Customer Reviews

Blackhawk Men's Warrior Wear Desert Ops Boots (Coyote Tan, 11 M)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've owned 2 pairs of these now, and I'll never own another Blackhawk boot. Although initially I thought these were good boots, time has proven otherwise. In less than 1 year of wear on each set, the inner lining comes loose in the heel area and makes them uncomfortable to wear. The soles are dangerously slippery on anything wet, like tile or cement. The soles de-laminate from the cushion part of the boot. The protective borders crack around the toe. One set started cracking by the laces about midway up the boot. One set had the stitching on the tab to help pull on the boot on tear loose. I called Blackhawk twice for service, no real help. Finally got hold of their Customer Service manager, he tried to make me feel like all the issues were my imagination, and had no value as feedback, even though I was pleasant and trying to give them good information. After 4 years as an Army Ranger, I know a thing or two about boots, so Blackhawk boots are poor quality, as is their service.

I rotated between these books and a pair of Oakleys for my tour in Iraq. I was outside the wire most everyday and these boots, while not as comfortable nor as light as the Oakleys wore better and held together much better. Where the Oakleys are showing wear and tear, including cracks in the leather, and broken strings and threads, the Blackhawks are still going strong. They also were my boot of choice in wet and muddy weather as they seemed to offer better wet weather protection and keep my feet warmer. The flip side is that durring the summer months they were too heavy and hot to wear without a very thin pair of socks, which wore on the soles of my feet a bit rougher than the thicker smart wool socks I prefer.

I have had these for several months and have been nothing but extremely satisfied. I live in Seattle and make occasional jaunts into the desert climate of Eastern Washington. Very rocky nasty area that claimed a good pair of hiking shoes before I got these. These boots take everything I have thrown at them, including the record breaking snow and ice we have had over the last few months! Tough As Nails, very comfortable, very dry. No issues with lacing or any other problems. I wear a 12 or 13 in regular shoes. Bought the 13 boot and it is spot on. Best.Boots.Ever.

I am on my second pair of these boots. I will echo what some of the other reviewers have said about these boots.

Pros:
If you are constantly moving around, rucking, doing patrols and conducting tactical training, these boots perform very well. I've never lost my footing on uneven terrain while wearing these boots and in my gear. Foot fatigue is cut down significantly and your feet are not so sore the next day.

Cons:
These boots would be so much better if they did not wear down so quickly. As someone else said, the inner lining of the boots, particularly around the heel area, have begun to form holes through the fabric and into the shell of the boot. This can become rather uncomfortable and will lead to "hot spots" forming on the heels. My current and as well as my last pair of boots have developed this problem.
Another thing I noticed is on the outside of the boot, around the toe. The toe is starting to separate from the boot itself. This is starting to happen with my current pair of boots and has happened on my last pair. However, I have a pair of the coyote tan BlackHawks and they do not display this problem.
Walking on we wood can be risky. I would take caution when doing this. But these things can plow through the mud, no worries there.
If you want a pair of "parade boots" to use for ceremonies and too look all spiffy in, these are not the boots. The longer you stand in one place with these boots on (such as at attention or parade rest) for an extended period of time, these boots become uncomfortable.

So who would I recommend these to?
Someone who wants a good pair of boots to train in, fight in, and move in. I brought this with me on my 15 month deployment to Iraq and was very pleased with them.

Who would I not recommend these to?
Anyone in a strictly garrison environment. If your idea of a long walk is simply walking a half-mile to work instead of rucking 10 or 15 miles, do not buy these boots. They are not meant for that, they are meant to be used and abused. You are better off purchasing a pair of boots which have more cushioning and a not so technical tread.

Will I buy another pair?
Yes, but not to wear in uniform. I am in a garrison environment now, so I plan to buy a different kind of boot. But, I will buy another pair once my coyote tan pair starts to exhibit signs of wear. I have hiked around Lake Tahoe in these boots, worn them in the snow, in the rain, in the mud and my feet were very comfortable and dry because that is the environment and situations these boots were designed for.

These boots are awesome, and they have the best warranty that I know of. Blackhawk says not to use them on marches over 8 miles, but with all the gear we are wearing these days, most foot patrols are well within that range. They feel more like snug slippers, but not as flimsy. They are perfect, leave the Government issue garbage at home, buy some Blackhawks in the appropriate color (Desert tan for us Soldiers, coyote for the Marines) and be happy that your feet are now basking in comfort.

I'm not sure about Ranger Rick's experience with Blackhawks Customer Service, or the quality of the boots he purchased.

I have had three pairs of these since I first found them on Amazon. I have an ankle with no cartilage left in it and my next surgery on it will be a full ankle replacement. I was looking for a comfortable boot with good support for my ankle to prolonge my need for the replacement surgery and these boots have been wonderful. I can't wear them to work due to the fact that our work attire is business casual, but by god I wear them relentlessly when not at work.

