footwear

Darn Tough tactical boot socks vs. other brands

Socks, the topic nobody really focuses on until it’s too late. Rangers (and pretty much all other SOF or light Infantry types) spend a lot of time on their feet. The importance of a good quality set of socks cannot be understated. I’ve used socks from a variety of companies and have put them through hell over the years. Darn Tough still rains king and Rangers are still having them issued. I did a comparison of some boot socks I’ve used over the years and what I look for in a boot sock for heavy duty use.

–Tim Morgan

A Cascade Experience | La Sportiva Core High GTX

A few weeks back, six companions and I set out to summit the South Sister in central Oregon. Stepping off at 5AM without a cloud in the sky meant the weather was crisp and clear, a perfect day to summit the South Sister. For those who aren’t familiar, South Sister lies in the Cascade Range and has a significant hiking profile (5k feet in just over seven miles).

I was eager to try a new pair of hiking boots but had hesitations. I’d been encouraged to try these new La Sportiva’s out without breaking them in and was even more hesitant because I’d pegged myself as an ultra-light minimalist. Compared to the inov-8’s I’d worn in the past, these seemed like overkill.

Since my time in Ranger Battalion, I’ve followed the mantra that one pound on your feet equals five on your back. After enough miles humping in Danners and Bellevilles, I’d set out to stay light, fast, and avoid boots at all costs. I knew the day would consist of scrambling up lava rock and doing so in any shoe can cause issues, but with the Core High’s coming in at only 441 grams(.97 pounds for you metric opposers), I was more than concerned. How much support could they really give?

However, as soon as I got these boots on my feet I knew that something was different: I was comfortable, I felt supported and, most importantly, I was light. By 6AM we were out of the forest, working on the ascent. The grade increased and the ground turned to scree and sharp rhyolite. Despite this and a pack full of water and pogey bait, my feet felt great. I had numerous opportunities to roll my ankles and was solid – I’d walked through some light streams and yet, my feet were dry.

At the summit, we found a field of packed corn snow that had thawed and refrozen dozens of times through the summer. For the rest of the party, walking across was a challenge. The track was narrow and folks were slipping. Had I been wearing my worn out trail shoes I’d likely have been in the same position but the Sportiva’s kept me on the path with minimal effort.

Everyone knows that the vast majority of hiking/climbing injuries happen on the descent. You’re tired, focused on that warm Gatorade you’ve got waiting in the car, and aren’t placing your feet as carefully as you were on the way up. After five hours of ascent, I was at risk for, at best, a rolled ankle on the way down. However, the high tops of the Sportiva’s kept me in check. Coming off the mountain with Bachelor and Broken Top in view I felt like I was flying. I rarely had to stop and, for once, I wasn’t thinking about my feet. They didn’t ache, they were dry and, despite the fact that these boots were brand new, I had no hot spots.

Looking back at my time in Ranger Battalion I would have killed for a boot like this. Light and sturdy, able to take on the Hindu Kush or the streets of Ramadi. I’d be comfortable wearing these chugging up a 50% grade with the 240B, sprinting from a helicopter, or coming down a high fast rope.

Get your La Sportiva Core High GTX here

Guest Author – Kyle Morris. Kyle served in 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2003 – 2007. Over that time he had four deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantryman and graduated from Ranger School in 2005. In 2010 he earned a Bachelors of Science in Business, Entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon and has spent the past five years working in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

5.11 Pursuit Advance Boots: A tactical boot in a casual profile

Nearly a year ago to the date, I acquired the 5.11 Pursuit Advance Boots. Originally I was drawn to the casual design, but as soon as I put the boots on I was in love. The Pursuit Advance are amongst the topmost comfortable boots I have ever put on, are extremely light, and extremely mobile. I have some hesitations about the durability we’ll cover that.

I have used them during my attendance to many Law Enforcement schools, some of which have required miles of running in full kit and other physical activities such as pivoting, changing direction, squatting, etc. The boots have not let me down and I am honestly impressed with their comfort. I have also worn them out to dinner and on camping trips with my family, which shows their versatility and ads to value.

