I am looking for a quality low cut 6" boot to wear that is comfortable and durable. Since LEO and Military folks are on their feet most of the day, I thought I would go the route of a "Duty Boot"

 

My current project is at the New Meadowlands Stadium which has me walking a lot and need to wear something that is comfortable as well as get away with looking like a safety boot as well.

 

Are there any retail outlets of these boots in NJ that sell to the general public ?

I have some bate's composite toe boots which have side zips and are very comfortable and light weight. The only downside to them is that the leather is somewhat thin because of the lightweight design and doesn't take a polish well.

 

I used to buy all my boots from galls.com, but since I'm an engineer now, I don't have much use for boots anymore.

I believe Lanigan sells LEO boots, or they used to . . . Lanigan Associates Inc496 Shrewsbury Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07701-4952(732) 530-0447?

 

http://www.Galls.com has a huge selection if you want to order online. EDIT> lol CSJ great minds think alike.

 

Also, there is a uniform place on route 9N in Howell / Lakewood, right next to the diner, across the street from the old sizzler...attached to the porno store.

 

Red the uniform tailor still around? I believe they moved from Massachusetts ave in TR/Lakewood but I don't know where to.

I purchased recently the 5.11 tactical http://www.workngear.com/cgi-bin/frontrunner.cgi?ri=111&rc=WKNG&rs=T&ro=T&pid=190&pm=MENS+WORK+BOOTS&sid=12003&brd=511TACT&nid=78&flg=S&pri=115 very comfortable. We do some serious walking and climbing around our plant.

Don't buy on line. The sizes vary too much. Get a decent pair. the ones with the most advertising are the worst. Get a good pair of USA made. The Chinese stuff falls apart and offer little support. 5.1.1 does a vast amount of publicizing but most of their gear is made in China.

Bates, Danner, Belleville, Corcoran, and Wellco are the ones I'm familiar with. They're all boots that were sold by AAFES, and all provided mil-spec/uniform ready boots. I was issued Wellco's at BCT (black boots), but when I switched to ACU unis (desert boots), I switched to Belleville.

 

I agree with rscalzo, 5.11 boots are hit or miss. I heard from a lot of contractors that they either had a pair they loved, or the seams would fall apart within a month or two of every day use (which is totally not worth it for the price). The only thing about the companies I listed is most of their boots are 8''+ (uniform boots).

Bates can be good or bad. Their "Lights" are just thin cheap leather. Danner is a great brand. not cheap but they will hold up for years.

Wanted to add... take a look at the new "Tactical Research" line from Belleville. Its a new off-shoot of their normal military boots branch, but instead they base duty boots around the running shoe concept (what a lot of companies are doing now). This way there is less break-in period, and it has a more "low key" look, which is big with defense contractors and every day use. I also recommend Belleville because I wore their boot, which saw more in this world then most people have-- and still have the pair (though they could use a new gel-insert).

 

Direct link: http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/stylestr.php (note: you can purchase from their site direct even if you're not military/LE or a retailer).

I don't know if they make a "duty boot" but I like Red Wings...

I like Danner or Matterhorn

I am on my feet all day and the best I have found are Altama. Fit like a glove and needed almost no break in.

IMO, there are too many models and they all fit and feel different for everyone. Your best bet is to find the ones that you like in a store, then order them online to save a few bucks. I've worn Rocky boots for 2 years bought from This & That, then replaced them with the same exact one from Galls.

IMO, there are too many models and they all fit and feel different for everyone. Your best bet is to find the ones that you like in a store, then order them online to save a few bucks. I've worn Rocky boots for 2 years bought from This & That, then replaced them with the same exact one from Galls.

 

Just do not get uniforms from them. Sizes are always wrong and the hem line comes out on the pants. Whoever does them can't sew.

I've never had a bad experience with them. EXCEPT the long wait.

I am looking for a quality low cut 6" boot to wear that is comfortable and durable. Since LEO and Military folks are on their feet most of the day, I thought I would go the route of a "Duty Boot"

 

My current project is at the New Meadowlands Stadium which has me walking a lot and need to wear something that is comfortable as well as get away with looking like a safety boot as well.

 

Are there any retail outlets of these boots in NJ that sell to the general public ?

5-11 tactical makes some of the lightest boots i;ve ever had, but still gave REALLY good support in the 6" height. price is usually good to, especially at www.qmuniforms.com also have good deals on boots. One of the best pairs i had was a sid-zip 6" from Third-watch, unfortunately i dont think they make them anymore. I usually get about 18-24 months out of a pair of every-day duty boots.

Thanks for the recommendations guys - have a few to look at.

Did you settle on a boot? My girlfriend wants me to get a new pair cause the ones I have stink. (They smell and they hurt my feet) I was looking at the waterproof Bates composite toe, but I don't know if they'd be too hot for the summer.

This topic came up on the OnPoint Tactical forum a few weeks ago and these were recommended:

 

http://www.oakley.com/catalog/products/s-i-assault-boot-6-inch

 

Never knew Oakley made boots, but apparently they're pretty good.

I dont care what kind of shoe you perfer, but make sure it has a side zipper.. much better and hella lot faster to put on and take off.

I dont care what kind of shoe you perfer, but make sure it has a side zipper.. much better and hella lot faster to put on and take off.

 

If you have to get them on and off fast (volunteer emt, firefighter who has to put on turn-out boots, etc) I see the benefit of the zipper, but even then.. to get them on and off fast, the laces have to be loose enough to give the zipper enough slack. I've busted more than one zipper trying to squeeze my foot into them. Maybe I just like my boots tighter than you.

 

If I was going to be on duty and wearing my boots for an entire shift, I have no problem with tying them on.

I dont care what kind of shoe you perfer, but make sure it has a side zipper.. much better and hella lot faster to put on and take off.

 

If you have to get them on and off fast (volunteer emt, firefighter who has to put on turn-out boots, etc) I see the benefit of the zipper, but even then.. to get them on and off fast, the laces have to be loose enough to give the zipper enough slack. I've busted more than one zipper trying to squeeze my foot into them. Maybe I just like my boots tighter than you.

 

If I was going to be on duty and wearing my boots for an entire shift, I have no problem with tying them on.

 

Depends on the brand frankly. the 3rd watch 6" zippers boots I had were fine getting on and off without untying them. the Current pair i have (Wellco IIRC) need to be unlaced to get on, although you CAN slip them off with just the zipper loosened.