Bates 5" Tactical Sport Boot

The boots are light and comfortable. The quality is good. They are a touch big but work fine. I think the smaller size would be to small.

I'm on my 7th pair of the Bates tactical boot, so I think I know them well at this point. What I like: Light weight Airy to wear - not hot Uppers are pretty supportive Uppers are 'ok' on wear - I get about a year out of the boots until they start to look 'ratty' The soles are nice and grippy - good for climbing ladders, and terrain What I don't like: The soles are hard on the bottoms of your feet. I have to order the boots large enough to put gummy inserts into, and I have to double up my socks to keep my feet from hurting if I'm on my feet a lot But overall, a good boot and worth the dough. Bates, I think you should create a new model of this boot with squishy insoles that wears like a boot, but feels like a sneaker.

I was hoping not to write this as my first 2 pairs of Bates boots were great, but the last pair I've gotten (The 6" Tactical Sport) is the same size of the first pair of them I got but after 3 months of wearing them 2-12 hrs a day they just haven't broken in well or the size is more narrow then before. The first pair of the tactical sports I had fit great right out of the box and never had an issue with them, but after an hour or so I can't wait to get the new pair off. The soles aren't as comfy and they rub my outer toes bad. Kept thinking they just needed to be broken in a little more but I can't deal with these anymore. Will be shopping for a different boot soon

Found to need 1 full size smaller than typically wear. Two orders before correct fit was found.

Wear this boot 5 days a week, at least. Usually 10 hour days. Always on my feet, not a desk job! After about 4 pair of Bates boots, this style is my go to boot.. I like the lace-up style with the “locking” eyelet at midpoint, then the hook and eye the rest of the way. Allows me to control and change the fit of the boot on my feet.