Boots Boots Boots... 62 boot threads in one [Archive] - Page 5

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Uwe

01-16-2008, 10:47 PM

I think a saw one photo of KSK from A-stan?

And they (some one them) had - Meindl Desert All Terrain shoes.

http://www.finnaccuracy.com/kuvat/meindl/Meindl_DesertAllTerrain_big.jpg

Jarhead

01-17-2008, 03:34 AM

thank you very much for all response :)

you buy with ASMC ? and for the size is the same with lowa ?

I bought mine on ebay(brand new)...I was just issued the normal BW-Kampfstiefel.
Size must be the same, they came in the army-size.
For example 270/106 (length/wide)

boy1000

01-17-2008, 03:04 PM

Its Goretex
I cant compare it with LOWAs because I haven´t worn anyone yet
Its a good pair of boots, no matter what you do, you can march in them for hours without problems.

Have a look on the boot threat.
For what are you going to buy this boots?

Please remember it is VERY individual.

I have a narrow foot, I like the Lowa in Europe rainy cold areas, in hot areas Meindl Dessert.

yankee

01-17-2008, 03:24 PM

hi all peoples

for you what is the gsg9 operator shoes ?

for me pictures 1 haix ranger BGS
and pictures 2 same or ranger gsg9

is correct for you ?
yankee :)

Albatross

01-17-2008, 03:25 PM

boots, black. anything else?

boone

01-17-2008, 03:28 PM

I forget the name but I think the same company that makes "Blood Diamond cargo pants" makes these boots.

clean

01-17-2008, 03:30 PM

I'm much more interested in Cousin Itts woodland camo outfit in the first pic.

Andreas

01-17-2008, 03:42 PM

............................

edit

hank

01-17-2008, 03:43 PM

......................................editx2

Andreas

01-17-2008, 03:45 PM

http://pixjet.net//img/03d86f05b11d876575b69304eedd6e0d/Bilde000.jpg

OMFG I have these, does this mean im actually in the KSK without my knowing?p-)

Jarhead

01-17-2008, 03:52 PM

Please remember it is VERY individual.

I have a narrow foot, I like the Lowa in Europe rainy cold areas, in hot areas Meindl Dessert.
Dude I was talking about the common BW-BERGSTIEFEL&KAMPFSTIEFEL not about the TROPENSTIEFEL

DeltaWhisky58

01-17-2008, 05:24 PM

Closed - this topic is getting ridiculous.

Yankee - listen to what the guys here have told you. It's time you learnt to do a bit of research for yourself. As for your obsessive footwear fetish (BTW they are boots, not shoes), see a psychiatrist or a very expensive hooker.

Ninja - you've been playing too many computer games and reading Ravage's posts.

You've just joined the SAKOTW list for this week.

gilgoul

01-18-2008, 08:30 PM

GrimReaper

01-18-2008, 09:25 PM

Out of boredom, I took a look on ebay to see if there was any boots and other equipment from the idf for sale.
I was kind of impressed by the sheer number of items.
But mainly, I saw those boots (http://cgi.ebay.fr/Bottes-militaire-TSAHAL-IDF-Noire_W0QQitemZ220192759373QQihZ012QQcategoryZ57936QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), they are apparently brand new.
I even consider getting them as a back up, but my bank seems to disaprove my bying overseas :/
1. why even bother to buy? even if you don't have two pairs, it isn't that hard to replace them today. Every battalion drill in zeelim in the past years, I have had the option to do it (not to mention through the brigade).
2. Just use paypal , any Israeli international credit card can be used.

Btw, those boots are stolen, illegal to buy and sell.

FutureGrunt

01-19-2008, 03:33 AM

Those boots look like total crap. Are they somewhat comfortable at least?

GrimReaper

01-19-2008, 06:04 AM

Well, I wouldn't call them crap, and not really uncomfortable (with low weight), and unlike our old model boot I can actually wear them without added insoles.
However they are defiantly not at all on the level of modern western army boots or commercial boots. Basically somthing like the old US jumpboot , except with a modern synthetic sole+insole (but not very hightech). Not good enough to keep warm in cold conditions, but also bad ventilation in warm weather (complete leather upper).
Most of our more dedicated combat troops are allowed to use various civilian hiking boots.

Hoodless

01-19-2008, 07:35 AM

bah, not even red, useless :P

getting equipment replaced seems to be damn near impossible. i buggered off to do a course and came back to find someone had stolen my spare boots. and they tell me i cant get another spare pair untill i have a mishpat....so far i've been waiting 5 bloody months.

imo these boots are cheap and cheerful. when its cold absolute turd. even with 2-3 pairs of socks on (which is quite a squeeze) my feet are still numb. at least have a better option for kravi.

gilgoul

01-19-2008, 08:41 AM

That's the point.
Unless you have a pretty good combina, it is almost impossible to get the "kallot" in at any training base (I tried in tseelim and lachish).
And when deployed, who has the phucking time to go bug some Rasag in a base you'll never go back to to get brand new boots.
After I accepted once a pair of kvedot, it took me a lot of effort to eventually being able to change them for the newer barvazim, and even if they aren't the best boots ever, they still do the job.

