Best Tactical Boots

Nothing hinders you during long expeditions like having sore feet. That’s why tactical boots are a must for survival preppers, as you never know how long you’ll be on your feet for when disaster strikes.

Tactical boots are designed to protect your feet against rough terrain or unexpected objects falling on them. If you sustain damage to your feet, it will be a struggle to walk for lengthy periods, and this could be damaging to your morale as well.

Survival footwear may be overlooked, but it could make all the difference out in the wilderness.

Choosing the best tactical boot, however, is not an easy decision. There is a wide range of boots available, with the number of tactical boot brands increasing rapidly because of the demand.

That’s why we’ve reviewed five of the best tactical boots to help you find appropriate footwear for survival. All-purpose tactical boots are a valuable investment, and could save you injury and stress should you need to survive.

Exterior Material

Let’s start with the outside of the boot. It is important that your pair of tactical boots are built to be as durable and sturdy as possible.

Many boots are made from leather, along with other synthetic materials. As well as being durable, high-quality leather is typically long-lasting, which is essential when investing in footwear. With strong leather boots, you won’t have to worry too much about them falling apart unexpectedly.

However, there are different kinds of leather, which will make a difference to the quality of your boots. Full-grain leather is a durable, sturdy material, which can often resist water as well. It is worth noting though that it is not the most breathable kind of leather.

Split-grain leather, in contrast, is usually a lot lighter, and therefore cheaper. However, it lacks the durability of full-grain leather, so it’s not ideal against rough terrain.

Another commonly used leather is Nubuck leather, which is similar to suede and has durable properties like full-grain. It is stiffer than other leathers, which does mean it lacks flexibility.

It’s also vital not to ignore what material is used inside the boot. Many tactical boots come with water-resistant linings, which are built to prevent moisture from getting inside and keep your feet dry regardless of the conditions.

Shape and Height

It is essential to consider how the height of the boot will play a role in your survival. Depending on the climate you are in will depend on which height boot is best to opt for.

Due to the extra protection, higher boots are more suited to cold climates, while shorter boots work best in hot environments.

A feature typically associated with tactical boots is that they are not lightweight. However, this is not true of all boots, and the weight differs depending on the materials used. Sturdy, tough boots will usually weigh more, as well as boots with water-resistant materials.

When it comes to survival prep, a lightweight pair sounds like the best option on paper, but lightweight boots with no durability will be useless.

That’s why it’s important to rule out features that won’t be necessary for you, in order to drop weight off your boots. If you don’t think additional toe protection or a waterproof design is essential, then bear this in mind before you choose a boot that’s too heavy.

Heavier boots are also more likely to slow you down and could feel uncomfortable, whereas a lightweight pair can let you move around freely. Weight is important to think about when it comes to survival, as it’s assumed that you’ll have to run and hike for long periods.

Supportive Sole

There are two different soles on a tactical boot – the outsole and the insole.

The outsole is the part of the boot that touches the ground, and it must have a good grip. If it doesn’t, you’ll be at risk of slipping over and getting injured. A boot without a slip-resistant sole is a dangerous choice when it comes to survival.

Outsoles are generally always made from rubber, but different types of rubber can affect the grip. A hard rubber material will provide more stability, while a softer rubber increases traction and grip.

With this in mind, it is advisable to opt for a balance between the two kinds of rubber. Anything too hard could cause you to slip, and a sole that’s too soft won’t give you as much power in your stomp due to the lack of support.

When it comes to insoles, it is crucial not to overlook them, as these are the parts of the boot that provides support for your feet. As it fits between the rubber grip and your foot, it’s important to choose a boot with high-quality insoles, to improve overall comfort.

Insoles come in various styles, but for high impact activities like those in a survival situation, a stiff insole is probably the safest bet. If you are looking for tactical boots for less heavy-duty scenarios, then a soft insole would be sufficient.

Comfort

Since you’re anticipating these boots being used for survival purposes, comfort and support should not go unacknowledged. Blisters, sore ankles, and tired feet are avoidable problems if you look carefully before purchasing tactical boots.

Taking steps to prevent these issues will save you valuable time and energy when you need to survive.

An easy mistake to make for first time tactical boot buyers would be to automatically purchase boots in the same size as your everyday regular shoes. Tactical boots are designed much differently to regular shoes or even fashion-style boots.

The best advice would be to measure your foot first, including the width, arch length, and arch lift. Many outdoor stores offer measurement services if you can’t do this at home.

Many survivalists and military personnel suggest sizing up in tactical boots, as boots that are too small are a difficult issue to rectify. You will cause yourself a lot of discomfort going too small, so if you want to err on the side of caution, it’s best to go bigger than you think you need.

You’ll also need to consider the width of the boots, as your feet may require a slimmer or wider fit, depending on your measurements. It is worth taking the time to figure this out in order to maximize comfort and give you the best possible chance of survival.

If possible, it is recommended that you take some time to break in your boots. This means wearing them around to loosen them up, so they don’t feel too stiff and new when you really need to wear them.

The time it takes to break in boots will differ for each person, but it may just mean a few hours of wear when you have some downtime at home. Doing this will also highlight the thickness of socks you’ll need to wear, and indicate how much room you’ll have in the boot once they’re loosened up.

Sturdy vs. Flexible

Many tactical boots are designed to be flexible to assist with easy and fast-paced movement. If a boot is too stiff, your foot will struggle to connect with the ground and won’t have as much power.

However, when it comes to being in a survival scenario, a stiff boot will allow for greater stability against steep gradients or mountainous terrain.

Durability also goes hand-in-hand with stiffer boots, but this does mean having more restricted movement. It’s important to find a balance when it comes to choosing tactical boots, but bear in mind these factors if a certain style would be more appropriate for your environment.

Recap

Choosing the best tactical boot is not a decision to be taken lightly. You’ll likely be on your feet for extended periods when in a survival predicament. With that in mind, I’ve chosen the 5.11 ATAC Jungle Boots as my pick.

These boots offer a level of quality that means they will withstand tough conditions, while still giving you the ability to move about freely. As a survival prepper, I’m also a fan of the hidden knife pocket feature, because it’s always good to have easy access to your equipment.

However, all of these boots on our list offer something different. Whether you’re looking for the best lightweight tactical boot, or something that can last in cold climates, finding a quality pair of boots is essential to overall endurance.

We hope our review has helped you to find the best tactical boot for you, and given you an idea of what to look for before making your decision.

Please let us know your feedback in the comment section below, and if you have any ideas for future topics, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!

Good Luck and Happy Survival Prepping!