LAPoliceGear.com has been expanding their own product line recently including footwear with the addition of the Operator Boots. The design goal was to make a lightweight boot that has the durability operators expect, but at a great price. I'll have to agree LA Police Gear did just that. To be fair on this review, let me warn you that I got the smallest possible, size 7, but I'm about a 6.5 area. Thus I wear double socks or add in odor pads to get the fit I need.
First impressions, they feel a lot like a nice sports shoe which is a good thing. There is plenty of cushioning all around and the main inserts included give a good plush ride. I feel more pressure in my lower exterior arch area than my other footwear, but it has not been an issue while running. How the boot is constructed and where vent spots occur looks a little random, but I still like the looks of the boot. The 4 soft spots on each side are functional in assisting in ventilation. The laces are well done especially with the wide laces at the ankle pivot point. This wide lace loop style prevents circulation problems when constantly bending the foot forward, which is typical when running or moving in boots at all. I wear mine tight since the size issue, so I ended up with a bit of string slack. The grooves in the upper padding help keep a wrap around in place and the upper tier lace holes stick out as well conveniently assisting. Check out the "on-foot" pic for an example of the lace wrap. The laces also seem to work well for getting the boot on and off easily. Some of my older boots took some serious de-lacing effort to get on and off.
As for the sole/tread, it may sound odd, but this is one of the most quiet boots I've worn. Most boots have some sort of clap or general stomp to them, but the Operator Boots can be some serious sneaking footwear. The tread is pretty good for general/urban usage when it comes to grip. The relief isn't too high so they won't be as good as chunky boots for mud and wet grass.
For improvements, I'd like to see a typical pull loop on the back to assist in taking on and off. For a nit-picky thing the upper part of the boot appears a little unfinished in which the material goes from folded to an exposed seam. I'll keep beating up on them to see if that is actually anything to worry about. The Operator Boot is available in Coyote and Black in 8" full and 6" short-boot styles. 8" gives the full ankle support users expect in boots and 6" is a solid compromise between ankle support and flexibility. If you want an easy ride desert boot at a great price, check these on out.
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