Whether you are on a SWAT call out or standing on the range, a good pair of boots can make or break your day.
When your feet start to hurt because of bad footwear, it is not too long before you can become distracted and fatigued from discomfort.
Ordinarily, this type of distraction is just annoying. However, as I have talked about in previous post, an annoying distraction can lead to mistakes that can have lethal consequences.
The solution? A quality hiking boot.
HIKING BOOTS, NOT TACTICAL BOOTS
I have found that the traditional, ‘black tactical’ boot is usually not the best choice for SWAT work, especially if your team works in varied terrain.
I wore leather boots for my first few years on SWAT and found them to be heavy, hot, and quickly fatigued my feet with their lack of support.
Then, I wore a pair of Vasque Breeze 2.0 Gore-Tex hiking boots on a man-hunt in the mountains. Those boots were so comfortable that I never really went back to my black boots.
I encourage you to take care of your feet and do the same!
There are 3 good reasons why a quality hiking boot is better than the traditional black leather tactical boot.
A good hiking boot is:
- Supportive
- Comfortable
- Maneuverable
SUPPORTIVE – Whether a call out lasts 30 minutes or 12 hours, your load out (vest, helmet, ammo, rifle, etc.…) is probably in the neighborhood of about 35-40 pounds. Your boots need to support that load plus your body weight.
A good hiking boot is designed to support your foot under at least the much weight in uneven terrain.
COMFORTABLE – Look for a boot made of synthetic material like Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex has excellent water resistance, lets the heat and moisture inside your boot escape, and breaks in very quickly.
MANEUVERABLE – Running in boots really isn’t fun but it is much easier to run in a pair of hiking boots than a pair of old school tactical boots. A hiking boot will allow you (while in your kit) to comfortably sprint short distances or ruck longer distances without any discomfort or compromise.
THE SECRET SAUCE
There is one upgrade that will make your boots a rock-star. Replace the insoles in your boots with SuperFeet insoles.
Not Dr. Scholles or some other generic brand. SuperFeet.
They are sold at running shoe stores, and outdoor retailers like REI. Runners and outdoorsmen, two groups of people who care about their foot comfort.
SuperFeet are made of more durable materials than the insoles that shoes come with. Superfeet will not breakdown over time like other insoles do. They will provide years, yes years, of comfort and support for your feet and back.
And don’t trim the SuperFeet unless it is absolutely necessary. Cutting them does not usually end well.
IN THE END
A quality hiking boot will revolutionize your foot experience during SWAT operations and training. You will be more comfortable for a longer period of time. You will not regret the gains in comfort, support, and durability they will provide you.
When put on your first pair of hiking boots, you will probably say to yourself, ‘I had no idea that I was so uncomfortable.’
GREAT BOOTS THAT ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY
Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX
Asolo Fugutive GTX
Salwea Mountain Trainer Mid GTX