At SHOT Show 2020, we stopped by the 5.11 Tactical booth to check out some of the new products the company launched at the show. One of the most notable announcements was a major addition to the 5.11 footwear line, known as the new A.T.L.A.S. series. These shoes and boots bridge the gap between military-style duty gear and sport-oriented consumer footwear, and they place a strong emphasis on comfort while carrying heavy loads.

A.T.L.A.S. stands for All Terrain Load Assistance System, which speaks to this purpose. Most of us have experienced foot soreness while hiking or walking with a loaded backpack — all that weight is distributed onto the soles of your feet. 5.11 Tactical addressed this issue by combining a proprietary high-rebound foam with a stiff A.T.L.A.S. support plate. The plate is designed to spread your weight and offer stability, while the foam cushions each step.

The 5.11 Tactical A.T.L.A.S. line has initially launched with three models: low-cut trainer, mid-cut boot, and 8-inch boot. The latter is available in standard and side-zip variants. Note: the trainer does not include the stiffened support plate, and is therefore better-suited to comfort with lighter packs.

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These models will be offered in black and dark coyote tan. MSRP is $120 for the trainer, $140 for the mid-cut boot, and $150 for the 8-inch boot. We've already snagged a pair of the trainer shoes, so we'll be trying them out soon and reporting back with our thoughts.

For more information on the 5.11 Tactical A.T.L.A.S. line, go to 511tactical.com.

Written by Patrick McCarthy