Every day when we open our eyes, let’s be prepared for at least 10,000-30,000 steps for all activities.
This number can be even more if you do manual work and constantly have to walk in the warehouse, on the construction site, or on the road.
And the footwear you wear plays a vital role in making your work productivity as well as helping to ensure better foot health.
So, are tactical boots good for walking? Yes, I must admit.
Tactical boots are one of the best footwear you can count on for comfort and safety while walking.
They are crazily lightweight, sturdy, and well protected.
Especially when you have to walk around potentially hazardous surfaces such as electricity, fire, or compression.
When moving, our legs are subject to different types of muscle stress than when standing still for long periods of time.
This type of stress also causes muscle tension leading to ankle pains, arch pains, and overall foot fatigue.
So, if you wear supportive footwear like tactical boots, the issue of being on foot every 10 hours or more every day at work becomes much easier and more fun.
We’ve come up with some intensive analysis about why we said tactical boots are a good choice for walking as well as good tactical boots recommendations for you below.
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Are tactical boots good for walking?
As stated above, tactical boots are good for walking for many good reasons.
These boots are usually designed and manufactured specifically for heavy-duty or heavy-abused jobs such as patrol policies, construction site workers, hunters, or motorbikes.
They have a solid construction and are durable enough to withstand the pressure of the wearer’s weight in constant walking and movement, yet still reducing foot pain at the end of the day.
Let’s come closer to which features make tactical boots a good choice for walking.
What makes tactical boots good for walking?
Here are some of the very well-evaluated features that tactical boots possess to make them the best option for walking.
Lightweight
When you’re commuting at work, this can require you to climb stairs or walk short distances, and lead to rapid foot fatigue.
Especially when you have to carry heavy loads like when working on a construction site, lightweight footwear will help your feet reduce fatigue better.
Essentially, a lightweight boot doesn’t add too much weight to your foot every time you step, and your leg muscles will get tension and muscle stress more slowly.
Tactical boots are famous for their super lightness. But that doesn’t mean they’re as light as the slippery Crocs you wear around the house.
Tactical boots are lightweight in a very safe and sensible way.
They retain the structure of specialized military footwear, but omit heavy details like leather upper, heavy rubber outsoles and replace them with lightweight mesh/textiles or light synthetic outsoles.
This ensures safety and breathability for the wearers without affecting the energy return of tactical boots.
This is extremely helpful for police officers who constantly have to do long patrol shifts on the road, forests, mountains, or rocky areas for up to 12 hours a day.
Many said that at the end of the day, they could be back home with happy feet thanks to their lightweight tactical boots.
Insoles
Some tactical boots are provided with specialized insoles that give away comfortability to the wearer right out of the box.
They are equipped with a stable platform and proper cushioning to fight against fatigue when walking all day long, running, or engaging at work.
Tactical boot insoles are also excellent at providing shock absorption and shock attenuation while running long distances.
Tactical boot insoles came up with perfect foot support.
They mostly follow the design of “anatomically perfect shape” for the foot which in turn makes your walking, running, or other foot movements less tiring and straining.
This shape with some extended arch support and deep heel cup can work well for both low arch and general high arch to feel comfortable around the arch, heel, and the ball while moving.
Besides, some tactical boot insoles are very good at moisture dissipation.
They are designed with a very special structure with holes in the underside of the insole.
These promote air circulation to keep the feet dry and cool whether you are walking a lot in hot or humid conditions.
This is very necessary for people who work at construction sites, whose feet tend to sweat more due to working outdoors for long periods of time.
They also often have to carry heavy loads to a certain height. Therefore, proper cushion and ventilating insoles will bring the most comfort to your feet all day long.
Vibram outsoles
Many tactical boots’ outsoles are optimized with Vibram outsoles. This outsole is a promise for the highest level of safety, traction, comfort, and durability.
No matter what conditions you walk in at work, you always need an outsole with good ground adhesion to avoid the risk of falling and causing work injuries.
This is even more vital when your job requires you to walk on inclined or muddy or greasy surfaces.
Vibram outsoles are manufactured from vulcanized rubber for durability, the highest level of traction, and high wear resistance.
The rubber outsole of tactical boots is attached to the top with glue to create a seamless structure instead of being stitched.
This increases the external water resistance that good work footwear should have.
An important point that sets tactical boot outsoles apart from other footwear outsoles is the tread patterns design.
Because tactical boots are manufactured mainly for high abuse work environments such as construction sites, jungle, or mountains, they often have deep-grooved tread patterns to increase traction and grip on slippery or inclined surfaces.
