Ridge Footwear Men's Air-Tac Plus Zipper Boot

Update: The stupid metal coil zipper has cost me another pair of boots. They lasted about 11 months. This suddenly makes them 2-star. I have no problem with a fluke on one pair, but now it's been two.I've been a longtime fan of my Ridge Air-Tacs since I was an Airman in the USAF. The side zipper saved me tons of time in the morning. The steel toes and shank protected my feet from debris and could serve as a very handy platform for heavy things in a pinch. The weight was hardly any more than sneakers, and they were more comfortable than any running shoes. They even had leather toes and heels, which allowed me to meet the regulations that required a shine. (And in the civilian world, they look close enough to dress shoes to pass casual inspection when I pass VIPs while getting REAL work done!)These are supposed to be all that and a bag of chips, but they leave something to be desired. The zippers aren't teeth, they're just a very clever metal coil. This has cost me a pair of boots when they coil got bent and couldn't be forced back into proper position... thus leaving them un-zippable. Worse, though, is that these do not have the lace latch. On the old boots, at about the 5th eyelet in, right before the boot goes vertical, there was this little latch. You'd run your laces through it just like an eyelet and then clamp the latch down. This kept the laces nice and tight for a good 6 months or more. This feature has been deleted from the Air-Tac Plus, which means instead of lacing my boots twice a year, I'm doing it every week... otherwise the laces get so loose that I may as well be wearing sandwich bags.That said, these ARE decent boots. They're just not what they should be, nor what the brand once was. I fear that with the USAF gone to suede boots, the last big market for Ridge's black boots has disappeared.

Though a bit narrow to start, within a week they become incredibly comfortable. These are my second pair, and my one critique -- hence four stars -- is that the zipper gives out too quickly. I bought this pair in January, and the left zipper started losing teeth two weeks ago, and the right is starting to do so this week. In the boots' defense I walk 45-60 miles per week, but don't really overuse the zippers, so I feel they could be upgraded.

I wanted to wait a while before I posted a review due to prior reviews I had read.I have ALS and needed a shoe with good support and ease of putting on and taking off. The zipper feature was a big plus for me. Once I initially put the boots on, I zipped the zipper up and laced the boots up to a comfortable fit. I do a lot of walking for my job, so the break-in period for the boots was within a weeks time.Taking the books on and off was using the zipper only, leaving the boots laced up. As of this review, I have not had one issue with the zipper, as I previously had read in other reviews. The zipper is still solid and allows me the ease of getting into the boots in the early morning and taking them off at night.I would highly recommend them to anyone.

I ordered these because I wear the low top in summer and wanted the 8inch for winter. The boots size are right on. They seem a little stiff in ankle area but after a few minutes they feel comfortable. These boots are very durable . The low top ones I have are still like new after 3 years. These out of the box are slightly less comfortable than the 511 Atac's but actually seem a slightly better quality. You just can't go wrong with these boots.

I've had these boots for a month. They are currently my most comfortable shoes.So far, the zipper has been fine. I'm careful with the zipper. I don't let it take the force of closing the boot.Great traction.

Excellent product, exactly what I was looking for, great price

The fit great and felt good right from the start. I've worn them for 8+ hour rides and they stayed comfortable. I'll buy another pair if these ever wear out, but I expect that it will be a while.

Ok pair so far. Wear 10+ on cement/carpet but have only had them two weeks.