Boots for the academy???

[mjcek]

I was considering a pair of either the Danner Striker 8" boots or the Acadias for the academy...good choice or no??? Any idea if I should go with insulated or non-insulated??

I did a search and saw some opinions on both for normal duty wear, but I was unsure whether or not the opinion on them varied at all for wear in the academy??? :o

Thank ya :)

[PEACE]

MJ -

I have a pair of Bates Enforcers that I love - just my .02

[Brettkazcop]

If your academy is anything like mine..you may be wearing those boots for about 12 hours a day.

You will also need to get in and out of them VERY fast.

So you may want to look at something with a zipper on the side and you may or may not want to purchase something very expensive. When it came to week 12 and graduation...most of the guys had some pretty funky boots from wearing them so much. Scuffed up pretty bad from constantly doing "TAKE COVER drills" and generally funky from wearing them 12 hours a day. I had a pair of Galls brand zipper boots. They were not too expensive at all, only about $65 or so. Shined up pretty good once you had the base coat going on it (doesn;t shine up as well as my paratrooper boots though). I keep them around now for different training days when I know my boots will get messed up.

If your academy is starting pretty soon...depending how long you will be there for you may not want an insulated pair, dependnig on your location of course. I started in June an I remember the hot days standing in formation on the black pavement with my shined up boots acting like little microwaves.

Whatever you decide, I would get a pair of good insoles as well and wear them a few times around the house before you start to break them in a bit.

Kaz

[dmclark]

Take a look at the new 5.11 boots. I've heard very good things. DM

[newbie31]

Anyone out there wear Belleville Boots. My department bought me a pair of steel toe but I have yet to wear them. I think they are a bit expensive but then again I did'nt pay for them. Just wondering what the word was on them. I have a pair of zip up Bates that I am wearing now, they were easy to break in and have held up well.

[irishlad]

I have 2 pairs of them and I love them. I have a summer pair and they have a cold weather pair also. I do recommend them.

[me ofc]

Danners are great boots but heavy i have a pair of the acadia love em dont care for the look of the strikers

[Badge11]

I've got the acadias, great boots. Keep in mind, they are heavy. You might want to consider something lighter, more athletic type boot for the academy.

[FNG 107]

(hearsay alert)

I've heard very good things about the Oakley assault boots...I don't know if they would be visually appropriate for your academy

There's a couple of military/tactical forums out there that like to pontificiate about boots endlessly...I can direct you towards them if you like.

[NorthTechsan]

Bates Enforcer ultra lites w/ side zip

Great for those days your PT instructor has an evil grin.

[Group 9]

Get good ones. And, try and break them in before you go.

[UncleSugar]

If your academy is anything like mine..you may be wearing those boots for about 12 hours a day.

. . . most of the guys had some pretty funky boots from wearing them so much. . . and generally funky from wearing them 12 hours a day. Get two pairs of boots to avoid this. You should never wear the same pair of shoes or boots two days in a row, because the shoe needs to air out.

[Irishcopper]

Danner makes an excellent boot. They are great for rough duty. Everything from kicking in doors on warrants or chasing al Queda through the mountains in Afghanistan. :D However that said, they have their limitations.

They are not easy to get on and off. The Acadians don't shine particuarly well and the Virbram sole can be slippery on metal surfaces; e.g. the top of shipping containers, rail cars, ship decks and other large metal objects that you might have occasion to venture out on. Vibram was designed for operationing in the bush. I am not convinced it is the boot of choice for urban LE's.

My Hi Techs and Rocky's are a lot less expensive, lighter, shine up well and easier to break in than my Danner's.

If you need to change in and out of your boot quickly, you might consider a lower cut chukka boot if your department will allow to wear them. Rocky, Hi Tech and Gauze all make a low cut boot. I feel more sure fitted in low cut Rocky's if I am boarding a vessel or climbing on containers etc. They are quieter and easier to run in than my Danner Acadians. I normally only wear my Danner's with my BDU's.

Boots are a very personal item. The best thing I can suggest is to try on different brands and styles and be willing to spend as much as you can afford. Most of us spend a lot of time on our feet. It is a drag to have sore feet or blisters :eek:

Irishcopper :cool: