I received an email the other day from someone who looked at my police patrol boot collection and asked me for a recommendation of that style of boot for himself. He rides a motorcycle and wants boots that would work well both in summer heat as well as in winter cold and rain.
My thoughts?
Well, yeah, over time, I have acquired 30 pairs of patrol boots. Unlike some people, I actually wear (or have worn) the boots that I own. That’s one reason why I wrote my Guide to Motorcycle Patrol Boots.
I began as most guys did by buying stock Dehner boots. Those boots looked great on Ponch and Jon when they played bike cops on the TV show “CHiPs” back in the ’70s. I bought my first pair of Dehner boots quite nervously in the mid ’80s.
I liked how they looked, but didn’t like how quickly they got damaged from exposure to heat from hot motorcycle pipes and weather. I blew through my first pair of Dehners in less than a year, and I didn’t even wear them every day like real cops do.
Over time, I bought more Dehners, damaged more Dehners, and thought that they were the only patrol boots out there.
In the ’90s, I bought my first pair of Chippewa patrol boots, and quickly learned that those boots became hot because the shiny plastic top coat prevented the leather from breathing. They also had a cheap “alpha” sole that left black melt marks on motorcycle pipes and also marked up the floors. Further, the closure at the top of the shaft was laced, and the laces kept untying themselves. (Little did I know then how real cops remedy the situation by tying the laces inside the boot rather than outside.)
I was also remarkably lucky when a cop in Vancouver, BC, escorted me to a shop where Hartt patrol boots were sold. I really like (and still wear) those Hartt boots, though the manufacturer is long out of business. The only things I didn’t like about those boots were that they were really large in the calf (later in life, I find that actually a good thing), and they also had lacing for the shaft closure.
Also in the mid-90s, I stumbled upon Harley-Davidson Police Enforcer Boots at my local Harley shop. Man, impressive boots! I liked them a lot. Very comfortable, and despite the plastic top coat, they didn’t get hot. Though darn it, they also had floor-marking soles and laced shaft closure. But I wore those boots a lot and loved them. I found out later that those boots were made by Wolverine through a contract with a company in China. I have to admit, the boots were made poorly and is probably why no real cops wore them. Wolverine discontinued their relationship (or vice-versa) with the Motor Company for those boots in the 2000s, and those boots aren’t made any more.
Another mid-90s entry into my patrol boot collection were Chippewa Hi-Shine engineer boots (style 71418). Those engineer boots were cool. They looked great with breeches, and worked very well on my Harley. At the time, though, I never saw any cops wearing that style of boot, so I did not consider them to be authentic patrol boots. It wasn’t until the mid-2000’s when I saw cops riding in a police rodeo wearing them that I considered them to be a valid alternate to Dehners for bike cops.
Chippewa Hi-Shine boots are USA-made, rugged, and look great. I did learn a thing or two about those boots, though. Because the boots cannot be ordered to custom sizing, the shaft circumference can be a tad tight. I learned that the shaft circumference on wide-foot (“EE”) Chippewa boots was wider. So my next pair of those boots was a 1/2-size smaller in the length (9.5 instead of 10), and EE width instead of my usual D. Those boots then fit perfect, especially with leather breeches.
I also did not like the sole of standard Chippewa hi-shine boots. The sole was rubber, but was rather smooth. I learned later (in the mid-2000s, it took me so long) that a cobbler could add lug soles to boots (for a price, about US$80). I had lug soles added to subsequent pairs of Chip Hi-Shines when I bought them. I like lug soles better than smooth soles for riding, but a big lug sole is hard to walk in because the soles do not flex. Again, learning more, I found that a Vibram 425 “mini-lug” sole is a great compromise. That sole provides superb traction as well as flexibility for comfort when walking. If you’re going to have a sole mod made or if you can specify soles on custom boots, the Vibram 425 is my personal recommendation.
At a motorcycle rally in 2003, I first noticed cops Dehner wearing patrol boots with a dress instep. Those boots looked hot! I admired the sleek design and no laces at all to get mucked up when riding. Cops in a jurisdiction nearby adopted those boots as standard. Those boots (and the cops) looked terrific. I bought myself a pair. And a few more as years went on. Like all Dehner boots, they look great, but are darn easy to damage with just usual wear. But at some BLUF gatherings in the 2000s (back when my then partner and I used to go out), those boots were admired by many. (Mind you, I still like them a lot today, but am darn careful with ’em because the stock boots can be so fragile.)
Continuing my quest to find great patrol boots, in 2009 I found All American Blue Knight patrol boots. The boots were affordable, USA-made, and sturdy as a rock. They came with a buckle shaft closure and lug soles, which I preferred. These boots became my favorite “go-to” patrol boots, and I raved about them on this blog and my website.
All American Blue Knight boots are hard to find, but are available with some effort. They have about the same appearance as traditional bal-laced Dehner boots, but at half the cost. They look great with breeches, and flex well when riding on the Harley. They don’t mar flooring. These boots also are especially easy-to-maintain because the light plastic top coat is easily cleaned and re-shined with a quick spray of furniture polish and wiping with a lintless cloth.
In the 2000s, I also stumbled upon, ordered, and tried out some other brands of boots. All unmentionable due to poor quality, fit, design, construction. Let’s just say that Hispar and Intapol boots aren’t good. Period.
In 2008, I broke down and ponied up the bucks to order a custom pair of authentic Wesco Motor Patrol Boots. While they weren’t cheap, I know from Wesco reputation that any of their boots will last forever because they are built exceptionally well with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The boots have a buckle closure (my spec) and Vibram 425 soles. Being custom-made, they fit perfectly. Not too tight, not too wide. Go great with leather or fabric breeches.
While Wesco boots do require maintenance (traditional shining), they look great when worn. Those boots can take rain, heat, abuse… and keep on truckin’. They are very comfortable to walk in and to wear.
Summary
There are three main reasons guys wear patrol boots:
1) To go with leather for BLUF attire, and not (usually) to wear when riding a motorcycle. If that’s the case, then USA-made Chippewa (27950 or 71918) boots will fit the bill, and are affordable. Or traditional bal-laced Dehners will work well, too.
2) To wear with breeches when operating a motorcycle, but not for duty wear (that is, not as a motorcycle cop). In that case, I recommend Wesco patrol boots if you can afford them, and All American Blue Knight boots as a great, more affordable, alternate.
3) To wear on duty — you’re a cop. In that case, you may have to conform to unit policy about brand and style of boots. If you have flexibility in decision-making and you have to pony up the bucks to buy your own boots, you may choose Chippewa Hi-Shines (71418) or All American Blue Knight boots. If you have a uniform allowance that provides for duty boots, then you probably also have a boot spec to follow. I’ll see you in your Dehners.
BTW, I have not mentioned that more and more cops these days are choosing tactical boots rather than traditional tall equestrian-style patrol boots, but that’s another story for another blog.
Life is short: wear patrol boots and read my patrol boot guide.