12 Best Tactical Boots for Police Duty Work

1.  5.11 ATAC 8 Inches Men’s Boot

In addition to a reliable securing system, 5.11 Tactical boots are infamously known for their durability, strength, safety and comfort. The company offers a broad range of police duty boots that come with patented Shock Mitigation system as well as several other categories. The ATAC and XPRT are definitely the most popular models of all 5.11’s tactical police boots. And we’ll find out why that it.

Built for Law Enforcement

One of the reasons why the ATAC will always make it on any list of best police boots is that fact that it was actually built and engineered to meet the rigorous demands of law enforcement, tactical operators, and military personnel. From the long shafts all the way to the slip-resistant outsole, you can tell the ATAC has been tested by battle. The boot is just the ideal weight for police work, and the extra flexibility doesn’t hurt much either.

Additional Support

Nothing drains a cop more than having to work on their feet all day. The 5.11 ATAC boots provide all the extra support you need in the form of injection molded Phylon midsoles. Combined with the non-metallic shank and you’ve got everything you need to stand all day without even fidgeting.

2. Thorogood Men’s 8″ Side Zip Jump Boot Gen-flex

Ah yes, another classic throwback to the traditional officer’s boots. The only difference is that the Thorogood Men’s 8″ Side Zip Jump Boot adds a generous touch of modernism. These tactical boots not only look damn great, but they also up your performance up a notch. Let’s have a closer look at this wonder boot.

Impeccable Exterior

By impeccable, I mean damn gorgeous and absolutely flawless. If you’ve ever worked in security or any other uniformed profession, then you know that you are required to be at your very best all day long. The Thorogood Duty Boots  have an imposing black leather and a smooth high shine toe cap that lets you stand out with authority.

Tough SOBs

The mere fact that the Thorogood Men’s 8″ Side Zip Jump Boot Gen-flex are built using Goodyear Welt construction makes them some pretty tough SOBs. Combine that with abrasion-resistant outsoles and a composite shank underneath, and you have a near impenetrable police boot.

3. Smith & Wesson Breach 2.0 Men’s Tactical Boots

Smith & Wesson; they gave you the guns, and now they’re giving you the ability to maximize the efficiency of your feet when required on police duty. If you think the Smith & Wesson Breach Tactical Boots look more like a pistol and less like a boot, you are definitely right. These masterpieces offer our boys out in the force more durability and reliability without all the extra hogwash about weight. So why are these military boots even worth your time? I’m glad you asked.

Board Lasted Construction

Just like all their other weapons, you can expect some of the most durable construction you will ever get in a work boot. Thanks to board lasted construction, the Breach 2.0 Boots come with an insane amount of torsional rigidity. Not only does this make the boot more resilient, but it significantly reduces fatigue during those long, on duty hours.

All Day Comfort

With your very own pair of Smith & Wesson Breach Tactical Boots on your feet, hitting those patrols has never been this fun. The manufacturer was kind enough to incorporate an EVA midsole to make the footwear as light as possible. As if that wasn’t enough, policemen will definitely thank someone for all the extra foam and padding on the Breach 2.0s.

4. Bates Men’s Ultra-Lites 8 Inches Tactical Sport Side-Zip Boot

For over a decade now, Bates Ultra Lites have proven to be more than a valuable asset to all types of uniformed personnel. And their latest release only takes their infamy a notch higher. Boasting of high-quality leather uppers, flexible athletic construction, 1680 denier ballistic nylon and one heck of a classic styling, these might just be all the backup an officer needs.

Meets Police Standards

That’s right; the Ultra-Lites Side-Zip Boot by Bates meet all the requirements that police officers may have. It doesn’t matter if you take your beat in rural areas or more urban locales, these bad boys will take you from your car to the streets and then to the mud. And the more the pressure builds, the better the Ultra Lites Perform.

Touch of Comfort

Personally, I don’t believe that cops deserve to have this much comfort, but the manufacturer clearly thinks otherwise. The Bates Ultra-Lites Tactical Boots are packed with so much comfort that they almost feel like sneakers. I’m talking about compression molded midsoles with highly cushioned EVA footbeds that absorb virtually every ounce of shock. Combine that with the Velcro zipper strap and padded collars, and you have one of the most comfortable police boots on this list.

