The SENTINEL GTX MID is a lightweight tactical patrol boot from Italian designers AKU aimed at security personnel and first responders, writes Bob Morrison.
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It is several years since I last tried out AKU boots, though of course I have regularly kept abreast of new developments by visiting their stands at defence & security expos, so when yesterday the courier delivered a pair of the mid-height SENTINEL GTX lightweight boots I wasted little time in taking them out for an initial stroll.
Manufactured, in Vietnam, from microfibre and textile rubber-reinforced uppers moulded to shock absorbing and puncture-resistant rubber soles, the SENTINEL uses a GORE-TEX ‘More Seasons’ laminate lining sock/bootie for breathability and waterproofing. Currently available in Black or Coyote, this patrol boot is produced in both full height and mid-cut versions plus there is also a low-cut shoe version in Black. Weight for a UK Size 10 (EU44.5 / US 10.5) boot is almost exactly 600g. A quick-lace system is used with an integral lace pocket at the top of the tongue.
My initial impressions of these boots, after a Saturday afternoon pub lunch with my daughter and then an evening around town, is that they are very comfortable and need no breaking in. However to get a proper feeling for them I’ll need to wear them for a few weeks over a mix of terrain and in different weather conditions, so watch this Footwear section for a more detailed review in due course.
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