@Hoodless
For winter, use one pair of thin silk socks under a thicker wool (real wool) socks, it works wonders.
The silk is a natural insulator, and the wool, especially merinos, keeps warm even when wet.
Much better than stuffing too many socks, thus blocking the blood stream and creating even more temperature loss.

tanks_alot

01-19-2008, 08:50 AM

First of all you can buy light IDF boots at Crazy Richarde's in Dizingof center for around 400 NIS. now i really don't understand though why would you want to buy boots. in my reserve unit, during the first day of training at every deployment, we are asked if we want to replace our boots and even encouraged to do so, later during the deployment if we need to replace them with just give them to our Rasap and he takes care of it, as with any other equipment we need. and even guys that somehow managed to lose their boots, eventually got new ones without a trial or anything.

IsraDani

01-19-2008, 08:51 AM

lol... why dont use paypal? whats the matter,btw? of buying them I mean? there are many more confortable in every hiking shop :)

GrimReaper

01-19-2008, 09:04 AM

That's the point.
Unless you have a pretty good combina, it is almost impossible to get the "kallot" in at any training base (I tried in tseelim and lachish).
And when deployed, who has the phucking time to go bug some Rasag in a base you'll never go back to to get brand new boots.
After I accepted once a pair of kvedot, it took me a lot of effort to eventually being able to change them for the newer barvazim, and even if they aren't the best boots ever, they still do the job.

Are you talking about problem getting a new spare pair? if so, it is hard exactly as it should be.
However if you're talking about replacment, I personally didn't have problems replacing mine or my soldiers in every major drill we had in zeelim. There is mostly a boot replacement truck on Sundays which lets replace on your own, and of course if you have a competent quartermaster there shouldn't be a problem as he'll have a small stock ready.
Unless you don't belong to a regular combat battalion/unit (as opposed to 2nd line/territorial) and then it may be harder I presume.

little icebear

01-19-2008, 10:40 AM

bah, not even red, useless :P

Exactly what I thought. p-)

NeverDown

01-22-2008, 12:27 AM

I'm looking for a top of the line hiking boot that will last me... I’m going to the outback for a month and whatever I wear has to be durable, lightweight, good looking, and comfortable. Need suggestions please.

Hollis

01-22-2008, 12:28 AM

NeverDown

01-22-2008, 12:39 AM

yeah yeah yeah... I need something specific for the element I’m going to.

Maine Finn

01-22-2008, 01:05 AM

Hollis

01-22-2008, 01:07 AM

yeah yeah yeah... I need something specific for the element I’m going to.

Looks like you need to pass out a crystal ball so we know what the heck you are going to use them for.

LaoSexMachine

01-22-2008, 01:07 AM

T3ngu

01-22-2008, 01:09 AM

outback? as in oz?

For the outback, i recommend thongs, if you want to go all out, get some double pluggers.

zonk

01-22-2008, 01:25 AM

yeah yeah yeah... I need something specific for the element I’m going to.a good set of listening ears might be in order.....and an explanation as to what you will be doing out there, mountain climbing cross country trekking...what?

LaoSexMachine

01-22-2008, 01:29 AM

are you going to roughing it or more like summer camp?

NeverDown

01-22-2008, 01:38 AM

Outback as in Australia... and the boots will go through hell.

rhino

01-22-2008, 01:39 AM

goodness, why would someone need "good looking" in the outback???
unless its brockback???

get gucci's, they are quite popular, especially among special types

T3ngu

01-22-2008, 01:41 AM

Outback as in Australia... and the boots will go through hell.

Ok working or playing.

You can get some really comfy safety boots if working, if playing, im not so sure, depends where you will be going, and if it will be wet.

More hints?

Maine Finn

01-22-2008, 01:42 AM

Outback as in Australia... and the boots will go through hell.

As said above. L.L. Bean.

LaoSexMachine

01-22-2008, 01:43 AM

Outback as in Australia... and the boots will go through hell.

what will you be doing? roughing it or more like summer camp?

NeverDown

01-22-2008, 01:48 AM

Roughing it hiking and rucking alot

Buckeye67

01-22-2008, 01:58 AM

As mentioned, try using the search function and reading the various threads about boots.

TacoDelRio

01-22-2008, 03:56 AM

I can't think of anythign that WON'T work for you, at the moment.

James

01-22-2008, 07:07 AM

Vasque Sundowner Classics with Superfeet insoles. They are glorious.

AROUETLJ

01-22-2008, 10:49 AM

I recently took a leap of faith and bought a pair of Salomon Revo SCS Goretex. And I think they may be on to something here.... I haven't used them long enough to comment on durability, but support, sole traction and comfort are top notch. As for the weight, I think they're among the lightest hiking boots on the market. I'd have gone for the GCS model, but I couldn't find it anywhere in France.

BillyShears

01-22-2008, 11:18 AM

You should be able to wiggle all your piggies, but still have your heel nice and snug. Always bung 2 pair of socks on; a thinner cotton pair and your thick issue wools. Speaking of boots, I've just managed to wear out a 3 month old pair of Danners. Wank. Stick with good old go-fasters!

SuperCavitator

01-22-2008, 01:57 PM

Roughing it hiking and rucking alot

Dunham MWH901 Wafflestompers.

Lightweight ATVs for your feet. A little heavier, but sturdier, than the Salomon Revos. More supportive and flexible than the Vasque Sundowners.

bluffcove

01-22-2008, 05:05 PM

US issue dessies?
UK Junglies?

