Members of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) tested Propper’s Series 200 boot in a variety of real use environments. After thorough evaluations, the following styles received resounding approval:

Series 200 8" Waterproof Side Zip Boot

SCORE 4.14 out of 5

Series 200 8" Waterproof Coyote Boot

SCORE 4.91 out of 5

 

Propper Footwear

Propper products undergo rigorous testing and assessment throughout their development and beyond. We solicit user feedback throughout the process to ensure we are responsive to the needs of our customers and ultimately create apparel and gear that performs to the high standards Propper was built on. NTOA puts our products to the test in the field and provides reviews that we feed back into the product development loop. Deliberately evaluating products and listening to our users drives our process to continually improve our products.

Propper Series 200

 

Series 200 8" Waterproof Side Zip Boot

Reviewer 1 (from Wisconsin) 

If you’re looking for a good pair of duty boots, look no further! When researching new duty boots, I’m pretty particular. I look for a quality boot that has all of the following qualities: a side-zip, waterproof material, a "shine-able" toe, a safety toe and of course comfort. This boot has it all. When I first tried them on, they were very rigid and tight, but it only took a day to wear them in and now I can’t take them off. In addition to the aforementioned qualities of these boots, they also have a comfortable naturally curved sole similar to that of a good running shoe, where the toe actually curves up. The sole also sticks to everything, which provides confidence and traction on all types of surfaces. I’ve stood all day in these boots, I’ve ran with them, trained with them on the range, trained with them out in the elements in full SWAT kit and I cannot find a flaw. 

Reviewer 2 (from Oregon)

The Propper Series 200 side-zip boot is a solid boot that still requires some more research before it is to be trusted by law enforcement professionals or military members. There are a lot of features and ideas that are very close to being beneficial to our job, but the boots I tested fell short of what I would consider a desirable pair of tactical footwear. When I opened the box, I thought the boots looked great. They have a Vibram sole that is aggressive but not too over the top. The leather looked nice and the Cordura Nylon was tough and rigid. That’s all great stuff. Then I put the boots on my feet. I’ve never worn a side-zip boot, but I always assumed the zipper was there so you could lace the boots as desired and then zip them on and off in a hurry. It sounds convenient. What I found, is that the extra fabric dug into the inside of my leg and was not sufficient enough to unzip and slip my foot out. It was uncomfortable and inconvenient. The laces were long enough that I either needed to wrap them around my leg once more or tuck them into my boot. The wraparound idea again negated the use of the zipper, but it didn’t matter because of the zipper issues. I would never have brought these boots home to wear because they were so uncomfortable and the zipper was useless. Even though there were significant things I did not like about the boots, they were not all bad. I live in the Pacific Northwest and was able to test the waterproof qualities and durability of the boots. They performed well in downpours and puddles. I mentioned the quality sole earlier. They also come with an extra insole to insert in case the boots fit a little loose. The boots had a comfortable footbed and after I got past the soreness of the extra fabric inside the boot, I realized they weren’t nearly as bad as when I first put them on. Now that the boots are broken in, I believe they would be an overall good and serviceable boot if the zipper was left out and they were simpler. Some of the Propper boots features rival those of boots twice the price. Propper appears to be onto something here with this boot line, but they’re not there yet.

 

Series 200 8" Waterproof Coyote Boot

Reviewer 1 (from California) 

The Propper Series 200 boots are some of the nicest boots I have worn in many years of service and after wearing a dozen or so different types of boots. These tough boots are a full eight inches tall, but they are also surprisingly lightweight. The boots are very comfortable whether walking, running, or standing for long periods of time. The boots are comfortable in all sorts of environments and the traction provided by the Vibram rubber soles is quite secure. These boots are packed with features including tough paracord laces, cushioned tops, and leather pull loops for quick donning and doffing. These boots feel very durable and have an attractive suede and nylon construction, all in a subdued and easy to clean coyote brown color. The boots are waterproof and AR 670-1 compliant with the new US Army uniform (in the coyote color). The quality of the boots is obvious. There are no blemishes or defects visible in the seams or stitching and the attention to detail in the materials and construction are as good as or better than most other boots I have worn. The fit seems to be just a little wide, but still comfortable and true to size. In the coyote color, I have been able to put these boots through triple duty (LE field and tactical work, casual civilian outdoor wear and military reserve service). I highly recommend these boots.

Reviewer 2 (from Ohio)

This may be the most comfortable boot I have tried on. Right out of the box, it came with cushion insoles and a pair of socks. The fit and finish of the boot is very well made. The ankles have great support without the boot being stiff from being new. The eyelets for the laces allow the boots to be laced in several different ways depending on how the pressure points are in your ankle and feet. This boot is 100% waterproof. I walked through a running creek with the water over my ankles. The water ran off the boot instantly and when I stepped out of the water the boots weren’t even wet. I ran 2 1/2 miles one morning in them... no blisters. Plenty of room for thicker socks if it were cold. This is a great boot. When they were muddy, I just hosed them off; just like new again! The coyote tan is a great match for my hunting gear and it was easy to climb into my tree stand from the ladder sticks. The laces are of a very durable quality as well; they should last for a few years.

 

Check out the entire line of Propper footwear here.