Best tactical boots in desert sand color
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What to expect from the reviews?
Exactly what the title says.
This guide is something of an Easter egg and our way of making the lives of our readers easier. That doesn’t mean, however, that we won’t pack it tight with information on all the best desert boots currently on the market.
It won’t be a competition between models so much, as in our regular reviews and updates; rather an overview of everything worth buying that comes in the shade of desert sand.
It might seem like strange criteria but we’ve compiled it based on the requests of our readers, so who are we to argue.
So, long story short, we’ll have our regular digest reviews for 5 TOP pairs right after we present the full list of our picks.
Top rated tactical boots IN DESERT SAND
Picture | Model | Rating |
---|---|---|
![]() | UA Valsetz 7" | 92 / 100 |
![]() | Rocky C4T | 90 / 100 |
![]() | Bates GX-8 | 89 / 100 |
![]() | Magnum Elite Spider | 88 / 100 |
![]() | Original SWAT 9" | 87 / 100 |
Under Armour Valsetz 7” Tactical Boots in desert sand (TAN)
7-inch Valsetz comes in both tan and black, so you can choose the coloring appropriate to your needs and preferences.
product INFO given by Under Armour:
- Synthetic upper
- The uppers are lightweight but durable, water-resistant but breathable
- The EVA midsoles won’t add excess weight to the boot but provide exceptional cushioning of the foot
- ArmourGuide makes sure your feet are guided properly
- ArmourBound is our technology for responsive cushioning
- ArmourLastic provides maximum protection via shock-absorption in the areas around the heel and the forefoot of the boot
Positive customer experiences:
- These are the lightest tactical boots I’ve ever worn. I’ve replaced my old Danner GTX Stryker boots with Under Armour about 6 months ago, and I never looked back since
- They’re true to size and are definitely the most comfortable work boots out of all I’ve tried over the years (I’ve had Bates, Matterhorn, Danner, Converse and 5.11 tactical boots)
- They look awesome! They can even pass as regular casual sneakers when I’m not on duty
- I was deployed to Afghanistan this year, and I opted for Under Armour Valsetz since my standard issued boots dragged my feet through hell in the past. Valsetz is perfectly equipped for handling these types of climates.
- My feet don’t sweat like before, and they’re dry 99% of the time. Good job UA!
- They look like they’re made of carbon fiber. Very sleek design
- Great value for the money and a very affordable price tag
- My place of work is a production plant, so I needed good and cheap tactical boots that’ll keep me going during 12-hour shifts and have decent traction on wet concrete surfaces. Bingo!
- They’re very light and breathable. Made me forget all about my blister problems from the past
Here’s what the users didn’t like:
- They’re not polishable unfortunately so, I can’t really use them as my duty boots
- The only thing missing here is a waterproof membrane. They’re water-resistant, sure, but I need protection that’s more heavy-duty since I’m ankle deep in water for the better part of my shift
- I really wish they could’ve incorporated some kind of reinforced protective toe
- These combat boots are a pain to find. I went through all of the stores in my and surrounding blocks, and no luck. I had to order them online, and luckily, they’re true to size. So, if you’re into Under Armour Valsetz, save yourself some trouble and order online
Overall rating
Review of Rocky C4T Tactical (BEIGE)
Basic specs:
- Leather and fabric upper
- Shaft from arch – 7”
- Heel – 1.5”
- Platform – 1”
- Water-resistant and fast drying
- NATO hooks and speed eyelets
- 550 cord laces
Pleasant experiences customers shared in reviews:
- I wore these desert tactical boots during my time in Afghanistan, mainly for my FOB/convoy duty. Overall, I was very pleased with how they did. They’re comfortable, and my feet were well ventilated, especially during longer marches
- I’m a passionate hiker, and I took these to Grand Canyon right after breaking them in a bit. They’re super comfortable for “killing” 25+ miles a day
- These came very closely to being the ultimate lightweight army boots. I love Rocky and I owned the S2v before these, but this is the superior product
- I’m a female soldier, and I would give these 10 stars if I could. They feel like walking on clouds, compared to my standard issue. They also keep my feet completely dry in hot and humid conditions so, they’re pretty much all I was looking for in a pair of good desert combat boots
