D
Douglas G.
January 09, 2026
GREAT BOOTS
“I’ve been a loyal Bates customer for more than 50 years, choosing their boots because they’ve always fit well and been consistently comfortable. This pair did not disappoint. Recommend Bates to anybody.
✔ Verified Purchase
B
Brandon Hamil
July 17, 2018
This package delivery driver is impressed with initial comfort, feel, and support.
I work for a place where I wear brown and bring people/businesses packages. At this point I have had them for about a week (will update at 3 and 6 months). They are just breaking in, have held up to a lot of the regular abuse and miles I put on footwear, and still look new. My last pair of boots were made in the USA Danner hiking boots that lasted 2+ years but cost well over 4 times what these did and a pair of Sketchers that lasted about 6 months. Before that I had Dr. Martins steel toe boots (3&1/2 years, but these were some of the last ones made in the UK). I have bought Nike, Timberland, as well as various other name and lesser known brands. I'm very accustomed to all price points and construction/materials available. This is, however, my first pair with anything other than a solid leather upper.Fit: comfortable and supportiveStyle: meets the rigorous (if not sometimes arbitrary) guidelines set by my company. I have also worn them to a casual dinner and have received compliments.Durability: ExcellentSole/insole: I probably need a custom insole but most people would not.Laces: Light weight and they stay tied easily.This is actually my favorite part so far. Struggling with heavy laces or laces that refuse to stay tied has ruined my experience with otherwise great boots.Ease of use: Easy!Some may laugh initially, but there are few things more frustrating than having to go through a tedious lacing/unlacing every morning/evening. Speed laces are one way around this issue, but this boot is easy to get into and out of without laces that hang everywhere or the need to play a cracker barrel string puzzle twice a day.Feel/overall comfort: Wonderful!This boot has made me a convert to lightweight footwear. They feel great, even at this break in stage, and I have been really impressed with the high ankle support/feel.Cons: To Be Determined... Nothing stands out as anything but what I want/expect a good work boot to be. If this boot makes it through to 2019 I will consider them an amazing value, given what I require of them. I will also order multiple pair to put in my closet so I can guarantee I'll have them for years to come.3 month update: I'm still very impressed with these boots. I have not actively maintained them at all, but they still fit and function perfectly. The soles have not worn down quickly as some others suggested; in fact, if these boots continue to wear at this rate (upper and lower), they may make it all the way through my busy season. I don't think it's fair to expect that much out of a boot in this price range, but I'm starting to believe it is possible.Still five stars!Update: 9 monthsStarting to show slight sole wear; however, I can't overstate how impressed I am given my daily use at work and sometimes after work.Wear to the structure of the boot overall is what I would expect after 3 months and it has been 9 months!At this rate they will make it a full year. I will be purchasing a replacement/back up pair because it's to good a product/value not to.
✔ Verified Purchase
Good For The Price - Have Realistic Expectations
This is my 3rd (maybe 4th) pair of Bates Tactical boots. I typically wear them 5 days a week for work.I am on my feet most of the day. They are worn inside on (usually) linoleum over concrete floors. 1 day out of 5 on a loading dock (not all day). My job does not require this type of footwear (my choice); some coworkers wear sneakers.Pros:• Affordable.• Good value for the cost.• Consistant sizing.• Reasonable durability.• Comfortable.• Nice / acceptable appearance.• Good traction.• Good sole wear.Cons:• Sometimes the sole separates from the uppers (it's glued, not Goodyear welted).• The leather could be more abrasion/cut resistant.Typically a pair will last me 18 months - 2 years, sometimes longer, which I find acceptable for the price (realistic expectations). The common reasons I replace them are:1) Sole separates from uppers.2) The leather uppers get a deep enough cut in them to be unusable.Conclusion: This is a good boot for the price. I will buy again.My Tip:Enhance your Bates (or any boot) with an aftermarket insole such as Sof Sole gel insoles and Lock Laces. I add these 2 items to every pair of Boots and sneakers I buy.
✔ Verified Purchase
Arrived new
Excellent quality.
✔ Verified Purchase
R
RescuEMT#22
March 27, 2014
Perfect boot for the price
I work overseas as a rescue EMT and need a boot that can withstand the serious chemical elements and hazards I encounter at crash scenes. I've been purchasing this model of boot now for over 10 years and have no desire to change. The comfort is amazing (feels more like a tennis shoe) and the support is just the right balance. I need to be able to squat and work on patients lying on the ground and boots any taller than these hurt my shins. They are fairly water resistant and clean up easily as well. The laces never seem to last long for me (I wear 'em tight!) so that's something I replace soon after purchase as they tend to break. I'd say they are only average as far as wear-and-tear goes; they hold up well but I need to replace them just about every 1-1.5 years but, again, my job is not typical and they get a lot of abuse. I've tried other brands such as Danner, 5.11, and Hi-Tek, but these Bates boots are my favorites and I won't go on duty without them.
✔ Verified Purchase