Some tactical boot outsoles are perfect at oil-and-water resistance.
You can feel worry-free to walk around industrial areas with oils and greases scattering around without slipping and falling.
They also help fight against slipping while riding the motorbikes in the rain.
Energy return system
In the past, energy return tech was used mostly for trainers or sport shoes.
It refers to something agile and quick that we most think about athletic footwear rather than work boots.
But tactical boots are more than just work boots, they are specially designed for tactical and engaging movements in physical activities as well.
Therefore, the boots are included with an energy return system with ideal cushioning and a proper spot which in turn provides a springboard effect to boost the steps forward momentum.
As a result, your foot tends to compensate for less energy and less quickly tiring while constantly hiking on the road.
Besides, tactical boots are lightweight, which also contributes to a responsive ride (one of many applications of the energy return system).
You don’t feel dead under your foot, you feel your footwear responds better to the ground that makes you walk effortlessly and comfortably.
This is very helpful when you work at a warehouse that requires you to walk fast and move things as quickly as possible.
Arch/ankle support
Arch support refers mostly to the arch shape and shanks.
Most tactical boots provide a good platform at the insoles for the low arch, normal arch, and some general cases of a high arch.
The boots follow up the design of anatomically perfect arch shape that can handle the most common types of the human arch.
Yet, if you have a special high arch type, we recommend inserting an extra insole to make your feet feel more comfortable.
Shanks are placed inside in most tactical boots as this is one of the most important devices to set the boots apart from other footwear in terms of protection and flexibility.
Keep in mind that tactical boots are a hybrid of sports shoes and heavy work boots.
They are well-protected, lightweight, and agile. TPU/composite shanks are most common as they are light and give both good support to the human arch and a straight form to the boot structure.
The shanks also help improve stability and balance while walking.
This also means to reduce the risk of twisting the ankles and legs while walking fast and with quick movements.
People who do jobs like fish and game wardens will appreciate this feature.
They have to walk every day for miles and often have to change the direction of movement according to the target (the animals they chase).
The terrains they walk on are also extremely uneven/rocky/inclined and it is easy to cause sprains when moving.
Tactical boots help correct their walking gaits to be more balanced and stable, reducing injuries to the ankle and foot better.
Roomy toe boxes
Unlike standing still, walking requires your toes to constantly move and rub against the toe cap of the footwear.
If your boots are too tight or too narrow at the toe box, you will likely suffer from hammertoes, pains everywhere, swollen feet, bunions, and scratches.
Fortunately, most tactical boots have a roomy toe box design even when you wear the right size for your feet.
The boots provide a proper longer toe box than the longest toe as well as a round toe design.
It gives an extra space to prevent the toes and the balls of the feet from rubbing against the socks and the toe cap that causes blisters.
A narrow toe box can also lead to poor walking postures, causing the development of corns, sprains, plantar fasciitis, and unnatural walking gaits.
Besides, many Americans possess wide feet, which means they are in need of this extra toe box to move more comfortably without being hurt badly.
But keep in mind that the best size for a roomy toe box should be something that gives a little extra space for the toes but must give a snug fit in the midfoot and the heel.
Fit
I would say what I love the most in wearing tactical boots for walking is how comfortable they fit and wrap my feet and legs.
Tactical boots possess a high collar design that is around 6-8 inches or at least 5 inches.
They have padded collars that give a good fit and hold up the feet pretty well.
You are likely not to face any risk of the footwear slipping off the foot while walking, running, or climbing even when stuck in the mud, sand, or dense vegetation.
Besides, what contributes greatly to this function is the speed-lace system that you can’t find in other ordinary footwear.
It helps fasten easily and get ready for fastpacking if you are on your hiking trips or urgent duties.
Waterproofness
Most people who wear tactical boots to walk often work in outdoor conditions.
Factors such as water, mud, or rains make their boots easy to get damp from the outside in. And yes, the feeling of wet feet is not pleasant at all.
Waterproofness refers to how dry the boots can keep your feet all the way from the inside out.
This is different from water resistance or water repellency in that your boots are only protective against water from the outside.
What makes this feature work effectively is the waterproof lining (such as Gore-tex lining) that is placed all over inside the boots where water possibly penetrates.
This is like a barrier that prevents water from seeping into your feet, causing wet feet and damage to other parts of the boots.
You can find many Gore-tex lining features in tactical boots and sports shoes out there in the market.
But what sets tactical boots apart from others is the quick-dry and seamless construction of boots.
These constructions completely prevent water from getting inside even through the stitching gaps or other micro gaps while assembling the parts of the boots together.
