February 14, 201313 yr I've recently had to dust off the 'ol boots after coming into the office @ work, however I now had to freshen them up for a return to use as Project Manager for a steel contractor. Firstly, I cant really find which forum this belongs in...its not hunting gear nor gun gear, so... Anyways, When I was 17 I was on the hunt for work boots after mine fell apart. I decided a tactical boot with a composite toe (just as strong as steel) would be best, since they are designed for long hours on your feet plus agility (and who doesnt like black leather boots?!). It had the ankle support required, the toe required, so I bought them (from Ray's sport shop, actually). As I was cleaning them up tonight I figured this would be a great opportunity to reflect upon my satisfaction with the boots, because most reviews are done after a few days of use, and I would imagine most reviews on THESE boots in particular would be reviews from police or "tacticti-cool" people doing "tactical" stuff with them. I have now used them for 7 years as hard use work boots. They spent a few years doing steam locomotive maintence, general RR work, operations on locomotives, track work, steel fabrication shop use (welding), general use, and use in the field as a union ironworker. They have stepped on red hot steel, been chewed up on the footplate inbetween the steam locomotive and tender (check out the heel side pic), and I've torched steel directly down onto the boots (on my third set of laces now...) Throughout this all, other than the laces, they have remained very comfortable and intact! I LOVE THESE BOOTS! They will not die! The only two failures are one lace grommet has become loose and does not remain in place (doesnt seem to be an issue) and the waterproof zipper flap is seperating on the one boot. These surely do have a use as a work boot not just a tactical boot. The only downfall is the tounge burns through easily and when the laces are off there are many holes burned through it, which a few did make it down to my foot. Serves me right I guess. So tonight I replaced the laces, saddle soaped the boots and applied mink oil to them as they were becoming very dry and chewed up. The mink oil restored them quite well. They will not be able to be polished now..but they will be more waterproof (when the leather gets all chopped up the waterproofing is no more) and supple. So in short, I figured I'de share my experience with these. Not sure if this is helpful to anyone out there, but for some reason I felt compelled to share my experience. There is a place for these boots in the work place.
February 14, 201313 yr I love 5.11 boots! Glad to here mine will stand up another 5 years at least. Maybe more since I am obsessive over them and polish them at least bi-weekly.
February 14, 201313 yr Nice review, but I gotta say my Redwings took the cake for work boots. Most comfortable, and most resiliant boots I've ever had. And when I bought mine, you could have the soles replaced at any time.
February 14, 201313 yr I have these same 5.11 boots and LOVE them! I usually wear them in the snow and at the range (cuz it gets muddy). They're very comfy. I wish they made the ma bit narrower though (because I have narrow feet, duh), but they still fit fine.
February 14, 201313 yr I wear 5.11 Tactical ATAC 6" boots for when it's rainy/snowy/crappy out in NYC.... Comfortable and non-slip... http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Footwear/6-Boots/ATAC-6-Boot.html
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