Like many of you reading this, I’ve got a plethora of shoes / boots and assorted footwear in my garage. I purchase footwear throughout the year, because I’m a full-time firearms instructor, and I am on my feet about 50 hours a week, often on concrete floored ranges. As such, my 42 year old feet and knees feel it at the end of the week. Despite using various and sundry gel inserts in my fleet of range shoes, none of them have proven to be totally satisfactory.

In late May of 2020, I saw several prominent industry professionals touting the new VIKTOS brand PTXF Range Trainer shoes. Needing new work shoes, I opted to take the plunge, pay my money, and eagerly await the arrival of my new shoes.

Upon arrival, they looked every bit as good as the online adverts, and despite their sleek and utilitarian lines, this line of tactical footwear is rich in features that will endear them to those who are on their feet all day long. These shoes are available in black or OD green, and feature elastic near the mouth of the shoe, ensuring a snug, yet incredibly comfortable, fit.

For me, the break in time for the shoes was pretty much zero. I tried them on upon arrival, and wore them to work the following day. Unlike other brands, and I know that this is highly subjective, but I encountered no initial discomfort during my first day wearing them. The profile is svelte, and the VIKTOS Range Trainers aren’t as clunky as other “tactical” footwear offerings. They feel as light as they appear.

If you’re interested, here are the specs, per the manufacturer.

Rubber reinforced toe cap and heel caps for durability- Not a small detail, as a poorly designed shoe can fail to protect your toes from impact injury, such as turf toe and the like. Very well done on these shoes.

Airprene collar to keep debris out- An important feature which keeps dirt, debris and miscellaneous detritus out of our shoes and off of our feet. A very well thought out and comfortable feature which will enable you to keep your feet clear of insects, thorns and pretty much anything else that you don’t want going down inside of your shoes on the firing line.

Rugged engineered micro-vent knit chassis for breathability- I’ve worn these shoes on triple-digit days on the range in Culpeper, and not once did I feel like my feet were swimming in sweat.

Full rubber outsole for excellent outdoor traction- I’ve found the soles to be well manufactured and sufficiently “grippy” for slick floored indoor ranges.

11mm heel to toe drop- Ergonomically designed to maximize end user comfort for long days on the firing line.

EVA foam midsole increases comfort- Another well thought out feature which means that you  don’t have to drop additional cash on aftermarket insoles. These shoes are ready for duty, right out of the box.

U.S. veteran designed & developed- As a veteran myself, I do everything that I can to support other veterans in their various and sundry business ventures. Most veterans feel that service is a calling, and they continue to serve their communities long after they take the uniform off. VIKTOS is no exception, and I am proud to pay them my money and support them.

1-Year workmanship & materials warranty- Self-explanatory, but I doubt that I’ll have to use their warranty service. A very nice feature, though.

At the end of the day, here’s how I rate the Viktos PTXF Range Trainers;

PRICE $110.00  5/5 Not inexpensive, but the price is commensurate with the level of quality that you get and for the amount of workmanship exhibited in the manufacture of these shoes.

FUNCTIONALITY 4/5 I believe the tongue of the shoe should be about a half-inch longer for maximum coverage from range detritus.

WEIGHT 5/5 The shoes feel very lightweight and maintain their level of comfort throughout the workday.

DURABILITY Unsure at this point. Need more time to test. I’ve had them for about three months, but I don’t see any unusual wear or fraying.

COMFORT 5/5 The shoes were very comfortable, and no break in period was needed. Subjective, yes, and your results may vary, depending on the condition of your feet.

Long story short- if you’re on your feet for long periods of time every day, the Viktos PTXF Range Trainers are worthy of your consideration.

Material Disclosure

I purchased the product with my own money 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 on 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.