When we invest our heard-earned dollars into something – whether it is an EDC flashlight, handgun, or a pair of sneakers – we want our investment to pay off. Whether we are galivanting through the woods on a hunt, or simply beating the pavement of the concrete jungle. Our gear, clothing, and attire need to perform. This brings us to the topic at-hand: the 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe. I received a pair this past July and have been wearing them ever since. When I say that, it is not metaphorically, it is literally. I wear them 12+ hours per day usually 6-7 days per week. So, let’s see how this shoe performed for the long, intensive haul of 1,500 hours of use in only a matter of months (I did the math; it is an insane amount of use in a short period of time). Let’s dive in!
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Specifications – 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe
While the 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe might be scant on specs, it is generous on everyday utility. They are available in 16 sizes from 4 – 14 with options of Regular-D and Wide-E as well within each size (totaling for 32 permutations for prospective buyers). The basic specifications can be read below as presented by 5.11 Tactical:
- Ballistic nylon upper for lightweight and maximum durability
- 5.11 Hexgrip Vibram full-rubber outsole for traction and durability on multiple surfaces
- Ortholite Drop-in foam insole
- Built from the inside-out for all-day comfort and durability
The 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe is offered in US Dark Coyote (389) which we are reviewing here today or a Triple Black (007) colorway. Right now, either color option has an MSRP of only $85. With any product you receive from 5.11 off of their website, there are always Free Returns – in the rare event something is not to your liking – and Free Ground Shipping on orders over $99.
What Does 5.11 Have to say about the Foley Mid Tactical Shoe?
Sometimes it is best to get the scoop “straight from the horse’s mouth” as people say from the hillbilly region that I hail from. A final word from 5.11 Tactical can be read in their press release statement below elaborating upon the 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe:
From the urban jungle to the middle of nowhere, the 5.11® Foley Mid blends in easily. The Foley Mid packs tactical performance into a casual, concealed style. The mid-top design provides increased ankle support for moving quickly across mixed terrain. Full rubber outsoles created by the combined expertise of 5.11® and Vibram® keep feet firmly planted on the ground. Miles will pile on painlessly thanks to the drop-in foam insoles. Full nylon uppers lighten the load without sacrificing the durability and performance you expect. The 5.11® Foley Mid is built to take you everywhere.
Field Use – 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe
So, how did I even come to the astounding conclusion that I wore these shoes for over 1,500 hours already. Well, I have had these shoes for testing for 26 weeks. During that time, I work a minimum (often more than) 5 days per week with 12 hours of use per day. Add in the fact that I am also wearing these shoes on my days off, and the hours really start to add up. I ballparked 1,560 hours and that is probably conservative at this point.
One of my favorite attributes about this shoe is the grip or tread on the bottom. The Hexgrip Vibram full-rubber outsole gives you ample traction on everything from wet rocks in a stream to snow on a driveway and everything in between. My home state of Minnesota is notorious for bad weather, and this shoe held up great in keeping balance and maintaining traction.
One thing that was a bummer is I had some “hot spots” on the back of my ankle the first 24 hours that I wore these. Probably from rubbing of the outside, upper canvas material. That only lasted for one day though, thankfully. After that, it was smooth sailing.
The canvas outer material I found to be great for repelling thorns, barbs, and other plants that want to stick to clothing and hitch a ride. The canvas is strong enough to be resistant to those materials, but not so stiff that it is not pliable and can bend to your daily movements.
The bottom rubber sole has peeled away from the canvas in a couple small places due to the aggressive amount of use in a short period of time.
“It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.” – Indiana Jones
So, while I haven’t owned these shoes for 5 years, they are seeing a small amount of breakdown because they are used so much.
There is a little bit of fraying of the canvas material towards the top, too, but I would also attribute that to typically wear after a long accrual of hours used like these shoes have seen. Nothing startling to see here in my mind.
So far, these shoes have served me well. They are strong enough to deal with the hectic and chaotic life that I lead, and they are fashionable enough that I can wear them to meetings and more important events. All that being said, I will be retiring them soon (temporarily) as winter has hit us and I will reach for a waterproof pair of 5.11s throughout the winter months.
Departing Thoughts
So, what are my final thoughts on the 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe offered in a US Dark Coyote colorway that I have been able to aggressively use for the better part of 6 months?… Overall, like many 5.11 products, these are a winner. They have performed well and outlived many competing shoes that I have tried over the years. With the long days I spend at work, hunting, and ranching, I’m known for being a footwear killer. These withstood my torture and still look pretty dang good in my opinion.
In closing, I want to say thank you to 5.11 Tactical for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe offered in a US Dark Coyote colorway. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe offered in a US Dark Coyote colorway is something worth spending your money on? Would you purchase a pair for everyday use? To deploy at work? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about 5.11 and the 5.11 Foley Mid Tactical Shoe in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
5.11 Tactical Social Media Channels
- 5.11 Tactical – Website
- 5.11 Tactical – Instagram
- 5.11 Tactical – Facebook
- 5.11 Tactical – YouTube
The post AllOutdoor 1,500 Hour Review: 5.11 Foley Mid Shoe – EDC Workhorse appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
