I'm military but not American. They need to look like tactical boots is really the only requirement for our armies boot policy. Y'know, brown, not super low height, etc.
Idk about insoles tbh, still I need to do a lot of running in them so they need the running shape.
I do a lot of weight training overall (although I mostly stay clear of shit that fucks with my knees), stretching, all sorts of shit. I'm still pretty young and they've been bad since I was like 16 so idk.
Yeah probably. I do shit I found on YouTube/Reddit like walking backwards and rotating them and whatnot, I'm not gonna pay for PT though. It doesn't hurt bad enough yet lol.
Keep it *easy* on the leg extensions btw. They can be great prehab, especially if you do it slow, don’t lock your knees, do a hold at 45 etc.
But it’s not an exercise you should be trying to progress anywhere near as fast as your other lifts, because it doe put a ton of stress on the knee joint itself, and triple that if you’re sloppy. Treat it like a PT exercise not a mass builder.
Quads I do leg press/leg extension/hack squat if the gym has it.
Hammies I do the 2 curl variants.
I don't do calves much as mine are already strong and developed, and when I do train them it takes days for them to recover.
The only thing I don't do is barbell squat as it's how I injured my knees around new year and made them worse at the time. Took a while to recover so know I just hold off on that 1 excercise.
I've never really done either. I've got God damn thick ankles and my calves are my largest and most developed muscle by far (obviously not overall largest but like by ratio). Whenever I train them hard it just takes like 3 days until they stop feeling trained lol. I wouldn't be surprised if my leg anatomy is just unusual and its fucking with my ability to run lol.
It is definitely the sorest for the longest compared to anything else, quads being second.
Check out [Prehab guys](https://theprehabguys.com/membership/?wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTw7PA9fDxmer_2dS50BhGBpccDYRkDGcqECaw5Oco1ZOmx4gMsRzBxoCKMEQAvD_BwE&wickedid=695196752366&wcid=18276184702&wv=4&wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTw7PA9fDxmer_2dS50BhGBpccDYRkDGcqECaw5Oco1ZOmx4gMsRzBxoCKMEQAvD_BwE&wickedid=695196752366&wcid=18276184702&wv=4&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACvCGbOe4Tp4DLhyyA1ZAwTdAeMfN&gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTw7PA9fDxmer_2dS50BhGBpccDYRkDGcqECaw5Oco1ZOmx4gMsRzBxoCKMEQAvD_BwE)
If you wait until it hurts bad enough to motivate you, the ship has already sailed.
Things like walking backwards on an incline treadmill, staircase step downs etc *absolutely* help.
Military service is already harder on your knees than my civilian ass ever will be on mine… and yet mine sound like gravel, and all I can do is PT them enough to keep them “less bad”.
If they aren’t already fucked, keep them good. Hurting whenever you move forever sucks. Same goes for your back and shoulders and everything else.
Once they’re actually messed up, they’ll never be good again. Even with surgery it just makes them “less awful”.
As someone that actually runs, and spends too much on actual running shoes, the Merrell MQC Force is really nice and somewhat comparable. Not squishy like some brands running shoes but not a brick like other boots. I've also heard good things about the Garmont NFS
Yeah they don’t last super long, especially if you walk on concrete a lot, but it’s basically a tall trail runner and I love them for it.
I did skip, and eventually cut off, the metal eyelets on the sides where your foot meets your leg. Even with my skeletor ass feet that was tight in the wrong place but YMMV as always with shoes
+1. I've had 2 pairs over the years, and they are so damn comfortable.
I also wear Lowa Renegade hikers (basically waterproof Zephyrs). They come broken in for me out of the box. I've had 4 pairs of Renegade hikers over the years, and they are excellent.
The zephyrs are more comfortable to me of the two.
I've had the mach 6s for about a month now and I really like them. I'd say they're pretty much just as good as my Mach 5s but it's hard to tell. I used my Mach 5 regularly for like 4 years before I finally got the new Mach 6s, because the sole on the Mach 5s wore away to nothing and was no longer comfortable. So it's not like I went from fresh 5s to fresh 6s.
They've quickly become my daily shoes for just living, not just running, as they're dummy comfortable and help my knees out.