Recce_Plt

01-22-2008, 05:13 PM

Outback... probably dry and a lot of brush. Want something lightweight and comfortable that won't bake your feet... leather will be too hot and won't breath. Prolly want something like a goretex boot if you want to fork out a bunch of cash. A pair of reasonably priced Merrells or even sports shoes (Nikes or trail running shoes...) would prolly work for you. Probably want a mid high ankle to keep the rocks and crap out... or a short gaiter... and definitely want a pair of thongs for end of the day, let your feet breath.. cheap ones... search REI "hiking shoes" "hiking boots" "hiking footwear". The gucci brands are Asolo, Zamberlan, Vasque, La Sportiva, Lowa...

James

01-22-2008, 07:06 PM

Hell, get some Blundies, they've been good there for more than a hundred years.

T3ngu

01-22-2008, 07:10 PM

Hell, get some Blundies, they've been good there for more than a hundred years.

Blundies aren't as good as they used to be comfort wise (in some models) but they are a nice good value boot. I have 3 or 4 pairs.

bvvelzen

01-22-2008, 07:21 PM

Meindl Lhotse, a bit warm with the goretex but they feel good and last longer than one month

TacoDelRio

01-22-2008, 08:01 PM

What James said regarding Smartwool socks.

I wear several pairs of thick socks at times, depending on activity, terrian, temperature, etc.

And sometimes black toenails falling off is just part of the fun. ;)

Dspec

01-22-2008, 08:01 PM

Try a set of Taipans.

They are aussie made and designed for the bush.

http://www.highmark.com.au/

Ghostryder

01-22-2008, 08:05 PM

Hell, get some Blundies, they've been good there for more than a hundred years.

Word

www.blundstone.com

Carib

01-22-2008, 09:02 PM

After searching the internet and this site, I am still at odds about which brands of desert boots are most prevalent within the Canadian and UK armies. If some of the more knowledgable could enlighten me as to what boots soldiers from these two countries commonly use I would be quite appreciative.

Just some brands i.e. Altama, Bates, Belleville, Danner, etc.

Hope this isn't asking too much, thanks in advance!

PS I had a pic of a Canadian trooper sitting in some dust at an outpost eating an MRE; and it depcited the boots I'm speaking of quite well. Lost the pic :-(

DnA

01-22-2008, 09:04 PM

In Canada we are now issued the Boulet Desert Boots. Some guys who have medical chits for othodics get SWATs, Danners, Bellevilles, etc

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5359/cimg0679et0.th.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg0679et0.jpg)

I also picked up a pair of the old Altama Desert Boots; I prefer them over the new issue.

NeverDown

01-22-2008, 11:37 PM

cool. thanks for the help... im looking for somthing that looks like the Navados Traverse

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KU%2BY841EL._AA280_.jpg

TacoDelRio

01-22-2008, 11:43 PM

If you're gonna be on yer feet constantly, running around, I'd get a pair of Salomon XA Pro 3D's or similar shoes. I've put a bazillion miles on two pairs of them. Ha a pair of Merrell Chameleons which look just like what you posted, and they were absolute crap.

Whammo: http://www.argear.com/

Problem with that is you'd probably want to wear gators, since crap will get into your shoes since they're not boots, not high tops, etc.

gaijinsamurai

01-23-2008, 12:05 AM

Vasque hiking boots have worked well for me. I've worn them in Central American jungles, the Kuwaiti desert, and mountains of Oregon and Hokkaido. I've only had two pairs, because they last so long!

Ubar

01-23-2008, 04:20 AM

The new/current British issue ones are Meindl desert fox

Not sure who manufacturered the previous ones

Carib

01-23-2008, 11:30 AM

Does anyone recall the pic I mentioned above... about the Canadian who is sitting against somekind of wall in a FOB, he's covered with dust and dirt eating an MRE and you can see his boots very well?

DnA

01-23-2008, 02:26 PM

Theres lots of pics like that, dunno the exact one you are referring to though. I'll search around my stuff though. I might have it.

Carib

01-23-2008, 02:37 PM

thanks for the help thus far DnA, sorry I couldn't be more specific. When I install my old hard drive later I will upload the pic...

Roy Batty

01-23-2008, 06:53 PM

A lot of guys are still being issued the "Tan JungleBoot" desert boots (myself included). They suck and contributed greatly to wrecking my left knee over the years. There is a big shortage in the CF of the new desert boots.

The SWATs ect are no longer going to be issued despite chits. The new boots are orthotic friendly and negate the need for Gucci boots.....................hence why I am force to spend $350 out of my pocket on boots for my roto!

DnA

01-23-2008, 07:58 PM

All the guys in Battalion who have a chit were able to get Desert SWATs, Danners, etc, etc.

Defanged-DDG

01-23-2008, 08:54 PM

I really can't help at all with the actual topic and subject of this thread but I think the pic of the guy eating is in this thread. It's A pic of a Canadian soldier eating, and you get a pretty good look at his boots.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=127532

Vince S

01-23-2008, 09:29 PM

Wasn't the last batch of Boulet returned to manufacturer because they had major defects?

