Desert Footwear: SWAT boots

A few weeks back a couple of members did some valuable research on the price (and availability at that price) of desert boots styled SWAT boots.

I’ve recently done some comparative research on these boots, to add validity to my testing the research was carried out on the same morning.

As the field had already been narrowed down to a model type I jumped straight in and went to PICNICO and tried on, for a second time, the Branded boot SWAT at a full retail price of 370AED, some discount could be negotiated bringing the price done to around 350AED.

The boot itself was the 9inch valence model and fitted very comfortably with ample padding in the tongue and an easily laced eyelet system plus the very convenient side zip, with a solid sole plate & thread pattern. This boot is made in Cambodia for an American company. It is a good product

Following a hunch I then went to Dragon Mart and conscientiously searched for a supplier of a similar product. :
ymhug: Bingo, in a back alley in a booth selling safety and security products I found a ‘visually’ almost identical product.

The construction is very similar, the level of comfort is not. There wasn’t as much overall padding, especially in the boot tongue. The lacing is also slightly different but the side zip is identical. The overall appearance is very very close to the branded SWAT boot that I tried on an hour earlier. The weight of the boot is fractionally but noticeably less, possibly because the sole plate is of a lighter material, the thread pattern is also a little different. The price I paid; 90AED.

I purchased a pair of these boots and am in the process of testing to destruction, by which I mean; wearing them in action behind the wheel of my ride and in the desert. So far so good, their lightness is a positive advantage for my ageing muscles 😀

The shop can be found by going into Dragon Mart via entrance EB under the Nahkeel sign turning right at the first junction – right at the next junction and 10metres further on taking the left hand fork – about 30/40metres on the left, a small shop. The shop is called YONGJIN TRADING FZCO is shop number EBL09 (they also have number IAJ02.09 but I don’t know what this number refers to)

The shop is run my a husband and wife team, her name is Veena Hou, her English is passable but Mr Hou’s is sketchy, there is a mobile number one could call to check availability of sizing 0505019038, (I have not tested this mobile number B-)
PS tried uploading a photo of them but no luck!