Your feet are your transport when it comes to the outdoors, and without the right protection, one wrong step could turn a good wilderness trip into a horrible event. When it comes to foot care and management, nothing beats the best military boots that professionals rely upon every day.

I never really thought too much about hiking boots before I joined the military. My idea was if the store recommends it and if it feels good then it should be good enough for me. Wrong. Foot management is principle when it comes to safety outdoors as well as everyday life and the most important part of that is choosing the right shoe for your foot.

For military professionals, your shoes are your preference. They are the only thing you have to be unique with. People enjoy the flat top some enjoy the rounding style. It is the only personalization you get to have when you’re all in the same uniform.

For outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, survivalists and practical preppers, the choice of a shoe is also an important key to safety. You could be outdoors in the wild, in an urban environment, in various climates or just working in the garden, so you’re going to need a versatile boot, and there’s nothing more fitting for that purpose than proven combat boots.

I have chosen to look at the best military boots that are approved by military forces around the world, simply because they are a tested shoe relied upon by so many feet, over so many miles, in so many different environments. It’s also because I still wear my own military boots that I have used in jungle environments, abandoned buildings, and desert landscapes.

So let’s take a look at the 8 best combat boots, so that you might have a few ideas in mind if you are looking at better ways to keep your feet in good shape.

8 Best Military Boots

IMAGE NAME RANK MATERIAL PRICE Garmont

T8 Suede

Canvas

Altama

Foxhound Synthetic

Suede Leather

Ryno Gear

Tactical Leather

Nylon

Reebok

Rapid Leather

Textile

Rocky

C4T Leather

Fabric

Oakley

Light Assault Textile

Synthetic

Danner

USMC Leather

Belleville

One Xero Leather



Now that we have an overview of those combat boots, let’s take a closer look at how they are made, how they operate, and what the feedback has been from the people we have spoken to who have actually put these military boots to good use in the field.

I put these first because they are my personal favorite and the only ones that I have kept with ever since I started using them several years ago. Without a doubt, in regards to their sales figures as well as feedback, I would have to say the Garmont T8 is the most comfortable military boot and by far one of the best military boots.

They’re great in wet weather climates or warm temperatures, however, I would not recommend them in anything colder than 0 degrees as their breathability can work both ways and your feet can get cold without a fire very quick.

A lot of people I know in the military wear these religiously just because they are an ultra-light boot so good for running boots and when you’re walking big distances they don’t end up feeling like concrete blocks on your feet.

Make:

Suede

Canvas vibram sole with a quick-dry skin

Good ventilation with a nylon meshing around the upper area

Reinforced with texon and canvas for durability.

These are a great all-terrain shoe that work well in water, sand, dirt and mud. For a standing shoe a lot of people have told me this is the best as they only start to hurt from about 4-5 hours of just standing in them. As a prepper, you shouldn’t have to stand that long but it says a lot about the comfort of this shoe.

A plus is a very close resemblance to Oakley military boots but a much cheaper option.

One downside to these is that they seem to have little grip on muddy paths, but they deal well with rocks because of the stiff underlining of the boot.

Make:

Synthetic materials

Suede leather fabric with a Scotchgard stain resistance

Breathable and tear resistant upper shoe

Gusseted tongue to keep dirt and debris out, Durable polymer speed lace eyelets, Airport friendly nylon shank

Moisture-wicking air mesh lining with AEGIS antimicrobial protection, 22 OZ. (680 G)

Removable custom fit EVA insole with PORON performance cushioning pad

Custom-molded phylon EVA midsole for lightweight comfort and cradled support

These are definitely a very affordable boot and perhaps if you are making a go bag for a friend these would be a great option. These boots are a bit of a throwaway and replace just because they are not built to walk military miles in like the others. They can wear through quite quickly and after a few good hikes you may start seeing tears or holes in the side of the material.

But again, that’s what you pay for. These are as comfortable as any of the other boots and are very sturdy on the foot.

These are great for the short hikers and outdoor casuals as well as the bank account, but for anything more than that it might be advisable to look at another shoe

Make:

Features a combination of leather and ballistic nylon for comfort and durability, Padded collar

Contrast stitching detail

Breathable mesh lining, Slip-resistant rubber outsole for added grip Water resistant inner lining

Removable shock-absorbent insoles for your comfort

If you’ve got a wide foot these might help. These are a wide easy-to-put-on boot with a side zipper. Although some people find the side zipper a bit pointless and always leave it done up.

The only downside to these is that they are a bit of an ugly boot and they have a small Reebok emblem in the side which after some distance can start to cause an annoying rub on the side of the heal. Some people have just patched the emblem with band-aids and that has fixed the issue.

