Beretta Wolf BOA

Mid-height ankle boots made for tough military use, with a very handy BOA tightening system and sturdy Vibram soles. A very lightweight hybrid of a trail running shoe and a hiking boot but in that tactical black. When you have once tried this tightening system, you no longer see the world the same way.

• Easy-to-use BOA tightening system
• Water resistant outer material and moisture-wicking lining
• Shock-absorbing Vibram soles
• Very good ankle support considering the shaft height
• Comes with OrthoLite insoles
• Made in Romania

Features

Beretta also manufactures high-quality clothing and footwear. Beretta Wolf BOA belongs in the latter category. It is an ankle-height tactical boot made for demanding use. One show weighs just c. 340 g / 12 oz (EUR 43/US 10), so these are one of the lightest in their category.

Tough and very shock-absorbing Vibram sole wraps around the sides of the shoe, protecting them from the sides to some extent. The tread pattern improves traction but the grooves aren’t too narrow and deep, so all the mud and crap won’t get stuck there forever. The shoes come with anti-bacterial OrthoLite insoles tailor-made for these shoes. They make the shoes more comfortable for your feet and allow the shoe to absorb shocks even better.

BOA tightening system

BOA began as a "dial-in" system for snowboarding boots in 2001, and from there it spread to many different applications. Today it is used on millions of shoes and boots around the world for a reason. It works.

The idea is very simple. There is a dial on the shoe. (That strange knobby thingy.) Turn it clockwise a few times, and the shoelaces tighten evenly on both sides. When you want to get out of your shoes, pull the dial upward, and the laces loosen immediately, allowing you to slip out of the shoes smoothly. No need to learn Finnish curse words struggling with laces that untie all the time or that are so stuck that you need a Skrama and a hefty dose of wrath to open them. Tying shoelaces isn’t that fun when you get older or wider. Or when you have both hands full of dogs that don’t want to have a break.

Materials

These shoes are made from water-resistant Cordura and polyester. The 3D mesh lining and the included antibacterial OrthoLite insoles ensure breathability. The reinforced shaft offers as much ankle support as the footwear of this height can give you.

Use

This very lightweight shoe is made for very demanding military use but it is also perfectly suited for the civilian world, for example for hiking in a bit easier terrain, trail running, plus for active dog folks and other people that move a lot in the bush. Also very nice for exploring the urban jungle. Note that these are not waterproof Gore-Tex shoes, so walking through puddles and wading through a bog will get your socks wet.

Sizing

These have a pretty normal width. Not mega wide, nor very narrow. And the sizes are what they claim to be, so you don’t have to buy bigger than normal unless you for some reason want to stuff several thick socks inside. Save them for your rock star pants.