well supported and locked tightly within the boot
• I’m wearing Bates for more than 12 years, and they never disappoint. I first bought them back when I was a firefighter and remained faithful to the brand up to this day. They’re so comfortable and offer great protection no matter the tough spot I put them in. Best boots for police officers in my opinion
• I wear them 16 hours a day on average. They’re completely waterproof as far as I’ve tested them, but well ventilated and last forever. This is my third pair of Bates GX-8 ever since I’ve started out in the law enforcement, which was some 15 years ago
• I use these for my practices in the gym as well as my duty boots. They’re very comfortable for walking and running plus, they look awesome in the gym
• I wore them even without socks during the summer, and they still felt great
• I work as a security officer, and Bates GX-8 are great for standing still for hours. They’ve really helped with the pain in my knees, back and back
• This is the first side-zip model where zipper actually does the job. It’s pretty tough and slides up and down without any difficulties
• 5 years later, I’ve had to replace my original pair of Bates GX-8. They’ve been through some serious abuse, and they’ve still held up for half a decade. I’m a paramedic, and I wore them in heat and cold, rain and snow. They’re very comfortable and kept the water out flawlessly
• They’re so lightweight and comfortable; they almost feel like regular sneakers. I also like the overall tight feel they give me. They’re super easy to put on and off, and without the zipper being flimsy like with my previous duty boots
• I’m a correction officer, and these are my service boots of choice! Besides being the most comfortable and lightweight police work boots out there, they’re also very easy to polish, and they keep shine very well
• The laces are very strong, and they have much harder toe than my old Danner boots, meaning more protection
• The grip is like glue, and they keep my feet warm and comfortable all winter long

Some of the newly reported critical reviews:

• It’s a perfect pair of police combat boots, but they are a bit pricey for my budget
• The eyelets are pretty challenging to put the laces through. They should definitely be wider
• For the first couple of days, the heel was somewhat uncomfortable

Overall rating

5.11 A.T.A.C. Storm Men’s Side-Zip Tactical boots

Basic info:

• Leather and fabric upper
• Man-made sole
• Side panels are made of 1.2k-denier Cordura nylon
• Concealed side pocket
• Anti-microbial Drilex lining
• The grip in prone position
• Triple stitching

The PROs:

• The leather parts on the sides and toes take polish quite well. I get that professional, mirror-shine look in no time and without any fancy glossing creams
• These boots are simply indestructible! They’ve been through hell and back with me, and they’re still going strong
• The sizes are exactly as stated in the size chart. I’ve always had my reservations when it comes to ordering police footwear online, but there’s no reason for concern with 5.11 boots
• My internal braces are such a stress-factor on the zippers, but no such problems here. The boots accommodate them without any problems and remain comfortable and spacious. The zippers doesn’t give me any hard time whatsoever, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice
• These boots have excellent traction. I’ve dragged them through mud, dirt, wet grass, over rocks and gravel, and they always gave me a secure feeling and steady steps
• In my line of work a good pair of light waterproof boots is a must and the GX-8 is, so far, everything I’m looking for in a duty boot
• This is my first pair of police work boots with zippers, and they really save me a bunch of time on tying the laces
• I also use them for hiking, and they’re awesome for longer trails. I’ve walked around 6 miles this weekend, and my feet never got tired or sore, not to mention I’m blister-free ever since I got them
• The waterproof lining really does its job. We’ve had two river crossings, this time around, and my feet remained completely dry. They’re also very warm during the winter with a pair of thick hiking cocks
• There’s enough space inside the toecap, so I don’t stub my toes on every minor descent
• I have flat feet, and the support these boots give me is what keeps me going through my marathon shifts. I work 10+ hours every day, most of it in constant motion, and the support and comfort of 5.11 ATAC prevent my feet from getting sore and swelled up, which was regular happening with all three pairs of police combat boots I’ve owned
• The outsoles are very hard and durable. There’s been a year since I’ve bought them, and it’s still without any trace of wear. I’ve been wearing them every work day so far and will write an update to this report as we go on
• It’s a very well put together piece of police footwear. They give me a solid feel with every step, but they’re still lightweight and very supportive
• I use them for construction work, and they’re the best construction work boots I’ve had so far. They’re comfortable alright, but they’re also very hard and rugged, so I can put my mind into my work without constantly thinking if my flimsy boots will get my feet pierced or squashed, or whatever…
• My previous heavy work boots were such daily drain on my energy. Protection is one thing, but having to tug two blocks of concrete around is definitely not a fun experience. These feel like my running shoes, but they keep my feet safe and secure as well. Perfect combo!
• These perform like champs, no matter the terrain. I can use them for everything, from working out and patrolling the streets to some serious fieldwork. I have a good picture of what I’m stepping on, but my feet are properly protected at all times. Great buy and a great pair of police work boots