VMICadetJNA

01-23-2008, 10:55 PM

During Bulldog prep course today, the First Classmen who finished OCS last summer (6 Week Bulldog) mentioned that it would be a good idea to buy a pair of Bates Lite boots for boots and utes runs. They all highly recommended them for PT, save for one guy who said he bought a pair but preferred the issued Jungles. I was wondering if anybody here had any experience or advice on the subject ( durability, comfort, traction, weight,) basically if its worth the money. I have 10 weeks to wear them at OCS and I'd rather not make my first mistake before I get there...
Thanks.

James

01-24-2008, 07:55 AM

VMICadetJNA

01-24-2008, 08:37 AM

Don't buy anything. You'll get issued everything you need. If you want some during TBS, fine, but I don't think you'll be allowed to keep anything personally purchased during OCS.

THat said, I've been away from the FM for more than a decade now. Perhaps this is a kinder, gentler Marine Corps?
I can understand that, but from what I hear I'm supposed to come with a pair of boots that are already broken in, thus my predicament.
My dad actually said the same thing, that everything should be issued to you, but from what my instructors and First Classman say, i need to come with a pair of boots...

Carib

01-24-2008, 01:29 PM

I was issued a pair of Bates and Bellevilles. Only priors and active duty enlisted were told to bring their boots. All others got what they were given. Needless to say the Bates sucked and the Belleville's were much better.

You might want to try it no matter what though because trust me both pairs will get f'd up. So keep one pair that you are issued as a spare set for inspections. Make sure though that the two pair you use are different brands as the sergeant instructors routinely make you don different ones for different field activities.

Yeoman

01-24-2008, 07:16 PM

Wasn't the last batch of Boulet returned to manufacturer because they had major defects?

like being a terrible boot to begin with?
was one of the first to get issued those pieces of garbage. I'm not wearing them. just walking two km in them and you get blisters on your heels. everyone had that problem. got to the point where the Sgt-Maj gave us the okay to go out and purchase our own boots.

James

01-24-2008, 07:21 PM

I can understand that, but from what I hear I'm supposed to come with a pair of boots that are already broken in, thus my predicament.

I'd double check... Are there any other things you were told you were supposed to bring? Someone might be pulling your leg... ;)

Pete031

01-24-2008, 07:28 PM

Those new desert boots are junk. WTF is with that liner? I never wore them at all in A-Stan, just ASOLO's.
BlackHawk Warriors are GTG too.

Pete031

01-24-2008, 07:30 PM

Does anyone recall the pic I mentioned above... about the Canadian who is sitting against somekind of wall in a FOB, he's covered with dust and dirt eating an MRE and you can see his boots very well?

This the one?

Roy Batty

01-24-2008, 07:46 PM

BTW...in this fabulous age where the CF is letting most 8" black boots slide here is a site that might be of interest:

http://www.botachtactical.com/focl.html

They ship to Canada. :D

DnA

01-24-2008, 10:16 PM

Those new desert boots are junk. WTF is with that liner? I never wore them at all in A-Stan, just ASOLO's.
BlackHawk Warriors are GTG too.

They keep my feet warm when I'm walking around Shilo right now... yea that can't be good for a desert boot.. ain't gonna be wearing them overseas much it at all.

LthrnckZero

01-24-2008, 10:44 PM

Unless it has changed since I went to OCS (almost 5 years ago), you should be able to still bring a pair of your own boots. I think I even took a pair of my black jungle boots, as that was back when they were still authorized.

As far as Bates, I hate them. I was issued a pair of the Bates jungle boots at OCS, and they were horribly uncomfortable. Bates didn't cover up all the seems and edges on the inside, so many people had their feet torn up. I specifically remember the heel cup on mine tore the skin off my achilles on both feet. Plus, if they got muddy(which they will) they turned a very dark, almost blackish color that no one could get rid of. Once I figured out how much they sucked, I only wore them if my Bellevilles were soaked. Bates boots were almost universally despised in my OCS company.

After OCS I went and bought a pair of Belleville jungle boots and have never worn my Bates since then. They are almost like a pair of sneakers, and are perfect for boots and utes runs. Not sure if your 1/Cs told you, but you will hardly ever do any PT gear runs at OCS. It's basically your initial and final PFT, and a few other events in between, but otherwise you will be doing PT in boots and utes the rest of the time.

LthrnckZero

01-24-2008, 10:48 PM

I just went back and reread your original post and I'm confused by something. You started off talking about Bulldog, which refers specifically to Golf Company during the summer and is a 6 week course. But, in the end of your post you mention 10 weeks, which is the OCC length of time. I know I went to Bulldog with VMI guys, so why are you going to the 10 week course?

Waterman

01-25-2008, 04:05 AM

x2 to Taco's reccomendation. Unless you are hauling around some big pack and you need the ankle support, a good trail runner is a much more comfortable, cool, lighter, better breathing choice.

Since the outback is mostly dry, skip anything with the gore-tex type lining. All that does is impare the feet's ability to breathe, which is crucial to comfort in the heat (and not to mention soggy socks and the foot issues they cause). Skip the cotton socks too, go with something fairly light and breatheable. Patagonia, Smartwool, DeFeet all make high quality active socks that will breathe and dry quickly. Carry a couple of pairs and change them out throughout the day to keep your feet going good. Duct tape on top of blisters/hot spots is the best way to go....not pretty, but it will keep you able to keep moving.