5.11 went with some solid features to attract the quiet professional. Details like “High-performance tactical boot in a casual profile”, “5.11 RECON® footbed for stability and agility”, and “Supports 5.11® Blood Patch Type Kit” can’t be overlooked. But the good stuff is in the sole. The Pursuit Advance rocks an Ortholite® insole which aids in comfort and performance and moisture control, a full length CMEVA midsole for a high tolerant and sleek design, an 8mm heel-to-toe drop for mobility, and all the lugs you could hope for (forefoot, arch, and climbing lugs) for solid grip and agility.

Some wear and tear is expected considering what I have put these boots through. However, I can’t say that I am pleased with their durability. The sole is cracking on my left boot where my foot bends at the toe; most likely from running, kneeling and getting up and down off the ground. Additionally, the left heel is slightly damaged, but I will take some of the blame for this. I tend to get lazy at times and use my right shoe to peel my left shoe off at the heel. There are also random parts on the boot that are staring (ever slightly) to peel from the sole. They are holding their integrity for the most part, but I can’t see them lasting much longer.

I own several pairs of boots that I can confidently say outperform the Pursuit Advance from a durability standpoint. The Pursuit Advance, however, cost significantly lower than their outperforming competitors and are much more comfortable. I would like to see 5.11 put a little more into the durability if they are going to pitch this boot as a “ready for anything” boot. Even if it raises the price; I personally would pay a little more for a boot that is going to last me longer. There are several brands out there that can go several years with showing less wear and tear than the Pursuit Advance but, to be fair, considering the price point and comfort, the Pursuit Advance makes a solid buy for the right customer.

Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boots: From the city to the mountains

I received my pair of Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boots about a year ago and have put plenty of miles on them. The color scheme of the pair I got was the Oxford/Rust which gives the boot more of an old-school hiking boot look.

There was a break in time with these boots; around 1 week of wearing them on a regular basis. Once broken in though, they were super comfortable to wear. After they were broken in, I wore them off and on for several weeks in the snow, slush and rain. I can attest to their waterproof claim as my feet stayed dry as a bone every time I wore them.

Last year I had an opportunity to spend 7 days in Germany. I only wanted to take a single pair of footwear to minimize what I was packing. After looking at the weather forecast for the dates I was going to be there (cool and rainy) I decided on the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boot. Not only were they waterproof and kept my feet dry, but they blended in well with the European populace. I wore these boots every day of the trip and put several miles on them each day for seven days straight. Not once did I develop any hot spots on my feet. The boots were extremely comfortable, kept my feet dry and were casual enough to walk into a nice restaurant. Although I haven’t done any running in these boots, I have no doubt that if I had to they would get the job done.

Pair these boots with a good quality pair of Darn Tough boot socks and you have yourself a bomber combination that will keep you mobile for a long long time.

Here is what Ridgemont Outfitters has to say about their Heritage boots.

The Heritage is a great looking, lightweight waterproof boot that is comfortable to wear from city sidewalks to mountain trails, and everywhere in between. Crafted from premium waxed & oiled leathers with a waxed cotton canvas collar and a 100% waterproof Hydroguard lining. There’s also heavy-duty metal d-rings and speed hooks for secure lacing and a gusseted tongue to keep out dust and debris. The outsole is made in conjunction with a super comfortable EVA midsole sitting on our real rubber mildly lugged tread pattern, so it provides excellent grip on loose and slippery surfaces without looking too aggressive. The Heritage also comes with two pairs of laces, one solid colored pair and one more subtle flecked colored pair. The choice is yours!

Upon return from my 7 day trip to Germany, I decided it was time to give these boots some TLC with Obenauf’s Leather Preservative.

AmeriTac Strikers: Between you and the ground

The satisfaction of a great piece of footwear is only second to the touch of a beautiful woman. At least to me, it is. I’d love to say I’ve humped as many women as I have miles in boots, but that’s just not possible. I live by a few mantras, and one of them is: be picky about what you put between the ground and you. This includes your mattress, your tires, and of course your boots. The AmeriTac Strike Elite Boots and I became good friends the moment I put them on. I wear boots daily and have a closet full of boots from brands like Bates, Danner, Propper, and more. You won’t find Sperrys on my shoe rack, but you will find boots that have crisscrossed the world a time or two. The AmeriTac Strikers have certainly earned their place on the shoe rack.

The Lowdown on the AmeriTac Strikers

These are six-inch tall boots that come in black and my first black boots. Until now I’ve been an FDE type of guy. The AmeriTac Strikers have a padded tongue and collar that never dig in. I lace my boots tight, so I like the extra padding. In the past, I’ve had boots that have gnarly imprints and causes severe irritation where the top of the boot met the skin. CoughBatesRATscough.