- They’re as comfortable as my house slippers, and they lace up nice and tight
- The overall cushioning is really good, the arch support is superb and they don’t hurt the ball of my foot during longer walks
- I’m in airborne school, and these are supportive enough to withstand all the rigors I’m put through. Also, they feel like I’m out wearing my running shoes
- They’re like a hybrid between my Nike Free Runners and regular combat boots. Rocky took the best out of both worlds. In the beginning, I constantly had the feeling like I’ve accidentally taken my running shoes to work
- Very low price for the quality offered
- These are the best rucking boots I’ve found so far. They’re also good for a casual hike once in a while or everyday walking. Very happy with the purchase
- I was worried about the width because I needed to fit my orthotics inside as well. No reasons for concern apparently since the fit perfect even after I’ve put my insoles in
- They’re excellent as a garrison boot or for light patrols. That’s what I’ve been using them for, at least. I’m on my feet most of the day and haven’t got a single blister since I started wearing them
- The laces are very tough, and I can tighten the fit perfectly
- Very easy to clean! They’re also extremely flexible and follow the natural movement of my feet
Things the users didn’t like so much:
- The traction is pretty mediocre on smooth and slippery terrains
- They go half a size smaller, so if you’re ordering a pair be sure to calculate that in
- They were pretty uncomfortable in the heel area until I broke them in. It was a smooth sailing from there
- I managed to somehow pull out one of the plastic eyelets
Overall rating
Bates GX-8 Side-Zip Duty Boot review (cream, camel color)
Manufacturer’s product specification:
- Leather upper combined with fabric
- Man-made soles
- It features side-ribbing, high-traction outsole and a padded collar
- Medial-side zipper
excerpts from positive user reviews:
- My place of employment is a construction site in the center part of the Saudi desert. Needless to say, these boots didn’t have an easy life on my feet. A year later they remain comfortable and seem much tougher than my last pair of work boots
- They allow my feet to breathe while I work so I never had an outbreak of blisters happen in the 3 months since I bought them
- I like the added side zipper. It’s a blessing after a hard day’s work when I just want to get them off my feet and relax
- Bates sure knows how to make a good work boot. These are with me for a couple of months now and I can they’re very comfortable and with a solid construction. I like the color also, makes dirt and dust far less visible
- My ankles are just busted. Old sports Injuries, hiking accidents, the list just goes on. Working at the construction site and spending the whole shift on my feet was, therefore, a pain in my, well, ankles… These Bates work boots give me so much more support in that area than my previous work boots it’s not even funny. I feel everything is tight and protected all the time
- Bates GX-8 is probably the best pair of work boots ever made in my opinion. My last pair went through 6 years of heavy abuse until it finally gave in
- The fact I really like about these boots is that I don’t need to worry about them too much. That’s right, no special care, constant cleaning, oils and stuff; I just put them on in the morning and take them off when I get home. They’ve made my life much simpler
- They offer similar level of protection like steel toe boots without weighing a metric ton
- I put them on in literally 5 seconds
- The soles are scary grippy. I walked across floors covered with coolant and oil, and they were holding my feet firmly giving me great stability
Some issues the users found:
- The side zippers could be sturdier for sure
- They were really tight until I broke them in
- The color of the boot I got is different than the one I saw on my computer screen. I don’t know if my monitor is to blame or what
- This is the third pair I’ve bought, and it’s the first one to make these irritating squeaking noises
Overall rating
Magnum Elite Spider 8.0 Tactical Boot
Basic info:
- Leather and nylon upper
- Military boot with web overlays and lace-up notched shaft
- SpiderMESH moisture control lining
- Composite non-metallic hardware is durable and electronic security friendly
- Composite shank
- Vibram soles – slip/oil resistant
Positive user feedback:
- I’m a 12B army combat engineer with a temporary station in Alaska. I use the Magnum Elite Spider as my go-to boot during the spring, summer and fall months. They’re very comfortable, light and highly breathable