I am a veteran adventure racer and off road triathlete, so I do lots of runs and hikes with day packs in hot weather, and I have never felt under shoed with trail runners on. Check places like ARgear.com, REI.com, Mountaingear.com and Roadrunnersports.com for a selection.

I prefer the lightest, most breatheable shoes I can get, since they won't weigh me down at the end of a long day. Take some time to wear whatever you get around a bit before your trip so that your feet get used to them.

VMICadetJNA

01-25-2008, 09:44 AM

The VMI Bulldog Prep course, its a semester long course that is supposed to teach you basics like 5 paragraph order and to help get you in shape for the PT at OCS. of the 28 guys going to OCS this summer from VMI, I think maybe 24 of them are going to Bulldog, the rest of us are doing PLC Seniors or 10 week. I personally am doing the 10 weeker cause I guess I'm just not Hurrah enough for Bulldog.
I heard alot about the Bellevilles, I just haven't been able to find a USMC issue pair....I think I may make a trip up to Quantico Boots and try out the options.

Got any more advice?
Thanks

Carib

01-25-2008, 11:53 AM

This the one?

Unfortunately no... Now as i am remembering more about the photograph, it seems that he was reading or writing a letter... My bad

LthrnckZero

01-25-2008, 12:20 PM

This is gouge I wrote up for my underclassmen after I finished OCS. The SULE I/II section might not be the way things are done anymore, but the rest should still be true. This was almost 5 years ago and I heard that SULE has changed since then.

These notes are just my opinion of things that may or may not be important at OCS. Your experience at OCS will vary depending on when you go and especially on the way your staff runs things. With that said, don’t take this as gospel because things constantly change.