5. Under Armour Men’s Stellar Tactical Boots

From the guys who gave you the best shorts for Tough Mudder comes one of the most popular tactical boots for police duty. The Under Armour Men’s Stellar Tactical Boots. Aside from a smooth, black and durable exterior, you can see the brand’s logo printed right there on the side and shafts. So, why did this boot even make it on our top list of best police boots?

Robust Exterior

You can tell that the Under Armour Tactical Boots mean business straight from the get go. The name itself tells you all you need to know about these 900D nylon and leather uppers that are built to act as your own power armor. Sometimes, duty will take you to great heights and other times, disgusting depths. That’s why cops will be excited to hear about the waterproof capabilities of these boots. But if you think that that’s where the protection ends, you’re dead wrong.

Safety Features

Under Armour takes the safety of our boys and girls in the police force very seriously. That’s why the Stellar Tactical Boots comes with a plethora of safety and protection features. Among these include the TPU Shank incorporated in the EVA midsole for an extra sense of security. Other safety features include a quick dry design to keep water at bay as well as an Anti-Microbial Ortholite sock liner to prevent the buildup of odors and severe infections.

6. Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS Side-Zip Tactical Boots

There’s a reason why nearly every top 10 list of the best Police boots will always feature the Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS Side-Zip Tactical Boots. Whether it’s the sporty design or the massive amounts of technology in the boot, Under Armour must be doing something right.

Sports Design

Typically, you don’t expect your police duty boots to look like sneakers, but this brand is simply light years ahead of the competition. The Under Armour Tactical Boots feel like something you would get if you crossed a work boot with a tennis shoe. This sporty design lets you achieve levels of flexibility and maneuverability that were only dreamed of before.

Packed with Modern Footwear Tech

The Valsetz Boots from Under Armour boast of some pretty impressive technologies. The UA ClutchFit tech wraps around your ankle like a second skin for a powerful, secure fit. Moreover, there’s the foot-strike guidance that allows you to transit quickly from impact to propulsion. Simply put, no one’s going to outrun you with these bad boys on.

7. Bates Men’s Enforcer 5 Inch Nylon Leather Uniform Boot

Even as a cop, not all days are all out, riot and shield type of days. It may come as a surprise, but police and military personnel also have their low activity days. That’s when you can catch a break and maybe a box or two of your favorite donuts. But as always, you still have to remain on your feet because crime will strike before you make it through your box of treats. If you love to play hard but work even harder, then the Bates Enforcer is your new best friend.

Ultra Light and Flexible

It may come as a shocker, but my secret to gauging how light or flexible a shoe is does not lie with the materials. I think that the construction of your boot plays the ultimate role towards weight and flexibility. The Bates Enforcer Uniform Boot is made with some of the most flexible cement construction techniques to guarantee all round maneuverability.

Customizable Features

Just like you always pick out a particular type of glazed donuts every day, Bates understands the need for personalized care. The Enforcer police boots incorporate an incredibly comfortable EVA footbed that can be removed and replaced with your own custom orthotics.

8. Adidas Performance Men’s GSG-9.2 Training Shoe

With the upcoming government regulations, police everywhere will finally be able to get a boost in the old wallet. This means that as a responsible cop on the beat, you no longer have any excuse not to get yourself the very best police duty boots that the market has to offer.

Top Tier Quality

Whether you’re a greenhorn rookie looking to keep up or a veteran street detective looking to catch your man, you can’t be afraid to spend the big bucks on the right gear. Introducing the Creme of the Crop and arguably the most expensive Police boots on our list, the Adidas Performance Men’s GSG-9.2 Training Shoe definitely deserves a standing ovation for its top tier quality.

Tactical Advantage Construction

There’s simply no other way to put it; every single feature on these bad boys is designed to give you a tactical advantage over the bad guys. Whether your game plan involves a straight on assault or a more defensive stance, the Performance GSG-9.2 Training Shoe does it all. From the outside, a seam sealed membrane known as AddiTuff offers unmatched abrasion resistance. This means that your boot is literally built for battle and daily, non-stop abuse from both man and the environment.

9. Danner Men’s Tachyon 8″ Duty Boots

For those of you who are new to Danner, there’s really only one thing you need to know about them. These guys are craftsmen who pay some of the closest attention to detail I have ever seen. The Danner Men’s Tachyon 8″ Duty Boots are definitely a testimony to just how detailed a boot can be. We already understand that the brand always forgoes quantity for quality, so what else makes their Police boots stand out?

