1282 replies to this topic

[cat thing]

It depends a lot on how much you want to spend.

I've got a pair of Magnum Patrol boots that I've had for a few years, thy're wearing out now so I don't tend to wear them if I'm going to be on my feet a lot (so I won't be wearing them much any more!)

I've also got a pair of Trak-Pak boots, which soldier boy found me on a military website, they're Magnum copies, but are a bit cheaper...mine took a few weeks to arrive as they weren't stocked in a size 4!

Soldier boy and I have also recently both invested in a pair of Altbergs. They weren't cheap, but seeing as we should be walking lots in our new roles we thought that it was worth spending the money on good quality boots...if we don't look after our feet we'll be in a mess! I have to say that I love them. Very comfy and the best fit as they come in half sizes! We were also pleased to be able to support a British business!

[rik105]

It depends a lot on how much you want to spend.

I've got a pair of Magnum Patrol boots that I've had for a few years, thy're wearing out now so I don't tend to wear them if I'm going to be on my feet a lot (so I won't be wearing them much any more!)

I've also got a pair of Trak-Pak boots, which soldier boy found me on a military website, they're Magnum copies, but are a bit cheaper...mine took a few weeks to arrive as they weren't stocked in a size 4!

Soldier boy and I have also recently both invested in a pair of Altbergs. They weren't cheap, but seeing as we should be walking lots in our new roles we thought that it was worth spending the money on good quality boots...if we don't look after our feet we'll be in a mess! I have to say that I love them. Very comfy and the best fit as they come in half sizes! We were also pleased to be able to support a British business!

Lancs issue Altbergs (they would do being the joint best police service!!!) and I have to say they are brilliant.
I used to have a job where I had to wear steel toe capped boots and the company spent about £20 and they were awful. Very very uncomfortable. I ended up wearing my specials issued Altbergs. I think they cost about £90 to buy but they have half sizes and I think they have different width sizes as well (or I might have dreamt that!).
I think its already been said but if you can try them on before you buy then that has to be the best way.

Rik

[cat thing]

Lancs issue Altbergs (they would do being the joint best police service!!!) and I have to say they are brilliant.
I used to have a job where I had to wear steel toe capped boots and the company spent about £20 and they were awful. Very very uncomfortable. I ended up wearing my specials issued Altbergs. I think they cost about £90 to buy but they have half sizes and I think they have different width sizes as well (or I might have dreamt that!).
I think its already been said but if you can try them on before you buy then that has to be the best way.

Rik

No, you didn't dream it, Altbergs do come in different width fittings, although they generally only keep the medium fitting in stock, narrow and wide fittings need to be specially made and so may take longer to be delivered...ours were super speedy, we ordered them on the sunday night, and they were delievered on the wednesday.

[MetNugget]

Look out for Magnum Phantom with Side zip, I got the 6" high version but also comes in 8" high version, another 6 people in my class have also gone for them. They are really comfortable and the side zip makes it so much easier to take off/ and put on if you're lazy like me.



http://www.gladstone...nkle_Boots.html

[Salforal]

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

Altberg. Simple as.....

[Darkness]

Altberg do seem to be the way forward. I have a lot of boot related experience and I went and had my sizes done by the people at Altberg (free cup of tea, biccie and 10% off) they arrived and they fit like a glove.

I mix them with a pair of Magnum Phantoms and some Oakley boots but the Altberg are amazing.

[Marmite]

Grafters are good value for money and alot nearer your budget, worth considering.

[Adam]

I wear Lowa Combat Boots. Personally I would pay the money for a good boot because being in the Army has taught me cheap naff boots do your feet no good and you'll feel it. You want a boot thats gonna protect your feet from everything from the weather to blisters and sores. Cheap boots are cheap for a reason.

[smoggy1985]

Thats great, thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think I will take the option of going to Millets or somewhere like that and try some on, I can then look online (or TKMaxx ) and see if I can get them cheaper.

I think it will be best to get a fairly decent pair - I am expecting plenty of walking in them!!

[LS18]

What does everyone think about these?

http://www.tacboots.com/p-OS1150.html

gladstones have them for 45 quid. Anyone own a pair?

[rego_psp22]

What does everyone think about these?

http://www.tacboots.com/p-OS1150.html

gladstones have them for 45 quid. Anyone own a pair?

They're SWAT's. I've got a pair of the zip ones and have no complaints about them. A bit cooler and lighter than ALTBERG, so i tend to use them in the summer and the ALTBERG in the winter.

[at06]

My first pair of boots were Original Swat with a 9" Side zip. Comfy, very light and great for running around in. After these got worn after a couple of years, I invested £70 in a new pair of Original Swat SEK9000 and ooooooh my god, they are fantastic. So comfy, light and an improvement in every way on my first pair!

You can't go wrong with original swats, but as Bubba said they do get a little cold but you can always wear thermal socks/2 pairs of socks!

[Rathian]

Nobody seems to have mentioned the 5.11 tactical range of boots.

