Combat Boots

[weasel_master]

I finally trashed my hiking/camping boots and need another pair. A friend of mine has some boots from ROTC and he's been telling me they work out great as long as you buy some nice insoles. Does anyone have any imput on them and where to buy some from? I assume any army surplus store has them.

[kevin]

ive worn combat boots everyday for the last 10 years almost, the last yr ive worn these http://altama.com/Tp1/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=4158 and they are the best ive found. The insole inside is really good too, the only ones ive kept in my boots, usually i would replace them the day i bought them.

They keep my feet cool and the 3 layers in the sole (middle layer very spongy) really absorbs shock well and is extremely comfortable especially on hard surfaces and rocks. They are also super easy to clean, ive got mud and oil on them many time but brushing with a stiff nylon brush gets them looking like new.
Ive stuck to altama brand boots as they have a great warranty. I had one pair several yrs ago that the eyelet came out of and they gave me NEW BOOTS! after about 7 months! Would be nice if they had black suede as well, these dont show scuffs or scratches like the other leather, and doesnt take long at all to break in

[WildBillCody]

Speaking of boots, I have brand new boot zippers, the ones that lace into the front of the boot, I have several pairs, they are free to board members, just pay shipping, probably a couple of dollars should cover it, if anyone wants a pair.

[M1 Tanker]

http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/product.php
390 DES - Hot Weather Tan Combat Boot

and

Bates makes a nice desert boot with a soft sole.

Now here is what is funny.

Ya'll pick military boots to wear hiking/camping/hunting. Military guys buy civilian boots to go hiking/camping/hunting :) I've never once worn a piece of military equipment outside of the Army....ok, except for my rigger's belt.

[kevin]

im really hard on boots, i can shred a pair of hiking boots in a weekend, the combat boots work much better for me, stops me from rolling my ankles etc. I climb on alot of rocks, and walk around in water, so boots with instep drains are nice.

also for the money you cant beat them

[WildBillCody]

Belleville or Danners are my favorite, but I can't wait to get home at night and get them off too.....
The zippers I have are Black, 9 hole, almost 9" long.

[AK AJ]

http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/product.php
390 DES - Hot Weather Tan Combat Boot

and

Bates makes a nice desert boot with a soft sole.

Now here is what is funny.

Ya'll pick military boots to wear hiking/camping/hunting. Military guys buy civilian boots to go hiking/camping/hunting :) I've never once worn a piece of military equipment outside of the Army....ok, except for my rigger's belt.

When I first read the thread I was going to suggest Corcoran jump boots which I loved but then when I heard that he was going to hike and stuff in them I decided I better not suggest those. Those who where them know they take a while to "wear in".

AJ

[wandering_ronin]

Best wearing pair of boots I've had were the pair I had converted to "tanker's boots" at the end of OSUT. There was a Korean guy who came around at the end of the cycle, and would convert the speedlace boot into tanker boots. You had a choice of sole's, and I went with what they called the "shark's tooth" sole. These things are as comfortable as tennis shoes. A very close second would be the GI Jungle boot. Not the el cheapo ones from the surplus store, but the real deal. The Danner-style boots I was issued for Bosnia are good, but too hot for wearing here in Mississippi unless it is winter time. I don't have any experience with the recent desert boots, but folks I have talked to say they are comfortable.

[weasel_master]

My friend liked the ones he had a lot as they had good ankle support, waterproof, and endured a lot. I'll have to check out the ones suggested.

[SteelCore]

but true. I like the ruggedness of some GI boots. ONly other boots that realy stood up to tromping around Iceland were some steeltoe loggers boots, and they were shredded by the end of the trip by pumice and other nasty rock.

"I have brand new boot zippers"
-->BTW, wildbill, thx 4 throwin those in on my last buy from you. They're Talon zippers (me dad used to work for Talon Zipper Co. in PA)

[Norton]

I was issued the old type combat boots in 1979 (Vietnam type?) and did not like them one bit. Latter when I was in the Reserves in the late 80s to 1991 they had a far improved type with a padded top , better sole and a quick lace set up. The leather seemed softer from the begining.. I don't know if I am remembering it right but it seemed like that at the time. We all put these padded insoles in them and they helped with long marches. I never got a blister which is more than I can say about the old 1960/70s type. I liked them a great deal and kept a pair after I got out. We also got the newer version of the Vietnam jungle boots in the late 80s. I still have my pair and they are dated 1988. They were great in the summer and anytime you were in a wet area. I wore them at the so called 'Light leaders school' we had in the late 80s(just a rehash of the basics) I can't say anything about today's boots but those late 80s early 90s boots were good boots. If you can find them buy a pair

[Bulletboy]

I love my Bates. I get all my boots with the side zippers, so I never have to dick around with laces. I also have a pair of Converse boots, which are honestly the most comfortable pair I've ever had. They're a bit too "busy" looking for me though, so I rarely wear em. I got my Bates from Sportsmans Guide for a real good deal. Well worth it.

[Optimus Prime]

+1 to the 390 Desert boots that Tanker pointed out. They're the most comfortable hot weather boots Uncle Sam has ever given me, and more comfortable than almost any I've ever bought myself.
I wore my Altima Ripples today just for the hell of it (hadn't since I was overseas) and remembered how nice they are if you're jumping in and out of trucks and doing stuff on those golf ball sized rocks that Afghanistan is covered in, but the Belleville 390's feel like a pair of sneakers if you size them right and have good insoles.

[Darkwatch]

Here's what I were everyday and I love them! Side zip, rubber (re-soleable) sole, and good tough leather. http://www.stompersboots.com/gtwy_laceup-091.php Oh and the insole is pretty good too.

[SteelCore]

Thanks 4 the link.

[Darkwatch]

Thanks and NP I love em! And Stompers boots has about the best deal on them!