Today we're going to depart a little from my usual review fare and actually take a look at a more traditional military/tactical type boot.
Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Company has been in the military boot industry ever since World War I. They are one of the main suppliers to the US military and in my experience makes a very decent boot. I wore their boots in Basic and really couldn't complain too much.
But the issue boots are to some extent the bottom of the barrel. They have a remarkably wide selection of boot types and models, so you're almost guaranteed to be able to find something that fits your needs.
A few years back, Belleville launched their Tactical Research line, as a way of bringing more cutting edge technology into an affordable price range and to explore features that wouldn't necessarily fit in with the more traditional military-type boots. The results were, initially, two models: the Kiowa and the Paladin.
We're going to look at the Kiowa today, as you may have guessed from the title.
The Kiowa is part of a new breed of military boots, boots that are lighter, more flexible and more agile than military boots have traditionally been. The first example of applying these principles would probably be the Adidas GSG-9 boot. Since then there's been many others, but the Kiowa does a few things differently and these differences were what initially prompted my interest in the boot.
Before we get into all that though, we'll stick to form and show you the manufacturer specifications.
- Sleek, low profile outsole for improved feel and mobility
- Multi-directional lug design for uneven terrain
- “Over-lasted” EVA midsole for shock attenuation
- Stabilizer strap for heel and ankle
- TR-1 High Performance Insole
- Height-8" (Standard Military Height)
- Army Uniform Policy Compliant
- Desert Tan
Clicking the link will take you to a PDF about the insole of the Kiowa. It's worth the look, so give it a click. With my inclinations with footwear, I did not use the insole, but it is one of the highest quality OEM insoles that I've ever seen. It is, in my opinion, fully on par with the quality of other after-market insoles like Spenco, Superfeet and Sole. In my opinion, most people will be very happy with this insole and will find no need to add an after-market insole at a considerable extra cost.
Where most boots are 1.75 and 2 inches at the heel, the Kiowas are only 1.5 inches with a 1 inch thick forefoot. According to Belleville, the Kiowa lowers the wearer roughly .5 inch compared to other boots, which really does improve proprioception significantly. It may not sound like much, but until you've tried it, you simply can't know how much of a difference it makes. This low-to-the-ground aspect of the design makes it very difficult to roll an ankle as well. Especially in combination with the excellent ankle-support that is built in to the design.
The look of the Kiowa is reminiscent of a running/hiking shoe with a high-top. The collar and tongue is well-padded and comfortable. The toe box is also quite roomy, and with the snug fit through the arch area, the boot is very comfortable.
The sole is extremely similar to a Vibram sole pattern that I've seen used on several Merrell lightweight hikers. I am not sure if it is indeed a Vibram sole, but it looks and feels like the real deal. It also wears extremely well.
The sole wraps up and around the entire lower portion of the boot.
The Tactical Research logo is embossed into the shaft of the Kiowa. It is high enough to where this logo would be hidden by your pants when worn. Stitching and finishing is very clean and impeccable throughout the boot.
This is a fantastic little detail that I found. The lace eyelets are all reinforced with metal, but the metal is completely covered and is not visible at all from the outside of the boot. This completely negates any concern about reflection or noise from a piece of exposed, un-coated or abraded metal hardware. As it also contributes to the longevity and durability of the lacing system, this is really a win-win as far as I am concerned.
The toecap is ridged to provide extra grip when climbing rocks or walls, or even traversing steep terrain in general.
The ridges are duplicated on the heel cap, which also helps protect this area from wear.
The lining is smooth and very comfortable. Overall, the boot breathes excellently and I've had no issues with excessive moisture or heat. Obviously, this is not a waterproof boot, but it dries quickly and is very comfortable.
Note that for a boot, the Kiowa is exceedingly flexible and does little to impede your natural foot mechanics. This is a huge plus in my opinion!
You can see here how clean the finishing is. It is a very well-constructed boot. While these are made in China, the quality seems impeccable.
The inside of the boot with the insole removed. It has a deep and well-shaped heel cup, even without the insole.
The Kiowa looks quite sharp and is US Army uniform compliant - unlike my pants in this picture - even though it is not Berry-compliant at this time.
The traction, comfort, and agility, that the Kiowa provides is among the best of all the various boots that I've owned.
I'm really quite happy with the Kiowa. While I'd love to see Belleville come out with a boot that didn't have any heel/forefoot differential, this is a pretty good alternative and unlike most other types of conventional boots or shoes, the Kiowas do not make my knee hurt after a day or so, which is a nice change. They come in a variety of different colors, including a black leather and of course, MultiCam. Basically, you should be able to find a color that will work for your individual needs. Despite not being manufactured in the US - the regular Belleville lines are all US made - the Kiowa is an outstanding boot that is very well-made. I have no qualms about wholeheartedly recommending this boot. At a very reasonable price of 129.50, it competes VERY well against any number of more expensive boots that are in the same category, and soundly beats its competitors on price. Highly recommended.
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