Make:

Leather/Textile

Rubber sole

Shaft measures approximately 5″ from arch

Heel measures approximately 2″

Platform measures approximately 1.25″

Stealth 6″ tactical boot with side zipper

These are a super light-weight sports boot with strong ankle support. These are made a little smaller than others so going half a size up is a better option when you’re purchasing your size.

The soles of these feel like pillows so perform well as running boots, and obviously walking, is a breeze.

There has however been issues with people doing long marches and hikes in them and having the sole of the boot coming off. A few people have superglued it back on.

Make:

Leather/Fabric

Import

Rubber sole

Shaft measures approximately 7″ from arch

Heel measures approximately 1.5″

Platform measures approximately 1″

Durably water-resistant/fast drying

A company like Oakley really has to make a good boot if they’re going to do one at all. They provide a lot of high-quality tactical equipment and this one is no exception.

The lightness of this boot is almost inspirational. It’s the reason why a lot of special forces and infantrymen fork out money on these things. They’re practically wings for running in military boots and despite that lightness, no sacrifice has been made to the durability of the shoe. If you plan on doing a lot of running, especially for special forces roles, or law enforcement work, Oakley’s, much like the Garmont’s are great running boots that offer great foot protection.

The soles hold up great during long-term use and are great on any sort of road. They are not a waterproof shoe but they dry in an instant.

There’s not much bad to say with these shoes and rightly so, as soon as a problem happens Oakley generally responds with a fix to stock.

Make:

Textile/Synthetic

Imported

Synthetic sole

Shaft measures approximately 8.5″ from arch

Lace-up military boot in lightweight sneaker-inspired silhouette

Removable insole

If you’re a USMC provider you’re going to be a good shoemaker. These are the bees knees of hard army boots. They’re light, leather and durable as all hell. Anyone who I have ever spoken to that has worn these has said they are the best boot they have ever tried.

Most Marines would tell you the ultimate boot is the Danner.

If you can afford these go for it.

Make:

Leather

Durable, nubuck leather upper with rugged and lightweight 1000 Denier nylon

Abrasion-resistant polyurethane coated toe and heel cap

Double stitched for uncompromising fit and superior protection

Speed lace fastening system and lace-to-toe design for secure fit

100 waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining

The Belleville Combat boot is one of the best light tactical boots you can find on the market of army boots approved by US DOD (Berry Compliant). This makes these boots very popular with anyone who regularly rucks or marches and needs a durable boot that is in regulation to do so.

Some say Belleville boots are the best alternative to the Danner (above) as they have a bigger toe area for when you’re dealing with hot temperatures and humid environments. The great thing about these boots, which is why I personally gave them five stars after using them, is that they use a reinforced stitching on every part of the shoe.

This is so that if, on the off-chance, part of the stitching on the boot comes loose, you’ve got reinforced joins that will hold the boot together for the rest of their wear. This greatly increases the lifespan of this military shoe to more than what a lot of others last for.

Make:

Leather combat boot with a Vibram sole

Lite polyurethane midsole (cushioned)

Flesh out suede leather

Nylon fabric in the upper boot area around the ankle

Polyurethane removable inserts

Take care of your feet

When it comes to wearing these types of combat boots you should also make sure you are taking care of your feet as well, as the boots aren’t all the reason soldiers are able to walk hundreds of miles in these boots. Of course, for the military-folk out there, this is second nature. But make sure you are wearing the right socks with these boots, and if you are experiencing ‘hot spots’ on your feet, try your next trip outdoors, or your walk, with the same socks, but a thinner sock underneath. This might stop the rubbing that is causing you to blister up.

If you have feet that are prone to blistering, consider using a skin-friendly rubbing alcohol. You can find brands that are specifically made for feet. I use it for my feet when entertaining any type of marathons as I have quite soft feet that are sensitive to friction.

If you do find that you can’t walk for more than a mile or two without experiencing hot spots on your feet, you are probably wearing a bad size for your foot and should consider a smaller size. The best thing about ordering many of these combat boots online is that you are able to send them back for a trade-in quite easily. So keep that in mind because if you are not wearing the right boot when you walk for more than 10 miles, you can rub your heel right off.

Find a combat boot that fits your foot

For those of you that have trouble finding a good fit for your foot, it pays to look around. Up until I found the Garmont T8’s I was trying a lot of different pairs. The T8’s fit me, however, because I like the wide foot feel and a large area in the front for my big toes, however, you might prefer the Danner boots or the Belleville’s for their own characteristics.

Over to you

I’m interested to know if you have any tips or stories you’d like to share about any of these boots. Drop a line in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy my posts on military tactics such as: