Best Survival Boots & Shoes
Whether you are bugging out or going about your normal day, survival boots can help it happen. Our feet are more fragile than we think, and there are many ways to injure them if they aren’t protected from the elements and properly supported when we put them to the test. There are endless shoes and boots to consider, and we just want to make sure what we’re wearing in an emergency will keep up.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best survival boots and shoes, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a low-top shoe option, and a tactical pick. If you need some reliable shoes, one of our suggestions will have you covered.
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Best Survival Boots
KEEN Targhee 3 Mid
Waterproof, Comfortable, and Rugged
Affordable hiking boots that have the durability to keep up in a wide range of survival applications.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available in Women’s sizes at Amazon.
KEEN has been known for its durable soles, but we found that this entire shoe was about as tough as you can get. The price point is less than half compared to other boots that come even close, making these the best value available.
Specifications
- Material: Nubuck leather, nylon mesh
- Features: Waterproof, breathable
- Platform height: 0.6″
- Heel height: 1.1″
- Boot shaft: 5.3″
- Weight: 17.4 ounces (each -size 10)
The wide toe box makes them comfortable for long periods, and the shoe construction is tough as nails. The mid-shaft height gives you solid ankle support and protection without restricting movement.
With rugged durability and great quality, it’s easy to see why the KEEN Targhee 3 Mid Boots top the rest.
Best Tactical Boots
5.11 A/T 8″ Waterproof
Waterproof, Breathable, and Tactical
Lock your feet into these load-assisting tactical boots that excel in any terrain.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
5.11 makes solid technical gear, specializing in tactical clothing and bags. Their A/T high boots give great performance and exceptional durability.
Specifications
- Materials: Suede leather, nylon mesh
- Features: Waterproof, breathable, ATLAS support plate
- Platform height: 0.6″
- Heel height: 1.2″
- Boot shaft: 8″
- Weight: 22 ounces (each -size 10)
As far as the specific A/T boot model, the high 8″ shaft provides the best ankle support, the waterproofing is worth the extra $20, and the non-zip is more durable than the side zip. This feature set does put these boots at a high price, but their durability and comfort make it worth the investment.
I’ve worn a lot of different tactical and military boots, and although these come at the top of most budgets, they are the best pair that I have owned.
With a rugged design that helps you haul heavy loads long distances, the 5.11 A/T 8″ Waterproof Boots are a solid bug-out boot choice.
Best Survival Shoes
Solomon Speedcross Peak
High Grip, Lightweight, and Durable
Great for the urban gray man or those bugging out on a trail.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available in Women’s sizes at Amazon.
Salomon specializes in shoes and boots, and even offers some high-quality tactical boots that I’ve worn in the military. But after reviewing all of the options, we were surprised to see their trail running shoe take the top spot for survival shoes.
Specifications
- Materials: Contagrip rubber sole
- Features: Large boot and toe caps, Boa-style quick lace system
- Platform height: 0.8″
- Heel height: 1.2″
- Weight: 10.4 ounces (each- size 10)
The Speedcross Peak trail shoes are lightweight, go on quickly, and have incredibly durable soles. They are over-stable with their wide soles, which give great grip on dry or wet surfaces.
If you are looking for a shoe versatile enough for any terrain, the Solomon Speedcross Peak Trail Running Shoes are your best option.
Comparison Table
| Survival Footwear | Recommendation | Price* | Type | Weight (Pair) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEEN Targhee III | Best Overall | $130 | Mid Hiking Boots | 35 oz |
| 5.11 A/T 8″ Waterproof | Best Tactical Boots | $200 | Mid-Calf Boots | 44 oz |
| Solomon Speedcross Peak | Best Survival Shoes | $110 | Trail Running Shoes | 21 oz |
The Footwear We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down from a huge range of brands of shoes and boots to a few that we compared: Merrell, Salewa, 5.11, KEEN, LOWA, Salomon, Bates, Nike, Under Armour, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We considered a wide range of shoes, boots, and even moccasins, and have to say that there are a lot of great options out there for survival. Whenever comfort is involved in our reviews, we find that people have different experiences because our feet are not all the same. If you’re looking for mocassins, we have a whole review on quiet shoes that includes them.
We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a pair of boots you love, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can try to get it in the next roundup and see if it will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best survival boots have a few features to look for:
- Value
- Power
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect footwear for all survival situations. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the shoes that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like shoes shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. We’re not trying to be sneakerheads here; we’re just looking for quality, comfortable, and functional boots.
You never want to spend too much money on one type of gear, even when it comes to something you use every day. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Comfort
Your shoes need to fit well and be comfortable first and foremost. If you have a poor fit, it’s a recipe for blisters and other issues that you don’t want to deal with during emergencies.