GENERAL

1. Always address people by their appropriate billet i.e. Sgt Instructor or Plt Sgt. Doing otherwise could result in an essay. For example, don’t call the Plt Sgt a Sgt Instructor. Also, know how to report in properly because you will do it many times at OCS.
2. Follow the essay format exactly; it should be posted by the scribe’s table. If you don’t follow it, you may have to write your essay again.
3. Being sick: You will get sick. There really is no avoiding the candidate crud. It is like a minor head cold. You will cough constantly and need to blow your nose often. It does not really drain you of your energy, it’s just annoying. Once you get it, accept it and move on. Don’t try to use it as an excuse, and don’t feel sorry for yourself because everybody else has the same thing.
4. Always always always lock your foot locker and wall locker and ensure that they are zeroed. Same thing with your cable lock. Also give them a yank to make sure they actually locked, especially the cable lock. If not, your stuff will be spread all around the squad bay when you get back, and an unlocked locker can destroy your eval if you are a billet holder.
5. Ensure everything you own is marked with your name in some way, unless you don’t care about losing it. Your stuff will constantly get mixed with other people’s stuff, and unless it is marked, people probably wont give it back.
6. Always plan ahead. Don’t plan on doing something at the last minute, because Murphy’s Law is the law at OCS.
7. Don’t always trust the word you receive, and don’t always assume that the schedule you are told is correct. We were told we had an exam the next day but it was actually scheduled for that day, so many people didn’t have a chance to study.
8. Carry your AP brush in your pocket for easy access. Take any opportunity to clean your weapon because it will always be dirty. Clean your weapon as soon as possible, and keep it as dry as possible because they rust very quickly.
9. Never sleep in your rack, unless you want to make it every morning. Sleep on top of your rack, using your poncho liner as a blanket if you are cold. Or, sleep in your cammies to stay warm, since that will save you time getting dressed in the morning.
10. Wake up before reveille. You wont have time to get everything done if you wait until reveille to start getting dressed and everything else you need to do in the morning.
11. The schedule says “free time” from 2100-2200 just about every night, but that pretty much never happens until later on in OCS. Most things such as writing letters are done after lights out in your rack.
12. Buy Staedtler Lumocolor permanent pens for mapping. Buy the 0.4mm version, and buy the correction pen which you have to purchase separately from the others. They are available at the PX, but considering how many other candidates want to buy them, don’t count on the PX having anything in stock.
13. Buy bore cleaning patches, otherwise you will have to use paper towels or toilet paper. You may also want to buy bore cleaner, but it’s not necessary.
14. Buy the biggest black permanent marker you can find for remarking your “G” marked PT shirts. The spray paint eventually fades and you may have to remark them.
15. If you receive a package in the mail, you have to open it in front of the Sgt Instructors. If there is food, you will get it once you are on liberty(maybe). Sgt Instructors also feel all envelopes for pictures or anything suspicious. All pictures have to be shown to the Sgt Instructor.
16. Your gear(782 gear) can be replaced if it is broken, but you have to go to supply to do it. If you lose something, you will probably have to pay for it. If you lose a BFA, you have to pay for and acquire it yourself. It costs about $21 at the army-navy store outside the main gate, so don’t lose it. Whenever you have it on your rifle, constantly check to make sure it is tight.
17. You don’t need a second pair of go fasters.
18. You do need foot spray for odor and athlete’s foot.
19. Shower at least once a day. Sounds like common sense but not everybody does it for some reason.
20. Save everything edible from your MRE’s including drink mixes. About the only things that should be discarded are the heaters and various items from the accessory packets. Save the TP, moist towelettes, and gum from the accessory packets. If there is something in your MRE that you are sure that you will not eat, trade it away for something else. Or, give it away and hope that people remember your “unselfishness” when it comes time for evals.
21. Stay awake in class and keep your buddies awake. Some instructors love to make examples of sleeping candidates, others don’t. If you are falling asleep, drink water or go through the lesson and find the answers to all the ELO’s.
22. For exams, the ELO’s are the test questions. Watch out for ELO’s that say to select the events leading up to something, or are just generally broad. Those are usually the hard questions because that ELO may cover a page or two of info.
23. Wear your black boots whenever allowed, especially when they may get dirty. The new boots are extremely hard to get clean and take forever to dry. Bring a suede eraser or regular eraser, it helps mildly to clean the new boots. Also, some of the new jungle boots will turn to a grayish color when they get dirty and there really isn’t much you can do about it. Also, the new jungle boots are about useless. I never wore mine after about week 3. Put a set of boot inserts in the new ICB’s and they are almost like a pair of regular shoes. Others have expressed the exact opposite feeling about the new boots, saying they love the jungles but hate the ICB’s. Personally, I feel the ICB’s are much more comfortable, with a great deal more padding in the sole.
24. Shoot as few blanks as possible. It makes it much easier to clean your rifle later on. There are some motivators who want to shoot blanks all the time, so you could give your blanks to them. At the end of a session where blanks are fired(such as the combat course, or SULE problems), there will always be extra blanks that have to be fired. They will ask for volunteers to shoot off the extras, or may just pick people to do it. If they look your way when they are trying to pick people to fire off the extras, make yourself invisible.
25. Don’t blow off practice events because your score on that practice event could be used for your real score should the real event be cancelled. This happened for my company on the night land nav, and almost happened for the E-Course.
26. TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET. Your feet will get beat to hell and will adversely affect most other aspects of your performance at OCS.
27. Don’t be an ass kisser, but do your best to impress the platoon commander. His final command evaluation is worth 25%, which is just as much as your overall PT score and your academic GPA.
28. Always be studying the candidate regs, or at least look like you are studying them. It keeps the staff off your ass for the most part, and you need to know pretty much everything in there anyway.
29. Platoon Commanders are not your friends. They can be, and often are, just as mean as the Sgt Instructors and Plt Sgts. Don’t expect them to treat you any differently because they are officers.
30. Sling arms is the only carry allowed on humps. Don’t carry your rifle down by your side with your thumb through the carry handle and fingers around the slip ring. This could result in an essay.
31. The OCS motto should be changed from “Ductus Exemplo” to “Too Many Chiefs, Too Few Indians”. It gets pretty annoying because everyone thinks they have the right answer and wants to take charge. This is especially true during drill.
32. Know how to roll your sleeves. It’s just one more thing for people to think you are nasty if you don’t do it properly.
33. Dirt in your muzzle is a major time penalty(5 minutes if I remember correctly) on most graded courses such as the CRT and E-Course. You will have a chance to wash your muzzle in the ford towards the end of each.
34. If it’s on the packing list for a hump, take it. If they decide to check packs and you don’t have something, it could be considered an integrity violation. This didn’t happen, at least that I saw, and I didn’t have everything for every hump. But, it’s a possibility so I’d make every effort to take everything.
35. If you wash your cammie cover or boonie and then dry it in the dryer, it will shrink significantly.
36. Mark the top of the seat of your campstool in some unique way. I accidentally spilled a bunch of brown cammie paint on mine during the day land nav, but it made it much easier to find when my campstool was in the middle of a company of campstools.
37. If you learn it during bulldog, you’re going to see it again at OCS. So, to make your life easier, you may want to be as solid on that information as possible before you arrive at OCS. That way, you can focus more on new material or things you are struggling with instead of relearning old information.
38. Know your map junk.
39. When preparing for OCS, do as much of your PT in boots and utes as possible. Besides the PFT’s, only one or two runs at OCS are in PT gear, everything else is boots and utes or full utilities. Running is the most important aspect of PT, and falling out of a run is like wearing a big sign that says “hit me on evals”.
40. When you are issued gear, look at it carefully to make sure it functions properly. You can get it replaced later, but not soon enough and it is annoying.
41. Plt Sgts wear black belts, Sgt Instructors wear green belts. Learn it, and don’t forget it.
42. POV to OCS if at all possible. Otherwise, you are bumming a ride or paying for a cab when you have liberty.
43. Do not bring any type of drugs i.e. medication or vitamins, you wont get to keep it.
44. You will be “issued”(meaning you will purchase) 9 PT shirts, 6 pairs of boot socks, and 6 pairs of dress socks. Also, 2 web belts with brass tips(not anodized) and one set of PT sweats.
45. Bring a small but useful pair of scissors i.e. big enough to cut through web belts and boot inserts. The sewing kit you are issued has a pair of scissors, but they’re about as useful as a life preserver made of cement.
46. There is no need to bring civie underwear because the only time you can wear it is during liberty. Just wear a pair of silkies as underwear, or if you are so inclined, you are issued 3 pairs of white briefs so you can wear them instead.
47. To save your dignity, only let the OCS staff know that you require glasses if you can not function without them. Otherwise, you’ll be wearing the ugliest glasses known to man.
48. Some of the classroom instructors at OCS seem to know very little about what they are teaching. If what the instructor says goes against what it said in your knowledge book, go with the book. Also, consult your fellow candidates if you are unsure about something because chances are, one of them knows if what the instructor is saying is true or not. For example, the land nav instructor for my company didn’t know what a 1:25,000 scale map was. Just try not to laugh too loudly at the instructor when he screws up something and every candidate in the room knows he’s wrong.

