Maelstrom Tac Force Boots Review [2023]

These Tac Force boots look and feel awesome, but they’re made for the cops & soldiers, right?

Partially, yes. Practically, nope, not only for them! So we’ve managed to put these boots in the list of best work boots. Honestly, we, the shoe-diggers here at shoeask.com also like these boots. No, it’s not mere liking. We do count their overall outlook and purpose. Maelstrom TAC FORCE are not high priced boots, so, there will be some downsides with material and bondings.

2019 (April) update: Men’s Black 8” Zipper boots are now Amazon’s choice. The same women’s version has a higher user satisfaction. Most of the 2019 ratings contain 5 stars.

Let’s cook the specs, pros and cons up:

Types of Maelstrom TAC Force Boots

Understanding all the TAC FORCE boots at a glance

All of the four Maelstrom TAC Force boots are designed in a manner so that they can be used for tac jobs as well as for industrial, restaurant and other jobs. These are fashionable, that’s because they kept it in mind:

“you can practically wear them everywhere, including every outdoor activity such as hiking, mountain climbing, backpacking or any outdoor adventure!”

Common Features

There are four. All of the TAC FORCE boots are featured as 8”, slip resistant and lightweight. First three has side zippers. First two are the flagship ones. Packed with features.

They are waterproof, insulated and blood borne pathogen resistant; designed for tactical as well as non tactical usage:

Men’s Black TAC FORCE Work Boot

Women’s Black TAC FORCE Work Boot

The latter two are specifically designed for tactical and law enforcement professionals, with some features off like insulation, waterproof etc. But they are water resistant.

Tan TAC FORCE Work Boot (zip)

Coyote Brown Work Boot (non zip)

Level of Recommendation is very high for jobs other than heavy duty industrial & construction.

In-depth Review and Analysis of Maelstrom TAC FORCE Boots

ShoeAsk Points: 78 out of 100

Editorial Recommendation: High.

Remarks & Suggestions

Wear boots and feel like you are putting on sneakers. A lucrative one year manufacturer warranty comes with these China made boots. Available in multiple colors; built with leather and fabric.

Better for

Mid-priced choice for law enforcement, security and work professionals. Outdoor enthusiasts, motorcycle riders and others can also use these boots for non-work purposes. Server industry, bars, restaurants and light industrial workspaces can be ideal for these boots.

User, Expert and Trade Recognition

Points 4/5

“Definitely protective, but obviously kinda cheap quality”

This comment says it all. Users love them. Guys in the police and security forces like them the most. Riders like to wear them too. However, they do not meet the extreme proximities of professional recognition.

Price vs Durability

Points 4/5

Tac Force boots are affordable. So, they are not as durable as the pricey ones but you can hope to wear them for 6 to 12 months for work. If you can take care of the boots, they can serve for up to 18 months.

Comfort

Points 4/5

People find them to be surprisingly comfortable. Maelstrom wins here with a big smile.In this price range, five out of five for comfort.These are lightweight, way too flexible, easy to put on and off. Overall, buyers are usually more than satisfied with comfort.

Water, Chemical and Spill Proof

Points 4/5

The first two models are waterproof while the latter two are water resistant. In an inch or two, everything is good whether you wear the WP ones or the WR ones. Yet, you should not dip the boots into more than 4 inches of water. Some dissatisfactions found on water resistance.

Slip Resistance

Points 4/5

Better slip resistance. Let us go through some evaluations:

“have walked in diesel fuel and have not slipped yet”

“do well in snow and wet conditions”

“got me through mud and slippery surfaces perfectly”

Yet, there are some negative remarks.

Toe Box and Safety

Points 2/5

No safety toe in any of the versions. They could have made at least one steel toe variation. Whatever, this makes one thing clear, Tac Force boots are not meant to be worn in extreme industrial conditions. There is sewing in the toe area which is good. The toe box looks good but they are not very wide.

Break-in Time and Fitting

Points 5/5

Good fit, zero break-in time makes it easier to pick this pair.

Electrical Hazard

Points 2/5

Nope, they are not EH boots. Use them only if you do not step on live wires regularly.

Stylish and Presentable

Points 4/5

Will they pass inspections? It’s a tricky question.

If the pants come down to the forefoot, these boots will easily pass inspections.

Do they look good? They surely do. You can wear them in a number of situations other than regular professional duties.

The finishing does not look very smooth. Sometimes you may think that the cobblers are in a hurry to produce more in less time- which reduces the goodlook.

Breathable and Insulation

Points 5/5

Breathable moisture-wicking lining keeps you dry and warm. They do breathe well in moist and humid conditions. If you are a biker, a little bit of airflow can be felt as well. 200 grams of insulation makes them suitable for light winter as well as for fall and spring.

Leather, Upper, Lace and Heel

Points 4/5

Not 100% leather upper, but we know that well. The upper has a lot of nylon fabric. The side zip makes it look nicer. YKK heavy duty side zipper- as described by Maelstrom have a tendency of flaw as reported.

Tongue, Collar and Weight

Points 4/5

Large, supportive tongue. They are wide as well as thick. There is a downside as well, the tongue is nylon which makes it fire-friendly. Excessive heat may harm your feet. Collars are padded, look nice. They are extremely lightweight.

Insole, Midsole, Shank and Arch Support

Points 4/5

The insole comes thinner; these are rather basic ones. If you look for extra comfort, keep in mind that they did not put premium ones. After all, these are not $200 boots!

There is a bright side though, these insoles help you absorb impacts. Midsoles are good shock absorbers as well.

Tac Force boots do not provide great arch support. You would like to buy arch support insoles. The composite shank provide more flexibility while help to pass through metal detectors.

Outsole, Construction and Sewing

Points 4/5

The outsole is oil-resistant. Not very abrasive. These provide better traction on slippery surfaces. Treads are pretty grippy. Sewing is average, not as good as premium work boots would provide. It has an uncommon construction feature- cement construction with sewn toe area.

Anti-odor and Cleanable

Points 4/5

Perhaps there is no antimicrobial treatment but they rarely stink as they breathe a lot and resist water. Leather is polishable.

Warranty, Return and Post Purchase Service Policy

Points 5/5

One year manufacturer warranty for some usage issues. You can return them.

Brand Faith

Points 3/5

Maelstrom is not the best brand on the earth; but people know that Maelstrom serve well compared to the price. They are considered more durable than Magnum boots. There are repeating buyers. A surprising quote “I’ve owned dozens.” makes us think twice and it indicates that they are a rising company.

Special and Uncommon Features

Points 5/5

What are the uncommon features? Affordable, good looking, side zipped, lightweight and flexible boot which feel like running shoes. Metal detector friendly.

Cons

Points 3/5

  • Material is not very good.
  • Less leather.
  • More nylon, easy to catch fire.
  • Side zips may break if they fall under excessive pressure.
  • Build quality and finishing touch could be better.
  • There should have been a safety toe version.

Editor’s Boost

Points 4/5

We give four here. That’s because, these boots are good overall compared to the price.

Close Alternatives

Nearly Same

Popular Alternatives

Similar Style

Different and Uncommon

Further reading:

The boots are moderately shiny. People frequently use these for motorbikes.

Not recommended for high risk jobs like industrial or construction work. If you know what these boots can provide, buy them. Otherwise, they are better for law enforcement officials and light-risk jobs like mailmen, bikers, bartenders and servers.

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