For years, 5.11 has built its reputation on listening to professionals who wear their gear every day. That same philosophy extends beyond pants and packs into footwear designed to bridge the gap between performance and everyday wear. We spent time with two of the company’s most versatile options, the Chukka and Foley Mid, to see how they stack up for concealed carriers, off-duty professionals, and anyone looking for capable footwear that doesn’t scream “tactical.”
From Ranch Boots to Tactical Sneakers
I grew up farming and ranching so new “shoes” were actually boots and I had to break them in, a few hours at a time, before they were all day worthy. I still take time to break in hiking boots and pretty much anything except my workout and running shoes. I recently got a pair of Chukkas and a pair of Foley Mids from 5.11. They turned out to be very different from what I grew up with but fit the bill for me today.
5.11’s History of Listening to Its Users
I’ve been wearing 5.11 clothing since back before they were named 5.11. One of the things that always impressed me was their willingness to innovate and adapt to the feedback received from the end user. Hey, I use this magazine pocket for my cell phone, but new phones are too wide to fit. No problem, we’ll make it wider. Hey the clip on my knife is wearing out the corner of my pants pocket. No problem, we will reinforce that area.
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So when 5.11 jumped into the shoe market about 20 years ago with their H.R.T. boot, they knew they would need to be able to change and adapt based on feedback from their audience. Today they have lines of footwear that cover tactical, workout, casual, and dare I say even stylish applications. While I spent most of my career wearing their hiking or tactical style boots (I have a pair of Cable Hikers in my closet that are 7 years old and still going strong), I find myself gravitating to lighter, more comfortable shoes for everyday wear.
Choosing Between the Chukka Vs. Foley Mid
When I got the recent opportunity to pick out a few pairs of their “tactical sneakers,” I jumped at the chance. Now I know what works, and I know what I like, but I have been told by my wife and daughter that I don’t necessarily know what looks good. So I asked for a little help in picking out the styles.
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On the advice of my better half, I got a pair of the Chukka Boot in Black/Gum. My wife explained that is a very popular color combination right now and trending. I stared at her blankly and nodded. Then I picked the Foley Mids in Grenade (green). I like Ranger Green, but these have the gum-colored sole instead of black so a little less tactical looking.
Range Impressions: Foley Mid Performance
The shoes arrived in the same package so I was able to try them back-to-back. They both may be tactical sneakers, but they couldn’t feel more different.
The Mid Foleys fit just like my A.T.A.C. 2.0 Lows. The Vibram sole is flat instead of knurled, but the rest of the shoe felt the same. I had always found the A.T.A.C.s a little too stiff until somebody showed me you can take out the hard plastic insole and the comfort level is night and day. The Foley Mids do not have the hard insole, so they are more comfortable and flexible from the start.
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I leave the laces out of the top eyelet to let my ankle move a little more freely. They still feel pretty stiff compared to a normal sneaker. If I was on surveillance all day, but knew I might have to serve a warrant in the same clothes, I would feel 100% confident that these shoes were up to the task.
The Surprise Favorite: 5.11 Chukka
The Chukkas feel completely different. They are soft and feel perfectly broken in, right out of the box. They would not be my first choice for hiking up Piestewa Peak, but they have quickly become one of my favorite everyday shoes.
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Interestingly, they have the identical, flat, XS Trek Vibram sole as the Foley Mids, but look and feel more stylish and less tactical. Honestly, between the two, they are my favorite.
Final Thoughts
There was a time when I wore cargo pants and hiking boots every day. These days, I want to blend in and be the gray man. My first line of defense is no one knows I’m packing, I’m trained, and I have a plan. The biggest compliment I get is “I can’t believe you’re a cop.”
5.11 recognizes the importance of blending in, but still being able to perform at a much higher level than normal apparel. The Chukkas and the Mid Foleys both fill that gap. I think the Mid Foleys would probably hold up to the tougher conditions, but I like the look and feel of the Chukkas just a little bit more.
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