5.11 Tactical Advance Boots

Comfortable footwear is one of my main priorities when selecting outdoor gear and the 5:11 Tactical Advance Boots certainly fit the bill!

These 6” high boots are designed for warm, dry, weather use and are styled as a “desert boot” with sand or “coyote” coloured suede leather uppers with 1200D nylon inserts, and have a deep “Tactical” sticky rubber toe protecting rand.

The lacing system features 8 pairs of lace holes in a stand that has a “flex notch” for ease of ankle flexing and the laces pass through a stabilizing loop on the padded, bellows type tongue. The ankle has a deep, padded and shaped cuff and there is a webbing “pull on” loop at back while two small vent holes are found in the instep.  The sole is a quiet, fairly soft and sticky oil and slip resistant unit with deep moulded cleats, and it incorporates semi-rigid textured toe and heel “bumpers”.

Comfortable – and Sweet Smelling

The boots feature open cell foam cushioning for instant comfort and an anti-bacterial moisture wicking lining to help avoid any foot infections, while a dual-density “Polyou” insert combined with a “Hypertex” lasting board, a non-metallic shank and an injection moulded “Phylon” midsole, give stability and shock reduction for comfortably protected and supported feet on hard and uneven ground.

A “shock mitigation” system insole containing extra shock reducing inserts and ventilation cut-outs. It’s removable for drying and airing the boots, and helps keep feet fresh and comfortable. An anti-odour active charcoal layer also helps feed stay sweet!

The most noticeable feature of the Advance Boots is a YKK side zip that not only has a Velcro-fastened top-securing strap and a suede inner flap, but really works well!  I have found that, even with the laces pulled really tight for a secure fit on loose, rough ground, I have no problem slipping my feet into, or out of the boots just using the side zip to loosen the fit.

Field Testing

I have been wearing these boots for rugged walking, with and without loads of up to 80lbs, and have found them comfortable from the first, giving excellent support and good grip on everything except wet weedy rocks on a river.  Tough and well made, and smart enough for everyday wear, these boots are proving very much a favourite – and the zips make them so convenient and fast to put on!

These are the first boots from 5.11 Tactical that I have tried and I am very impressed with the quality of the construction, fit, comfort and design.

Available in sizes 4 to 15 (half sizes 6-12 as well) in Sand (Coyote) only, the 5:11 Tactical Advance Boots cost around £95.99.