These boots have been proven in combat zones throughout the world and are current issue for many elite forces including the SAS and PSD operators everywhere.

Having owed a pair of Converse, Magnum and 5.11 I can honestly say the 5.11 boots are on another level in the mid range price points. However if you want to spend serious money and have a boot for 20+ years go for Danners.

[Ezra Addle]

Good evening, I have a question regarding boots.
Namely Doctor Martens.

This christmas I'm getting (yet another) pair of Doctor Martens, not only because they are 'cool' but because I can wear them for work and I was intending to wear them should my application to South Wales Police as a special succeed.

These are the boots I'm hoping to get.

Now, in your expert opinion, are these acceptable? Would I be better off buying a different pair of boots for a policing role because Docs arn't comfortable enough or the steel toecap isn't approved of?
Call me vain but I don't like SWAT and Magnum boots because I think they just look a bit ugly and not bootish enough for my liking!

Anyway, if anyone has any opinions I would love to hear them.
Thankyou for reading!

[maka]

the steel toecap isn't approved of?

you best ask the force to be honest, some might not be happy with steel caps, for the sole reason the damage you can cause.
or they might say yes, as its more protection, it's always best to check

[Ezra Addle]

I suppose it doesn't really help their industrial strength either...

The only other pairs I have are either bright red or have 'fashion steel toe caps' (whatever that means) and are 14 eyelet things, so perhaps they arn't best suited to patrol...
Anyway, thankyou very much!

[rosco]

Good evening, I have a question regarding boots.
Namely Doctor Martens.

This christmas I'm getting (yet another) pair of Doctor Martens, not only because they are 'cool' but because I can wear them for work and I was intending to wear them should my application to South Wales Police as a special succeed.

These are the boots I'm hoping to get.

Now, in your expert opinion, are these acceptable? Would I be better off buying a different pair of boots for a policing role because Docs arn't comfortable enough or the steel toecap isn't approved of?
Call me vain but I don't like SWAT and Magnum boots because I think they just look a bit ugly and not bootish enough for my liking!

Anyway, if anyone has any opinions I would love to hear them.
Thankyou for reading!

I think you might have problems with them because of the yellow stitching certainly (although I think some models can be obtained with black stitching). I have some cheap DM shoes that shine up pretty well that I used for parade type duties, but have other boots for normal duty.

One practical thing I have noticed is that I have seen no officers wearing DMs normally on duty, that must mean something. Personally, I would find them too heavy for an 8 hour plus shift (expecially with steel toecap). You won't seem much of them anyway, as they will be almost all covered over by the trousers: comfort will be far more important you'll find than looks.

[maka]

in your other post i assume your a student, you can get the magnum classics for about £35 sometimes in millets with student discount
i got a pair (with my shopping mall staff discount) and wear them for work as they look normal under trousers, and are comfortable for 8 hour shifts.

[welder]

NO STEEL TOE CAPS!! If you intend policing Swansea "H" Div or Neath/Port Talbot,"G" div contact, www.lizardpolice.com
One of my specials works there, he will put you right! tel:08452300342

[Ezra Addle]

Is the yellow stitching that much of an issue? Gosh, I never thought it mattered all that much. That's why I like Docs because they can (usually anyway) be worn formally or casually.
And I'm just wearing them so I'll look cool you know! ><
Docs have always been very comfortable for me (although to be fair I've never had to be on my feet for that length of time without a break) and have also lasted a good deal of time without anything too bad happening to them apart from a slight scuffing (they do have indestructible soles after all).
But if the steel toe caps and yellow stitching is that much of an issue I'll see if I can do what you did Maka and get a pair on the cheap using my NUS card.

[Hotel Lima]

Yup - you wouldn't be able to wear the DMs with yellow stitching as they would be against the SWP dress code. Footwear can be shoe, ankle boot or military boot but in plain black.
You will get a boot allowance of £30 towards a pair of boots.

[welder]

Yup - you wouldn't be able to wear the DMs with yellow stitching as they would be against the SWP dress code. Footwear can be shoe, ankle boot or military boot but in plain black.
You will get a boot allowance of £30 towards a pair of boots.

You only receive the £30 when you have done 12 months service between March & April, the £30 is made up quartlerly of £7.50

[Hotel Lima]

Ah... that clears that up then, Sgt Prosser & Charles didn't know when & how the payment was made other than you get £30.

Cheers for that welder

[welder]

Ah... that clears that up then, Sgt Prosser & Charles didn't know when & how the payment was made other than you get £30.

Cheers for that welder

Ther is a form which has to be filled in F233, TO be filled in by your co-ordinator, that is then signed by the Super, then sent to H.Q.
I fill my divs form at the start of March, so that it is submitted to finance before the end of the financial year.

[captainladypants]

Magnums are supplied by a company called Hi-Tec. If you see a pair on the internet or in a catalogue that you maybe want to try on before buying, perhaps go to a Hi-Tec stockist and get them to order them in for you. Rather than buying them over the internet, buying them from an actual shop will mean less complications if something goes wrong with them.

Good luck boot hunting everybody!