Our 3 Top Picks for the Best Police Winter Boots – 2020 Reviews
Policemen are not commonly deployed outside their country, state, or even city. However, that doesn't mean their job is any easier. Wearing that uniform and footwear while keeping the city safe and functional is not an easy job. Moreover, their job can get tougher if their shoes are not giving their feet the right comfort, warmth, or protection.
If you are someone from the police or police-related services, your daily routine requires walking through cold streets. It is quite normal for you to step on snow and puddles. If you are serving in a colder region, don't worry because we are going to help you select the best winter police boots that you can buy in the market today.
3 Highest Rated Winter Police Boots Reviewed
Under Armour Stellar - Odor Control
The Under Armour Stellar is one of the best cold weather tactical boots for those serving in law enforcement. Its DWR treated Leather.
The 900D nylon textile construction gives a very minimalist look while proving a good layer of insulation during the winter season. Therefore, they can not only be worn while on duty but also for casual use.
Under Armour made sure the Stellar proves a god warm military shoes, therefore, they provided it with a waterproofing layer that keeps your feet dry, no matter what. What's amazing is that the shoes provide superior ventilation despite the insulation and waterproofing. Furthermore, the outer material is quick-dry, whereas the Ortholite sock liner is equipped with anti-odor technology.
Sure, the shoes might take a while to break-in, but once they do, they'll be very comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. Further comfort and support are guaranteed by the EVA midsole, and the reinforced TPU shank.
All these features in one boot that costs much less than other shoes of the same league.
Pro tip: Polish their toe once a week, and they'll shine even if you wear them for more than 12 hours a day.
PROS
CONS
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Waterproof
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Quick-dry
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Ventilated
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Affordable
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Takes a While to Break-in
Bates GX-8 - Slip Resistant
The Bates GTX is a great winter duty boot and is very common among police officers. They are included in a lot of lists of boots because they display multiple features such as warmth, comfort, durability, breathability, lightness, and waterproofing.
They can be worn for hours on hand without producing any pain in the feet.
The side zip looks great and helps to take them off and on much easier. They also come in one version without the side zipper.
The rubber sole is slip-resistant with deep lugs, making them super easier to run in, especially in snow, sleek, or puddles. The rubber toe will keep your feet safe even during the hardest collision.
The EVA cushioned midsole adjusts to the lower of your feet and supports your arch. The insoles are removable. The 200 grams of Thinsulate insulation does not allow any moisture to get in while a moisture-wicking lining is provided to absorb sweat from your feet. Therefore, your feet will not get microbial infections like blisters or even bad smell that comes from other boots.
PROS
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Breathable
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Durable
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Comfortable
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Waterproof
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Slip-resistant
CONS
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Zipper Issues
Columbia - Omni-Heat
Now, we all want to know about a boot that's looks classy, tough, and is priced moderately. This is the case with Columbia's Bugaboot, our favorite police winter boot, because it features everything along with the design.
It provides warmth at subzero temperatures with just 200 grams of insulation. The insulation is accompanied by Columbia's proprietary Omni-Heat reflective lining, which is essential for providing the warmth needed without overweighing the boots.
These shoes are warm enough to withstand snow and sleep. If you're looking for shoes that can stand temperatures up to -60, then you should opt for Bugaboot Plus IV XTM. It has the same style but has 600 grams of insulation and added 1.2 inches of shaft height.
However, the insulation does not make these boots heavier, less breathable, or less waterproof. They'll keep your feet dry even if you're walking through snow, flowing water or puddles. The traction these shoes provide is superb. Its Michelin rubber compound is soft, durable, and holds well on steep hills.
Its Techlite lightweight midsole is already very comfortable for the feet, but it features a removable insole, allowing you to change it based on our liking. The laces are adjustable, but these shoes do require time to break-in.
PROS
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Waterproof
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Lightweight
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Breathable
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Durable
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Soft
CONS
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Break-in Period
What to Look for in a Tactical Snow Boot
Now that we have given you our top 3 winter police shoes, we know you might still be confused in deciding what will work best for you. You might like some shoes that are not on our list. That's completely normal because not everybody looking for police shoes will have the same requirements as we do.
You might be working in a mildly cold area, and you are afraid of too much insulation because that will probably overheat your feet and would be unusable in the summer. Or maybe, you want long-lasting boots that provide you comfort during long hours. All this means is that there is no one-size-fits-all boot.
Don't worry. We are here to guide you on the specific details further that you should be looking at so that you can decide for yourself which boot will suit you better.
