Bates GX-8 Gore-Tex Side Zip

These Boots Were Made for... Everything?Okay, so I'm not exactly scaling Everest or kicking down doors on a daily basis, but I do spend a lot of time on my feet, often in less-than-ideal conditions. Whether I'm working on a project in the garage, dealing with a surprise downpour while running errands, or just navigating the general chaos of life, I need footwear that can keep up. My old boots were... fine. They did the job, mostly. But they weren't exactly inspiring confidence.Enter the Bates GX-8 Gore-Tex Composite Toe Side Zip boots. I decided to finally invest in a pair that felt like they could handle anything, and these have absolutely delivered.First off, the comfort level is seriously impressive for a boot this rugged. There was virtually no break-in period; they felt good from day one. The composite toe gives me peace of mind without the weight and cold of steel, and the Gore-Tex lining is a game-changer. I've stepped in puddles, worked in wet grass, and my feet have stayed completely dry. It's like having a personal force field against moisture.And the side zip? Pure genius. Getting these on and off is incredibly fast and easy, which is a small thing, but it makes a big difference when you're in a hurry. The traditional laces still allow for a secure, customized fit, but the zip adds that layer of convenience I didn't know I was missing.They feel incredibly sturdy and well-built. The traction is excellent on various surfaces, and they provide fantastic ankle support. They've taken a few bumps and scrapes already and still look great – they're clearly built to withstand some abuse.Honestly, these boots have exceeded my expectations. They're not just work boots; they're "life" boots. They handle the tough stuff, keep my feet comfortable and dry, and the side zip is a daily win. If you need a boot that's as practical as it is durable, and you appreciate dry, happy feet, give these a serious look.

I wear a 8.5 some times 9 in a shoe, so I order an 8.5 they are a little roomy but not so much they can not be worn so I kept them. I could have probably got away with an 8. These boots are light I mean maybe they weight a little bit more than flip flops. I find my self lifting my leg really high after wearing heavy tennis shoes. They are that light. Sole padding is great. No padding on top, which if laced to tight the anchor from the laces digs into my ankle and is painful. They just need to be let a little lose around the ankle. The need to be broken in. I have had these about 5 days and would say they are mostly broken in now, but before the break in they are like wearing cast on your legs. The zipper needs to be broken in too. The first couple times with the zip and I thought this is never going to work, but now they are broken in it is awesome and smooth zipping. These are the Navy Seal boots listed on their official Navy Seal web site. They are by far the best boots I ever owned. They are warm as far as I can tell been out in them in 30 degree weather with no problem. May update this as we get more into winter. My only complaint is I wish they had more padding where the laces are anchored no big deal thought just can not tie them super tight. I love Love these boots. My son is in the Navy and is looking into if He can where these in uniform. He hates his boots that tie. Traction is great, been in the rain and on many wet surfaces and not even a give any where. I do not know how they are in oil. They are comfortable and did I say Light. I study martial arts and needed a boot I could kick in. I can do all my kicks in these boots easier than tennis shoes. If you get these boots you are going to want to get a shoe shine kit and give them a shine right out of the box. I wore mine first and they scuffed up fast, but after the shine back to better than new and now they do not scuff up so much. The price was Great but I did by them the day before thanksgiving so i got them well under even sale price, but they are worth the 150.00 or so they cost at Amazon. I will be buying a second pair for my father in law as He will not stop talking about them, i think he wants mine, but oh no.They are a great boot and worth the money, Just remember the anchor to the laces can dig into the ankle and you need to loosen the laces until they do not. I don't want to tell anyone what size to get mine fit well at 8.5 which I wear but like I said think I could get away with an 8 in this boot. They would have been snug with no room, but I like my boots like that, but the 8.5 is fine. I have only had these 5 days so I can not speak to ware, but these are my favorite boots, and yes waterproof. I have tested them in large puddles and in heavy rain.. I hope this review helps.

I was in the market for motorcycle boots since I had grown tired of using my old race boots for my cruiser. They had great protection but were not very comfortable to use while walking around the office. Read as much input as I could on the Bates boots and it seemed to hit all the criteria I wanted. I've summarized a few points that I felt was important to me.Durability - I was initially worried that the toe area would wear down quickly over time with shifting on a motorcycle. So far, I'm pleasantly surprised that they are holding up and not leaving too many markings on the top of the shoe.Protection - I haven't taken a fall in these so take what i say with a grain of salt, but they seem sturdy. The heel and toe seem to be semi rigid to provide some protection in an accident. It's nice that there is some abrasion-resistant fabric mixed in as well and thicker than I expected around the ankle. It's not going to be on par with my old race boots but I am not riding insanely fast either so it works for my usage.Comfort - Fantastic for comfortable compared to my old race boot since it's not as highly rigid. It actually feels like I have nice hiking boots. I can wear these all day and still feel okay. Additionally, I can feel the shifter so much better with these. It's really nice to have the side zip feature as well as it was one of the main selling points to me since I thought it was very convenient to have on my old boots. One negative for me is that I find it somewhat tight to take on and off, but it's not bad enough where I would take off a star.Overall, I am pretty happy with the purchase and would recommend it to all riders looking for a comfortable boot that packs a lot of features.Given that I have only worn these a couple of weeks, I reserve the right to change the rating later if I feel like the quality and value is no longer there.