In the market of “tactical” boots, there is often a work boot and a casual boot. For some time I have been looking for a footwear which would be decent enough in a business casual, as much as it would be in trucking through the city, or mud, or whatever other realm we find ourselves in. Luckily, Military 1st with their variety of options, has offered a Protektor GromLight Low 371 for that kind of, in between scenario, appropriately in gray. After wearing these boots for a couple months in environments ranging from freezing cold to Spring warm, from office to the field and from concrete to the prairie, my only through it that I wish Grom would offer this specific model in polishable all black. As you most likely know, Spotter Up and Military 1st partnership has been a thing for a while. Aside from some proven solid gear which some might call “mainstream” the company has a unique handle on kit which you can not find elsewhere. Not only that, it is quality stuff which you can have mission ready in a pinch, fast, and at a fair price.
While I usually like to post details and the background on the manufacturer, A brief snapshot of the brand, was provided by the good people of Military 1st. ” Protektor is a Polish company with roots going back to 1944 and the Footwear Factory in Lublin. That’s when and where the predecessor of today’s PROTEKTOR brand began operations. They specialize in footwear for the military, law enforcement, rescue services, and firefighters. Grom is a sub-brand with products dedicated to uniformed services, security agencies, customs officers, and border guards..” I could fins sparse info on the brand on my own. Maybe that’ why the gray is so fitting (pun intended). All I knew is that Grom means thunder in more than one Slavic language, including the name of the Polish special forces. Now, lets get down to the sole of it…
As mentioned, I wanted an all-around quality boot, suitable for a multitude of environments, and Grom Light Low 371 fit that bill. I should mention that I have not done a while lot of footwear reviews. It is such a particular product as far as preference and end-user requirements. With that said, I have consistently worn this treads with the idea of putting them through their proper paces.
The Grom Light Low 371 is a mid rise boot, which is sturdy, light and offers a solid traction outsole. I particularly enjoyed the padded ankle and solid (traditional) speed laces. The foot portion of the boot has closed eye loops, while the top ankle portion is a quick wrap, open-ended style. I like that the laces are, well – laces, and not strings. I find that with hard use this is the part that often taken the beating, and last thing I want is to buy another pair of laces after a year of use. The eyelets are solid, and work well if you like to keep your footwear snug.
The outer suede/leather resists abrasion, repels water and is pretty easy to maintain. After a trip to a local construction site, all I did was wash and dry the boots to have them ready for a business casual meeting. This works great on multi-day trips where I don’t care for packing several different types of footwear. The fact that these boots are mid rise and light, only helps in deciding what to pack. The mid rise bootie is supportive and comfortable, and reinforced padded upper works really well when they are worn for an entire day. The boots are aesthetically pleasing, and look great with denim or light dress attire. I also appreciated the padded and secured gusset tongue when wearing them in a foot-deep snow.
Some of the other listed features are:
- Metal-free scanner-safe construction
- Improved breathability for added comfort
- Increased water resistance
- Antistatic sole, acid, oil and heat resistant (to short-term contact with the hot ground at 180°C)
- Bellows tongue for added protection
- Replaceable insole for added flexibility and comfort
- PRT FLEX technology adapts to the anatomical movements of the foot
- Shock-absorbing sole technology absorbs kinetic energy and helps prevent postural defects and injuries
- Disinfectant safe (above 60% ethyl alcohol concentration)
- Upper material: Velour leather
- Lining material: Fabric
- Toe material: Thermoplastique
- Insole material: Fabric
- Sole material: PU
While the sole looks level with the deck, the use of a distinct heel makes the Grom Light Low more functional than just the commercial “sneaker” design. Often the drive for the later takes away from additional features which can be added, and these are as suitable for long walks on the beach, as they are for riding, regardless of what it is you’re riding. The decision point, particularly with work-type boots, is whether they are waterproof. While it’s tricky to match one boot for all of the environments, I feel that the addition of a waterproof membrane yields a hotter foot, and more often than not is not necessary. I appreciate the water resistant and mid-line warmth of the 371, while allowing for air circulation and day-long comfort.
At $117.86 sale price and a variety of colors, the 371 is a solid choice for an all-around tactical, comfortable, all conditions boot.
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.