Nothing beats a comfortable pair of broken-in sneakers. For those that served in the military in my era (most of the 90’s), the issued footwear could NOT have been further from this reality. The 75th Ranger regiment at the time still used Vietnam era jungle boots. Although these boots differentiated us from the conventional infantry units at Fort Lewis, they were not known for their comfort. In fact, I can attribute the destruction of my high arched feet (now flat feet) to those wonderful jungle boots. Fortunately, today’s soldier has a myriad of good options for tactical footwear. Boots that are waterproof, breathable, durable and don’t leave your dogs screaming in agony after spending all day and several miles in them. One such offering is the XPRT 3.0 Waterproof 6″ Boot .
Well known within military and law enforcement culture, 5.11 Tactical continues to churn out high quality and durable products. A quick search of the Loadout Room will display all of the 5.11 gear we’ve tested and reviewed over the years. The XPRT 3.0 was designed to check all the boxes when shopping for a versatile boot. Made with full grain waterproof leather, the XPRT 3.0 felt broken in right out of the box. An amply padded tongue and ankle area reduce fatigue without adding unwanted bulk to the boot. Additionally, the OrthoLite footbed ensures wearability all day.
The fabric used in the liner is eVent Protective. Both waterproof and chemical proof, this fabric is made for the tactical environment. “Trusted professional-grade protection. Featuring our bi-component Direct Diffusion technology, Protective footwear technology not only protects you from Mother Nature, it offers an added barrier of defense against chemicals and hazardous substances. Tested in the harshest conditions to meet the highest specifications, eVent Protective is counted on by professionals worldwide who need the most durable footwear protection on the market.” ~courtesy of eventfabrics.com.
The sole of the boot is the soul of the boot. And 5.11 went with the champion of soles in this department. Vibram. Known for their superior products and material development, Vibram was the obvious choice for the treads on the XPRT 3.0. A recent development from Vibram is Megagrip rubber: “The new high performance rubber compound featuring unparalleled grip on wet and dry surfaces, rugged longevity and optimal ground adaptability.” ~ courtesy of eu.vibram.com. This tread pattern features directional lugs in key areas for both ascending as well as descending hills.
- VIBRAM® Megagrip formula on outsole helps grip on dry & wet terrains
- New OrthoLite® Imperial footbed for higher energy return & less fatigue
- Kevlar® heel & side ankle abrasion protection
- eVent® Protect BBP waterproof lining
- VIBRAM Ananasi outsole with PU midsole using VIBRAM Megagrip formula on outsole for grip on dry & wet terrains
- Full-grain, waterproof, easy-polish leather
- NTOA Tested
- Imported
- MSRP $209.99
If you’re deploying soon and are looking at options for your feet, you won’t be disappointed with the XPRT 3.0 from 5.11 Tactical. Offered in both Dark Coyote and Black, this boot looks right at home in the tactical battle space as well as in the realm of uniformed law enforcement. I’ve spent all day in these boots on a number of occasions for work. And I can assure you that they are quite comfortable. Additionally, they performed very well in cold climates for a boot not specifically designed for cold weather.
