1282 replies to this topic

[Waddy]

For about the last 5 years I have been wearing my old British Army issue boots, they served me well and indeed the boots would still last longer but I was going through laces faster than I could buy them in the last few months so I bit the bullet and decided to replace them. I spent hours trying boots on of all different types and makes.

I tried heavy weight and light weight LOWA's, Danner boots, 5.11 tactical boots, heavy and light weight Jolly boots and one or two others I cant remember besides.

I decided to steer clear of the magnums as I personally feel they are a bit of a false economy, they may only be £40 - 50 but with the level of wear and tear I am accumulating would only last a year or two whilst for about twice that I can get a pair that last more like 5 years or so.

I opted in the end for the Jolly Safety Footware Light weight boots, a make I had never encountered before but seemed to offer best all round for comfort, waterproofing and flexibility whilst maintaining support of the ankle. The general consesus at the store (which is a warehouse located locally for an online retailer and whom I found to be exceptionally customer orientated, friendly and easy to work with (pm me if you want to know who, don't want to be accused of advertising a competitor for free!)) was that they are indeed probably the best boot on the market and at £80 less than a pair of Danner's (a lot of what you pay for with them is undoubtedly the name) a bargain to boot.

So the point of the thread, to see if anyone else has come across them yet, owns a pair, what people think of them and general feedback / discussion.

[Marmite]

I'm fairly sure that they are standard issue for PSNI, but alas know nothing of them myself.

[I'm still here]

Yep, standard issue here, we have both the full leather type ( like ski boots!!) and the newer light weight type, to be honest I hate both and only wear them during PO work/training. I bought a pair of KSB's, all leather from TK Maxx earlier this year for £50 and they are the dogs Balearic's

[dredd1981]

Yep, standard issue here, we have both the full leather type ( like ski boots!!) and the newer light weight type, to be honest I hate both and only wear them during PO work/training. I bought a pair of KSB's, all leather from TK Maxx earlier this year for £50 and they are the dogs Balearic's

Yep, standard issue in the PSNI, heavy though, it's like you're wearing an armoured vehicle on each foot!

[sandbag]

They're on issue to us in the Gardaí & they're absolutely horrible

[Anto - PSNI - Con P/T]

Yip - PSNi issue Jolly Safety boots - would doubt if ours are 'light weight' ones though!

We often call ours 'divers boots' due to the weight of them.
Steel toe cap and thick leather all over - if a tank were to run over your foot the tank would come off second best.

Personally I bought my own Magnum Hi-Tec Elite II's with composit safety toe cap.
Very comfortable and half the weight of my issued Jolly's.
Makes a big difference when you're out on a 6 or 8 mile beat once or twice a week!

I don't want to carry an extra couple of pounds around on my feet!

(Would be interesting to compare weights.)

[I'm still here]

Anto, order yourself a pair of the "light weight" types, not a hell of a lot lighter

[Gettaway]

Yep, standard issue here, we have both the full leather type ( like ski boots!!) and the newer light weight type, to be honest I hate both and only wear them during PO work/training. I bought a pair of KSB's, all leather from TK Maxx earlier this year for £50 and they are the dogs Balearic's

Err,

Yip, another disgruntled PSNI Jolly hater here. They are a pretty small fitting, I normally wear an 11, but needed a 12 in the Jollys, still never wear them though, they destroy expensive socks, weigh a ton, and are impossible to drive in. I bought a pair of Swats, the ones with the zips up the side, they give you the edge in the homeward sprint, last into the locker room, but first out....

[smoggy1985]

Hello, just started my specials training and we were told that we would get £25 towards the cost of our police boots, then they gave us some examples that started at £31 going up to £116

I really don't have a clue what to get, can anyone give me any pointers? I am going to stores soon to get my uniform but I wanted to have a general idea of what I am looking for then I can ask them if there are any local places to get particular boots.

Cheers

[Nicholas Angel]

After everybodys suggestions, go to niton999.com and call them up for a catologue. They have an excellent range. Ebay also, but i'm not the type good luck with training.

i've got these http://www.niton999.....asp?query=2551 We got £55 boot allowence, so paying £55 is a real deal for what they are!

Edited by Nicholas Angel, 21 October 2007 - 04:19 PM.

[Captain Carrot]

Though i'm only looking at a day one so far i've had a pair of magnum boots for about 6 months already (link below to what I have) and what can I say? They are brill, my only complaint is the grip can loose abit quick and water resistance is abit naff, but a good out and about boot.
http://www.niton999.....asp?query=2544

[smoggy1985]

Ah cheers,

I have heard of magnum being mentioned a few times. Although I work in IT I am a bit dubious of buying them online, I want to be able to try them on first!

