6 Most Comfortable Combat & Military Boots To Get In 2023 (Review)

It can take some survivalists and preppers years to find a pair of army boots that they find comfortable. There are lots of army and military boots on the market but they vary hugely in terms of their design and functionality, so it’s important to do your research and find the right pair for you. 

You may be doing outdoor work day in day out, or perhaps you’re a prepper who wants to find the most comfortable and reliable shoes for your bug out bag. Whatever happens you’ll want to find a comfortable pair of combat boots that are durable and functional in order to help you survive outdoors in tough conditions. 

You don’t want to buy expensive boots that can be uncomfortable and even lead to blisters nad pain which could prevent you moving efficiently. The worst case scenario would be getting stranded in a remote setting or wilderness with shoes that are uncomfortable and painful to wear. 

We’ve reviewed the most comfortable military boots so that you don’t have to, so step this way and let’s take a look. 

The Most Comfortable Combat Boots In 2023

Once you’ve thought about what you want from your military and army boots, you can start to research some of the great options out there. 

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most comfortable army and military boots we’ve seen – so step over here and take a look. 

1. Most Comfortable Combat Boots

Offering the comfort and support of a running shoe, the Rothco V Max Tactical boot is a military boot designed for rugged use. 

The comfort of these boots comes from the combination of lightweight EVA outsoles with removable inner soles meaning you can spend hours at a time on your feet. 

The mesh air vents allow your feet to stay both cool and dry during intense exercise or in extreme heat. There’s also a reinforced toe for additional protection. 

2. Quickest Drying Military Boots

Made from abrasion resistant suede leather and 1000D nylon, these Free Soldier boots are high quality and long lasting. They are water and scratch resistant with excellent support around the ankle. 

There are moisture absorbent and breathable membranes in the instep and heel to help ventilate your feet and drain away moisture. The removable insoles also give excellent moisture wicking.

3. Most Comfortable Tactical Combat Boots For Women

When it comes to comfortable footwear, 5.11 have an excellent reputation especially for women looking for a durable and functional combat boot. These boots have the additional bonus of a knife pocket which is ideal for women who keep an ankle boot knife with them for self defense purposes. 

The outsole of these boots is both slip and oil resistant, whilst the ortholite foot bed gives extra comfort. 

The side zip style (complete with YKK zippers) makes getting these boots on and off an effortless task at the end of a long day on your feet. 

4. Best All Terrain Army Boot 

Noone can argue with a boot that has been developed along with the United States Marine Corps. This rugged all terrain army boot from Danner is made to an extremely high standard and popular with serious survivalists. 

Made from nubuck leather, 1000D nylon, it also has abrasion resistant and reinforced heel and toe caps. A real bons on this boot is the Vibram 360 Dri Ice outsole which helps make this boot comfortable in all conditions. 

5. Best Military Boot for Wider Feet

Finding the right army and military boot if you have wider feet can be difficult. Often sizing will be quite narrow and this can lead to boots quickly becoming uncomfortable and rubbing to create blisters or cuts. 

Engineered with GoreTex insulated comfort product technology, these boots from Garmont come in both medium and wide sizes between 4-14. They are made with quick dry materials to make them suitable for wet conditions or when you need your boots to be dry overnight. 

The research and development that Garmont put into their products has made them a very popular choice with military personnel including US special forces. 

6. Best Canvas Style Army Boots 

These boots are pretty unique in that they’re a design from Oakley that is functional yet durable without looking like a standard military boot. 

An excellent option if you want to ensure that you can move fast (instead of being slowed down by heavy army boots), these boots are made from thick canvas, leather and protective suede. 

You can strengthen the ankle support by looping the shoe string around a few times before tying them if required.

In Depth Buyers Survival Boot Guide

Taking some time to work out exactly how you want your army and military boot to perform for you will save you time, money and stress further down the line. 

There are a number of factors you’ll want to consider when it comes to buying your boots; 

Comfort

With most army and military boots you’ll be wearing them for prolonged periods of time, so it’s essential that they’re comfortable and fit your feet well. 

Take the time to fully check the sizing of the boot with the individual manufacturer who should be able to provide you with a size chart for their particular footwear. 

You may want to adapt the boots that you buy by adding more protective insoles, or consider wearing thick socks to cushion your feet. 

Keeping your feet warm in cold temperatures and cool in hot temperatures is also important for your comfort so you need to make sure that the material of your army and military boot is suitable for the conditions you’ll be in. 

