Ops Systems Climate 6 boots

The new Climate range of tactical footwear from Ops Systems (UK) Ltd have the trade mark ‘Fit for Purpose’ ™, and the pair of all leather Climate 6 THERMOLITE boots that we have had on test, certainly fulfil that promise.

With a top quality black leather upper, these lightweight 6” high tactical boots were primarily designed for Military (including Special Forces), Police, Prison Wardens and Private Security operators. The full-grain leather outer is lined with Cambrelle® to keep your feet comfortable and dry, and is insulated with a THERMOLITE® membrane to regulate your foot temperature, keeping it warm in cold weather and cool in the heat.

The Design

Justin Lafford, Head of Design for OpsSystems (UK) Ltd., has this to say about the Climate 6.

“The Ops Tactical Climate range of boots started off life as an itinerary in the form of a list of features and functionalities. Many discussion meetings were held to delve deeper into the specifics of the list to ensure that the design and development process strictly followed the brief.

The boots all needed to have the following qualities:
• Great structural support to the foot, ankle and leg in both the 6 inch and
8 inch models.
• Be lightweight.
• Have excellent cushioning under foot and be very comfortable when worn 24/7.
• Strong durability and yet be flexible at the same time.
• Be made from top quality materials that would endure extreme conditions.
• Provide good breathability to the feet along with quick drying capability.
• Include temperature regulating and heat expelling internal membranes to establish wearer comfort in different climates.

With this mind, I then took pencil to paper, constantly thinking over the requirements for the boots. The uppers have been created using structural influences from skeletal forms from humans and animals, automobile chassis design and constructual architecture to create the lightweight anatomical shaping of the designs without losing any of the functionality the boots demand.Double layer materials were added to major stress points on the boots to increase their durability within the prime flex zones.

During the design and development process I liaised closely with numerous experts in the field, both serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Security Sector. In doing so I obtained accurate real-life information from the very people that we are designing these products for. People who regard quality designed and engineered products to be paramount within their work.

The outcome is a concise range of boots, which are Fit For Purpose.”

The Build

Features of the Climate 6 include;
• Padded collar with calf curvature to assist lower leg leverage.
• Structural ankle support.
• Upper designed for maximum support for the ankle.
• Bellows tongue to keep debris out.
• External mid-foot support. 6. Double layer strengthening.
• Full forefoot support integrated with the lacing system.
• Multi-directional tread lightweight rubber sole.
• THERMOLITE® membrane
• Cambrelle® lining

As can be seen, Climate 6 is designed with fit, form and function in mind, and it’s both water resistant and durable.

In Use

The boots were used both outdoors and indoors for ‘climate’ checks and they came through with flying colours, keeping foot temperature comfortably in control – if not cool – when in a heated room, and nicely warm when walking down a frosty, windy foreshore at first light. As for water resistance, typically the weather stayed annoyingly dry throughout, when we could have done with a little more rain for test purposes. Nevertheless, in puddles and muddy shallows the Climate 6 stayed water resistant and the leather wiped clean easily. Most impressive was the sole pattern, with cleats that gripped the ground yet easily shed mud with virtually no clogging – even with wet Thames Estuary clay based mud.

The lacing system uses eyes right to the top of the boots, which works well enough and you will either like it or not -  I would prefer the last three sets to be hooks for easier removal and faster lacing, but there are a lot of people that will like them just the way they are.

Ankle and foot support is excellent, with padding keeping the foot comfortable and effectively cushioned from internal torsion (twisting/spraining) injury, while reinforced heel and toe sections help protect from exterior knocks. 

Comfort was good throughout, even during long walks. These 6” boots will be high enough for most wearers, but an 8” version is also available – the Climate 8”.

Other versions of the Climate series are the lightweight Climate 6 Black Leather and CORDURA® boot and the Climate 6 Desert Boot in a sand coloured suede and CORDURA® upper, plus a COOLMAX® lining to keep your feet cool in hot climates. All these boots are priced at £94.99 a pair.