Insulation
Insulation is a very important factor when looking for warm military boots. You need the right insulation for your use. Too much insulation can overheat your feet, weigh them down, and might only be useable during the winter. However, the boots on our list are lightweight, breathable, and just the right insulated duty boots that will meet your requirements.
The 200 grams of Thinsulate is ideal enough for most police officers working in snowy winters and can be used even during the summer. 600 gm would keep four feet warm in the coldest regions but will not be usable in other places.
Insulation is also very important when looking for waterproof boots because you can't keep your feet warm if moisture gets inside them. The Gore-tex lining is of great use here. It provides breathability, insulation, and waterproofing altogether very efficiently.
Remember: Waterproofing without breathability can be dangerous because the sweat inside could cause bacterial infections such as blisters.
Support
Supportive shoes are a must for any professional because they are to be worn for several hours every day. Traditional police duty shoes were very rigid and would often cause pain in the calf, heel, or toe at the end of the day.
However, today, we have a variety of police shoes that provide amazing support while you are running, hiking, or riding bikes. This is usually done with the help of a high top and a compression that fits perfectly from the toe to the heel. This guarantees superior balance while protecting all parts of your feet from outer impacts.
Look out for tight shafts. You don't want to spend your precious money on a boot, only to find out later that its tightness is limiting the required movement of your calves.
Comfort
A police officer cannot afford boots that are uncomfortable because they need to be worn for almost half of the day.
Uncomfortable shoes will fatigue you, reduce your productivity and focus on the task at hand. A good pair of boots will have fatigue reduction cushioning as well as flexible upper that adjusts according to the movement of your feet.
Another very important feature to look for is the toe box. A good toe box will not only protect your feet from the collision but also provide your toe with enough room to relax and wiggle. Otherwise, you might end up with swollen toes.
Other comfort-enhancing features could be breathability and lightweight. Heavier or non-breathable shoes can never provide you the best comfort.
Weight
As we've mentioned countless times in this article, the weight of the boot can affect your performance on your duties. Recent additions such as the Gore-tex lining, Thinsulate material, EVA midsole, Synthetic rubber, and nylon are all lightweight features giving you other specific benefits as well.
Traction
No professional can afford to have boots that have everything except that it slips. A good pair of boots will have slip-resistant, oil-resistant and non-marking soles often accompanied by deep lugs. A higher tread is also a better way of ensuring that the boots will not lose traction in snow, sleet, or rain. Vibram soles will also ensure that you run as fast as you can.
Durability
To make sure your boots survive the longest, go for good quality of material like nylon and pure leather. Avoid polyester because its life and tensile strength are too short.
Pay attention to how the outer soles are attached to the rest of the body. Thick rubber soles will endure all sorts of abrasion and survive the longest while giving you the best traction.
Normally, a good pair of tactical boots will easily outlast you for three years if you take good care of them, and some may even go beyond that.
Safety Protection
Rigid boots will provide the best protection to your feet. However, you don't want very rigid boots because it will most likely be uncomfortable for your feet, causing you fatigue and blisters, etc.
Try choosing a boot with a steel toe. In case you want a security-friendly boot, go for a nice rubber toe that will absorb impacts. Padded collars are also great at protecting your ankle from bushes and thorns in case you are walking through a forest or rugged terrain.
Ease of Wearing
If you are looking for ease of wearing, you might want to consider zippers over laces. Although zippers do make boots easy to wear, they have lower life, and sometimes come off very easily.
Instead of zippers, you can look for boots with speed lacing systems or boots that come with both systems, the laces, and zippers combined. This will allow you to use anyone, depending on what you want at the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand is best for plantar fasciitis sufferers?
We have recommended Timberland's Pitboss, Wolverine Men's Raider 6" Contour, Caterpillar Men's Second Shift, and others. Check out our blog on boots for plantar fasciitis.
What type of socks is best to wear?
There is no one size fits all when it comes to socks. But still, if you want to know our most favorite socks, then we would suggest Vermont Men's Merino Wool, AIvada Merino Wool Hiking Socks, FoxRiver Stryker Wick Dry Socks and Under Armour Men's Heatgear Socks.
Is it Important to choose a waterproof type?
Yes, a warm winter boot is useless if it cannot restrict water from getting in because any moisture inside the boot will turn cold in winter and will not let your feet stay warm.
Conclusion
Although we have provided the list of our recommendations and a guide on how you can choose the best for yourself, if still you haven't concluded, be sure to let us know what it is.
Keep in mind that buying an insulated duty boot is not something you should do in a hurry or falling to the notion of "the more the money, the better the quality’.
Do not go for trial and error because these are not some cheap category of boots. Plus, a wrong pair will cause you blisters, reduce your productivity, or even frostbite it can't provide the warmth in the cold.