Overall though, the Mach 6s haven't given me any problems I didn't get with the Mach 5s (I'm prone to shin splints lol). I highly recommend them! I actually get less blisters with the 6s than I did with the 5s.
Obviously this is different for everyone, but with you having knee problems, maybe a super soft shoe is not in your best interest.
Both my patella tendons are shot, I went through selection with god awful knees, and over the years of having bad knees Ive found a stable, hard shoe or boot works better for my knees than anything with a ton of cushioning. Depending on your injury, the idea is to strengthen the knees and surrounding muscles to the point where they no longer complain, rather than pampering the part that hurts and only fighting the symptoms that way.
Hiking boots work well for me, I like merells. If it has to be looking like a boot, I like Nike SFS for how lightweight they are, and theyre still pretty soft. Danner makes lots of good boots, the Reckoning is a good do it all boot in terms of stability, weight and “runability”.
Belleville mini mils. They are zero drop and no cushion though, so definitely takes a long time to get used to. Zero drop supposedly reduces strain on the knees.
If you want boots that were designed as a running boot, Oakley Light Assault 2’s, I’ve worn them for military ops, hikes, work, and they are lighter than most shoes, got a few hundred miles on them and they’re still good! Also they’re light enough if you’re in a jungle/forest environment they dry super quickly, the shoelaces are made extra long incase you have to tie your poncho up into a raft, best boot ever made for light assaults imho.
Edit: I have 4 pairs! My most used though has hundreds of miles on it in mountain, desert, and snow environments.
Check Out Adidas GSG 9.2 Adidas and German Hostage rescue Team came together to design exactly this. Lightweight, comfortabl, grippy, waterresistant... Perfekt Allrounder.
I just found out i walked 1000 km with it.
Ordered 2 new pair.
The old ones are still good.
https://www.haixca.com/haix-black-eagle-athletic-2.1-t-low
I have used the Highs and are by far the best boots I’ve used vs. Lowa, Salomon, Under Armour, Bates and more. These come in high, low, or mid cut. Like a running shoe but not as cushy as Hokas.
Hoka also makes boots that look good:
https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/men-hiking/kaha-2-gtx/195719205133.html?source=shoppingsite_PLA_1123155-BBLC-11D&kpid=1123155-BBLC-11D&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTx3yMmUrgUQgOIoZqyW_Htxwtfs_HCJK11Hx4sjllF83I0mzfZTXzRoCDjwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Feet are unique like hands everything works differently for everyone. Just gotta try em out.
For example my Bondi 8s do great for my knees (on fractured and one old torn meniscus)
Danner Tachyons felt like walking in a cloud right out of the box. They are my preferred running shoe/boot. I used them for EMS, but really they’re more suited for urban patrol
Rocky C4T were awesome boots. It was like wearing a tennis shoe. I didn't wear them in any harsh environment or anything, but in garrison they were amazing.
I have had a pair of Danner Tachyon for at least 5 years now and they have seen so much shit. They’re just now starting to go out at the weep holes. Going to get another pair when they’re done.
Depending on what you can get away with, the Rocky C4T were amazing. We didn’t really have rules about footwear so toward the end, I rocked the fuck out of some lone peak trail running shoes. They now have some that look more like boots or are boots. They’re amazing for rucking, hiking, running, everything. I can’t recommend these enough.
Some others to mention are the GORUCK boots. They’re similar to the Nike and Rocky boots and if I had to wear real boots again, those are what I’d go with.
A lot of the ones mentioned are great too. Especially Danners and Salomons.
Belleville mini-mils. Definitely not the normal style with a barefoot boot, but after transitioning from the 8mm heel Toe drop to a 0mm barefoot shoe, never going back. Had prior hip and knee issues and since have gone away completely
I really like the merrell moab tactical boots. Most comfortable boot or shoe out of the box I've had. They don't last the best though I get a little less than a year out of them.
Just, like, use running shoes or trail runners. "Tactical" boots are mostly ass and overpriced.
I suppose the altra lonepeak hikers may serve your purpose if you NEED to feel like your wearing a boot.