Feather Weight

You heard right; the Danner Tachyon Duty Boots make for some of the lightest and most flexible boots ever used for both daily use and combat training. At a meager 26 oz, it just might be the lightest boot on our list. Danner took their typical boot and gave it a complete overhaul with the purpose of taking out all the extra weight. However, this doesn’t mean that any comfort or performance was sacrificed.

Well Rounded Design

The Tachyon police boots incorporate some of the most rounded construction you will ever find in its price range. From an extra high 8 inch shaft to exteriors made of waterproof, full-grain leather, I’m talking the whole shebang. The boot also uses breathable Gore-Tex liner to keep your feet dry as well as a thick EVA midsole that offers unbelievable cushioning and shock absorption.

10. Belleville TR960Z Tactical Research Khyber Black Side-Zip Boots

Remember when I said that even cops have some slow days? Well, most of the other days are super fast paced. There are times when you will be faced with what seems like weeks of hard action policing duty that involves fighting, chasing, retreating and of course, subduing an attacker. It’s not police brutality if it’s self defense or suspect pacification. And with the Belleville TR960Z Tactical Research Khyber boots, Police work never looked so damn gorgeous.

Tank Armor Uppers

The Belleville TR960Z Boots are made with the toughest and most durable leather known to man. Forget pig skin or goad hide; I’m talking about full-out, full-on, full grain cowhide leather that is engineered to last multiple lifetimes. And just like a tank, you still need some moveable areas for maneuverability. The rock hard leather uppers incorporate a little nylon fabric here and there for just the right amount of flexibility.

Meets Safety Standards

I’m not saying that these are not some of the most common compounds that policemen find themselves battling, but you’d be surprised just how many different types of chemicals coppers run into. Fortunately, the Belleville TR960Z Tactical Boots are ASTM rated and certified as oil, petrol, and lubricant resistant.

11. Original S.W.A.T. Men’s Classic 9-Inch Tactical Boot

I see you made it all the way to the last police boot on our list. Now, does that mean that the # 12 boot is the least popular or functional? Not really, I’d like to say that none of these boots has been categorized according to awesomeness. I just threw in my top styles in random order for you to decide which one suits you best. That said, the Original S.W.A.T. Men’s Classic 9-Inch Tactical Boot might just be the best piece of tactical footwear on the goddamn planet.

Convenient Design

With the Original S.W.A.T. Tactical Boot, it’s all about convenience and simplicity. As with all other classics, the simple appearance has become somewhat of a proven go-to for law enforcement personnel. This convenience also shows itself in the polishable leather and denier nylon uppers that contain no metal. This means that airport police and officers in federal buildings can comfortably walk through metal detectors without setting off any bells and whistles.

Functionality and Support

Before we even get to the support, I have to mention the air cushion midsoles that keep your feet more comfortable than any sneaker. Just underneath these plush midsoles are nylon shanks that not only give your arches all-day support, but also protect your feet from punctures. The outsole is also as functional as it gets thanks to the waffle traction and ladder grip control for when you need to leap above and beyond the call of duty.

12. Rocky Duty Waterproof Modern Paraboot - Insulated

The Rocky Duty Men’s Modern Paraboot may have the term modern in its name, but the design takes things back to when cops were really the long arm of the law. The classic, old-school design of these boots is something that you just can’t ignore. From the massive, 10 inch shaft all the way to the cap toe, you can’t go wrong with a design that has made it all the way from the fifties.

No-Nonsense Attitude

If there’s any fashion statement to be made by cops, then it’s definitely a statement about how you should not mess with the law. The Rocky Duty Paraboot looks like something a battalion of Riot Squad Policemen would wear to quell a strike. In addition to a patented toe cap to help protect your feet from impact (and dish out some damage as well), the damn shaft actually measures 10 inches from the arches. Talk about being ready to go down and dirty anytime, anywhere.

Relative Comfort

Apparently, the Rocky Duty Men’s Modern Paraboot are not built to feel as great as your fluffy slippers. I mean, they have the most rigid, Goodyear Welt construction I’ve ever laid eyes on. However, any cop worth his salt and with any street smarts knows to take comfort where you can get it. The Rocky Paraboots have decent interior comfort tech that includes a round heel profile to help your foot settle in snugly.