Tactical boots, often referred to as combat or military boots, make a versatile choice for footwear, offering more benefits than regular hiking boots. Made mainly for soldiers and cops, these boots focus on being tough, long-lasting, and flexible, going beyond what usual hiking shoes can do.
The versatile build of combat boots makes them a preferred choice for both military personnel and people outside these fields. This prompts the question:
Can military boots genuinely serve as hiking gear? In the following discussion, we’ll examine tactical footwear’s performance in comparison to conventional alternatives.
| Pros of Tactical Boots for Hiking | Cons of Tactical Boots for Hiking |
|---|---|
| Durability: Combat boots are made with strong materials like leather, offering excellent resistance to wear and tear. | Breathability: Not all combat boots provide sufficient airflow, which can be a concern in warmer weather. |
| Traction: Many have hard rubber or Vibram outsoles for a dependable grip on various terrains, including sand, rain, snow, and gravel. | Waterproofing: They often feature water-resistant uppers, which can be less reliable than waterproof membranes in hiking boots. |
| Support: They offer great ankle and heel support, beneficial for long periods of walking on varied terrain. | Flexibility: Combat boots can be stiff and require a longer break-in period compared to hiking boots and trail runners. |
| Weight: Generally lightweight, averaging around 2 to 2.5 pounds, similar to traditional hiking boots. | Utility: Their design for harsh climates and conditions can be overkill for casual hikers and simple trails. |
Read on for a more detailed analysis of pros & cons.
What are Tactical Boots?
Tactical boots serve as specialized footwear primarily designed for law enforcement personnel.
In contrast to hiking shoes, hiking boots, and trail runners, which excel in specific terrains due to variations in their outsoles, weight, and support, tactical boots prioritize consistent performance across all conditions without a specific advantage in any particular terrain.
What distinguishes tactical boots from other types of footwear is their premium features, which are a response to the demanding conditions military personnel often face.
These features include full-grain and nubuck leathers, water-resistant layers, high ankle support, arch support, and cushioned insoles.
Despite their well-rounded design, tactical boots have a degree of stiffness in their uppers and midsoles. This stiffness results in a break-in period, during which time your agility and nimbleness gradually improve.
Fortunately, despite their military origins, tactical boots are versatile and suitable for a wide range of activities, making them accessible to individuals from various backgrounds and interests.
Can you Hike in Military Boots?
Hiking in military boots is feasible, but understanding your trail’s requirements beforehand is essential. Tactical boots, constructed with robust leather uppers, offer durability, damage resistance, and comprehensive foot protection.
These features are complemented by high-cut collars that provide excellent ankle support for hiking, enhancing stability on uneven terrain. While most tactical boots have hard rubber outsoles, some incorporate Vibram soles for added traction.
Military boots, despite their rugged build, provide traction equivalent to traditional hiking boots, thanks to their engineered outsoles designed to handle various terrains. This versatility makes them suitable for use in virtually any environment.
Furthermore, military boots surprisingly offer a high level of comfort. Although they have stiff midsoles, they integrate soft EVA or PU cushioning to ensure comfort and support, allowing extended wear during outdoor activities.
Incorporating waterproofing, military boots encompass nearly all the advantages of standard hiking boots, presenting a well-rounded choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
We recommend using combat boots for hiking since they offer versatility, durability, and support similar to regular hiking boots. However, they are less flexible and specialized for casual trails, making them less suitable for the most demanding hikes.
Tactical boots, designed to withstand challenging conditions, are excellent for mid-tier hikers seeking to elevate the intensity of their adventures.
What Are the Best Military Boots for Hiking?
Nortiv 8 Military Tactical Boots
The Nortiv 8 Military Tactical Boots are footwear made with durable, waterproof leather and mesh uppers, which are also breathable.
The rubber outsole features a multi-directional tread that has excellent stability and gives good traction on rough terrain.
This is in addition to the padded ankle collar, which provides added protection and support with a 6mm shaft height.
Also, since this boot features a removable insole, you can replace the foam cushioning to fit your needs. Finally, the closure system consists of laces, an adjustable strap, and side zipper.
Overall, these tactical boots are well-made for mountaineering, camping, climbing, and other daily indoor or outdoor activities.
FREE SOLDIER Men’s Tactical Boots
The FREE SOLDIER Men’s Tactical Boot is a lightweight military boot made for hiking, running, climbing, and casual outdoor settings.
The uppers are made with suede leather and a 1000D Cordura fabric, which keeps the boot breathable and flexible, while also draining all moisture.
The FREE SOLDIER boots also have an 8in. collar height and a gusseted tongue that keeps debris from getting inside.
As far as support and protection go, the anti-collision toe cap protects the toes from hard impacts, and the heel cup is reinforced with more padding.
Unlike the Nortiv 8’s omnidirectional tread, the FREE SOLDIER only has an anti-skid sole, which is grippy and slip-resistant, but probably not as versatile.
