Men's 5.11 8" EVO 400G Side-Zip Waterproof Boots Tactical Reviews, Deals, Problems and Guides

I am likely one of the first purchasers of this line of EVO's. I haven't seen any reviews for the EVO winter (400g) boot yet. I was excited to see they made it as I live in the mountains and wanted an insulated version. This is my first time buying 511 boots of any kind. I am an avid boot-nut, just fyi (years of outdoor mountaineering and such in my younger day).

If you are looking at the EVO then no doubt you've seen the youtube vid from the convention where its innards are fully exposed and described. Yeah, its all that actually. I really like the boots. I am only in the first few weeks with them, and I am not a duty officer and its not deep winter yet, so a proper review will have to wait; however, right now I can say that they are living up to my expectations based on all the specification~claims.

No sooner had I order the boots than they were here. Tactical Gear appears to have their act together in this regard (thanks a lot, TG). I have read that 511s run just slightly narrow, so I was hoping an 8D would suit well seeing as how I am nearer an 8C (so its hard for me to get good boots that fit great), and indeed this seems the case. They are pretty darn comfey wearing all day, and I think the "shock management tech" in the footbed is notably doing its job (especially since I am nursing a sprained ankle and crushed instep). The break in period is not as long as some other tough-neck boots I have bought, but that doesn't mean the boots aren't feeling sturdy as they continue breaking in.

One review on a non-winter EVO mentioned how there was some extra fabric in there that became a nubbin/rubbin issue. While I think I see what the reviewer meant as far as the [additional?] fabric, I am not seeing any similar 'problem'. As with any boot having tongue gussetting and such, and on top of it having gussetting for the zipping side section as well, I always work hard in the beginning/breakin-period to tame that stuff to where I am hoping to train that fabric to naturally "want to be" after breakin. I have had dread in the past not managing this with new boots. Don't know if that was the fellow's problem or not, but I thought I'd address this.

There's a lot to say about these boots, and I am going to properly review them later in the winter. I wanted to post a review now since I know what its like trying to find some reviews out there about these new line of boots. Pretty darned good so far. If you are nervous about buying online, contact a 511 outlet near you (who knew, I'm out in the boonies and they got one only 20 miles from here in town) and they can likely get some for you to try on. Think I am trying that this spring for some 511 summer-wear ;^)

I wrote the RD 11-20-2015 review. Its mid-February now and I gotta say I've had nuthin but good fun in these boots. My feet, including toes, never got cold or wet, or complained, once so far this winter. That's really saying a lot.

The footbed tech is the most enjoyable experience in any boot I have ever owned, including my favorite Danner boots (had a lot of mountain climbing in those, and they are heaven). Like another reviewer here mentioned, they go on like silk and fit like a glove (for me anyway). And although being sturdy construction, they don't in any way feel awkward and do not constrict my foot or ankle movements at all.

After a long day in them, my feet, and the inside of the boots, do not get sweaty-wet in spite of how well they fit. My feet never 'slip' inside them (I freaking love that), and the bottoms of my feet, and my ankles, never get stressed or tired.

I mentioned in another review worrying about not being able to wear a heavy winter sock in these, having bought "the right size". This has not been a problem. I have been able to wear medium socks or even slightly thinner ones (for instance like some of those 5.11 Tactical 59048) without issue, including keeping warm, and quite frankly I am glad to NOT have to have a lot of fabric between my foot and the boot - I typically prefer more intimate boot-to-foot arrangement anyway (like thinnest sock in cowboy boots -so in summer those fit like a glove), so this has worked out unexpectedly well. I should mention that I haven't been out in anything below 20 degF this winter.

The shallow gusseting (for a winter boot) has not posed any problem, but I would have liked the gussetting to go all the way up on a winter boot. If I am really concerned I throw on some gators anyway, so its been fine.

The boots are standing up to abuse very well. All in all, I have nothing negative to say about these boots, and coming from me that's simply amazing. Oh..., and yeah, they were very instrumental in aiding in recovery from my sprained ankle and crushed instep. Couldn't be happier.

Right off of the bat, let me say that I've had nothing but bad luck with boots in the passed: too narrow, too heavy, too slippery etc, and usually stick to tennis shoes of which I am sick and tired of falling apart within the first few months due to heavy usage. I have a physically demanding job in which I am on my feet at all times and am constantly moving around a lot. These boots epitomize the old saying don't be thrown by first impressions....At first glance, I was questioning if these were the ones that I ordered, which they were so I tried them on....lowering the zipper and wedging my foot in seemed like a chore, only to be met with the same *POP* that I thought had only happened with a perfect sized cowboy boot and the zipper sealed up like silk. The built in membranes gave it a snug "they are ON there" kind of feeling, we all know what that means right? Yeah I'll probably have athlete's foot and two ruined pair of (thin dress) socks at the end of my shift. So I walked a mile to work, I didn't even notice the same puddle that the previous night left my foot soaked, and when I arrived, the insides of the boots still graced a "cool side of the pillow" feel. Midway through my shift, I had noticed that I wasn't putting as much effort into my walking, kind of like the old saying let the leather work for you; usually I'm a fast passed small stepper, now I am a moderate paced wide stepper. I walked home, feeling confident that I would find exactly what to expect: dogs not barking and hardly any dirt on the still intact socks from boots that still have new smell to them. And of course as always, awesome service from TG!

I have been wearing the boots for a week now, they have been great! Keep my feet nice and warm and dry. I have not been having the pain in my feet at the end of my shift like I did with my old pairs. I can't say how well they will hold up yet because it has only been a week. Boot was true to size, I wear a wide size and it fit great!

I think it will need a piriod of adjustment before it fit right, also the new design have to be untide to get your foot in, again will be a adjustment. Now, I expect it to loosing up with use. Rightbnow I give it 6 out of 10.

I have worn them for a week and they have been great, the break in was only about 2 days. They are very comfortable and are fairly easy to put on. I would suggest ordering wide width

Again I'm not disappointed in the product 5.11 Tactical puts out! All thumbs up!!!

Bought these for my son. He is an EMS worker. He absolutely loves these boots.

I have found these boots to be very well constructed and comfortable.