LthrnckZero

01-25-2008, 12:22 PM

Continued.....

2. SULE I/II

1. Practice writing your skeleton now. If you have a free minute, write one out. Or, if you can’t stay awake during one of the classes, write out a skeleton. You need to be able to write the skeleton as easy as if you were signing your name. Remember, you only have 2 minutes to do it during SULE II.
2. In the 5 paragraph order, write TSUALE instead of SALUTE. The situation is read in that order and it makes things much easier to write things in the appropriate place.
3. Waterproof notebooks(the green ones) really are waterproof. I accidentally left mine in my pocket during one of the courses where you get soaked(IMC I think), but it was fine. You can actually take them in the shower and scrub the dirt off and they’ll be fine. The problem is that regular pens don’t always write that well on the green paper. The map pens work pretty well until they get wet, and then they are completely useless. They can be dried out, but it’s annoying. Sweat from my hand got my waterproof notebook paper wet while I was writing my order for SULE II, so I missed the entire RTO while I was trying to dry my map pen. I heard of people using a regular lead pencil with their green notebooks and not having trouble, but I don’t know. Some people used laminated paper and a grease pencil for writing their order, which seemed to work well. Grease pencils are available in Q-town.
4. Make sure your weapon is condition 4 when you go to make your report.
5. Adequately camouflage your skin. Also, camouflage you gear with leaves and such. They don’t tell you that your gear has to be camouflaged, but you will lose points on your problem if it isn’t. Camouflage is continuous as much of it will either fall off or sweat off. If you don’t continuously fix it, your nice fancy cammie paint job will pretty much be gone in a few hours.
6. During SULE II, you will do 3 SULE problems between each LRC run, then it repeats. LRC runs really suck. If you want to be in the same squad with someone during SULE, fall in behind them when you have your huge company formation when you set your campstools down.
7. LRC runs are timed, but I didn’t hear of anyone failing the LRC run. I think it’s just part of your overall score for your LRC problem.
8. After the company finishes SULE II, the atmosphere at OCS becomes noticeably more relaxed. This means less yelling, Sgt Instructor games, and just general B.S.

3. LAUNDRY

1. Mark all your clothing with either a laundry pen(rub-a-dub) or your marking kit. Pretty much everything else washes out. This is especially important for your cammies. Cammies will become “lost” in the wash, and if your cammies aren’t marked then too bad.
2. Do laundry as often as possible, even if it’s only a set of pt gear.

4. LIBERTY

1. THOROUGHLY iron your civies before you try to go on your first liberty. Your civies must be clean, wrinkle free, and not frayed at the bottom. Hopefully your trousers are not pleated in the front, because they are virtually impossible to get the wrinkles out of. Whenever you try to go on your first liberty, don’t expect to get out of there at 1600. A Sgt Instructor has to approve your civilian attire before you can leave, and no matter how perfect you think your stuff is, they’ll find something wrong every time for about the first hour of trying to check out. As time passes, the Sgt Instructor’s standards slowly get relaxed and eventually everyone gets to leave. I didn’t get to check out until around 1800 or 1830. I also had to borrow a pair of trousers from a guy that was approved to leave. So, once someone’s civies are ok’d, start borrowing trousers.
2. Liberty technically goes until 1600 on Sundays, but there is an accountability formation at 1530. So, that means you really need to plan on getting back to the squad bay around 1500. Don’t try to time getting back down to the last minute, because traffic in the area sucks, especially on 95.
3. Fire watch goes on liberty, so don’t make any huge plans for liberty because it goes quickly. Fire watch also goes during liberty on family day. So, either find a friend to take your watch for free, pay somebody to take it, or suck it up. The going rate for taking a watch seemed to be around $50-$60.
4. Priorities on liberty should be a good meal or five and some rest, drinking should not. Do not plan on driving far or doing physical activity. Liberty is your time to be lazy and recover, take advantage of it.
5. Don’t plan on buying anything candidate related at the PX while on liberty. Chances are, a bunch of other candidates need the same thing and the PX is always out of exactly what you need.

5. CHOW HALL

1. Eat as much as possible in the chow hall, you will constantly be hungry. Get a variety of foods such as salad, fruit, and desert. Also, don’t be afraid to drink something other than water at the chow hall. Take napkins from the chow hall because there is never TP in the head by the chow hall, and never paper towels to blow your nose with.

