Danner is introducing a new police duty boot in early 2013 called the Tachyon. The Tachyon is designed to be lightweight, yet durable, boot for both patrol and SWAT duties. The total weight of the pair of boots is only 26 ounces (that is both boots, not each boot.)
Tachyon boots will be available in normal and wide widths. For a guy like me who prefers a wide, I certainly appreciate Danner’s willingness to stock and sell the extra SKUs. Sure, I can get by with 1/2 size larger, but the overall fit is so much nicer with a wide. When working a 12 hour shift, every bit of comfort can be a big deal.
The good folks at Danner have promised me a pair for evaluation, so I will give them a shot and let everyone know how they perform. Based on Danner’s reputation around my department, I have high expectations.
Right now, the Tachyon is available in tan, black and sage green. MSRP is anticipated to be about $140.
First Impressions
Danner shipped me a pair of the tan boots to try out ahead of the launch of the black boots, which would be more fitting for on duty wear. They arrived while I was out of town this week, and I got to try them on just a couple of hours before I sat down to write this. So, let me share with you my initial impressions.
These boots are exceptionally light weight. If they weigh more than my New Balance running shoes, I would be shocked. I don’t think they are as light as the Magnum running shoes I tested earlier this year, but they are very light compared to other boots on the market. Danner states the weight of the two boots combines is only 26 ounces.
Much of the weight loss is from the uppers on the Tachyon boots. The uppers are made of a nylon-like material that seems to breath and does not add much bulk or weight to the whole package.
Because the uppers are so thin and light, I would expect that the Tachyon boots would dry quickly if you get caught in a rain shower or step into a puddle. Also, a backup gun carried on the ankle is going to be less likely to “print” since it will ride closer to the leg.
The downside to the thin uppers is that they aren’t going to provide you with any warmth in the winter time. These are definitely a summer boot, and they are suggested for hot climates by Danner.
The Tachyons fit my foot perfectly at the size I normally wear. Some manufacturers run a little big or small, but the Danner boots are dead on.
The cushioning in the boot feels good. Of course, the proof lays out on the trail and on the street. I won’t be able to wear these on duty, but I will get them out of the house during the next couple of weeks and see how they hold up.
Danner is selling the Tachyon boots at Amazon if you want to grab a pair for yourself. While I have not had these long enough to give them a solid workout, I am cautiously optimistic on how well they will perform. If you get a pair, let the rest of us know what you think in the comments below.
SHOT Show Preview
While at the 2013 SHOT Show, I went by the Danner booth to take a look at the new black and sage Tachyon boots. Danner already makes a tan pair of these new lightweight, hot-weather boot, and the black and sage versions are to fill niches in the military and law enforcement worlds that need these specific colors.
Other than the colors, the new Tachyons look and felt like the existing boots. They are very light and the uppers are very thin to reduce heat retention. I took these photos to give you an idea of what the new boots look like.
The black boots are certainly workable for law enforcement patrol unless you need a boot with a toe cap that can be polished. These boots are not anything that you can buff into any kind of shine. They are all about work and not for show. Personally, I think they look good, but a shine is something they will never have.
As many of you might recall, Danner sent me a pair of tan Tachyon boots late last year to T&E. In addition to the normal testing, I wore those Tachyon boots on two of the days I was on the SHOT Show floor. The other days I was wearing a suit, so the Tachyons had to sit in the hotel room.
I’ll have a full review of the Danner Tachyon boots soon, but I can say that they are comfortable enough to walk the SHOT Show floor all day. Standing and walking for 10+ hours on concrete sucks, but the Tachyon made the task about as comfortable as I can expect. But more on that in a few days.
Make sure you follow the 2016 SHOT Show coverage here.