7 Best Combat Boots For Women: A Buyer’s Guide

As time goes on, it seems that more and more women are joining up to serve their country. Issued combat boots in the past have been made in bulk and designed to fit more bulky type feet for men. Recently the US military has allowed members to purchase their own combat boot, so long as it followed the dress regulations set out in AR 670-1.

I’ve actually posted an article on what those requirements are titled “AR 670-1 Compliant Boots”. Although those boots are generic and not specific for women.

Recently, companies have begun to design and manufacture combat boots tailored for women or a boot that will work with both men’s and women’s feet. Often, women would have to purchase a standard combat boot listed in men’s sizing, and downsize by 2 and hope that it fit nicely. Women out there might not know that there are boots actually designed for their feet. So that’s why I wanted to make an article post so women can quickly find a boot that will fit with no guessing game involved.

So what are the best combat boots for women?

ONE XERO™ FC320 / Ultra Light Female Assault Boot

Specs
Color: Coyote Brown
Weight: 20 oz per boot
Height: 8″
Upper: Cattlehide Leather/Nylon
Toe Protection: Soft Toe
Footbed: Polyurethane
Outsole: Exclusive VIBRAM Incisor
Midsole: Polyurethane
Lining: Unlined
Insulated: Non-Insulated
Zipper: No
Manufacturing: Made in USA

At the time of this article the ONE XERO FC320 is $192 on Belleville’s webite.

With over 600 reviews on Amazon at the time of this post, the ONE XERO combat boot has a rating of 4.6 out of 5! About 78% of the reviews have given this boot 5/5 rating. People have mentioned how extremely lightweight and comfortable they were. One person specifically said they had a pair for 4 years with “easy” use, little field work, mainly indoor office work and they were the lightest and most comfortable military boots they have worn after 24 years in uniform!

GORUCK MACV Series

Specs
Weight: 28oz per pair (for the 6″ boot)
Colors: Coyote, Black, Light Brown, or Dark Brown
Height: 6″ (Mid Top) and 8″ (High Top)
Heel-Toe Drop: 13mm
Upper: Suede Leather or Challenge Leather, 1000D Cordura, 2″ Nylon Webbing
Midsole: Lightweight EVA
Outsole: High traction rubber
AR 670-1 Compliant: 8″ High Top – Coyote Suede
CANFORGEN 165/20: Black or Coyote, 6″ or 8″

The MACV-1 price ranges around $150 – $170 depending on if you buy a Mid-Top or a High-Top. A lot of the time though you’ll find MACV-1 boots at a discounted price due to size availability or older models.

The MACV-1™’s wide toe box, locking heel counter, and contoured arch support via the Workhorse™ Insert make for a truly unisex boot. Sizing begins at M4/W6 to allow for a full range of women’s size options. See the size conversion chart below to find your size.

UNISEX SIZING

The MACV-1™’s wide toe box, locking heel counter, and contoured arch support via the Workhorse™ Insert make for a truly unisex boot. Sizing begins at M4/W6 to allow for a full range of women’s size options. See the size conversion chart below to find your size.

SIZING CONVERSION CHART

My wife owns a pair of the MACV-1 Coyote Suede Mid Top boots and has used them during our ruck marches together. I personally own the MACV-1 Coyote Suede High Top boots and I wear them daily. The MACV-1 is comfortable, lightweight, and very durable.

F551ST / Female Hot Weather Steel Toe Combat Boot

Specs
Color: Coyote Brown
Height: 8″
Upper: Cattlehide Leather/Nylon
Midsole: Polyurethane
Footbed: Polyurethane
Outsole: VIBRAM Sierra
Insulation: Non-Insulated
Toe Protection: Steel Toe
Zipper: No
Manufacturing: Made in USA

At the time of this article, the Belleville F551ST cost around $79! This is extremely affordable. Check Belleville’s website for the latest pricing though.

The F551ST Female Hot Weather boot is perfect for women who are working with heavy equipment or need some sort of toe protection with their job. Being a Combat Engineer, construction worker, or in supply moving heavy boxes, the Belleville F551 will give you the protection you need at the same time keeping your feet comfortable with the nylon upper.