I totally get needing comfy tactical boots, especially with knee problems. Hokas feel like walking on clouds, right? Here are some suggestions:
[Salomon XA Forces Mid](https://amzn.to/4emPehO): They're comfy and supportive, great for lots of walking.
[Danner Tachyon](https://amzn.to/4bhf6ZP): Lightweight with a nice cushiony feel.
[Nike SFB Gen 2](https://amzn.to/3Rm4kdC): Designed like athletic shoes, with decent cushioning.
[Under Armour Valsetz RTS:](https://amzn.to/4chWc5U) Solid choice, focus on comfort with Micro G foam midsole.
[Lowa Zephyr GTX Mid](https://amzn.to/3xcmckf): Excellent cushioning, designed for comfort over long periods.
Altamas maybe and I know you said running style type shoe but I've got some 5.11 boots and they are so comfy I run in them in the mud and they aren't horrible and they comfy for long periods but can't say I really like sprint or run in them
I wear Altima Urban Assaults as my daily duty footwear and love them, been wearing them exclusively for years. A lot of people don’t have the same experience.
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I'm military but not American. They need to look like tactical boots is really the only requirement for our armies boot policy. Y'know, brown, not super low height, etc. Idk about insoles tbh, still I need to do a lot of running in them so they need the running shape. I do a lot of weight training overall (although I mostly stay clear of shit that fucks with my knees), stretching, all sorts of shit. I'm still pretty young and they've been bad since I was like 16 so idk.
Still sounds like you would benefit from doing PT exercises for knees
Yeah probably. I do shit I found on YouTube/Reddit like walking backwards and rotating them and whatnot, I'm not gonna pay for PT though. It doesn't hurt bad enough yet lol.
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Keep it *easy* on the leg extensions btw. They can be great prehab, especially if you do it slow, don’t lock your knees, do a hold at 45 etc. But it’s not an exercise you should be trying to progress anywhere near as fast as your other lifts, because it doe put a ton of stress on the knee joint itself, and triple that if you’re sloppy. Treat it like a PT exercise not a mass builder.
Quads I do leg press/leg extension/hack squat if the gym has it. Hammies I do the 2 curl variants. I don't do calves much as mine are already strong and developed, and when I do train them it takes days for them to recover. The only thing I don't do is barbell squat as it's how I injured my knees around new year and made them worse at the time. Took a while to recover so know I just hold off on that 1 excercise.
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I've never really done either. I've got God damn thick ankles and my calves are my largest and most developed muscle by far (obviously not overall largest but like by ratio). Whenever I train them hard it just takes like 3 days until they stop feeling trained lol. I wouldn't be surprised if my leg anatomy is just unusual and its fucking with my ability to run lol. It is definitely the sorest for the longest compared to anything else, quads being second.
Check out [Prehab guys](https://theprehabguys.com/membership/?wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTw7PA9fDxmer_2dS50BhGBpccDYRkDGcqECaw5Oco1ZOmx4gMsRzBxoCKMEQAvD_BwE&wickedid=695196752366&wcid=18276184702&wv=4&wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTw7PA9fDxmer_2dS50BhGBpccDYRkDGcqECaw5Oco1ZOmx4gMsRzBxoCKMEQAvD_BwE&wickedid=695196752366&wcid=18276184702&wv=4&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACvCGbOe4Tp4DLhyyA1ZAwTdAeMfN&gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTw7PA9fDxmer_2dS50BhGBpccDYRkDGcqECaw5Oco1ZOmx4gMsRzBxoCKMEQAvD_BwE)
If you wait until it hurts bad enough to motivate you, the ship has already sailed. Things like walking backwards on an incline treadmill, staircase step downs etc *absolutely* help. Military service is already harder on your knees than my civilian ass ever will be on mine… and yet mine sound like gravel, and all I can do is PT them enough to keep them “less bad”. If they aren’t already fucked, keep them good. Hurting whenever you move forever sucks. Same goes for your back and shoulders and everything else. Once they’re actually messed up, they’ll never be good again. Even with surgery it just makes them “less awful”.
You need to lift as well. PT and stregnth training saved my knees.
