Men's Reebok 8" Rapid Response RB Composite Toe Side-Zip Boots Tactical Reviews, Deals, Problems and Guides

This is the third pair of Reebok Responses I have purchased. These will also be the last. Upon receiving these boots I compared them to my old boots and realized that they have been redesigned. They are shorter in the back, the zippers are shorter, and they now affix the tongue to the side of the boot farther up the ankle. The two previous pairs I bought had little-to-no break-in time, and were as comfortable as a pair of socks within a few days. I put these new boots on and was surprised by the lack of fit. I thought I would wear them around the house on my day off to help break them in. Within four hours at work the next day, I was hobbling as badly as a horse with rocks in two hooves. I had to return home to change boots. Upon closer examination I realized that where the tongue is stitched to the side overlaps an eyelet. Regardless of how I tied the boots, loose or tight, the area in question was always pressing against the ankle causing friction sores.

Usually I don't hold a single product or service against a major brand, but with these boots, I am seriously reconsidering any Reebok product. Often a review would ask if you would recommend a product to a friend. The only reason I would recommend these to a friend is if they needed an overpriced doorstop, or if they were into self-flagellation and desired to torture themselves all day with the simple act of walking.

My kids call these my magic boots because without them I can hardly walk. I shattered my left ankle in 1998 and have bought numerous boots trying to find something that works for me. I found my first pair of these at an army surplus store and it was love at first walk. I have been replacing them every year since. I was distraught when Converse quit making them but so relieved that Rebok makes them now. Every year I get a new pair and use the old ones for yard work. They are however intended to be tactical boots not “work” boots so they do not last long as work boots meaning in an auto shop or farm. The soles never wear out just the uppers eventually come apart. But for the price getting a full year out them when I wear them every day year round I think it is fair. Be prepared to break them in just as any good boot. Once broken in they are like putting on your favorite slippers. Enjoy🙂

I bought the converse after talking to some friends from tour in Iraq ....2 pair , wore them down to soles were flat, great shoe...re-uped w/ the reebok, 2 pair, on the sole came off ,still look brand new...the other zipper locking broke,tear in the upper, stitching came out, air leak in sole, can't use w/ zipper falling down....reebok may be using the same factories and specs. And whatever but some wear they have cut a corner, it could just be as you say...both of mine were defective , maybe that's the corner they cut "quality control" witch is something I have found in all reebok...the fact is that the architecture and engineering may be inline but some wear long the line they , as others say, lost one of the best combat boots ever made . I grew up wearing combats since I was 6yrs old. I like your company, but with so many disgruntled, maybe you should look into why(call them yourself), as not to be hood winked by a company that spends more money pushing their product. If you keep telling your clients that it's probably just defective , they will lose faith in you. I have referred your company to many others, but that was based on you standing behind your product. Thanx, Blake

These boots fit well. Might need to break them in for the side zipper hugs my ankle a bit much. All in all these boots will do just fine. THAT being said my experience purchasing them was a whole another ordeal. I ordered these with a pair of pants. Pants came on time, but without these boots. No updated tracking information and when I called TG the first time the rep couldn't tell me anything at the time. So I called 2 days later and the new rep found out my boots order wasn't received. The first rep reordered them for 2 day air, which I thought was nice, but she never got back to me informing me of this. Plus that was Thursday and they didn't come until Tuesday. So I received my boots a whole WEEK after my initial completed order. They did give me 15% back but only off of my boots, which should have been the whole order. Plus it should have been shipped via overnight express NOT two day air which actually took 4 days! I love their products but their are too many sites for apparel and equipment to avoid this kind of experience.

Very disappointed with this boot. Returned immediately. I bought the 6” pair at the beginning of the year and they are the best shoes I’ve owned less the side zip Velcro not staying attached all the time. So I bought these 8” ones for winter. I love the way these look, but that piece behind the ankle/heel is unacceptable! I originally thought it might have been a defect but after reading way into the reviews I see that others have had the same problem. Someone had to use gauze?? I took 15 steps in these and Immediately started feeling major discomfort and rubbing on the back/sides of my ankle, with thick socks on! It is that “support” piece that looks like cheap leather paper. I’ve bought a lot from this site and this is not something I would expect from them. I would highly recommend discontinuing the sale of these boots. Whoever designed these shoes should try on a pair and walk around for an hour and see if their ankles aren’t rubbed raw. The design difference between the 6” and 8” is crazy. 0.5 stars because it isn’t wearable. It might as well be a door stop.

This makes my or 3rd pair of these boots. They are very comfortable and wear well all day . The only problem I have had with all 3 pair including this last pair which I have been using for about 2 weeks now is the cloth inside liner that your heel slides on when putting the boots on and off . Even this new pair is starting to tear and come loose. The first 2 pair, I just had to tear or cut them out after 1 month of everyday use.
If your company could fix this problem of the inside lining tearing up, it would be the best work boot I have ever had.

As a duty style boot, it is perfectly snug and shaped. Great support in the foot and ankle. Good sole grip. The insole bumps up quite a bit in the center of the heel. It was very uncomfortable. After switching the insole out for a flat gel cushioned one, it was much better. The one major problem I have with these is, that the gusseted fabric inside the boot on the side of the tounge where it is anchored to the boot is far too thick. If the laces are very tight at all, it digs into the front side of the ankle and is very painful when worn for 12+ hrs on your feet. Overall, good, solid pair of boots. But you may want to look for more comfortable safety toe boots in this style.

I'll be damned, thats what went through my mind. I have been looking for a good pair of boots, not great, just good. I had been though 4 different sets of boots in 3 months. I saw these boots and thought, here I go again....... Extremely great price, very speedy shipping. I put these boots on....wore them for 48 hours.....THESE BOOTS ROCK!!!! I have never been so pleased with a pair of boots. I will not hesitate to wear, ONLY Reebok's for the rest of my life!! Gentlemen, very well done!!

As someone else stated, the biggest issue with these is that the zipper is somehow positioned just wrong so that it applies constant pressure on your ankle. I am going to give these a few more wearings for break-in purposes to see if it'll relax at all. I honestly can't understand why these are ANY different from the Converse made ones, which is what I am replacing. If you buy the rights to manufacture someone else's design, why change it? The other oddity is that the laces are about 4 inches shorter. Again, why? Other than that, so far they are a very close replacement for the Converse brand. Too bad they weren't jdentjcal, then we wouldn't have to be pouring over reviews to find the flaws.

I have the Converse version of these, and I've got some guys in my squad with the Reebok incarnation; there is no difference between the two. The boot is fantastically comfortable and lightweight. They serve well in both outdoor and indoor situations, and are great for long days. They're pretty warm so if you're in a cold climate these will do nicely.

On the other side of that coin, if it is hot and sunny out, prepare for a serious case of sweaty feet; foot powder not included. Also, these boots seem particularly susceptible to icy surfaces when compared to most others. This winter I was out doing some work with my entire squad (AF) during a blizzard (how convenient), and the ground had iced over pretty well. I was definitely slipping and falling a lot more than people with other boots.

Overall, the boot is pretty wonderful. I've had these for about a year of pretty tough wear and they still have at least another year of life in them.