MONS Gear Box Product Review
Boots, i.e. footwear is the first piece of equipment that soldiers and law enforcement officers need at the beginning of the operation (shift and a physical marker for the mental shift from off, to on duty. Good footwear is made to be quickly forgotten, while bad footwear will provide head- and especially footaches. I have the opportunity to try 5.11‘s XPRT Tactical Boot, and having worn it for three weeks now, will recommend them to any professional without any fear. That being said, I will post another review in summer, and another late November, just to see where they have gotten me.
Currently testing boots, Mönch sets perimeters: Time – still to be determined; dynamic impact -excellent, quick movement -excellent, bending/flexing – great, and of course waterproofness – so far no water has gotten inside the eVent Waterproof/Breathable/BBP resistant membrane and the waterproof Nubuc, Suede, and HELCOR leather overlays have not soaked through either…the same goes for the laces.
The XPRT 2.0 features waterproof, HELCOR leather overlays that surround an exterior crafted from lightweight rip-stop nylon. A waterproof, breathable inner membrane stops moisture but allows airflow. XPRT has a padded, neoprene ankle collar for extra support, a full length BI-FIT insole board for traction and 5.11’s Kick Toe.
A good test for any boot is of course standing, i.e. standing in the same boots for a long period of time. I have found with other tactical boots that ones feet, ankle and calves cramp. This is not the case with the XPRT. It gives the protection is promises, is flexible and wearable enough to not go home raw and bleeding because my feet just went through a full day march (meaning these boots are heavy enough to take a beating) and are light enough for day-to-day wear. Being super-comfortable, the XPRT 2.0 fit, stayed in place, did not rub and still held everything in place and tight.
The reinforced (non-metallic) ceramic toe, 5.11’s Kick Toe, keeps toes protected without being heavy, and apparently prevents accidental amputation, as once the force of a blow is great enough to curve the steel-toe back into the foot, this causes said amputation.
They only thing I can not speak to is their durability, yet, but watch this space for further updates.
Features:
- Built from lightweight Ripstop nylon
- Waterproof Nubuc, Suede, and HELCOR leather overlays
- eVent Waterproof/Breathable/BBP resistant membrane
- New XPRT 2.0 outsole
- Padded neoprene ankle collar
- Ghillie closed loop speed laces
- New RECON last
- New PU midsole
- Full length BI-FIT dual hardness insole board
- 5.11 Kick Toe
