Just a quick followup. I went with the 5.11 ATAC Shield. Called every stocking 5.11 dealer in the state and only one had the Shield in my size. Luckily it was close to home in Lafayette. Not many places carried the Shield at all. Anyways, great boot. Comfortable. Can't say anything about durability yet. 5.11's "no break in period required" claim is accurate. Ready to rock out of the box. And right now with every boot purchase you mail in the little hang tag on the boot and get free socks in 6" or 9" and your choice of 3 colors. So the 5.11 ATAC Shield gets my thumbs up as well as Guidry's Uniforms on Moss Street in Lafayette. Good people to deal with. Fair prices as well.