Boots falling apart!

[Trooper Farva]

Hey guys,
I'm a fairly new officer, I have had two pairs of Bates Ultra Lites over the past 7 months. Both pairs have separated on the heal where the leather meets the nylon. Has anyone else had this issue?

The store exchanged them, but it gets old breaking in new boots every few weeks.

I hear Danner makes a good boot, but also been told they are heavy. Which of the Danners are the lightest? What other light boots do y'all wear that hold up well.

[KenW.]

Are you mandated to wear boots? If not, try Reebok referee shoes. I don't like boots since my stint in plain clothes. In uniform I stay with shoes.

[Seventy2002]

The old school, stitch-down construction, Danners are heavy. My Accadias. with steel toes, weigh a little under 4 1/2 lbs.

My 8" Strykers, with cemented molded soles weigh 3 lbs.

I second KenW's recommendation of the Reebok's. I wear mine when the weather's nice but as soon as the rains come, I'm back in the Danners.

[SCSU74]

Oakleys are very light and comfortable. One question though, are you stepping on the back of your heel to take the boots off?

[merlin436]

I often buy the cheapest clearance boots. One key to making boots last(especially cheap boots) is to have multiple pairs and rotate through them, preferably daily.

Boots collect sweat, water and junk from a day's usage, much of which stresses the boot. If you give them a day or so recovery time to breath and air out, most of that garbage evaporates away...reviving the boot and giving it a far longer work life.

[josephcook78]

The best I've had are Oakleys and the Under Armour that I have now.

[11B250]

my blackhawk warriors have lasted me 3 years now. still holding together. they've also seen army use which includes wearing them for days at a time in many conditions.

[Trooper Farva]

KenW: Yes, I have to wear boots.

SCSU74: No, I take them off with my hands.

I thought maybe I was rubbing them on something while driving, but thats not the case.

Josephcook78: Which UA boots do you have?

[SCSU74]

KenW: Yes, I have to wear boots.

SCSU74: No, I take them off with my hands.

I thought maybe I was rubbing them on something while driving, but thats not the case.

Josephcook78: Which UA boots do you have?

Only reason I asked was mine fell apart from stepping on the heel to take them off

[josephcook78]

Mine are the Valsetz, the cheaper ones that are under $100, not the ones that are waterproof and $200. They're super light, and as comy as my UA regular shoes.

[KenW.]

I wore boots for 20 years in the USAF (that's why I like shoes more). Can't go wrong with Corcoran.

[Jere]

I usually get about 2 years out of the Ultra-Lites or even the cheaper ZR series from Bates. Only ones I've ever tried.

[Trooper Farva]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[GIOSTORMUSNRET]

Bates aren't really a daily use type boot. I've had the same pair for the past 3 years and no troubles at all. I would stick with this brand for my next pair.

http://www.magnumboots.com/us/occupa...forcement.html

[vdfnco]

My LT's Bates did the same thing yesterday, he'd had them 4 months. I always buy Ridge boots for patrol. A pair last me about a year.