Top 5 Best Military Boots & Combat Footwear

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Joe Strong

Many workers develop plantar fasciitis after years of working on their feet for long hours, and they have to deal with the deep, unbearable pain that this condition brings.

The idea of this article is for me to help you deal with these issues and hopefully trying to solve the while choosing the best work boots for plantar fasciitis at the same time.

The 5 Best Military & Combat Boots

This is the list of the 5 best military & combat boots I found to be the best:

• 1) Belleville 800 St Flight And Flight Deck Boots
• 2) Danner Tanicus 8-Inch Hot Duty Boots
• 3) Rocky C4T Tactical Boots
• 4) Garmont T8 Bifida Tactical Boots
• 5) Danner Tachyon Coyote Military And Tactical Boots

1) Belleville 800 St Flight And Flight Deck Boots

Protection

Many officers are exposed to great dangers at their jobs.

I mean, you never know when something heavy might fall on your toes and crush them. This is why I liked the EH-rated steel toes these Belleville military boots came with, as they provided me the guarantee that my toes would not get hurt, no matter what.

Also, military footwear is to be used in a wide-ranging set of environments, which is why I found specially interesting their Gore-Tex waterproof fabric, as it assured my feet would stay dry during the testing period even if I’d had to walk straight into water!

Additionally, the boots came with Ice Chevron Outsoles that provided superior traction both in muddy and icy conditions, as they had extra FOD minimization.

And finally, the boots came with 200 grams of Thinsulate insulation material, which was essential to keep my feet warm in ice cold weathers.

Comfort & Adaptability

Officers are demanded to walk in really uncomfortable surfaces sometimes.

This is why I really liked the cushioned polyurethane midsoles with a vibram fire that came with these Belleville military boots.

As they provided the shock absorption and cushioning necessary to be able to walk in constant comfort, regardless the surface.

Additionally, the boots came with footbeds that cushioned my feet in every step, which made a really nice addition to the boots.

Durability

In terms of durability, these Belleville combat boots came manufactured following the so-called VANGUARD Sole Construction which made the boots sturdy but not bulky, adding years of durability without leaving aside comfort.

Moreover, in terms of compliance, the boots are Berry Compliant and respect the 8 inches of military height.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 122 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

2) Danner Tanicus 8-Inch Hot Duty Boots

Protection

Officers are frequently asked to walk for long hours in really muddy, slippery or just bumpy surfaces in order to do their work.

For this reason is why I appreciated the pentagonal lug patterned outsoles that came forming the structure of these Danner Tanicus military and combat boots.

This features gave me the confidence to walk with the highest traction in a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping and falling.

Comfort & Adaptability

Officers don’t have too much time to waste, so, the guys at Danner added surprisingly convenient features to these boots.

Such as their lace garage which acts as a fabric pocket specially designed to tuck the laces so they don’t get too bothering flying around the boots.

Also, to keep officers’ feet dry in hot weathers, they manufactured these boots using a breathable, moisture-wicking mesh liner that lets the air flow with fluidity.

Additionally, the boots came with an added layer of cushioning in the midsoles, on top of cushioned footbeds, which made me feel I was walking on clouds the whole time I tested these boots!

Durability

In terms of durability, these Danner boots came with 1000 Denier nylon uppers and a rough leather that made the boots endure the toughest of uses provided during the testing period.

And, on top of this, they surpassed the AR-670-1 certification, which I always look for when buying combat boots.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 123 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.1 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

3) Rocky C4T Tactical Boots

Protection

In terms of protection, they provided water resistant protection that let me work in contact with water knowing that not only my feet would stay dry, but also that the boots would not decay when in contact with liquids.

2) Comfort & Adaptability

In terms of comfort, these Rocky combat boots came with rubber midsoles that cushioned and provided shock absorption when walking in bumpy surfaces, a features most officers should appreciate as they are regularly asked to do this in tougher surfaces for longer periods of time.

And, in terms of adaptability and convenience, these Rocky C4T tactical boots came with ventilation holes that let the air flow maintaining my feet dry when working in humid places and a speed lacing system with nato hooks that saved my time and provided a custom, snug feet.

I mean, what more could I ask?!?

Durability

In terms of durability, the boots came with a dual performance material upper with polishable section, that not only adapted to the activity I was doing and the environment I was working in, but also maintained the boots in pristine condition even after using them on tough circumstances for months on end.

And, to top things off, these Rocky C4T tactical boots came with sturdy 550 grade nylon cord laces that not only guaranteed me a snug fit to my feet, but also that they wouldn’t ever gonna be untied!

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 791 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.0 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

4) Garmont T8 Bifida Tactical Boots

Protection

As we know, officers usually have to do their long-hour shifts while walking on bumpy and tough areas which could make them slip and fall, provoking a possibly injury.

This is why I loved these Garmont T8 Bifida tactical boots, as they provided me with top-notch traction on any surface, thanks to their awesome outsoles, while guaranteeing me that I wouldn’t fall and injure myself.

I mean, what officer doesn’t want to enjoy this benefit?!

Comfort & Adaptability

In terms of comfort, these boots came with PU breathable footbeds and PP insoles that provided cushioned support to the base of my feet, a feature I loved as I’m regularly asked to walk on tough surfaces.

Also, the boots had convenient features such as metallic eyelets and closed hooks, which made the whole tieing and fitting the boots a whole lot better.

Finally, they came with a zero optical refraction hardware and ball bearing hardware at the instep that provided me with a more than perfect performance while working at almost all types of environments!

Durability

Now, in terms of durability, these Garmont T8 Bifida tactical boots came built with a more than tough 600 denier nylon and a canvas reinforcement, a type of guarantee that all officers will appreciate as they add years of endurance to the boots.

And finally, in terms of compliance, the boots are AR 670-1 compliant, an essential standard in all tactical boots, as we see in this article.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 245 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

5) Danner Tachyon Coyote Military And Tactical Boots

Protection

In terms of protection, these military boots came with Danner Tachyon Coyote outsoles that provided me and all officers the traction necessary to walk without problems on any surface whether it was bumpy, slippery or muddy.

This was essential for working in places where otherwise I would have been afraid of falling and injuring myself.

Also, the boots came with nylon shanks which aided me in terms of stability, avoiding possible falls and injuries.

Comfort & Adaptability

Now, talking about comfort, these Danner tactical boots came with EVA midsoles and open cell polyurethane footbeds that provided me with long-lasting cushioning regardless the surface I would have to walk on.

Durability

And finally, in terms of durability, these boots came built with top-notch materials, such as a rough out leather and a 1000 Denier nylon, which represented a combination that would give me years of durability under any circumstance of use.

Also, they complied with the AR-670-1 standard, which is a vital addition if you’re an officer looking for the best military boots for your line of work.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 215 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

My Verdict: The Best Military & Combat Boots Are…

Rocky C4T Tactical Boots

Would you like to know why I chose these Rocky boots as the best for military and combat work? Then, you should check out their review by clicking the button down below!

Review

Quick Comparison Table

How Did I Test The Boots?

For those who’re curious, these are the tests I did to select the best military boots…

Surface Test

Combat footwear is to be used in various tough types of surfaces.

It could be rocky, muddy, or just straight slippery surfaces.

This is why I made sure to test each pair of military boots on those surfaces to see if they provided enough traction and support to deal with them correctly.

Temperature Test

As you may already know, military boots and combat footwear is to be used in various types of environment that range in degrees of temperature.

Sometimes you’ll be facing a really hot day, and sometimes you’ll have to face up the cold and snowy weather, doing exactly the same. And, in those situations, the type of boots you use is gonna determine whether you suffer or not.

Well, that’s why I tested each pair of work boots in the middle of the summer and winter to test if they had attributes that could adapt to both of these extreme climates.

Endurance Test

Officers that use combat and military footwear are expected to work for long hours, around 10 to 15 hours sometimes, while standing, marching, running or walking on various plane or bumpy surfaces.

This is why I made sure to test the comfortable and ergonomic attributes each pair of boots brought to the table and see whether they were good or not to bring comfort to the feet after the officer has been standing for long hours on really hard surfaces.

Protection & Durability Test

And finally, knowing that the best military boots are supposed to be used in certainty dangerous places, I tested their protective attributes by walking on really slippery surfaces and dropping some minor weights to the toe area to see whether they would protect my feet or not.

Also, in terms of durability, I closely analyzed the quality of the materials used. Because, even if the boots were comfortable, flexible and really protective, if they don’t last, then it’s just a waste of time.

The Must-Have Features For Military & Combat Boots

There are various features that you should look for in a pair of military boots to get the guarantee that they’re gonna be the best.

The following four, are the attributes I looked for in the boots listed on this article and that I recommend for all military and combat footwear…

Oil & Slip Resistant Outsoles

Officials are usually asked to walk, march, run and stand for long hours in various types of surfaces.

