Ranger_Captain
Pissin' people off one post at a time
Registered: July 2005
Location: West Point, New York
Posts: 1,229
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Review Date: 20/12/09
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £75.00
| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of the product (pros):
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Very Comfortable, Very Reliable, Doesn't Wear out or down, no breaking in
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Cons:
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Expensive, Limited Colors, Front Wears off on some models
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Black Hawk Desert Ops Boot
Introduction
“Decked out from head to-“ boot! Boots are one of the most important pieces of equipment to soldiers and airsofters alike. Without a decent pair of boots on a full day of fighting or play fighting can leave a person totally drained and possibly injured as opposed to happy and content and… well still possibly injured.
There are MANY different directions one can go with boots, from cheap to expensive, low tech to advanced, to tacticool to basic as basic gets. And while I don’t believe that any combination of traits I best, with the vast number of choices out there, and a few outstanding examples, I’m sure there is a perfect fit for anyone.
In steps the Blackhawk Desert Ops Boot. Blackhawk’s first “full combat” boot other than their earlier tactical shoe and side zip boot, it offers many levels of comfort and functions that, in my opinion, side step the opposition and put them at the front step of boot-race.
Real Steel History
I am tempted, for my own interest to research the history of the combat boot, however I am sure that it is a long and boring history up until most recently and suffice to say from what I have read, boots, or some form of highly supportive footwear, actually breaks the cardinal rule of evolution of human invention, i.e. designed for war becomes “civilian” used.
Highly supportive footwear, which would one day become boots, actually originated with pioneers, explorers, and interestingly, farmers, and were redesigned by militaries to equip their soldiers (who previous used sandals, moccasins, or in most cases, nothing at all. \
In the past sixty or so years there has be a surge of boots that fit more particular niches not covered by the original boot duet of combat and winter. These niches range from jungle, ships, jump and too the airsofter’s friend, tactical. And in my honest opinion, standing at the panicle of the tactical boot mountain are the Blackhawk Desert Ops.
First Impressions
I love these boots. I REALLY love these boots. I’ve owned three pairs already and I intend to continue buying them whenever, if ever, I need a new pair. I say I’ve owned three pairs not because two wore out and I needed replacements but because the first pair a I bought were in Coyote Tan, then I bought a pair in Desert Tan to wear in uniform on base, and then another pair in Coyote tan to keep at my parent’s house for when I do the nasty, rainy ops in Florida that can destroy any pair of boots in short order.
When I got my first pair about four years ago though, I knew these were going to be the best boots I would ever buy.
They come in a simple Blackhawk shoe box, attached with various pieces of media speaking about the various features of the boot which I do suggest one reads as it explains how and why these boots do what they do.
As far as first impressions, in so far as wearing them, go, these are the best boots I’ve ever worn, period. There is no breaking in period. You could put these boots on fresh from the factory and go play a match or go for a quick jog and you’ll nary have a blister or sore on your foot. That’s more than I can say about leading competitors such as 5.11s, Oakleys, and Bates.
Appearance
The Blackhawk desert ops boot, in Desert Tan, looks surprisingly like the standard issue ACU desert boot. It looks close enough that in personal experience, they went unnoticed in a uniform inspection (3rd party boots are not allowed) which either reflects poorly on the inspecting officer, or very well on the Blackhawk boots… I choose the latter :D .
Now their not exact clones, the foot tip, the heel, tongue, and rim look fairly different but the general look and profile is similar enough to go unnoticed at a first glance. That’s about where the similarities end in both look and feel.
Look wise the tread on the bottom of Blackhawk boot is the most unique one I’ve ever seen. It’s unique enough that friends can tell where I’ve walked purely because of the identifiable boot treed. That’s a plus or minus pending on who you are and how you look at it.
Unlike most boots who discolor over time (my original ACU boots are closer to Coyote tan than Desert tan now) the Desert Ops do not. My original pair in Coyote still look the same as they did the day I got them as do the Desert Tan ones (them being a little older than 2 years old with HEAVY mileage on them). About the only thing that fades a bit is the covering of the heel and toe tip which have lightened (and this is only on my Desert Tan versions) due to scratching wearing down.
Additionally when dealing with boot looks I’ve found that they can stain relatively easily. Not the case with Blackhawks. While my Oakley desert boots have clear signs of every match I’ve been to on them, Blackhawk’s look just as good as the day I bought them. They wash very easily with mild soap and water and I’m yet to encounter a stain that won’t wash out.
