5.11 A.T.A.C. 2.0 8″ SHIELD BOOTS IN REVIEW

A good pair of tactical style boots are hard to beat when moving quick through town or the wilderness.

The 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. 2.0 8″ Shield Boots have plenty of great features for those on their feet for long periods of time.

I tested out these great looking boots and discovered just how tough they really are.

I have to admit I am a big fan of lightweight tactical style boots for moving through the woods quickly, quietly and most importantly comfortably. While heavy hunting boots might be great in the dead of winter, when the weather is a bit milder these lighter and more nimble boots are best for long distance excursions. Whether exploring new woods, or old haunts, my boots take me quite far from the Jeep. I am a notoriously ruthless boot killer from all of my outdoor adventures and only a tough pair of boots will last any length of time. Lets take a little look at a list of the great features before I get these boots muddy for this thorough review.

• ASTM 2413-17 M I/75 C/75 EH PR certified & CSA Z195-14 Certified
• Polishable Leather toe
• Waterproof Leather and Nylon upper material for better durability
• Ortholite® full length dual density insole with a bottom layer of Ortholite® foam for better cushioning and rebound as well as a top layer of Ortholite® Lazy recovery foam for a custom comfortable fit
• 5.11 SlipStream® Waterproof and Blood Bourne Pathogen resistant membrane and lining
• Puncture resistant midsole board
• Slip- & oil-resistant outsole
• YKK® side zipper for easy on and off
• Ortholite® ankle foam for better heel hold and comfort
• Achilles flex zone for better maneuverability
• 5.11® ATAC midsole and outsole with Shock mitigation system™
• There are even hidden pockets for a small knife or other survival tool.

Starting out this review right out of the box these boots are light! After wearing heavy winter boots these boots feel like running shoes.

I like to lace up my boots tight for maximum protection from ankle injuries and stability on uneven and inclined surfaces. My favorite hiking areas are covered by clay and slate rock covered valleys, ridges and gorges. Uneven terrain is the rule.

WHITEDUCK TUFF LOG CARRIER IN REVIEW

The 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. 2.0 8″ Shield Boots boot height allows for the most protection from trail injuries. It also seals water out for those impromptu creek and swamp crossings.

The traction on the 5.11 Tactical A.T.A.C. 2.0 8″ Shield Boots is nothing short of incredible. Mud is not held for long in the taction allowing sure footing in slippery areas. That is very important in areas where medical help is far away and inaccessible. You are on your own and your gear better be top notch to get you home safely.

So how well do they work? While I tested on hardtop paths when snow was not in the forecast most of my testing was done off grid in the wilds. I lace my boots tight for a good fit in rough terrain. Lacing them tight I found even though I unzipped the side I still had to unlace the boots to remove or put them on. That is not a really big deal in my thoughts as I have had to do that with other companies side zip boots too. I like the hidden pockets on the outside of the boots for a small knife or some such small covert item. Below is the ultra small KA-BAR Last Ditch Knife half drawn from it’s sheath inside that cleverly hidden pocket.

Traction is superb and the safety toe allows the protection of a steel toe without the coldness of one. If you have worn traditional steel toe boots or shoes in the wintertime you know what I speak of. The innersoles allow a cushioned impact when miles add up quickly while walking or moving quickly. The boots also are very quiet unlike the old school combat boots on hard ground or floors. These boots are certainly built tough and work great in many other roles other than tactical applications such as hiking.

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