Men's Bates GX-8 GTX Composite Toe Side-Zip Boots Tactical Reviews, Deals, Problems and Guides

I wanted to give these Bates a shot because I like the safety toe / side zip combination. I read the reviews first and saw some low marks for quality and durability. I can now verify they are not as durable as the Converse side zip / safety toe boots that I have wore for the last year. The zipper is small making it weak and not as easy to zip or unzip as its larger counterpart. The material used connecting between the zippered halves is a soft but thin leather that seems like it may become weak after a few months of sand, dirt, water, and sweat from working.
They are definitely Tacti-cool and will do the job intended but probably not for the long haul of more than a year. Considering I paid 150 for them, which is what I paid for the converse, I was hoping for a more solid boot.

Bought Bates boots every 2-3 years for the last 15 years. Always bought in store, always fit the same size (9.5us wide). Bought these online. Tag says 9.5 extra wide. They are way too tight at the front of the foot. Thought they would break in after a week or two. They have not. Too tight to wear. Box had already been thrown away and boots got scuffed up a bit, so I was not planning on trying to send back. I will have to go back to buying at a store and take the loss on these ones. Win some, lose some. Other than that one issue that makes them unwearable for me, I love everything else about them. Maybe size 10 extra wide would fit, but I'm not planning on spending another $165 to find out.

I've had these boots for approximately 1 week now. Size is accurate. Good looking boot. First day I feilded them I got into a chase that started on pavement and ended in a creek. Boots preformed​ better than expected. Makes me feet a little warmer than I would like but is better than most boots I've had in the past. Only reason for 4 star is due to the right boot had an irregular stitching that was uncomfortable on my ankle. Has broke in with in a week but was very uncomfortable for a few days. Now they are very comfortable and I am very pleased with them.

My first pair even though china made were unbeatable, had them for about 3 years of normal to rugged mountain use and you could stand in water all day long and feet stayed dry. Even the following morning no moisture soaked through the boot. My second pair was made in Vietnam, this pair not so good, absolutley not waterproof, can't even walk through wet grass and feet get wet. The leather is hard and from kneeling down with the boots toe on the floor has caused the leather above the toe to dip in and it has stayed like that. I would't buy another pair if made in Vietnam.

Looks great not as comfortable, pinches the top of your foot as you walk and you can feel the alloy toe a little also when you walk in them.

best boot i ever put on my feet! lite weight, cool during the summer, and felt like a pair of nikes........unfortunately after 2.5 months in the field they r completely falling apart.(i work in excavation installing underground utilities) stitches on the side are coming apart, where the sole wraps up the side of the boot is separating, and the rubber grips on the tread are almost warn down to nothing. i spent $20 to have them repaired....maybe they would be good for a weekend warrior but not the workin man

I have been wearing these boots for about 2 weeks so I cannot say how long they will last but they live up to the reviews I've read about being the most comfortable boots you can wear. They broke in within a couple hours and are very light so they don't wear down your legs and back. My feet have stayed dry through hot days and through rain. If they have a good life span I will keep buying these boots when they wear out.

I bought my first pair four years ago. This is the best boot I have ever purchased. Out of the box, the boot is very comfortable and has no break in period. My only complaint is that the boots will only last a year at the most. Granted, I do wear them 12 to 14 hours a day. If they only lasted 6 months, I would still buy this boot for the comfort and price. I will be buying another pair soon.

only wore them once so fare a little snug but should get wider with time. as a medical responder dont have to wear them all the time so time will tell. fallow up in about 3 months.

The Boots are comfortable and keeps feet dry, but why after 6 or 7 months the soles are coming off starting at the toe area. If they could be repaired or replaced by the company, I think they should. I have purchased Bates boots before and haven't had the soles come off yet until I got this style of there boot?