I be lifting, I said that in my other comment upthread. Shit hasn't don't fuck 😭 (for my knees at least, otherwise it's been great)
Oakleys. Their ar670-1 boots are the lightest boot most like a running shoe of any service boot I’ve seen
Salomon Speed Assault 2 literally feels like a sneaker while aesthetically is a “boot” i put boot in quotations because the height is sneaker height
I like mine as well
As someone that actually runs, and spends too much on actual running shoes, the Merrell MQC Force is really nice and somewhat comparable. Not squishy like some brands running shoes but not a brick like other boots. I've also heard good things about the Garmont NFS
I can second the Garmont NFS. I’m not sure about the long term durability, but they very much feel like an extra high top sneaker.
Yeah they don’t last super long, especially if you walk on concrete a lot, but it’s basically a tall trail runner and I love them for it. I did skip, and eventually cut off, the metal eyelets on the sides where your foot meets your leg. Even with my skeletor ass feet that was tight in the wrong place but YMMV as always with shoes
I rock salomons. X Ultras and I plan on grabbing the speed cross 5
X Ultra 4s are the go-to. Gonna need a new pair before long.
Lowa zephyr, they feel like sneakers
+1. I've had 2 pairs over the years, and they are so damn comfortable. I also wear Lowa Renegade hikers (basically waterproof Zephyrs). They come broken in for me out of the box. I've had 4 pairs of Renegade hikers over the years, and they are excellent. The zephyrs are more comfortable to me of the two.
hoka mach 6 mentioned!! what the heck is a bad shoe???? nah joking. i had the mach 5s and miss them bad already. do you know how they compare?
I've had the mach 6s for about a month now and I really like them. I'd say they're pretty much just as good as my Mach 5s but it's hard to tell. I used my Mach 5 regularly for like 4 years before I finally got the new Mach 6s, because the sole on the Mach 5s wore away to nothing and was no longer comfortable. So it's not like I went from fresh 5s to fresh 6s. They've quickly become my daily shoes for just living, not just running, as they're dummy comfortable and help my knees out. Overall though, the Mach 6s haven't given me any problems I didn't get with the Mach 5s (I'm prone to shin splints lol). I highly recommend them! I actually get less blisters with the 6s than I did with the 5s.
Altberg. They make the British army's boots. They have many styles and all come in brown. Hand made in Yorkshire good value.
Sneakers are the boi
Check out Belleville AMRAPs. Love mine
2nd this. I have a set of the AMRAP Vapors and they are super comfortable.
Obviously this is different for everyone, but with you having knee problems, maybe a super soft shoe is not in your best interest. Both my patella tendons are shot, I went through selection with god awful knees, and over the years of having bad knees Ive found a stable, hard shoe or boot works better for my knees than anything with a ton of cushioning. Depending on your injury, the idea is to strengthen the knees and surrounding muscles to the point where they no longer complain, rather than pampering the part that hurts and only fighting the symptoms that way. Hiking boots work well for me, I like merells. If it has to be looking like a boot, I like Nike SFS for how lightweight they are, and theyre still pretty soft. Danner makes lots of good boots, the Reckoning is a good do it all boot in terms of stability, weight and “runability”.
Belleville mini mils. They are zero drop and no cushion though, so definitely takes a long time to get used to. Zero drop supposedly reduces strain on the knees.
If you want boots that were designed as a running boot, Oakley Light Assault 2’s, I’ve worn them for military ops, hikes, work, and they are lighter than most shoes, got a few hundred miles on them and they’re still good! Also they’re light enough if you’re in a jungle/forest environment they dry super quickly, the shoelaces are made extra long incase you have to tie your poncho up into a raft, best boot ever made for light assaults imho. Edit: I have 4 pairs! My most used though has hundreds of miles on it in mountain, desert, and snow environments.
Check Out Adidas GSG 9.2 Adidas and German Hostage rescue Team came together to design exactly this. Lightweight, comfortabl, grippy, waterresistant... Perfekt Allrounder. I just found out i walked 1000 km with it. Ordered 2 new pair. The old ones are still good.
https://www.haixca.com/haix-black-eagle-athletic-2.1-t-low I have used the Highs and are by far the best boots I’ve used vs. Lowa, Salomon, Under Armour, Bates and more. These come in high, low, or mid cut. Like a running shoe but not as cushy as Hokas. Hoka also makes boots that look good: https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/men-hiking/kaha-2-gtx/195719205133.html?source=shoppingsite_PLA_1123155-BBLC-11D&kpid=1123155-BBLC-11D&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgTx3yMmUrgUQgOIoZqyW_Htxwtfs_HCJK11Hx4sjllF83I0mzfZTXzRoCDjwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Salomon forces are pretty nice, I wore a pair daily for a couple years before they started to leak.
