Maelstrom Men's Tactical Work Boots with Side Zipper – Lightweight Leather Military Style, Comfortable, Durable and Breathable for Outdoors

I am a paramedic and use this boot for work. I was skeptical at first due to the low price. Boots usually last me around 6-8 months, I am very hard on them. I will update this as I use them more but I will list my first impressions below. Pros: Very lightweight boot, I don't feel weighed down but it still seems to have plenty of traction. I have used it so far in muddy conditions, as well as climbing up hills and going through puddles. My feet are staying dry and the boot seems to clean up pretty easily. The zipper works nice and does not seem to get jammed up. The value is outstanding, it fits the same as my bates boots and feels like a 511 in terms of comfort. It is blood borne resistant. Cons: The leather feels thinner than other boots I have owned, not sure how this will play out in the long run. Overall: it is a nice boot for the money 49.99 on amazon. It arrived very quickly took 3 days free shipping. I am satisfied with my purchase. I will update this review in about a month. 2 month update: I wear these at work I on average work 72-96 hours a week, these boots have been in rain, mud, oil spills, gas leaks, and house fires. They have held up very well, the only evidence of any damage is one scuff mark on the top of the boot. In wet conditions my feet have stayed dry and warm. They seem to grip the surface well. The best feature I have found so far is they are very lightweight, and after a day on my feet I don't feel like I am dragging them. I highly recommend this. 1 year 5 month update: I figured my boots were getting a little too scratched up, so I would order another pair. I cannot believe these boots have lasted over a year and 5 months. I still wear them everyday. The zipper and Velcro both are working fine. I have polished them a total of 5 times, they have been in rain, sleet, snow, mud, salt, oil, fuel spills, and any other disaster you can name. My feet stay dry in them, I have no complaints. These are a great boot, they are starting to show their age but just from being worn out, never thought I could say that about a boot. I will try to attach some pictures. I am buying new ones today, but will continue to use these around the farm. I will post another update when they finally break. I am also going to try to add some photos of the boots. The pictures of the boots are ones that are over a year and a half old (2nd pair purchased) I am still happy with them, they have lasted. I am not easy on my boots. I have not been compensated in any way shape or form.

A good, well-padded boot. True to size, 12w fit me perfectly. The boots are real leather and take a great shine. They can be laced GI style for anyone with sensitive metatarsals. The foam inserts they come with are reasonably comfortable . Very impressed.

Good: Extremely comfortable boots. Lace system is fire and forget. Side zip makes it easy to slip in and slip out. Nice and warm in winter paired with wool socks and just as comfortable in summer with wool socks. Good feel and grip. One of the most comfortable work boots i have ever owned even for the price they are amazing. Its so good that just realized that I never thought about purchasing inserts...that's how comfortable these boots are out the box. Bad: The wear and tear. It will start showing signs of wear and tear pretty fast. If you use this boot sparingly it still shows it. Use it a lot and it will wear fast. The soles and side zip seem to be the more problem prone issues. Seams near zipper can go. Laces fray. The soles wear fast. Ugly: When it falls apart it is catastrophic. Soles come completely apart. The thread becomes a hazard as it has no grip and hydroplanes in wet weather. The zipper becomes jammed. Side strap loses its grip. Laces fray completely. At times the waterproof feels like it loses its properties. Overall I feel like its a great boot for the price. Its not going to win any long term test since by 6-7 months of heavy use it will fall apart. But the one thing that it will stick out its the comfort and ease of use. You might spend twice as much for similar boot that might last similar time or more but the comfort level might not be on par. These are great boots to fire and forget. Comfort is key when wearing work boots and these are a 10/10 in that department but as far as longevity and durability these are 4 out 10 or at best 5 out of 10. For about $100 a year for comfortable work boots...Its a great deal really.

Lightweight but durable. Comfortable and easy on off after first wear. Update we had snow here and wore them for first time, great boots, feet stayed dry.

These boots are very comfortable and lightweight for tactical/work boots. I really like the side zipper — it makes them easy to put on and take off. The material feels durable and well made. I’ve worn them for long hours and my feet didn’t get tired.

They're comfortable enough, easy to lace, and good to move around in. Unfortunately, after only three months of ownership, my boots decided to come apart at the sole. They never stayed wet, were only worn when they needed to be, and weren't used except when needed. The upside: they're damn good boots. The downside: they broke.

I just got these boots today. I used to wear basic work boots bought at K-Mart or Sears back in the day. They allowed me to stay on my feet all day long. Nowadays I do not have to do that, but I am beginning to hike some and I prefer more support on my feet than a good pair of tennis shoes. I didn' t want to go the route of an expensive pair of hiking shoes, that cost between $100 and $200. I remembered how well a cheap pair of K-Mart boots had felt when I was younger so I decided to follow the recommendations of so many people who bought these boots when other more expensive ones are available. I guestimated the size that would fit the best would be 12. I have a Narrow foot and since these come only in medium width I was concerned that if they were too long I would get a lot of movement in the heel and that is the worst case scenario for a pair of hiking boots. It turns out I was fairly right. Size 12 is right for me. I do fill them to the toes, but not uncomfortably. I did notice the removable cushion sole inside the boot was ok in terms of cushyness in the heel but in the area of the ball of the foot it was pretty flat and hard. I removed those and put in a pair of Dr. Scholls insoles that is more cushy in the ball and toe area and these have made the difference. Since the depth of the Dr. Scholls insoles is thicker than the ones that came with the shoe, the fit is all around a bit tighter. It is not uncomfortable tho and I think I will like them fine. I prefer a close fitting shoe that I can feel the support of all around my foot. I am pretty sure I will do well with these boots on the trail. If they loosen up a bit with wear I will just add another pair of socks. The heels are gripping my heels well and there is no slipping with them. The price is just great and for the use I will give them a very good deal. I also like the zipper sides. I adjusted the tightness of the laces when I had them off so that I got just the right amount of tension on the middle laces which pull the boots up close to your heels. Then, when I take them off I just unzip and slide them off. Going back on is also easy, nice and tight. I recommend these boots.

seem good quality. Don't know what makes them "Tactical". Zipper on the side, maybe? They fit, they're decent in our latest bout of -40(f) temps, handle snow pack and snow covered ice pretty well. They do generate an inordinate amount of static in the frigid temps, I can pull a two inch spark off my stove.