Choosing the Best Tactical Boots for Your Needs

By:Joint Force Tactical
  • 24/10/2021
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Choosing the Best Tactical Boots for Your Needs

Vakuum Men GTXIn this Joint Force Tactical blog post our tactical gear experts offer some helpful tips on how to choose tactical boots and hopefully answer many of the questions you may have.

Whether you call them tactical boots, police boots, or combat boots, they are meant for high-performance. Tactical boots are uniquely designed to be lightweight while providing:

  • Excellent grip
  • Excellent foot protection
  • Heel support
  • Ankle stability

Tactical boots will support and protect your feet in rugged terrain and under the most extreme circumstances, without sacrificing comfort. A great fitting pair of boots will also help to minimize joint and tendon stress, even after a strenuous day of wear.

This makes tactical boots ideal for outdoor recreational use as well as the demands put on them by professionals like search and rescue, first responders, military, and law enforcement personnel.

Built to be lightweight, comfortable, breathable, and even fashionable, it’s no wonder that so many lay persons also love their look and feel and enjoy them as everyday footwear!

tactical-skyweight-patrol-wp-bootFitting Tactical Boots

Aside from brand and price, there are a lot of other things to consider when it comes to choosing tactical boots including the length, width, and support for your heels, ankles, and arches.

Since our feet tend to swell slightly during the day, we recommend shopping for boots in the late afternoon. It’s a small thing but it can make a difference.

Your new boots must be comfortable, fit snugly, and provide the support you need so consider the following when buying tactical boots:

  • Toe Room
  • Heel & Angle Support
  • Proper Boot Width for Your Feet
  • Foot Safety
  • Boot Laces
  • Socks
  • Insoles


danner-lookout-sideToe Room

Tactical boots need to feel snug on your feet to provide the proper support for your heel and ankles. That said, your toes do need some wiggle room. There should be enough room to stretch and curl your toes without causing your foot to shift in the boot.

Heel & Ankle Support

The boot should fit your heels snugly, so the heel feels locked in but not pinched. This will help reduce friction and blisters while providing the support your ankles need. New boots will feel stiff, and it may take some time to break them in so that they adjust and conform to your feet.

Boot Width

When it comes to width, there really is no labeling standard across different types of footwear or brands. 

Foot Safety

Most brand name tactical boots include a metal shank (or some other stiff shank) in the mid-sole to provide proper arch support, which is crucial when navigating rough terrain.

Depending on how your tactical boots will be used, you may also want to consider steel toed (or carbon-toed) boots to protect your toes from being crushed. Steel toes do take up space so factor this in when fitting your boots.

MD Rock GTX Brown

Boot Laces & Socks

Boot laces are an important tool in helping you get the proper fit.

  1. With the boot unlaced, if you move your toe right to the front of the boot you should have at least a finger width or more behind your heel.
  2. When lacing up, the boot needs to be snug across your instep, but not too tight or uncomfortable.
  3. When buying tactical boots, wear the type of socks you intend to consistently wear. Socks come in different thicknesses, so first check the space behind the heel with laces untied. Then, check how snug the boot feels when laced up in those socks. Make sure your toes still have room to stretch and curl without causing your feet to shift.


Insoles & Orthotics

The above boot fitting tips work well for most people since they don’t normally wear insoles. If you do wear insoles (or orthotics), be sure to bring those when choosing tactical boots and follow the boot fitting tips listed above.

Breaking in Tactical Boots

salomon-x-alp-gtx-forcesPractically all new footwear needs a breaking in period and tactical boots are no different. As you wear them, the boot materials will conform to your foot shape and flex naturally.

You need to start with a good, comfortable, snug fit without the boot being too tight or too loose. It’s best if you start out by wearing them often but for shorter periods of time. Once they are broken in, the boots will feel and perform even better.

Joint Force Tactical Boots & Accessories

At Joint Force Tactical, you’ll find all the tactical boots gear you need including:


We also carry Fire Boots by Danner ad HAIX.

Need Help Choosing Tactical Boots?

layers of tactical bootComfort, protection, and performance are at the forefront when it comes to buying tactical boots. Once broken in, they should feel natural to the point where you don’t even think about them even under the most demanding circumstances.

Joint Force Tactical offers a great selection of tactical gear designed as much for outdoor enthusiasts as they are for military and law enforcement personnel or first responders.

If you still have questions or if you need more information on how to choose tactical boots, please call us at 1-604-705-0600 or send us an email.

Talk to our tactical gear experts first if you are unsure how to choose tactical boots and need help with sizing and fitting. Also, check out our post on How to Choose Tactical Gloves.

You can visit us at our brick-and-mortar store located at Unit 103, 5725 Vedder Road in Chilliwack, BC Canada.