I remember the one time I didn’t wear boots. I tried these things called sneakers. It rained that day, and I asked myself, “Do people really live like this?” With wet feet and trouble over typical terrain? That wasn’t for me; it was so regular, like flip flops, that it got regulated to appropriate activities, like running. For daily life, I’m all about boots. They are part of my day job uniform, and with that in mind, it’s about to get hot in the Southeast. As much as I love my 8-inch tall boots, I wanted something smaller and lighter and landed on the 5.11 Tactical A/T Elite Gore-Tex mid-height boots.
These mid-height boots are much more shoe-like in their design but pack the features I want to keep my feet dry and make crossing wet, muddy, and slippery terrain easy. Summers in my state bring rain and heat. I want a low, light boot that deals with the water above and below my feet. The A/T Elite Gore-Tex boots seem to meet those demands.
The A/T Elite Gore-Tex – Mid in Height, Not in Quality
Transitioning from a big 8-inch-tall set of boots to the A/T Elite mid-height boots was a game changer. The difference in weight alone made me feel like I was Goku training with weights. It was a welcome reprieve from the weight of heavy-duty boots. Beyond weight, things immediately felt cooler. Not only were my ankle and calf free to breathe, but the material selection was brilliant.
It’s lightweight, which allows the shoes to breathe, keeping your feet cool and dry if you start sweating. 5.11 applied a Gore-Tex waterproof lining to free the boots from the dangers of water ingress and keep your feet dry when it rains, or you face the mid-summer humidity of the Southeastern United States.
Underneath the boot, the 5.11 Atlas insole is located. I have some experience with the design, and it’s served me well. The 2.0 series builds on the support the Atlas insole promises. This includes shock mitigation and heavy-duty support for a long day of being on your feet. It comes together to create a comfortable, easy-to-wear boot for all-day use.
Getting My Steps In
New Year, new me, and new goals. I’ve been making a big push to get more and more steps every day. I try to aim for 10,000 minimum. This proved to be a little tough in the first few days of wearing the boots. They required a bit of a break-in. The tongue portion felt exceptionally tight and required a little loosening of the laces.
It took about four days of wear before I noticed the break-in. It was about a week before I stopped noticing the slight discomforts that come with breaking-in boots. After that week, I had no problems hitting my 10,000 steps and even more comfortably. Mix these boots with good socks, and your feet stay quite cool and comfortable.
I haven’t had to navigate anything difficult yet, but the traction on the bottom seems fantastic. It’s aggressive, and the Vibram sole has some natural nonslip grip to it. The overall design seems exceptional for outdoor use and all terrain. It’s easy to see why the A/T gets the all-terrain tag.
Spiffy Looking
Part of wearing any uniform is mixing effectiveness with professional apparel. As much as I’d like to wear a pair of multicam boots, they don’t work for a professional appearance. The A/T Elite Gore-Tex boots are professional. They are available in all black or coyote. It’s plain and professional, and I love that.
Too many boots integrate bright and weird color patterns that don’t work for professional wear. Too many mid-height boots are made for hikers and not for people who wear boots to work. That’s not the case here. The plain black look isn’t flashy, and I’m thankful for it.
Additionally, I’ve found these boots easy to clean. Get a wet rag and wipe them down. Spray them with a hose and let them dry, and that’s it. The material makes them easy to clean and quick to dry. 5.11 scored high on the appearance scale.
The A/T Elite Gore-Tex boots are ready to lighten your load and ease the heat this summer.
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