Why are Tactical Boots Good for walking and why not?
As stated above, tactical boots are a hybrid of sports shoes and work boots.
They are perfectly lightweight, protective, and super comfortable for multiple uses.
However, there are some people who love wearing boots for walking and there are some who dislike them.
Here are the most common pros and cons that you can get to consider.
7 Pros
Comfort
The comfort of tactical boots comes largely from the soft yet sturdy construction and holding up the feet comfortably around the ankle.
In addition, the wearer is provided with a roomy toe box, shank, and ideal cushioning to help absorb shock while walking as well as reduce foot fatigue at the end of the day.
Most tactical boots use extremely breathable materials such as mesh, or textile to reduce weight and increase air circulation in and out of the boots.
That way, your feet are kept dry and cool all the way.
This is extremely useful for those who work outdoors and constantly walk such as hunters, manual workers, or police officers.
Safety
Those who walk around electricity or compression areas can be worry-free to wear tactical boots.
ASTM-standard toe caps are provided in some lines that help replace heavy steel toe caps but remain the same safety effects.
The composite toe is definitely metal-free and non heat and electricity transmission.
It works well to protect the toes from sharp objects falling from high points above.
Tactical boots are also made from full-grain leather that can withstand heat transfer from the fire in the outside environment to the inner toes.
Besides, full-grain leather is fire-resistant as well, which makes a good option for firefighter’s footwear.
Many tactical boots designed specifically for firefighters or wildland firefighters feature special anti-slip soles with deep-grooved tread patterns for safe walking on dirt roads or slippery surfaces.
Puncture-resistant outsole makes the boots a good option to walk safely on rough metal surfaces at construction sites or metal cutting factories or even dense vegetation.
They also have a multi-layer cushion construction and good fire resistance for all-around foot protection.
Foot fatigue reduction
Many people admit that they feel pain-free when being on their feet even up to 12 hours every day at work.
Some people can even improve their sprains or high arch problems by wearing tactical boots while walking.
The boots are extremely light and so don’t add extra weight to their feet.
Some jobs often have to climb stairs or carry heavy loads that will quickly cause muscle tension on the legs and foot, leading to fatigue in a short time.
But when wearing tactical boots, the footwear sticks well on uneven/inclined surfaces, providing better protection and energy return to decrease fatigue.
The proper roomy toe box makes the boots a perfect option to fight against blisters and corns by giving a comfortable space for toes to move while walking, running, or riding motorbikes.
Price
There are many types of tactical boots on the market with low, medium to high prices.
If you are looking for a good range of boots at a very affordable price, the Interceptor tactical boots at Walmart stores are a perfect choice.
If you are searching for a line of boots that both look very good at design and configuration, Bates, Reebok, or Under Armor are reputable and outstanding brands.
Yet, their prices will also vary according to materials and features.
Breathability
Most tactical boots have a mesh or textile upper that not only helps reduce weight but also helps increase breathability from the outside to the inside of the foot.
In addition, the EVA midsole attached between the insole and outsole has good sweat and moisture absorption to help keep feet dry and comfortable when walking in hot weather.
Multi purposes
Because tactical boots are a combination of features and design between sneakers and military boots, you can wear them to exercise, walk to work or simply coordinate with outfits to go out.
They are also optimally used to provide protection and comfort at the same time for heavy abuse jobs such as long patrolling, construction sites, or hunting.
Suitable for different terrains, conditions and environments
It is not an exaggeration to say that tactical boots are the most versatile footwear.
That’s also because the boots’ features are optimized to work well on all types of terrain, environments and conditions.
For example, with the non-slip and anti-puncture outsole, you can work safely on rough surfaces like a construction site, slippery surfaces like when going in the woods, even hard, pointed surfaces like cliffs.
High-collar boots help protect feet from dirt, sand, dry leaves or something that splashes the ankles in all environments.
2 Cons
Shaft height
Most tactical boots have a high collar design, except for low-cut models that are fewer than 5 inches high.
With this design, they provide the best protection for the ankle from external influences such as fire, heat, or rock.
However, if your job requires only light walking, then a high collar may not be the design you need.
They are quite entangled and not easy to take apart or get in when needed.
If you work as a waiter at a Japanese restaurant, we recommend that you never wear high collar tactical boots.
Taking a long time to take off your boots then get in will get you in trouble with your manager soon.
Durability
Many people complain to us about the durability of tactical boots. And we must say, your confusion makes sense.
