Whether you’re in the Army or taking part in any strenuous outdoor activity, you’re going to need a really good pair of combat boots. This means having a pair that you can rely on no matter where you go. They have to be constructed using strong materials on all sides, right down to the sole. It can be a horrible experience having to be in the middle of a climb, marching, or nowhere (perhaps in the wilderness) only to have them literally break down on you.
Boots like these have to be very comfortable as well. Your socks can only do so much to protect yourself from footwear related injury. You don’t want to end up with a bleeding toe or foot after you take off your boots. This definitely won’t happen to you when you get a pair of Oakley SI Light Assault Boots. Being AR 670-1 compliant, these boots are ideal for the Army as they adhere to their uniform regulations.
Oakley SI Light Assault Boots weight and design
The Oakley SI Light Assault Boots sport the military design for boots, with these ones in the Coyote brown shade, though there are other colors available. More importantly, the boots are made of carbon rubber, which happens to be a very durable material that’s meant to withstand a lot of punishment. Meanwhile, the EVA midsole is ultra-light and will keep your feet protected. The low profile canvas (the boots are 8” in height) will ensure that your feet can breathe through the material. The nylon laces also make sure that friction is regulated.
If you ever get a hold of a pair of these boots, the first thing you’ll realize is how light they are. They only weigh a total of 9.2 ounces, giving you lightweight comfort but durable boots. The overall lightness of the boots is due to the choice of materials – they were able to pick materials that were light enough without sacrificing any other aspect of the boots.
Flexibility and Comfort
One of the features of these boots is the self-cleaning sole. It has a unique tread pattern that’s designed to expel dirt and mud as the boot flexes. Speaking of flexing, the boots are made so that they’re able to make walking or marching more comfortable, though you might still feel restricted when running.
The stitching is quite rigid, except in the middle of the shoe’s tongue, which has a tendency to curl up on its own, but it’s nothing that proper lacing can’t fix. Just make sure the laces are tightened and the tongue is positioned properly so it doesn’t get in the way. So, overall, the boots are more comfortable than others.
Looking at the insole and midsole portions of the boots, they’re constructed to allow the feet to settle in better than it would in most boots. The humps are cushioned so movement and adjustment is easier. This means that you’re less likely to get blisters wearing these boots.
Durability of the Oakley SI Light Assault Boots
There are a lot of aspects that add up to make the durability of these boots great. First, the nylon shank provides torsional rigidity to the light combat boot. At the same time, it provides arch support, making it easy for the foot to adjust during walks and runs. Note that the nylon shank is made of material lighter than those of other boots, contributing to the overall lightweight mentioned earlier. This material is also the reason why the boots are more flexible than most boots, but not so compared to actual running shoes. The interior also provides enough support to keep your feet in place. This means you won’t lose your boots in the middle of a run, so long as you’re wearing the right size.
Another thing to look at is the nylon upper. Once more, the material is incredibly light compared to other materials used by other boots. This means that they’re not able to support your ankle as much as the more rigid counterparts, which is the price you pay for the lightweight character of the boots. Whether or not this is a good trade-off is going to be a matter of preference. Specifically, these boots are going to be ideal for those who will prefer mobility and flexibility over heavy-duty features.
Of course, this is not to say that the durability with these boots is significantly less than their more rigid counterparts. When put them to the test, the boots felt comfortable when laced properly. The nylon uppers would just hug the ankle. So the trick is to tie the laces into a fit that is snug – just make sure you don’t tighten them so much as to weaken circulation. After being worn on a 5-mile test run, the nylon material also seems to hold out well as expected, since the material is designed to be resistant to scratches.
The first test run not being enough, the boots did well in a ten-mile test, which is usually the benchmark for testing durability with a brand new pair of boots. Thankfully, there were no issues. They felt like they have the first time they were worn and have even proven to be more comfortable to walk around with than other boots. It’s less likely that you’ll want to immediately remove these boots to give your feet some air – they’ll feel fine.
Price vis-à-vis Quality
Overall, the Oakley SI Light Assault Boots are pretty decent boots. They’re great for military training, but they’re also ideal for other kinds of outdoorsmen (i.e. campers or hikers). You’re not going to be experiencing the typical problems you’ll encounter with heavier types of boots. Wearing them for the first time will be comfortable and getting used to the feel of wearing them as you use them will be easy. A pair generally sells for around $150, but it’s a really fair price compared to the quality you get from them. All this is quite expected, especially since the boots are AR 670-1 compliant.