- The overall design seems more than sturdy, and they feel rigid enough as to keep my feet safe, but just soft enough to give me good comfort. Well worth the money I’ve spent on them
- These will be my boots of choice for as long as Magnum makes them. They provide great footbed stability control among other things…
- Let me just say my feet are riddled with problems. I have flat feet, wide front, little arches, narrow heels, plantar fasciitis… It’s a nightmare. These have molded to my feet perfectly, they wick sweat like champs and keep my feet from getting sore or tired whether I’m standing, walking or running
- The insoles give so much cushion to my feet I can be on my feet 12 hours straight without my feet getting overly tired
- I sometimes feel like my house slippers weigh more than these tactical boots. They’re just so lightweight I feel like I’m wearing absolutely nothing on my feet
- My feet sweat all the time. It doesn’t matter what the temperature of my surroundings is, they’ll sweat like crazy. They still perspire in these boots, but at least, the moisture wicking technology is doing its job. My feet are perfectly dry most of the time, and that’s all I was looking for
Negative user feedback:
- The only thing I’m not quite sold on is the material of these boots. It looks too thin to be super durable. We’ll see how it goes
- The laces are so easy to over-tighten. I’ve bruised my feet more than once before I finally learned
- The color is a bit too light. It shows dirt and snifter scuffs, but it pays off having a boot this good
- The thread pattern seems to be wearing off quicker than I expected
- The water protection needs a bit of work
Overall rating
Original S.W.A.T. Classic 9” Tactical Boots
General info spreadsheet:
- Leather and denier nylon upper
- Leather sole
- Ankle-high moisture-wicking tactical boot
- The midsoles are made of compression-molded EVA
- Thermoplastic toe and heel counter
- Outsole is compliant with ASTM F489-96 slip resistance standard
- Removable orthotics sockliner
- Protection from electrical hazards meets ASTM F2413-05 and ASTM F2412-05 test standards
Some things customers liked about these tactical boots:
- Incredibly comfortable pair of boots. After walking for 10+ hours, my feet are never sore when I return home
- These boots are so versatile. I can use them for my work, for running or working in my backyard… They’re pretty much up to any challenge I throw at them
- They’re really easy to take care of and almost never scuff that badly that it merits any special attention
- The fit is right on the money. The size is exactly as in the charts, and they give me that snug but bot overly tight feeling while I’m wearing them
- This is what desert combat boots should be about. I always liked the tan or beige colors they come in, and the Original Swat backs it all up with great comfort and durability. My previous pair lasted I don’t even know how many years, and I’ve given them a good beat-down every step of the way
- I work every day at my farm, and these helped me whether more than one summer with temperatures around 100+ degrees in the shade. You can’t beat this quality for the price, and its no wonder I’ve been wearing them for the past thirty years or so
- I bought them for paintball some 6 months ago. After wearing them for the games, I decided to use them for work as well. They’ve replaced my old Red Wings, and I was pleasantly surprised how sturdy and solid they feel. My job is really taxing on the boots, and these show no signs of wear so far
Negative experiences:
- Water spots appear super easy on these boots
- I really wish they’ve incorporated speed-lacing system in the whole design
- They look somewhat shorter than 9”
- My only complaint is that they’re not exactly slip-resistant, which is a pretty big deal in my line of work
Overall Rating
Until the next update of the reviews
We haven’t seen much change in the review updates to this guide in the last few reviews. By that, we primarily mean that the Valsetz RTS has been on top in the last 6 updates (a year, since the updates are bi-monthly) and we have seen very little movement and close to no new arrivals to the list of TOP 5.
Bottom line – we keep our guides updated, the info you can get on Sole is always fresh and these are the boots, the best market has to offer in desert sand color.
If you disagree or have any suggestions, simply leave us a comment below or drop us an email, we always welcome new candidates into consideration.
Choose smartly
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