If they are uncomfortable, you’ll find yourself in pain if you have to trek any distance.
The military conducted studies on comfort for uniforms and gear and found that uncomfortable gear gets modified or not used at all, making it ineffective. Of course, all of us in the military already knew that, but now they have scientific studies to back up the importance of comfort, even in tactical gear.
Durability
Boots and shoes are not the type of thing you want falling apart. While they are consumable and get worn out eventually, that eventuality should be miles in the future.
Material selection and manufacturing quality weigh heavily on how durable a shoe or boot will be. Those aren’t everything, though, which is why it was helpful that we have tested a combined centuries’ worth of wear on classic tactical, hiking, and mountaineering shoes between our entire team.
Size & Weight
One downside of durable boots is the weight. Tactical boots can easily add over a pound to each leg, and weight is an enemy of endurance. We always harp on watching the weight and size of gear in our mobile kits, and what you wear on you is no exception.
If you get a heavy boot, you’ll want to break it in and get familiar with the limitations it may have. It’s not quite the same as wearing a pair of Air Maxes and going for a jog. Use your gear regularly, and you’ll know what it can do.
It’s a good idea to see how they perform in various ways: you don’t want to wait until a disaster to find out that your shoes or boots give you blisters when you run.
Versatility
Some boots or shoes offer some versatility by giving you added grip on the sole so you can traverse varied terrain, waterproofing to protect your feet from moisture, and load plates to help you carry your bug-out bag.
Some boots have side-entry zippers to make putting them on and off a breeze. I really enjoyed side-zip boots in the military, but it does provide a critical failure point that is extremely hard to repair if the zipper breaks. I’ve had a side zipper break on me before, and it’s not fun trying to make a boot work with a gaping hole in the side and duct tape.
This is why I prefer the non-zip boots, even though they add a bit of time to put on and take off. 5.11 does make it slightly quicker with the lace lock that lets you unlace the top part of the boot while keeping the laces on top of your foot the same.
All of these make a shoe or boot more useful in more situations. All shoes and boots can use some quick and easy upgrades to become even more versatile.
How to Upgrade Shoes for Survival
There are a lot of ways to upgrade your shoes for survival. You can also add features, like small ferro rods, handcuff keys, small knives, etc.
You can treat almost any shoe with sprays like Permethrin insect repellent. With a little ingenuity, the possibilities are endless!
Survival shoes and boots are tough, and you can swap out components (like the laces) when they wear out before the soles and body of the shoe do. Another, often overlooked part of the shoe that can be replaced is the insole.
Swapping insoles out after they get some wear on them can make the shoe or boot feel like new.
Who Needs Survival Boots?
Everybody wears shoes- heck, people were slapping bark on their feet over 9000 years ago. Shoes protect your feet, give you traction, and keep you comfortably mobile.
Boots or shoes are something you wear each and every day, so they are essential for:
Having another pair is useful in these kits, but not essential:
Boots geared towards survival are typically handy anywhere outdoors, so any hobby like hiking or backpacking is great for breaking them in.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival boots are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Jones, B., et al. (1984). The energy cost and heart-rate response of trained and untrained subjects walking and running in shoes and boots. Ergonomics. Volume 27. Issue 8. Pages 895 – 902. (Source)
Knapik, J., et al. (2015).Physical Training in Boots and Running Shoes: A Historical Comparison of Injury Incidence in Basic Combat Training. Military Medicine. Volume 180. Issue 3. Pages 321 – 328. (Source)
Sinclair, J., et al. (2015). Influence of running shoes and cross-trainers on Achilles tendon forces during running compared with military boots.BMJ Military Health. Volume 161. Pages 140 – 143. (Source)
Conclusion
You need shoes for your feet, so why not make them the best for survival? Don’t stress about your footwear letting you down in any situation when you are equipped with the best gear.
Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- Best Survival Socks for Preppers and Survivalists
- Best Survival Axe | Top Hatchets Reviewed
- INCH Bag List | 44 Essential Items
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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I’d go with Doc Martins. They are on the heavy side but are definitely hardy.
What would you suggest for women, New at this
So far, people seem to prefer Merrell and Keen hiking shoes/boots, with a few preferring repairable leather.
I recently bought my first pair of Thorogood work boots to do yard work at home and for a tougher stuff at our cabin. I had no idea they’d be so comfortable. That said, I am currently leaning toward these over my other hikers and walkers. Thorogood is one of the few USA boot makers that make good work boots in women’s sizes.
Thorogood is hit-or-miss. People either love them or hate them. For the price, they can be worth checking out though.
What would you recommend for someone with wide feet?
KEEN Utility boots come in Wide and I like those. The 5.11 boots are awesome (but pricy) and also come in wide.