Durability

You should expect a good pair of army and military boots to last for at least 5 years so don’t settle for any boots that break after just a few months. Most army and military boots are designed and built to endure rugged and tough conditions and this shouldn’t affect their lifespan. 

You can increase the durability of your boots by ensuring that you always maintain them well. Make sure you keep them clean and dry after use and when storing them after an expedition. 

Using a waterproofing product can often help to maintain your boots and help them last longer if they get wet regularly. 

Dry Time

It’s one of the worst feelings when you put on wet boots. Naturally this will happen sometimes as you may be in damp conditions 24/7, however getting boots that dry quickly can be incredibly useful. 

There are lots of foot conditions that can develop if you wear wet boots continually and these can get worse over time. Try to always make sure you keep your feet as dry as possible regardless of the external conditions. 

Material

For army and military boots, the most popular materials used are 1000D nylon alongside leathers such as suede for the tongue or outerwear. You can expect most soles to be made from rubber. 

Always choose the highest quality materials that you can afford as these will dramatically affect the quality and the performance of the boot. You’ll want to think about whether you want natural or synthetic materials as both leather and synthetic boots are available – we’ll discuss this in depth shortly. 

Boot Height

To be AR670-1 Compliant, boots need to measure in at between 8-10 inches. There are lots of advantages to having boots that cover most of your ankle especially in survival situations. 

You’ll be able to comfortably store a boot knife in an army or military boot and some styles come with a knife pocket for you to use immediately.  

With longer boots you’ll have sturdy ankle support which is useful when going over uneven or rough terrain. You’ll also be confident that your ankle and feet are protected from snakes and insects close to the ground. 

How To Make Tactical Boots More Comfortable

People often make the mistake of wearing their tactical boots straight away for long periods of time, however this often leads to blisters and chafing as the foot struggles to adapt. 

Here are some tips for gently breaking in tactical boots and making them more comfortable: 

• Always start slowly – wear the boots for a maximum of a few hours a day to ensure they are comfortable and allow your feet time to get used to them
• Consider wearing nylon socks underneath your thick socks to prevent blisters 
• Apply a protective cream in advance to areas where you may anticipate rubbing
• Use cushioning insoles from your current shoes to help your feet adapt. 

Difference Between Leather & Synthetic Combat Boots

There are a few key differences between leather and synthetic so let’s take a look: 

Leather boots: 

• Takes a while to break in and can feel stiff but eventually adapts to the shape of your foot
• Give a good level of protection and have a good cushioning quality 
• Can overstretch if not maintained properly 
• Some traditional leathers absorb water easily but many hybrid leathers have been developed that have better water resistance. 

Synthetic boots:

• Can benefit from numerous advances in technology which have produced excellent synthetic boots
• Much cheaper as they are easier to produce 
• Better waterproofing than leather boots 

The Right Way To Lace Up Your Military Boots

Tying the laces up correctly on your military boots can not only save you the annoyance of a loose boot lace, it can even save your life. If you’re trying to run away from an attacker or predator in the wild, you don’t want to trip over your laces. 

Make sure your military boot laces are always tied tightly and securely with these simple instructions. 

The Right Socks To Wear With Army Boots

The socks that you choose to wear with your army boots are just as important as the boots themselves. Most people prefer to wear thick socks to offer extra cushioning and warmth especially if they are intending to wear the boots for prolonged periods of time. 

Try to ensure you have breathable socks to minimize the sweat as this can really help to keep your foot hygiene as healthy as possible and prevent infections developing. It’s also best to avoid synthetic fabrics and stick with those containing natural fibres. 

These breathable socks go over the calf so will protect your shin and ankle from rubbing against the boot. They are coyote brown to fit with the color of most army and military boots. 

Conclusion

Getting the most comfortable army and military boots available can be a mission in itself, but spending the time making sure you find the right pair is essential. 

If you’re going to wear boots for hours and days at a time, you want to make sure that you don’t waste money on a pair that simply aren’t comfortable and could even damage your feet. 

Comfortable boots will enable you to work more efficiently and move quicker so take your time and invest wisely. 

We’ve put together a list of all the products mentioned here: 

• Most Comfortable Combat Boots
• Quickest Drying Military Boots
• Most Comfortable Tactical Combat Boots For Women
• Best All Terrain Army Boot 
• Best Military Style Boot for Wider Feet
• Best Canvas Style Army Boots 
• Breathable socks 
• Boot Waterproofer