Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS 1.5 Tactical Boots Review

Welcome to our Under Armour Men’s Valsetz Rts 1.5 tactical boots review.

The Valsetz Rts 1.5 is a lightweight multipurpose tactical boot perfect for the outdoors. That’s what you see on the official Under Armour sales page. It has an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 7,385 submitted ratings. That is something, alright!

“The Under Armour 5” Valsetz RTS 1.5 Boots combine the comfort of a running shoe and the functionality of a tactical boot.”

~Under Armour~

This article will place the boot under a microscope. With the help of my incredible, boot-wise-trusted friends, we tested and tried the boot. All in a bid to find out what the fuss was about!

Stay with me to find out whether the boot is for you!

First Impressions

What do you feel as you unbox a brand-new pair of Valsetz boots?

At first glance, the boot looks great. As good as what they display on the product pages. It has a fantastic military boot look(rises to the demand of a rugged environment) combined with a cozy and soft vibe.

There are a few things that popped up as we touched and felt the boot:

• The boot doesn’t feel as stiff as we thought it would be. By just touching and feeling the boot, it was clear that it would be flexible when worn.
• It was very light on our hands, as light as a tennis shoe. We knew the boot was lightweight but still!

The midsole is a prominent cushion for feet. It doesn’t feel very hard(or soft) against the probing of a finger. Something you’d be thankful for during a long day on your feet.

We loved the tread pattern. It is a simple pattern, unlike what you’d expect on a military boot. Don’t let that put you off, though. Despite the simplicity, the sole has a grip. How about that?

Spec and Features of the UA Valsetz Rts Tactical Boot

Here is a quick preview:

Upper Unit

The upper unit of the Valsetz boot has some great details. You can see the synthetic leather and updated textile pattern off the bat. Yes, updated from the previous version of the Rts boot.

The textile is meant to be more durable with added burliness. All while maintaining the lightweight and breathability of the Valsetz line.

The boot also features a TPU Toe cap. TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane. It is a plastic that combines elasticity and strength, resulting in a durable and flexible protective cap. Put simply, a stud among other plastics.

The thermoplastic polyurethane toe cap is mainly used as an added layer of protection. However, it has a myriad of benefits. Most functional to boot enthusiasts is temperature maintenance, electrical insulation, and ventilation. Pretty cool, right?

Wait up! We’re not done yet. The boot also has a welded polyurethane film around its perimeter.

PU is an abrasion-resistant film. The boot can thus withstand a lot of tear and wear, making it long-lasting and ideal for use in various situations.

Sole Unit

Insole

The Under Armour Valsetz tactical boot features an Ortholite sock liner. Ortholite is the leading supplier of insoles globally. Their LinkedIn profile claims that you can find their product in over 500 million pairs of footwear across all major brands.

Being so acclaimed globally, they must be doing something right. According to Under Armour, the sock liner is an antimicrobial shield. It is supposedly proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria that cause athlete’s foot.

Quicks Facts about Under Armour

UA was founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank. A former athlete himself, he used his personal experiences to design and create his products.

He must have had a telling experience since his brand has grown big enough to have Steph Curry as the its face!

I couldn’t find that anywhere during my research, but I can’t find anyone disputing it either. For now, we’ll take their word for it! As big as they are, they can’t get away with lying about that – or anything else.

Ortholite sock liner has several other benefits that could be of interest to you. Benefits such as:

• Long-term cushioning – the foam is designed to be more durable than traditional foam. It is made with a unique blend of polyurethane and other materials, making it more resistant to compression and wear. Hence, the comfort, cushioning, and performance remain the same with time.
• Moisture management – the foam’s open cell structure helps move moisture away from your skin. It leaves you drier, more relaxed, and healthier.
• Breathability – the foam allows air circulation. This helps regulate temperature and prevent excessive heat build-up.
• Lightweight – thus far, keeping the boot light was a big deal for the boot designers. It shouldn’t be surprising that they would choose components aligned with that vision.
• Washable – you can wash the foam in a machine. Don’t worry; it will still have all its awesome features afterward.

Generally, the fully contoured sock liner guarantees comfort and support all day long. Not bad!

Mid Sole

Here is where it gets interesting! The footwear is fitted with Under Armour’s acclaimed Ultralight Micro G EVA. The EVA midsole was introduced into the scene as an upgrade from earlier types of midsoles that didn’t please the industry.

UMG EVA is now the crown jewel of UA. Over the years, it has earned favorable ratings from boot performance reviewers such as Wear Testers.

In the Valsetz boot, the midsole provides support and extra cushioning. Besides the support, below are some of the things you can expect from Micro G midsole:

• Impact protection
• Longevity
• Smooth ride transition

Quick Note: Between the sock liner and midsole lies a TPU shank. It improves boot rigidity, flexibility, elasticity, and arch support/stability.

Outsole

Any boot with a rubber lug sole as the outsole is made for maximum traction. That is no different for our Valsetz boot.

Earlier, I marveled at the simple patterned yet functional tread. UA updated(in comparison to the first version) the lug design and deepened them for more bite into offroad surfaces.

The lug sole commonly features in outdoor boots since it can withstand the demands of various terrain. Of course, being abrasion-resistant helps a lot in that endeavor.

Ankle Support

We won’t be doing this boot any justice if we don’t mention its inbuilt ClutchFit ankle support system. It is your second skin. It fits and adjusts to your ankle structure as you move around.

The result is better stability and flexibility without sacrificing your comfort. You can move freely without restriction, whether strolling in the streets or hiking in the mountains.

Pros and Cons of the Under Armour Valsetz Tactical Boot

Pros

1. Extremely comfortable
2. Very light on your feet
3. Breathable upper unit
4. Excellent traction, flexibility, elasticity, and stability
5. Abrasion resistant
6. Top-grade system to support ankles
7. Multifunctional
8. Antimicrobial
9. High-quality materials and components

Cons

1. Reported durability issues from buyers
2. Not waterproof

Verdict on the Under Armour Valsetz Rts 1.5 Tactical boot

The footwear is made to offer the comfort of a typical running shoe while meeting the demands of rugged terrains. We have seen and felt the effort made to make it a great performance boot.

However, it is not without a blemish or two, like most things. Although classified as a tactical and military boot, it’s not built to last long in tactical and military settings.

That said, we think it is still worth buying. It has all the makings of great footwear. It has also lasted 6 to 8 months with most tactical and military buyers. Who’s to say it won’t last much longer with you?

We recommend using the boot on light duties to enhance durability. It will probably be your best buy if you’re not doing anything strenuous to your feet during work hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does these have an OSHA-approved safety toe?

A. Unfortunately, the boots’ toes are not OSHA-approved. They have a thermoplastic polyurethane toe cap instead of the steel and composite caps found in safety boots.

Q. Are they waterproof?

A. No, they are not waterproof!

Q. Are these true to size?

A. Yes, they are. That’s from my personal experience.