If they don’t use a decent pair of boots, they’ll end up slipping and falling, causing possible injuries to become real.

Hopefully, the best combat boots will have oil and slip resistant outsoles that will provide these professionals the traction necessary to walk on these surfaces without worries.

Cushioned Footbeds & Shock Absorbing Midsoles

The thing about having to march, stand for long work shifts is that your feet will end up beaten up at the end of the day and you’ll feel a deep pain in turn.

So, getting tactical boots with great comfort features such as cushioned footbeds and shock absorbing midsoles is a good thing to do as these will provide the support and energy enough to help removing all these hassles.

Breathable Materials

Moreover, military boots are usually used in hot temperatures which may bring moisture and sweat that could cause blisters and odor.

So, breathable features are essential in a pair of combat boots as they let the air flow and keep the feet dry and your mood stable, as you don’t have to deal with the frustration of odor and sweaty feet.

Compliance To Standards

As we speak about in other parts of this same article, there are a few standards that military boots are usually required to surpass in order to be accepted to be used by officers.

Among those standards, we found the ”Berry Compliance” and ”AR760 Compliance” that should, in my opinion, be surpassed by the best military boots as they give a seal of customized comfort, protection, and durability.

Benefits Of Using The Right Military & Combat Boots

Comfort In All Surfaces & Duties

Officers have to walk march, stand, or run for long hours on tough and usually bumpy surfaces.

This puts tremendous stress and brings huge pain to their feet.

Luckily, the best military boots have enough attributes to bring cushioning and comfort to the feet while doing all their duties on any type of surface!

Total Flexibility

Combat footwear is usually used in various settings, in hot or cold, in rain or dry environments.

Also, they are usually used for duties that require a high level of adaptability to the movement of the feet and the surface on which the boot rests.

The good news is that the best military boots provide this type of adaptability, especially given the materials and the type of construction employed to manufacture them.

Endurance

Many officers end up their work day in deep pain after having to be in their standing position or marching for 8 to 12 hours straight.

This happens due to the fact that their boots don’t have the necessary supportive attributes that help them deal with such demanding duties.

This is why I made sure to select combat boots that provide a constant level of arch support and comfort throughout their attributes, so the officers can handle these tasks without having to worry about any possible consequences.

4) Avoid Sores, Blisters And Feet Pain

Finally, if there’s something that really annoys me about most military work boots is that I get blisters and other sores after using them for 4 or 5 hours.

Luckily, the best military and combat work boots have perfect ergonomic attributes that deal really well with any type of feet, so they break in fast and avoid these types of annoyances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Dessert Boots?

Desert boots are combat boots designed to be worn in hot and dry environments (just like a dessert is) as they are breathable and keep sand out of the footbeds.

What Are Heel Kickers Outsoles?

A Heel Kicker is a series of serrations incorporated in the outsole’s design which provides added traction that lets the officers brake and walk without worries on any surface.

What Are Ics?

An ICS is a nitrogen-filled disk that is normally incorporated in the heel of the combat boots made by Bates.

Its main objective is to customize the level of firmness of the boots so the officer that uses them is comfortable and can perform at their best.

What Are Kick Plates?

This is a basically a convenience addon to any pair of military & combat boots that sits in the back on the heel so you can use one boot to remove the other without harming the structure of the boots.

What Is Lace Garage?

Another convenient attribute.

Its main goal is to store the excess length of lace so it’s not laying around making you uncomfortable.

Compliance Standards For Military Boots

When you’re about to get a pair of military boots, you’ll see that some of them are labeled as compliant with so and so standards of quality.

I though it’d be good to explain you what are those standards, what they mean and why they exist…

Berry Compliance

When a pair of boots is labeled as ”Berry Compliant” it means that the products were manufactured in the USA following reliable construction methods that guarantee their durability.

This standard was introduced by the Berry Amendment, passed during the WWII by which the Department of Defense was required to procure goods made in the USA.

Ar670-1 Compliance

This standard is a series of regulations which must be met by the U.S. military following the next guidelines…

• Plain Toe and Sole Matching Color of the Upper
• Polyether Polyurethane or Rubber Outsoles
• Outsole will not exceed 2 inches in height when measured from the bottom and it will extend up the back of the heel or over the top of the toe.
• Tan or Coyote Flesh-out Cattle Hide Leather
• 8 to 10 inches in height