They feature speed lacing aglets which again are a manner of convenience. As much as I love wearing these boots after a long day, I want them off. The Speed lacing aglets make them quick and easy to put on and take off. Since I like my boots laced tightly this is a significant advantage to me. I don’t have to start pulling the laces at the bottom to loosen the top. I unwrap them from the speed aglets and pull them off

The internal mesh lining is also lovely and soft, which aids in hotspot resistants. Less hot spots mean fewer blisters.

Puttin’ in Work

The AmeriTac Strikers are extremely supportive. This was evident from the first day I put them on. You can the feel it, and it feels nice. I never really had to break the boots in. I didn’t go on any hikes the first week of wear, but I also never got foot cramps wearing these. In fact, they felt positively amazing through my average day. After about a week I hit the trails.

My first hike was after a fresh inch of rain and living on a dirt road meant mud. I figured it was a good time to give these a good road march test. A simple three-mile hump at a moderate pace with a light pack was comfortable. My feet felt fine, I splashed through puddles at the end and didn’t have any moisture meet my socks. I didn’t submerge the boots or go out of the way to be miserable, but they beat the splash test.

I hiked over lime rock mostly, and the outsole offered solid tread. I never slipped, rolled my ankle, or met my usual clumsy fate. After the hike, I dropped my pack, ate my Lunchable and decided to do a few sprints.

I hate running, and I hate running in boots more. The AmeriTac Strikers were still comfortable when running, and sprinting. I also found stopping quickly, or make sudden directional changes easy. Sometimes it’s not how fast you can run, but how soon you can stop that matters. The tread digs in, even on wet ground, and allows for stable footing. I still hate running though.

Kicking them Off

I’ve been wearing these boots daily for over a month and have found no serious flaws. As it’s warmed up, I like the 6 inch tops over the standard 8 inch Propper’s I’ve been wearing. I can wear shorter, and lighter socks, and have a little more ventilation down there. From the field to the grocery store they are comfortable and supportive.

Looking cool with my 80% lower receiver Glock.

One feature I adore is the placement of hard nylon on the rear of the boot. It’s ribber and allows me to use one boot to kick off the other without damaging the boot. Sometimes the little things can make me seriously giddy.

The AmerTiac Strikers are solid boots for hiking, hunting, working, and tactical use. They also look slick, which isn’t the biggest concern, but it’s still one to consider.

*Photos by author

Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX: One year update

I have worn these Merrells Moab 2 Mids on various terrain and in various conditions for 0ver a year now. They fit just as comfortable now as they first did fresh out of the box. These boots have performed exceptionally well and continue to do so regardless of whether I find myself trekking through mud, sand, or snow. The Moab 2 Mids are more of a cross between boots and trail runners than just boots themselves. The height of the boots run a little shorter than your standard hiking boots which sacrifices some ankle support to shed a little extra weight. This isn’t as bad as one might think when you realize that many thru-hikers, like those on the Appalachian trail (2,200 miles), prefer hiking all the way through in trail runners. These boots provide all the support I need for the bottom of feet and just enough support for my ankles.

Features and specifications

GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane, exceptional breathability and waterproof performance
Synthetic leather and mesh upper
Bellows, closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out
Protective rubber toe cap • Breathable mesh lining
Merrell M Select™ FIT.ECO+ blended EVA contoured footbed with added zonal arch and heel support
Molded nylon arch shank
Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
EVA midsole for stability and comfort
Vibram® TC5+ sole
5mm lug depth
Weight: 2lbs 1oz / 936G

I have seen the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX criticized by some owners for poor durability while others fervently attest to its toughness. I suppose you could say that experiences differ, some people love them, others not so much. I consider myself to be in the former group of people, these are my choice of adventure boots that I always take on the trails. That isn’t to say that these boots are absolutely perfect, but I do wear them on nearly every excursion and recommend them to people in the market for hiking boots. They have held up well for me so far after constantly taking them out all year and I fully expect that to continue. My fellow hiking and backpacking buddies who have tried the Moab 2 based my recommendation enjoy them as well. You can read my previous review of the boots, here.

All photos courtesy of Matt Jin