5.11 ATAC 2.0 8″ Military Tactical Boot
The 5.11 ATAC 2.0 is a hardcore military boot designed to handle challenging terrain, thanks to its full-grain leather and nylon uppers.
The ATAC 2.0 is similar to most hiking boots in terms of durability, support, and comfort.
The insole is made with an Ortholite dual-density foam layer that conforms to the shape of your underfoot, and the Achilles heel flexes for an increased range of motion.
For those who like to carry a useful tool or some form of protection on a hike, the ATAC features a hidden knife pocket for storage.
Out of the other footwear on this list, the ATAC does better at blending the best parts of tactical and hiking boots together.
Advantages of Using Tactical Boots for Hiking
1. Durability
The uppers of military boots possess exceptional strength, often crafted from leather materials. This not only contributes to their longevity but also enhances their resistance to wear and tear.
The robust construction of these premium uppers makes combat boots a suitable choice for hiking, providing excellent protection for the feet against challenging environmental conditions.
In terms of durability, traditional combat boots tend to surpass hiking boots, as they are designed to withstand elements that would deteriorate most other types of footwear.
Learn more about why special forces wear hiking boots.
2. Traction
Many combat boots feature hard rubber outsoles, although some may incorporate high-quality Vibram outsoles.
The primary purpose of a combat boot’s outsole is to provide a dependable grip on surfaces such as sand, rain, snow, and gravel.
Furthermore, most combat boots offer crampon compatibility, providing an advantage for those in need of enhanced traction options like microspikes, which may not be available with certain hiking boots.
3. Support
Military boots have great support, especially on the ankles and heels.
Tactical boots are meant to keep soldiers on their feet for long periods of time, and considering that most military footwear has Ortholite insoles, cushioned heel cups, and high ankle collars, you can get a lot of mileage out of them.
On a hiking trail with varied terrain, a military boot would display consistent performance and stability, including on areas with sharp ascents and descents.
4. Weight
Combat boots are usually light, around 2 pounds, but rarely over 2.5 pounds, just like standard hiking boots. So, the choice between using hiking or combat boots really depends on what you prefer.
Just remember that the right boot choice depends on what you need for your specific journey and load.
Disadvantages of Using Tactical Boots for Hiking
1. Breathability
While tactical boots are designed with well-ventilated uppers, it’s worth noting that not all of them provide sufficient airflow.
This issue is not unique to tactical boots and is shared by certain styles of hiking boots as well. Particularly in warmer weather, these types of boots may have a tendency to trap heat or release it at a slow pace.
In such circumstances, there is a risk of experiencing sweaty feet while on a hike.
Therefore, it is advisable to avoid wearing combat boots continuously for several days during a hike without allowing for proper breaks.
2. Waterproofing
Military boots often feature water-resistant uppers as opposed to waterproof membranes commonly found in hiking boots.
The drawback of relying on water resistance rather than waterproofing is that it tends to be slightly less reliable. If the boot’s water-resistant coating is subjected to continual exposure to moisture, it can gradually lose its effectiveness in keeping water out.
While this deterioration may take some time to occur, it could become a concern during a wet hike, affecting the overall lifespan of the boot.
3. Flexibility
Some combat boots are made with softer uppers or leathers that are better at contouring to the shape of your feet.
However, in most cases, due to the rigid design of a military boot and the conditions that most law enforcement wears them in, they’re incredibly stiff.
Unlike hiking boots and trail runners, which have short break-in periods, military boots tend to require longer to get accustomed to.
Additionally, military boots wear more like mountaineering boots, which may be an unfamiliar feeling to less experienced hikers.
4. Utility
Military boots are designed to be worn in harsh climates, such as hot deserts, rainy forests, and snowy mountains.
Even though they can be worn for almost any outdoor occasion, the features they’re made with make them overkill for casual hikers and simple trails.
While this isn’t entirely bad, it would probably be better to use footwear that’s tailored specifically to the trail you plan to hike. This lowers the chances of something going wrong when you’re on the move.
With that in mind, if you’re interested in checking out other types of footwear, then take a look at our following articles:
- Best Hiking Boots For Ankle Support
- Best Hiking Boots for Flat Feet
- Top Hiking Boots For Wide Feet
- Best Barefoot Hiking Boots
- High-Quality Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
- Best Lightweight Outdoor Boots
- Best Waterproof Hiking Boots
FAQs
Combat boots do work as hiking boots. Combat boots are made with sturdy uppers, soft insoles, grippy outsoles, and other protective features that would make them ideal for hiking on varied terrain.
Tactical boots are used to give individuals who serve as military personnel or law enforcement an edge in the field. The all-purpose utility of a tactical boot makes it reliable for various outdoor and urban settings.
Some of the specific conditions or environments where combat boots excel are in rocky, wet, muddy, and slushy terrain. The uppers and outsoles of combat boots provide consistent protection and grip in all terrain.
