AKU is well-known for making some of the highest quality boots for Special Forces personnel. The AKU Sentinel boots are the latest model of AKU boots that are sure to be used by elite operators around the world. The Italian-made footwear are designed to be used in harsh environments to allow the user to perform at the highest level.
In my military career I’ve worn numerous tactical boots, including GORUCK, Salomon, LOWA, and SWAT. But these are the first AKU boots that I’ve owned and worn, and I’ll be honest, from what I’ve heard from others, my expectations were high!
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal views of myself and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of National Defence.
Table of Contents
Specs
Weight: 560 grams per boot
Lining: GORE-TEX® More Seasons
Colors: Coyote, Black, Light Brown, or Dark Brown
Height: 6″ (Mid Top) and 8″ (High Top)
Footbed: Anti-Static OrthoLite Hybrid
Upper: Rubberized Nylon with Protective Toe Rand
Midsole: Injected Comfort EVA
Outsole: AKU Tenuta Grip
AR 670-1 Compliant: 8″ High Top – Coyote
Pros
Comfortable
Waterproof
Lightweight
Durable
Good traction
Short break-in time
Cons
Laces are way too long
Insoles could be better
Price
At the time of this article, the AKU Sentinel Mid GTX boots cost $280.
Check out AKU Outdoor for the latest pricing!
First Impressions & Fit
I’m going to be completely honest here, as I always try to be when writing my reviews, but my first impression of the AKU Sentinel wasn’t good. I thought that they fit too loose for my liking. But I swapped out the insoles with the insoles from an old pair of GORUCK MACV-1 boots and it fixed the issue.
Now since I’ve swapped out the insoles, these are one of the best pair of tactical boots that I’ve ever worn.
Field Performance
I’ve been wearing the AKU Sentinel boots daily for over a month now and can say for certain that they are one of the best All-Around boots that I’ve worn while serving in the military.
The AKU Sentinel boots are lightweight, durable, supportive, and have excellent traction. I know that this is a boot that will be great to wear during warmer and colder months.
Durability and Build Quality
The build quality of the AKU Sentinel boots are to the highest standard.
I’ve had small issues with other boot brands like GORUCK (cowhide problem which was solved by getting another pair of MACV boots) and a problem with the stitching on a pair of Salomon Jungle boots, which would be covered under warranty.
But the AKU Sentinel boots have had zero issues when it comes to the build quality. AKU is known for making some durable boots and the AKU Sentinel boots are no exception.
Comfort During Extended Wear
At first I didn’t find that the AKU Sentinel boots were that comfortable. I found at first that my feet were moving around too much. But I swapped out the insoles for a pair from an old pair of GORUCK boots and it made a huge difference. So if that’s one change I would make of the AKU Sentinel boots it would be to get a more supportive insole. But that’s a very minor issue.
Another problem was that I was experiencing some pain on the top of my left foot but realized I was tightening the speed lacing system too tightly. After I kept the bottom of the boot a bit looser and tightened closer to the top near my ankle, the pain went away.
So after making those two corrective changes, the AKU Sentinel boots became one of the most comfortable tactical boots that I’ve ever worn while in the military.
Traction & Stability
The outsole of the AKU Sentinel is very aggressive and excellent for gripping some steep terrain. Given the depth of the grooves, these would also be very good for cold weather climates with a bit of snow on the ground.
Because of the softer compound, these will also be relatively good on icy surfaces. I’ve worn some tactical boots with harder outsoles and walking on ice is nearly impossible!
But as far as walking on soft or rocky terrain, these boots are fantastic.
Breathability and Weather Protection
So far I’ve not had any problems with my feet overheating, which adds a great deal of comfort for long durations. The Gore-Tex lining will also keep your feet nice and dry and wet environments. Keep in mind that if water gets in your boot, it’s not getting out!
Weight and Mobility
The AKU Sentinel boots are a light boot in my opinion, but it doesn’t crack my list of 7 Lightest Tactical Boots. Still though, for being a Gore-Tex boot, they only weigh around 1.25 pounds per boot!
Speed Lacing
This is one of the problems that I have with the AKU Sentinel boots, being that the laces are way too long!
You might think that having a bit too much lacing isn’t a problem, but when you have to tuck the lacing in the pouch on the tongue of the boot, then you have this massive bulge that doesn’t look professional.
To fix this problem, I loosened the release tab far enought that I could comfortably slide my foot in and out of the boot. Then I tied a knot, cut the excess lace, and burned the ends together. The result is a sufficiently length speed lace that doesn’t look awkward when tucked in the pouch.
How to fix speed lacing on tactical boots
As you can see in the photo above, the speed lacing that has been cut is barely noticeable in the pouch, whereas the standard lacing tucked in the pouch is very noticeable, bulges out, and doesn’t look professional.
How the AKU Sentinel Boots Compare to Alternatives
Two of my favourite pairs of tactical boots are the GORUCK MACV-2 boots and the Salomon XA Forces Mid boots. If those two boots had a baby, it would make the AKU Sentinel boots.
The GORUCK MACV-2 boots are lighter, have very similar outsoles, but aren’t Gore-Tex.
The Salomon XA Forces Mid are Gore-Tex, very durable, and have the speed lacing system, but sit lower around the ankles.
Who Should Buy the AKU Sentinel Boots?
The AKU Sentinel boots are ideal for military soldiers, special forces operators, law enforcement personnel, and your every day outdoor enthusiast. The rugged construction, breathability, and gore-tex lining will keep your feet protected, comfortable, and dry.
If your organization requires a certain height of boot, make sure you purchase the right boot! The AKU Sentinel boots come in Low, Mid, and High.
Conclusion
Final thoughts on the AKU Sentinel boots is that these are one of my favourite tactical boots to wear while in uniform. They’re comfortable, lightweight, waterproof, and very well-built.
My only constructive criticism is that the insole isn’t the greatest, as I had to swap mine out with a pair of insoles from my old GORUCK MACV-1 boots, and the speed lacing is way too long. I wonder if they just use the same speed lacing length for the Mid and High models of boots.
Other than that, the AKU Sentinel boots are a fantastic tactical boot that will sure to be ranked among the best and most worn tactical boots.