The CONs:

• I don’t really get the point of this side pocket! It’s practically useless! I work in the law enforcement, and I can’t really come up with a purpose for it. I’m not even considering keeping my handcuffs key in it or even some self-defense tool. It’s simply not practical, so my only downside is the pocket basically
• It’s pretty much impossible to resole them due to the construction the manufacturer opted for
• My only complaint is that the laces are way too long for a fully professional look. They always make a bulge, no matter how carefully I tuck them in. I’ve resolved the problem by simply buying a new pair
• The boots are awesome, save for the insoles. They are far less durable than the rest of the boot. They’ve pretty much fallen apart after six months or so. I do abuse them a lot, to be honest, but still… That being said
• I’ve bought DR. Sholl’s insoles and popped them in. It works like a charm

The Category and final ratings:

Under Armour Speed Freek Men’s Tactical Boots

Specs provided by Under Armour:

• Synthetic upper
• 100 percent waterproof GTX lining allows perspiration to escape and keeps your feet completely dry
• Extra protection/durability provided by waterproof and lightweight pigskin overlays
• Push-through outsoles protect your feet from hazards in rugged terrains without flexibility sacrifice
• Thermoplastic polyurethane abrasion-resistant protective toe cap provides extra durability/ toe protection
• EVA midsole is lightweight and gives added shock absorption and cushioning

Pleasant user experiences with “The Freek”:

• I’d expect more bulk and heavier weight from GTX boot, but nope! UA Speed Freek is definitely one of the lightest waterproof tactical boots I’ve ever tried
• Very comfortable pair of army boots. I’m in the military, and I’ve put them through a lot over the years. I was stationed in desert conditions, swampy middles of nowhere, mountainous regions, and they performed well and kept my feet safe every step of the way
• They’re very durable, and the traction is really something else. My ultimate test was the last week’s river crossing, and they performed beautifully. Every step over wet rocks felt stable and steady like I was walking on asphalt. I guess there’s a first time for everything
• I’ve worn Under Armour pretty much my whole law enforcement career. I just got this boot and so far it feels like the best Under Armour I’ve ever worn, it’s just the right balance between being protected and being light on your feet
• I’m a police officer but also a passionate hunter. Speed Freek works well on both fields and I’m really considering buying another pair. I can run or walk for ages without any discomfort, I can spend hours stationary, waiting for the turkey to come out or do the fieldwork… They’re always very comfortable and keep my feet in top notch shape
• These boots really are completely waterproof. It’s not just that they keep my feet dry while I’m walking through tall grass and slews of dew, I’m talking an epic flood we just had. I’ve been helping build barricades a couple of days (and nights) in a row, and these babies didn’t let one drop of water get anywhere near my feet
• They look really good for starters. My biggest problem with all of my old tactical boots was too narrow of a toe-box. I have wider toes than your average Joe, and these really helped out by giving me enough free room in that part. I’m an Under Armour fan for life!
• They’re the toughest pair of construction boots I’ve abused so far…The construction is work where you have to walk over gravel, bumps and generally uneven terrain all the time. I work 10 hours a day, and I need proper support and comfort. Speed Freek has all that and then some. I’ll just say they’re the first boots in existence that I’m not rushing to take off the moment I’m home
• All of my waterproof tactical boots (I’ve had 4 pairs so far) were keeping the water out, but they’ve also kept the seat in. I felt like my feet were slowly cooking all day long. These Under Armour police work boots came as such a relief. They are still waterproof, but my feet are well ventilated as well. Highly breathable and 100% waterproof seems like a combination I’ll stick with from now on
• These are my first duty boots made of pigskin. They polish much easier than everything I wore before and the shine holds for quite a while
• They combine some really cool stuff. They’re both protective and flexible with high ventilation and water protection. Under Armour really pulled it off with Speed Freek

Negative feedback:

• They go a bit larger than the stated size indicates. It would generally be a huge problem, but all the customer reviews of these tactical boots I’ve found on Amazon really helped me out. There were plenty of reviews where people openly say people should order half a size bigger than their usual size, and that’s what made me go for it. The boots themselves are great so definitely not regretting this decision
• You get what you pay for sure with these boots. The problem is I had to pay a bit too much for them. It leaf a ding in my budget, but as long as they justify the money spent I’ll survive
• I always hated needing to deal with the laces. I really like these police duty boots, but I wish they also made a size-zip version
• They felt really stiff when I got them. I figured they’ll break in after a while, and they did. Now they’re actually pretty comfortable
• I tried wearing them during some pretty harsh weather, and they’re definitely not made for winter conditions. The water protection does its job, but my feet were quite cold in -20 degrees

Overall rating of “The Freek”