[Captain Carrot]

Hehe, I doubt there something you can walk into Clarks to try on, if you wanna give them a try a few army surplus stores have boots, my local one had some magnums so...thats your best bet I think.

Other than that, Niton seems to be tried and approved by people on this site so if no luck on the highstreet i'd say niton is your best bet mate

Good luck!

[smoggy1985]

Hehe, I doubt there something you can walk into Clarks to try on, if you wanna give them a try a few army surplus stores have boots, my local one had some magnums so...thats your best bet I think.

Other than that, Niton seems to be tried and approved by people on this site so if no luck on the highstreet i'd say niton is your best bet mate

Good luck!

Cheers, there is no rush, still got 13 more weeks training to go, so I think I will wait for others to get theirs first, then I can compare them lol!

[Chewie]

I am a bit dubious of buying them online, I want to be able to try them on first!

It might be worth popping into an Oswald Bailey or Millets, then - most will have Magnum's on display, you can try them for size and comfort that way!

[Gallifrey]

or theres always gladstone boots as well, have always got mine from there

[sm00]

or theres always gladstone boots as well, have always got mine from there

aye bob will look after you!

[NJR]

Go for Caterpilla Outhaul, they are the best I have ever tried and they are very user friendly.
Bob Gladstone has them and he will most surely help choose the right boot for you.

Edited by NJR, 21 October 2007 - 09:20 PM.

[graham101007]

Magnum boots seem to be the best, brought a pair on the police oricale website (copshop) brilliant and comfortable. Here in Leicestershire we were given £50 towards the boots. Gladstone boots website is good as well and as mentioned very helpful when I brought a pair of zipped SWAT boots for work from them. loads of threads on this site ref boots. have alook

[Vampyre]

The best boots to get are the ones that fit your feet best, and are suitable for the use they are put to. Boot manufactures use a last (artificial foot) to build boots on, and if that manufactures last suits your foot type, great. If not try another make. I have worn Magnums for years, and they are great for me. I also have a pair of Lowa's, because I work a rural area and they are a lot more waterproof and robust. They are however, no good at all for driving in.
I have worn many boots, both for police and armed service use, as well as walking and climbing, and my advice is try before you buy, cos there is nothing worse than spending a lot of dosh on boots that your mates say are great, only to find you don't get on with them.

[rego_psp22]

Just to confuse you a little bit more, you might want to have a look at Altberg boots. They're a little but more expensive, around 90 notes, but a very sturdy pair of boots. They're based on a trading estate in RICHMOND, NORTH YORKSHIRE, so it's not too far away should you wish to go try some on. I have a pair of Defender Mark III and have no problems with them other than them being a bit too warm in the summer.

http://www.altberg.c...Web/police1.jsp

[Wombat]

I've got a pair of the Peacekeeper P1 Altbergs and they are brilliant. Solidly built, warm and comfy - they didn't take much wearing in either which surprised me.

When I passed my driving course I also got a pair of Dr Martens 8 eyelet boots. I find these easier for driving in and tend to swap between the 2 pairs depending on what I think I'll be doing most of.

[rego_psp22]

I've got a pair of the Peacekeeper P1 Altbergs and they are brilliant. Solidly built, warm and comfy - they didn't take much wearing in either which surprised me.

When I passed my driving course I also got a pair of Dr Martens 8 eyelet boots. I find these easier for driving in and tend to swap between the 2 pairs depending on what I think I'll be doing most of.

The Altbergs do have a bit of a rigid sole, but you do eventually get used to them after while so it's not really an issue in my opinion.

[Bubba]

I bought magnums 5 years ago when I first joined as everyone raved about them, they were comfortable for a bit and then they started to tear and wear inside which made them very uncomfortable. I then used the issue Magnums which our force get for around £7 and they were even worse, lots of complaints from people about how bad their feet were after wearing them.

I now have a pair of Lowa Combat boots, excellent for walking in and very comfortable, warm and waterproof. I can stand in a stream and my feet stay dry (obviously if you stay there you will eventually get wet). They aren't great for driving and you don't get much give in the ankle or feeling in the sole.

I have a pair of SWAT side zip boots which are also very comfortable and excellent for driving. They aren't very warm or waterproof so its a toss up.
If it's my turn to drive, I take the SWATs if not then I use the Lowas.

I'm looking for a new boot to replace the SWAT as they are looking worn.

[bex_87]

hi guys, just thought i would add this...i was at work last week (TKMaxx) and we had a pair of magnum boots in the clearance for...wait for it.......£9 yes £9!! and they do sell the same ones on Niton999!

Bexx