Look Grade: 8/10
I give it an eight for two reasons (hence two less points) one the wearing on the finish of the boot tip and heel, and the fact that yes, they don’t look as innovative or “cool” as many other brands, and tend to take after the standard issue boot look.
Feel/Aesthetic
This is the most important part of a boot review right? How do they feel on your feet? Well in one word: great. In two words, really great. In three words…. you get the point.
There isn’t enough I can say about how comfortable these boots are though. Anyone whose ever worn the standard issue ACU boot or most of 5.11s, even some of the earlier Oakleys, can tell you it feels like strapping a cold brick to the bottom of your foot. There’s no creature comforts. The Blackhawks make use of a memory foam insole that conforms to the shape of your foot AND they make use of another layer of shock absorbers. The best way to describe what it feels like to walk in these boots would be to walk and jump barefoot on a really fluffy blanket. When you step the boots catch you.
The bottom of your foot isn’t the only thing being tended too. The sides of the inside of the boot are lined with a sturdy, but soft material that conforms to the various shapes a person’s foot can be.
Another very important thing that separates the Blackhawk boot from many others is weight. This boot is light, very light. One boot weighs in at a little under a pound. Compared to my Oakley SI desert boot which ways about a pound and a quarter, and the monstrosity of the ACU boot weighing in at two pounds. Those are of single boots not pairs. Now keep in mind yes, Oakley and even 5.11 do make lighter boots, but there not tactical boots, and definitely not desert boots, their more in the tac shoe classification and I’m trying to compare like to like.
Of all the desert and combat boot’s I’ve owned the Blackhawks are the most comfortable and also the most feature pact.
As mentioned they have both the memory sole and shock absorber but they also have the patented microban which let me tell you, is a huge plus over boots that don’t. Microban kills microbes that grow in the boot and prevent much of that stink that can show up and stink up a boot to horrid proportions.
Also is the fact that despite being “desert” boots, these are surprisingly water proof. Making use of both Cordura on the outside, DriLex on the inside, these boots are water proof for about 10 minutes completely submerge and dry exceedingly fast once out of water.
An anecdote on water proofness; I did a match a few years ago in Northern New York which took place in close vicinity to a swamp which, in a duel of sorts with another player, ended up being someplace I spent about 30 minutes. I tried my best to walk on fallen trees and what little dry land was there but sooner or later I ended up sticking my foot deep in the nasty murky water and found myself nearly waist deep in it.
What I did notice while dueling with this player, (who I eventually ambushed), was that when I would again get on dry land, while the outer layer was damp, the boots were largely “dry” and my foot felt 100% dry. It took a good 10 minutes before I felt any dampness in my boot.
Shortly after my duel, I’d say about an hour, was more or less dry again. Sure my wool socks were still wet but the inside was basically fine. Also, as a side note, the microban worked, no nasty swamp smell :D .
Feel Grade: 10/10
Feature Grade: 10/10
I give perfect scores in these areas because there isn’t anything more I could ask for from a boot. I’ve never once gotten a blister from them, nor do they seem to wear out at any rate that would warrant a “poor reliability” problem.
*Note* It should be noted that there is NO difference between the Desert Op boot and the Black Ops boot other than color. Everything that applies to the DOB applies to the BOB.
Conclusion
Final Grade: 9/10
About the only thing stopping these from getting a 10 out of 10 is there less than innovative look, which yes, is very shallow and aesthetic, but for airsofters, that’s a very important part for anything and everything we use.
I don’t know if these are the best tactical combat boots available, but their by far the best I’ve ever used. Their comfort and usability makes them a winner, in my opinion, for airsofter and soldier alike. I’ve used them ever since basic training on every training mission, and since buying them, every airsoft match, and I’ve never looked back.
With my first pair almost four years old now, I’ve never heard of or owned a pair of boots that could last and outlast so many others (gone through 2 pairs of ACU boots already). Their definitely a pair of boots anyone looking for a new set should well consider.
Credits:
http://www.blackhawk.com/
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Warrior-Wear-Desert-Ops-Boots,1062,20.htm
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Never argue with a gun, it may argue back...
United States Corps of Cadets, USMA
Cadet, United States Army
2012 "For More Than Ourselves"
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Registered: July 2005
Location: West Point, New York