tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83514346240314197042023-11-15T08:48:08.961-08:0010-8 Double A ReviewsMy opinions on stuff. What qualifies me to have an opinion on stuff? I have been a beat cop, detective, intelligence officer, tactical flight officer, gang officer, bike officer, Honor guard, bean bag certified, patrol rifle certified and a bunch of other stuff.Double Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06931140842652412698noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8351434624031419704.post-54720142479711155722012-01-18T07:14:00.000-08:002012-01-18T07:14:25.697-08:00Boots<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Boots are a critical part of any patrol officers equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something that was drilled into my head in Army OCS was take care of your platoons feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On road marches we as platoon leaders were expected to make sure our platoon had the appropriate supplies (socks, mole skin, foot powder, band aids ect) to take care of their feet before the march.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence the pre march equipment inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition we were expected to stop at the appropriate intervals to allow them care for their feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phrase that sticks with me is “A soldier that can’t walk on his feet cannot fight for you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because everyone has different shapes and sizes of feet it’s impossible to suggest one boot that fits all people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have worn, Bates (lots and lots of these), Bellville (lots of these too), Converse (only one pair that fell apart in a few months) Magnum, a nifty pair of Beretta boots and several different 5.11 tactical boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bates boots are built to last and I still have some from the army as backups and they shine nice and last very well but they are heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because fit and comfort is a personal thing I will stick with performance, and that is just my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hands down my favorite pair of boots were the 5.11 XPRT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are by far the most stable based on their talon system that keeps your ankle stable in nearly all conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This probably sounds strange but stability wise it feels like when you step onto any surface your foot is 12 inches wide because it feels so solidly planted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No of course in reality your foot is only a few inches wide but these boots make each step very very stable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am prone to rolling my ankle and this was never, not even once an issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running after suspects, jumping fences and running over unfamiliar unstable territory is no problem in these boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I didn’t like was no zipper side and they are 8” tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also the sole wore out in a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to be fair I work in the Phoenix metro area and the asphalt can get rather hot when its 115 degrees out and I can’t think of one time ever no matter how bloody a crime scene or slippery a collision scene was that I lost grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in order to keep that kind of grip I suppose the rubber compound needs to be pretty soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much much lighter than the bates and much better traction in all conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The XPRT is in my opinion the maximum performance boot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But everything in life is a compromise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be nice if our patrol cars had 900 horsepower and 3 g turning like formula one cars, but you can’t fit suspects or a patrol rifle in a formula one car.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My next favorite boots were the 5.11 tactical 6” Haste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love these because the 6” sides make driving so much more comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you know we spend hours driving patrol cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hands down these boots are the most comfortable for driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are very light and running after suspects they feel more like running shoes than most boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not quite as stable as the XPRT and don’t last as long as the Bates, but in my opinion, these offer the best compromise in performance and economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will buy another pair of these, unless they make a 6” XPRT, hint hint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Double Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06931140842652412698noreply@blogger.com0