Sometimes we have to make a trade-off between lightweight and comfortable footwear that often won’t be too durable, especially if you work in heavy abuse work environments.
If you need a pair of durable boots, you should invest the extra money to buy something from Danner full-grain leather lines, they are relatively die-hard with a lifespan of years.
But keep in mind that durable materials mean longer break-ins instead of being wearable right out of the box.
3 Handpicked Tactical boots for walking
Now we have gathered around these 3 best low collar tactical boots that are perfect options for walking as introduced below:
Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS 1.5 with Zipper Military and Tactical Boots
Looking for short collar tactical boots with rigid quality, here you are, Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS 1.5 tactical boots.
The first impression right at the moment you put the boots on is how crazily lightweight the boots are.
The boots make you feel like you are wearing a pair of running shoes instead of boots for work.
They can be greatly helpful to support those who are suffering from Plantar Fasciitis and arch pains when walking.
A small note that the toe box is a little narrow for wide feet, so we recommend picking a half size bigger than your usual experience to get an extra comfortable room for your toes.
Some people who are on long patrol shifts day and night told us that they still get happy feet at the end of the day, thanks to their ideal cushioning and solid construction.
If you are wondering how durable they are, I could say, more than you expect.
The boots can survive in heavy abuse conditions as some said they could last up to a few years. Multi-direction rubber outsole helps withstand slippery surfaces.
Overall, the boots appear very well-made, well-constructed, and look super badass with tactical styles.
Features
- 100% quality lightweight synthetic leather and textile upper
- UA ClutchFit support for the ankle
- TPU toe cap for better toe protection
- Side zipper provided
- Extra grippy rubber outsole
Con
- A little small toe box
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 8″ Tactical Waterproof
If you search for durable footwear to withstand walking on sand, rock, or mud, these Merrell Men’s Moab 8″ tactical boots are for you.
Merrell is one of the big brands that give professional tactical boot wearers a big trust in the quality and functions.
And these boots can even satisfy your expectation of having happy feet at the end of the day after a 12 hours patrol walking shift for many miles.
Some said there is almost no break-in period due to their soft but sturdy construction.
Many cops and Marine Corps officers have used these boots as their work boots. The boots hold up very comfortably around the ankle.
They are super lightweight but are made very well-stitched and constructed.
Mesh lining provides excellent ventilation and breathability to walk in hot and humid conditions.
Besides, the footwear possesses solid and no overbearing arch support and shanks that can give adequate comfort for most common archetypes of users.
You can feel the roomy toe box but still fit snugly at the heels and the ball of the foot.
That is why you don’t need to run an extra size to fit comfortably with these Merrell boots.
Waterproof PU coating on the outside can give a good level of water resistance to the boots too.
Features
- Quality leather and mesh upper
- Mesh lining for excellent ventilation and breathability
- The side zipper is provided
- Merrell air cushion midsole for stability and shock absorption
- Deep-grooved tread pattern rubber outsole for extra traction
- Nylon arch shanks for balance and arch support
Con
- Moderate durability
FREE SOLDIER Men’s Waterproof 6 Inches Lightweight Tactical Boots
A choice for silent walking with a super energy return effect, these FREE SOLDIER Men 6 inches tactical boots exceed what you need.
The boots are super lightweight and hold up very well around the ankle with extra comfort from padded collars.
The price is greatly affordable for many types of users.
Those who are working as hunters can get pleasure with the satisfaction of comfort and values when walking all day around 12 miles and 10-18 hours on these boots.
Many said the boots require no break-in period, which means the wearers can feel comfortable right out of the box. Yet, the boots are not really waterproof as advertised.
Some experience soaking socks when walking through the rain for a few minutes.
However, quick-dry construction can drain the water out very fast. So we recommend avoiding this awkward situation by using them in dry to normal humid conditions.
Overall, the boots appear very well-stitched and well-constructed. You can wear them for many purposes from hiking, picnicking to working and heavy-abuse walking.
During hot weather, the boots breathe very well, yet are excellently water-resistant.
Features
- Quality plaid anti-puncture fabric and TPU materials
- Super grippy rubber outsole on all terrains
- Anti-collision toe cap and heel for protection
- Well-stitched and quick-dry construction
Con
- The boots maybe not true to the size
Wrapping It Up
Either walking for work or exercises, your legs and feet are still subjected to a certain amount of force that causes pain and fatigue.
This is even worse if you wear a pair of boots that not only provide less support but also increase the burden on your feet.
With tactical boots, you won’t have to worry about these problems.
I can be sure that this is the best footwear choice for you to walk all day long for up to 10 hours.