My first pair, just as Ranger Rick described, the pull strap tore off while I was putting them on. Not really a big deal, but it was a little harder to pull the boot on. After about two months of wearing them with the torn pull tab I decided to call Blackhawks Customer Service department to see what they would do about it. They asked no questions at all, such as how old where they, any self neglect on my part, nothing. They simply provided me with an ROA number and asked that I ship them back and I was told that upon their receipt of the boots, a decision to repair or replace would be made. The boots were still in great shape with only the damaged pull strap on one. About two weeks later, I received a brand new pair of boots, exactly like the ones I had returned.

After that experience, I bought another pair and put them on a shelf in my closet, just in case Blackhawk decided to change the style. I recommend these boots for anybody who does a lot of walking or working outdoors. I love them!

I've been shopping Amazon for years and this is the first review I have ever written, I only decided to write this one because I felt Ranger Rick had portrayed these Blackhawk boots and their customer service as something they are not!

Ronnie Marks

Blackhawk Desert Ops Boots
I evaluated a pair of size 12 regular width, Coyote Tan, Blackhawk Desert Ops boots. I've used a number of issued boots in the past, along with Bates Enforcers, Oakley Assault Boots, and safety-toe boots. By far, the Blackhawk Desert Ops boots are the most comfortable out of the box. I've seen this phrase used to describe other boots in the past, such as the famed Oakley Assault Boots, but these Blackhawk boots truly are "broken in" out of the box.

They feel like thick athletic sneakers. The sole is well cushioned, and the sides of the boot are flexible enough that they don't cut off circulation in your ankle. The boot could be lighter and more breathable, but overall it wasn't too bad even in a warm working environment. My white socks did turn tan from the leather dye though.

The Vibram sole is kind of unique. It is an all-terrain design, more aggressive than the Panama sole found on Jungle Boots and Desert Boots. However, the boot is "soft" enough that I could drive a manual transmission car without breaking in the boots. Normally military issued boots are stiff and require breaking in before I can get the level of sensation I want in order to work the clutch.

The only things I'd improve are by making the sides almost all Cordura similar to a jungle boot. This would lighten the boot, make it more flexible and breathable, and improve the longevity. The Blackhawk currently uses a strip of leather at the Achille's tendon versus Cordura with the jungle boots. The laces are also getting gripped by the suede leather surfaces, and the quick-lace loops aren't working as effectively.

Oakley Assault Boots felt stiff out of the box and required breaking in before they were comfortable, and the Oakley tread design is inferior. The Oakley boots also don't last very long.

Pros: Very comfortable, there's a reason the Blackhawk Desert Ops boot was a best-seller at US Calvary and came highly recommended. It is truly an athletic shoe made into a boot. The fact I could drive my manual transmission car with these boots without any breaking in is a testament to that. I am normally very picky about my footwear when driving.

Cons: Laces aren't as free moving due to the suede leather surfaces near the laces, the boot is still a bit heavy and doesn't breathe as well as it should for a "desert operations" boot.

Overall: 5/5 stars!

These started out as excellent boots. I've been wearing them in the desert for 4-5 months now, 6 days a week. My job requires very little wear and tear. I haven't had any of the usual issues I normally have with boots; The soles and tread are holding up great. They feel awesome on my feet, and I haven't had any significant wearing or tear on the inside of the boot....but, stitches on the toe of the boot have already popped, and a small hole is already starting, thus it's only a short matter of time until they go in the garbage now. 4-5 months in is a no-go. I would most certainly never buy these boots again.

I am a soldier in the US Army, 1-28 Infantry 4thIBCT. I bought a pair of these boot while in Garrison over a year ago and have worn them in Iraq for 6 mounths. From the day I put them on I have sworn by them. In garrison my unit Ruck Marches a minimum of 12 miles with 50+ lbs. rucks every thursday, no matter the weather sleet,snow,sun or rain. I have never had a blister one! I also rolled my ankles a lot in the "issued" boots and have never done it again since I started wearing these Blackhawks. I love them. Several of my buddies bought them after me and loved them also. If there was a negitive about them it would be that they are a bit hot, and no venting. The other negitive would be that They were made with a sort of rubberized material around the front and heel portion that was wearing out on some of them (not mine) BUT The pair I just received hear in Iraq are not made like that they made those two areas with leather now. I'm sure it was do to some complaints. So Problem solved! I shattered my left foot a few years back and even have pain in most running shoes, I rarley have any foot pain at all while wearing these Blackhawks. If I was going to give a low estimation on how far I've worn them it would be 800+ miles. I bought the new ones so I will have a clean pair to go home in.

Ever hear of people who claim their boots are like walking on air? But when you try them out they're ok, maybe good, but no where near like walking on air? Well these boots are like walking on air, literally. Extremly comftorable, very light, fairly durable. I recomend these boots to anyone who does a lot of rucking, marching or patroling, because they'll definatly fit your needs.