If you are adventurous, and “normal,” for you, means hiking up a hill, jumping over boulders and wading in water, then you know the importance of a good pair of boots. Chances are, you have not worn the perfect pair, yet. To find the best boots, we asked one question: What boots do Navy Seals wear?
What Boots Do Navy Seals Wear?
So what boots do Navy Seals wear you ask? First, we must understand what they look for in a boot, and the different applications boots have. It’s a fact that Navy Seals train hard and are in peak condition. Their boots must meet their strict standards of durability, versatility, and comfort.
Here is the good news. You don’t have to join the military to answer what boots do navy seals wear. We have done the work for you. There is no need for you to run from store to store or click from site to site.
We have found the best boots that the toughest people wear. You’ll be trekking across rough terrain with a perfect pair of boots in no time.
How Important Are Boots for Peak Performance
Whether you’re an athlete, a hunter or are prepping for a military deployment (or getting ready for a post-apocalyptic world) if you expect to perform at your best you better have the best footwear possible on your feet. Knowing what boots do Navy Seals wear will ensure you make the right purchase.
Rough terrain is unforgiving, but you don’t have to sacrifice your feet. A great pair of boots will give you the support you’ll need, along with comfort that will keep your feet from excessive fatigue, which will lead to a better overall performance.
What to Look For
When getting your new boots, keep a few things in mind. First, you’ll want to look for support and comfort. You can be a great athlete or have superb conditioning, but if you wear a pair of boots that give you no support, then your foundation (your feet) is weak.
If those boots are not comfortable, you won’t be able to push yourself as hard as possible, and the discomfort will take away from your focus. Not to mention that uncomfortable boots with no support could lead to injuries. Asking what boots do Navy Seals wear and knowing the answers will help you avoid costly mistakes. Here is what they look for.
Build Quality
You’ll also want to look for excellent materials. Leather is important here. It must be of premium quality. However, your boots must also be slip resistant and waterproof.
The last thing you want is to stop dead on your tracks when you come across wetlands, wondering how drenched your socks will get and how cold your feet will be.
Keep in mind that boots are likely to stretch with use. This can happen fast. You should get a half-size smaller to compensate for this.
The Extras
To ask what boots do Navy Seals wear is one thing; knowing specifically what they look for is another. You’ll want to make sure that any boot you buy has some of these features included:
- Shock Absorption
- System
- Breathable Materials
- Vent Holes
- Cushioned Soles
- Oil and Slip Resistant Soles
- Waterproof Construction
Tall or Short Boot?
Many people are not sure if they should get a 6 or 8-inch boot. The difference will be significant. It depends on your comfort level.
6 Inch Boots
Shorter boots will almost always be lighter and feel more natural. Though they are shorter, they provide good ankle support for walking or running over uneven terrains you’ll encounter on long-distance hikes.
Running will probably be much easier in a pair of 6-inch boots, though this will not be true if the build quality makes the boot heavier than an 8-inch one.
Shorter 6-inch boots are more agile and flexible. They are often worn by people who have to move quickly and pick up their feet a lot more.
If you find you run up flights of stairs a lot or are hopping in and out of a truck, you’ll find that the 6-inch option will be better for those activities.
8-Inch Boots
An 8-inch boot, while in most cases heavier, will provide you with more stability and are better when you are carrying a heavy load. These boots are more commonly seen among military and law enforcement personnel engaged in operations.
If you are working outdoors, hiking through inclement weather, walking through dense brush, 8-inch boots will be your best friend.
They will also give you superior ankle support — something you have to consider if you are prone to ankle sprains and strains.
The boots that are best for you depend on what your activities are. For example, the military requires an 8-inch boot. These will give you the most protection. Since they lace up higher, they are good to wear in the wild, especially if you enjoy wearing shorts. When wearing 8-inch boots, think slow and steady.
Figure out what you’ll be doing most and choose one, though you can always have a pair of each.
The Break-In Period
There is nothing more frustrating than investing your hard-earned money on an expensive pair of boots and find they are not as comfortable as you would want. But don’t give up hope yet.
Take it Easy
Every boot will have a break-in period. And you need to ease into this process. Don’t go running the first day you get your boots. We suggest you take a hike. Literally. Find a good route that will challenge your new boots, but that won’t make you go into full training mode, not yet.
Keep a Pair of Spare Worn-In Shoes
If you feel that in the middle of the day, your feet are aching, switch to your already broke-in shoes. If you don’t, you’ll end up hating the new boots.
Loosen the Laces
Some people lace their boots too tight. While you want to be secure in your boots, you might find that slightly loosening the death grips on those laces will give you the relief your feet need. You may not even have to take the boots off all day.
Once you feel your feet settle into the new boot, then run in them and push yourself harder. In 1-2 weeks you’ll find the boots fit perfectly.
TWhat Boots Do Navy Seals Wear?
There are countless boots in the market. This can make your buying experience harder than it needs to be. You want to buy the best boot the first time around. To do this, know what you will use it for.
The Work Boot
Image source: amazon
If you have a job that requires boots and you feel the build quality of a Navy Seal type boot is important, you need to go for a military tactical duty work boot. These will usually be great to wear for long hours and accommodate just about any size person.
What boots do Navy Seals wear for work? Check out the Bates Men’s 8-inch Tropical Seals Tactical Boot. Its DuraShocks Comfort Technology is ideal for daily use. Any tactical boot designed with work in mind will have a comfort feature that will make it ideal for those conditions.
Hiking Boots
Image source: amazon
If you are looking for boots to wear on your hikes, but you love the feel of sneakers, then you need a shorter 6-inch hiking boot. Smaller 6-inch boots will always be more agile for hiking while maintaining great comfort. What boots do Navy Seals wear for hiking? Check out the Lowa Men’s Zephyr GTX Mid TF Hiking Boot. They are light and have almost no break-in period. These boots will be a welcome relief to your feet.
Full Tactical Boots
Image source: amazon
Are you preparing for that military deployment or that post-apocalyptic world we talked about? You’ll need a boot that will be as tough and rugged as they come. What boots do Navy Seals wear when deploying for operations? You really can’t go wrong with the Danner Men’s USMC RAT 8″ Hot Steel Toe Boot. RAT stands for Rugged All Terrain. They developed this boot in collaboration with the United States Marine Corps.
In a nutshell, it has all the toughness you would want in a boot. A speed lace system and an outsole that provides 360-degree traction no matter the terrain you’re on. It also boasts reinforced heel and toe and quick drying materials to make sure your feet get dry faster. Overall this boot should satisfy most serious tactical boot wearers.
If you are looking for this kind of military boot, you should always go with an 8-inch boot. You will need the extra support, and the chances of you wearing the boot longer than eight or ten hours a day is high.
The Bottom Line
If you are reading this, you love boots. And you want to know what boots do Navy Seals wear. Boots are as American as footwear gets. We understand that some folks, like military and law enforcement personnel, have specifications and regulations they have to adhere to, most people don’t.
If you are free of these regulations in your next boot purchase, you need to understand that the most important thing about finding the best boots for you will be how comfortable they feel on your feet.
Ultimately if you want to have the best quality boots in the market, you must search for what the Navy Seals wear. They understand the importance of comfort, durability, and versatility more than anyone else, regarding footwear.
If you follow the suggestions made here, you’ll be on your way to purchasing a great pair of boots that will enhance your overall training experience.
Once you find the perfect, most comfortable pair of boots out there, you may just shed a tear or two (of joy), and your feet will be eternally thankful.
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