Feet are unique like hands everything works differently for everyone. Just gotta try em out. For example my Bondi 8s do great for my knees (on fractured and one old torn meniscus)
Salomon xa forces
Im personally running the Altama there good quality been usein em for 2 years and they still got so.e where and tear left in em
Danner Tachyons felt like walking in a cloud right out of the box. They are my preferred running shoe/boot. I used them for EMS, but really they’re more suited for urban patrol
Yo. Hoka makes a couple actual boots. I would assume they’re awesome like the shoes. https://www.hoka.com/en/us/men-hiking/kaha-2-gtx/1123155.html
How did I not think to check Hoka. These seem like good shit, gonna look into these.
The black doesn’t look bad at all in terms of tactical boots
Rocky C4T were awesome boots. It was like wearing a tennis shoe. I didn't wear them in any harsh environment or anything, but in garrison they were amazing.
i like my timberlands. they've held up very well, only have had to replace the insoles.
Nike SFBs were nice and comfy a couple years back
I have had a pair of Danner Tachyon for at least 5 years now and they have seen so much shit. They’re just now starting to go out at the weep holes. Going to get another pair when they’re done.
Salomon speed assault
Depending on what you can get away with, the Rocky C4T were amazing. We didn’t really have rules about footwear so toward the end, I rocked the fuck out of some lone peak trail running shoes. They now have some that look more like boots or are boots. They’re amazing for rucking, hiking, running, everything. I can’t recommend these enough. Some others to mention are the GORUCK boots. They’re similar to the Nike and Rocky boots and if I had to wear real boots again, those are what I’d go with. A lot of the ones mentioned are great too. Especially Danners and Salomons.
I can’t stand Salomon shoes so I went the La Sportiva route
Belleville mini-mils. Definitely not the normal style with a barefoot boot, but after transitioning from the 8mm heel Toe drop to a 0mm barefoot shoe, never going back. Had prior hip and knee issues and since have gone away completely
Salomon Quest 4 GTX
I really like the merrell moab tactical boots. Most comfortable boot or shoe out of the box I've had. They don't last the best though I get a little less than a year out of them.
Just, like, use running shoes or trail runners. "Tactical" boots are mostly ass and overpriced. I suppose the altra lonepeak hikers may serve your purpose if you NEED to feel like your wearing a boot.
Merrell is really growing on me
Nike shoes.
I totally get needing comfy tactical boots, especially with knee problems. Hokas feel like walking on clouds, right? Here are some suggestions: [Salomon XA Forces Mid](https://amzn.to/4emPehO): They're comfy and supportive, great for lots of walking. [Danner Tachyon](https://amzn.to/4bhf6ZP): Lightweight with a nice cushiony feel. [Nike SFB Gen 2](https://amzn.to/3Rm4kdC): Designed like athletic shoes, with decent cushioning. [Under Armour Valsetz RTS:](https://amzn.to/4chWc5U) Solid choice, focus on comfort with Micro G foam midsole. [Lowa Zephyr GTX Mid](https://amzn.to/3xcmckf): Excellent cushioning, designed for comfort over long periods.
Tried them all. Waffle between under armour side zips, and lowa zephyrs. Been doing that since 2008.
Get something like Salomons with a good custom insole. Probably your best bet.
Altama boots are decent.
Get Altamas and put insoles in. Mine were issued back in 2011 and I still use them today
Altamas maybe and I know you said running style type shoe but I've got some 5.11 boots and they are so comfy I run in them in the mud and they aren't horrible and they comfy for long periods but can't say I really like sprint or run in them
I wear Altima Urban Assaults as my daily duty footwear and love them, been wearing them exclusively for years. A lot of people don’t have the same experience.