F495 ST / Navy Female General Purpose Steel Toe Boot

Specs
Color: Black
Height: 8″
Upper: Cattlehide Leather
Toe Protection: Steel Toe
Footbed: Polyurethane
Outsole: VIBRAM Carrier (non-FOD)
Midsole: Polyurethane
Lining: Dri-lex Moisture-wicking
Insulated: Non-Insulated
Zipper: No
Manufacturing: Made in USA

The Belleville F495 ST is a fantastic tactical boot that can be utilized for many different scenarios. The VIBRAM Carrier Outsole makes this boot US Navy Flight Deck compliant, meaning women who are serving on aircraft carriers can wear this boot. Also, the women who take off in aircraft on those carriers can wear this boot.

Check Amazon for the latest pricing!

The Belleville F495 ST is also great to be worn by women serving in Law Enforcement, or as Medical First Responders, or even in Private Security. This boot will give you all the protection your feet need while also keeping them extremely comfortable. I only wish they made this boot with a coyote leather and non-steel toe option, because not everyone requires these in their boot.

Lowa Z-8S WS C (available in GTX)

Specs
Color: Coyote Brown
Weight: 615 g/Single Shoe
Upper: Leather, Fabric
Lining: GORE-TEX Extended Comfort
Insole: LOWA Antistatic
Midsole: Double Injection DuraPU®
Outsole: LOWA TACTICAL Z TRAC
Manufacturing: Slovakia

I wore the Lowa Z-8S for a while and they were very comfortable and durable. I did tear the inside of the lining, but that was from trying to jam my foot inside without loosening the laces… so that’s on me.

At the time of this article, the LOWA Z-8S Ws costs $330 and the GORE-TEX Z-8S costs $350. This may seem a bit much, but they’re extremely durable and could be the only boot you buy for a decade.

The Z-8S offer a great amount of support and stability. Very breathable and soft on the feet. If you’re on your feet for long hours, then the Z-8S will keep your feet singing! I did an in-depth review on the LOWA Z-8S, so go check that out if you want all the nitty gritty!

Lowa R-8S GTX Patrol WS

Specs
Weight: 550 g/Single Shoe
Shaft Height: 8 inches
Upper: Split leather/fabric material
Insole: ATC
Midsole: DuraPU®
Outsole: LOWA® Patrol
AR 670-1 Compliant: Coyote Brown
Lining: GORE-TEX
Stabilizer: Hard

At the time of this article, the Lowa R-8S GTX Patrol Ws are listed at $285 on LOWA’s website.

I personally own the LOWA R-8S and they are very comfortable! Lightweight, a lot of support, and extremely durable. These boots will last me for years! They have a lace locking system which I wasn’t a fan of at first, but it grew on me and it helps to keep the lower laces locked as I tighten my boot.

If you’re walking on a lot of ice, beware, these boots make it nearly impossible to get across icy patches! I’m pretty good on my feet with ice, but these boots put me on my rear end a few times, due to the hard outsole.

Zephyr GTX Mid TF Ws

Specs
Color: Coyote, Desert, Black
Weight: 560 g/Single Shoe
Shaft Height: 6 inches
Upper: Split leather/fabric material
Insole: ATC
Midsole: Double Injection DuraPU®
Outsole: LOWA® CROSS II
Lining: GORE-TEX
Manufacturing: Slovakia

I personally know many individuals who where the Zephyr line of LOWA boots (in the 8″ height). The Zeohyr offers a good amount of traction and are both lightweight and breathable keeping your feet comfortable for long periods of time.

At the time of this article, the Zephyr GTX Mid TF Ws costs $220 on LOWA Boot’s website.

There’s a lot of sizing available as well, and these boots have been around for years with no sign of them being discontinued, as has happened to other boots.

Conclusion

Most women these days that serve in the military or law enforcement have to resort to buy a man’s boot and downsize by 2. This is often met with a boot that is slightly too large or short, and even if the size is good, the width is too wide because it was made for the feet of a man.

Above you have a list of boots (mostly LOWA and Belleville) that produce boots specifically designed for the feet of women. No longer do you have to guess, pay, and hope for a boot that will fit your feet properly.

I hope this list will help you out in some way. I’ll do my best to keep this list up to date and add any information as time goes on.

Thanks!