BORELLI CONSULTING: Recreational Equipment Reviews

Warrior Wear Boots For All Conditions
19 November 2007

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Having been a police officer for more than two decades I’ve had my share of working in the hot summer, the cold winter, rain, snow, slush and dry conditions. When I started out, two decades ago, it was a challenge to find boots that would keep your feet warm in the winter but not sweating in the summer. What was really needed was a type of boot that matched certain standards in fit and comfort, but then had different design features depending on the intended environment. Enter BlackHawk’s Warrior Wear boots – designed for warriors, but ideal for the outdoorsman.

If you check out the BlackHawk website - and visit the Warrior Wear link - you'll find seven paragraphs of what I refer to as "techno-speak" about boot construction, materials, etc. For me, here's what it boils down to:

Are the boots comfortable? Yes.
The upper section of the boots are made out of a mix of breathable mesh and nylon materials. BlackHawk's sight calls this, "a combination of double layer lightweight, breathable nylon mesh and quick dry synthetic microfiber high-abrasion" materials. It looks like MOST nylon uppers to me, but looks can be deceiving. What mattered to me is that they aren't stiff leather requiring a long period of breaking in before becoming comfortable. They are relatively soft - kind of like neoprene - with leather supports built in.

Do they support my foot and ankle? Yes.
The insole has the expected shank along with breathable padding, etc. The outsole is Vibram(R) with the toe and heel outer sections covered in a rubber material. This "scuff resistant" coating - for a lack of a better way to put it - protects the boots from getting scuffed up while kneeling, going prone, moving, etc. That said, it's NOT going to shine, so don't try. It looks like rubber tread tape.

Do they provide adequate traction? Yes.
I intentionally wore these boots on surfaces one would normally expect to find slippery: wet tile, mold-slicked wood, wet smooth cement, etc. I was actually quite surprised that these soles (made of something called "Trail Run rubber with TC4 Plus") provided as much friction as they do. They LOOK like they're a little stiff and wouldn't provide much traction. The proof is in the pudding... er, in the sole. I didn't slip once even when I tried to.

Are the boots waterproof? Yes - within restrictions.
No boots are waterPROOF. If the water is high enough it will come in over the top - or it will leak in between the tongue and uppers. The tongue is attached to the uppers to a height between 5.5" and 6" (depending on how your foot is shaped, etc). To that height, they seemed waterproof to me. I stood in some four-inch deep puddles and experienced no leaks. BlackHawk's published information about the boots says that they have Dri-Lex(R) lining. The Dri-Lex is supposed to allow water and moisture to evaporate away to help keep your feet dry - not sweaty.

Now, for me, what I found to be the coolest design feature of the boots:
The "quick close, injection molded lace holders...". When I was in basic training (oh those many moons ago), I was taught to tie my boots and then stuff the laces into the tops of the boots so that they presented a neat appearance (as compared to dangling and looking ratty) and it kept them from snagging on anything to trip me or come untied. BlackHawk took this to the next step. The laces are run through the quick-close injection molded lace holders... ah, heck... they go through this plastic guide that has a lock-down tap. Once you've pulled the laces tight, you just push down the lock-down tab, and it holds the laces where they are. You don't even have to tie them. And all the lace you have left hanging? You stuff that into the provided pocket at the top of the tongue. One of my pet peeves has always been guys (or girls) who pull on their boots and leave everything hanging. "It's fast, and they still don't fall off." Yeah, but they look like crap. With the Warrior Wear boots, you can pull them on, yank the laces, snap down the tab, and stuff away the leftover lace length. Quick, easy and still neat / secure.

Shown and tested is the full line of BlackHawk Warrior Wear boots, although each boot design is available in its own set of colors. Warrior Wear is making a Tactical Response Boot (mildly different and definitely "prettier"); the Desert Ops Boot (care to guess what color?); and the Black Ops Boot. The BlackHawk website has the boots listed at about $130. I'm sure they'll be available at cheaper prices through BlackHawk distributors, dealers, etc.

Boots like these are what happens when operators tell designers what is needed - as compared to designers telling operators what they can have. I like these and expect to wear them out...

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Don't forget to check out our Tactical Equipment Review about some "tactical" items specifically designed for use in the business environment.

This week's Training Article about policy evolution to fight against the potential for terrorist violence in our schools.

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