The US Army, as well as other branches in the military, adhere to strict dress regulations in order to demonstrate and present professional individuals as part as a larger team. The one article of kit that men and women of the Army can have to display their style is with their footwear. Not only that, but different people prefer different things when it comes to their combat boots, such as appearance, and most importantly, how they feel. The Army allows members to wear many different boots, as long as they follow a certain criteria. They must be AR 670-1 Compliant.
At the bottom of this page I’ll have a list of some of the best tactical boots that are AR 670-1 compliant. Also, check out my other post on the “7 Lightest Tactical Boots” if that’s your priority.
If you decide to purchase anything through one of the links I provide, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here for my full disclosure.
What does AR 670-1 Compliant mean?
AR simply stands for ‘Army Regulation’, and the number following it is just the most up to date revision of that regulation. The regulation itself will outline the specifics of what is required of the boot. Everything from color, height, materials, and more. Companies around the world will look at these specifications and manufacture boots to meet these requirements, in order to make themselves an option for men and women to choose from.
What are the requirements for AR 670-1 Compliant Boots?
Height to be 8 – 10 inches
The boots worn by members of the Army must have a height of 8 to 10 inches. This height will provide ample support to your ankle for when you’re on those long marches or patrolling in treacherous terrain. This area of the boot is called the “shaft” or “upper”.
Cattle Hide Leather (Flesh side out)
The material that makes up the main portion of the boot, or the lower portion that surrounds your foot, needs to be made of Cattle Hide Leather and it must be flesh side out (also called Cowhide Leather). What I’ve found is companies will usually label their boots as being made of Suede Leather, which is the same thing.
Cattle Hide Leather is extremely water resistant (some say it’s waterproof altogether), very durable, breathable, and dries quickly when it gets wet. These qualities are everything you want in a combat boot.
Plain Toe
All this means is that there isn’t any extra stitching or design on the toe of the boot, or any extra protection. Extra protection would be something like a steel toe boot. Tactical boots also have an option to have a composite toe, such as Belleville boots, but this would be considered extra protection as well, so it’s best to avoid wearing these types of boots.
Tan or Coyote Brown
Straight forward here, your boot must be either tan or coyote brown in color. I’ve seen both of these boots being worn by military members in uniform and I have to say the coyote brown look way sharper. Typically your boots will fade as well as you wear them daily, so if you think the coyote brown is a little dark, it should lighten up over time slightly.
Outsole Material
The outsole is the portion of the boot that contacts the ground. This area must be made from rubber or polyurethane. These softer materials will make the contact on the ground more comfortable and allow you to stay on your feet longer.
Outsole Color
The color of the outsole must match the color of the entire boot.
Sole measurements
The height of the outsole can be up to 2”. Make sure that the outsole doesn’t go up the back of the boot above the 2”, and also that it doesn’t go over the toe. Mostly all military boots will go on the front of the toe, and that’s okay. What you can’t have is a rubber outsole that goes on top of the toe.
Upper Boot material
The upper (or shaft) of the boots must be made of cattle hide, like the lower portion of the boot, or a leather/non-mesh combination. An example of a non-mesh material would be something like 1000 Denier CORDURA, which is used on GORUCK’s MACV-1 boot.
Some of the best AR 670-1 Compliant Boots available.
1. Garmont T8 Bifida Tactical Military Boot
The Garmont T8 Bifida is up there as one of the most popular tactical boots that is AR 670-1 compliant.
At the time of this article, the Bifida has an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5 with over 3000 reviews. Check for the latest pricing here!
Each boot weighs just over 1.5 pounds and are said to be extremely durable. One issue that’s been mentioned is the pressure on the ankles due to the way the tongue of the boot is sewn, but it’s also mentioned that it can be mitigated by the way you tie the boot laces. Still, these have been noted as being the best boots that military members have worn in their career.
Key features include:
Breathable Footbed
Slip Resistant
Lightweight
Excellent Breathability & Ventilation
Quick Drying Materials
AR 670-1 Compliant
The Danner Tachyons are one of – if not the – lightest military boots that you can buy! The Tachyons are designed to fit and feel like a shoe. Danner specifically mentions that they built a boot that acts like a shoe. Not the other way around.
At the time of this article, the Danner Tachyon boots are listed at $160 on their website here.
Danner recommends that women select 1.5 to 2 full sizes down for a correct fit.
Key features include:
Ultra Lightweight
Excellent Cushioning
Shock Absorbent
Improved Air Circulation
Great Stability & Comfort
AR 670-1 Compliant
3. Belleville ONE XERO C320 Ultra Light Assault Boot
Belleville makes some great tactical boots for the military that are ultralight, comfortable, and affordable. The ONE XERO C320 boots are highly cushioned and shock absorbent which will allow you to endure long durations on your feet.
At the time of this article, the ONE XERO Assault Boots have over 500 ratings at 4.5 out of 5. Check out the latest prices from Amazon here!
Key features include:
Highly Cushioned
Shock Absorbent Midsole
Ultra Lightweight
Athletic Strobel-Stitch Construction
Medial & Lateral Dual Ventilation Zones
Webbing Ankle Support
Exclusive Vibram “Incisor” Outsole
AR 670-1 Compliant
Check out my in-depth review here!
These boots were specifically designed to meet the high demands of Special Forces members. That alone should be enough to grab a pair of these bad boys! Make sure you buy the 8” Coyote Suede, as the 6” version is not AR 670-1 compliant.
At the time of this article, the MACV-1’s are listed at $165. Check out GORUCK’s site here.
Key features include:
All-Terrain Outsole
Wide Toe Box
3mm Speed Lacing
Drain Holes
Ankle Webbing
13mm heel-to-toe drop (ideal for rucking)
Compression Insert
No Break-In Time
AR 670-1 Compliant
5. Tactical Research QRF Hot Weather Assault Boot
At the time of this post, the QRF Assault Boots have a rating of 4.3 out of 5. People have said how durable the boots were and that they’re very comfortable once broken in.
Check out Amazon for the latest pricing here!
Key features include:
Enhanced Slip Resistant
Shoe Lacing System
Enhanced Ankle Support
Ultra Lightweight
Hydrophilic Lining (Sweat/Water Absorbing)
AR 670-1 Compliant
Conclusion
Remember that although you may find a boot online that says it is AR 670-1 compliant, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that it follows the regulation. Make sure you are following the most current and up to date regulation and also read the specs of the boot you’re interested in ordering.
One thing to note is that boots with side zippers are not AR 670-1 compliant.
The AR 670-1 guidelines for combat boots are simple, and each boot that follows these guidelines all have a similarity in appearance. A word of advice would be to wear a boot that is suited for your feet, but also a boot that doesn’t stand out too much… even if it meets all the criteria of the AR 670-1 requirements, if it looks ridiculous, your Chain of Command can still tell you to take them off.
I hope this helps you in your decision making process for buying a boot to wear in uniform. Remember to check out my other post on the “7 Lightest Tactical Boots” which are all AR 670-1 compliant boots.