6. INSPECTIONS

1. When the regs say fold your PT shirts 6x6 and your shorts 4x4, make sure they are exactly those dimensions. A quarter inch more or less may be acceptable, but probably not. This is especially important for the Sgt Instructor’s inspection, as not having the proper dimensions means an improper display.
2. You need 3 PT shirts, 3 silkies, and 4 pairs of boot socks for your wall locker display. Take the best you have of each(preferably brand new, never worn), mark them, fold them, and put them in your wall locker. Push them to the back of your wall locker, so all you have to do is pull them for ward for inspection. Otherwise, never touch them, never wear them, and especially make sure they are clean.(yes, there were actually people who used dirty clothes for their wall locker display.)
3. Don’t leave extra hangers in your wall locker during inspection.
4. Set aside a towel and washcloth for your towel display. Again, make sure to never use them, and make sure they are not dirty. Don’t let anything touch them, especially your 782 gear, rifle, and Kevlar, because that crap is always dirty.
5. Anodized belts/buckles are not allowed for inspections. You are issued two brass tipped belts and buckles. Although anodized is not allowed, I wore them for all inspections and didn’t get hit for it. However, some people did, so it’s your call whether to risk it.
6. Any rust on your weapon is an automatic failure.
7. Pay particular attention to the buttplate of your weapon. It’s one of the easiest things for inspectors to hit you on.
8. Cover your entire weapon in a light coat of CLP, even the buttstock. It makes for a nice “clean” look. However, be very careful not to use too much CLP, because you will get hit for that.

VMICadetJNA

01-25-2008, 12:43 PM

Wow man, thanks, I had alot of questions answered there. Just a few questions that I can never seem to get an answer to: 1) the E-Course and what does it entail? 2) LRC Runs, physical runs? 3) What was your opinion of the VMI guys at OCS?
Its funny though, some of the stuff you mentioned like the "candidate crud" brings back fond memories of the "Barracks Plague" here at VMI. Also your comments on the Inspections reminded me of when I was a rat and as a joke some one Sharpie-d skid marks on my display skivvies, you can never switch them out fast enough....
Seriously, thank you...

LthrnckZero

01-25-2008, 03:19 PM

A lot of the courses at OCS are similar, so don't quote me on this, but this is what I remember the E-Course to be. Starts off with a single run of the O-Course, in boots and utes. Throw on your deuce gear, rifle, and (maybe) helmet. Start running through the woods for a total of about 5 miles(I think) with various stops along the way. Some of the stops are for rope climbs or crawling over various things. I think there might even be a cargo net in there. There's more to it than that but I honestly can't remember it all.

LRC runs are runs from wherever your SULE bivuoac site is to the Leadership Reaction Course. Again, a couple miles of running with gear and rifle to the LRC, do an LRC problem, then run back to bivy site. The idea is that you're tired, hot, and pissed off, so they want to see how you operate under these conditions when you go do LRC problems.

I can only remember one VMI guy at OCS, and I think I had met him a year earlier at CAX. He was fine. I don't recall anything spectacular one way or the other about him, so I can't really give any worthwhile comments about my experience with VMI guys in general. Probably the only school that I can say consistently turned out top performers was the Citadel.

Edit to Add: E-Course=Endurance Course and O-Course=Obstacle Course

VMICadetJNA

01-25-2008, 05:42 PM

Probably the only school that I can say consistently turned out top performers was the Citadel

thanks but ouch.
thank you very much for taking the time to explain this. Unfortunatly, I hate the ropes....
but i dont have much of a choice.
anyway thanks.

Tracker 23A

01-26-2008, 02:52 AM

Good pair of boots: Safari (Desert Fox) by Meindl

http://www.ajbrooks.com/qs/product/40/2357/176042/0/0

Carib

01-31-2008, 11:25 AM

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/HolDanAfg/h5.jpg
What kind of boots is this Dane wearing???

acetrenbo100

02-05-2008, 10:59 PM

http://www.sovietairborne.com/Site%20Art/Sneaker1.jpg http://www.sovietairborne.com/Site%20Art/Sneaker2.jpg
look this chinese adidas,i don't if this real in afghanistan
somebody know where sell copy of this item

LaoSexMachine

02-05-2008, 11:09 PM

acetrenbo100

02-07-2008, 09:22 PM

http://www.sovietairborne.com/Site%20Art/SneakerAfgh1.jpg
BACKGROUND:
Because of the harsh, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, regular military issued boots destroyed soldiers' feet. Chinese copies of the Adidas sneaker in the photographs below started to be used by soldiers. These were much more forgiving than the stiff, leather boots. We allow these sneakers to be worn for any event in lieu of boots, but you must have a pair of either jump or jack boots first before getting these. Below is an account from a Soviet veteran of the War in Afghanistan.
look this site www.sovietairborne.com/Equipment.html (http://www.sovietairborne.com/Equipment.html)
you go to mall for buy bubblegum

baker company

02-09-2008, 11:10 AM

Hi guys--
I'm about to pick up some USMC Bates Gore-tex boots (cosmetic seconds) for winter use, and I was wondering if anyone can tell me how they compare to Bellevilles for size. I have a pair of hot weather Bellevilles, so that's my reference point. Anyone with experience with both know whether one manufacturer runs a little larger/smaller than the other?

Thanks in advance...

Edit: Nevermind...general consensus seems to be that Bates are sh1t, so I think I'll pass it up and stick to my trusty Dakota workboots. Mods, feel free to delete this...

Kvakva

02-10-2008, 11:49 AM

Hello,
Ok need a pair of good boots. I think something alongside Magnum and Belleville:
Did anyone have any experience with :
Hi-Tec MAGNUM 'Elite' II 8 ????
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5012/023006magnumeliteiiwpwu0.jpg

I have a pair of Hi-Tech MAGNUM 'Response' (6 months) but they are starting to die on me (i have a suspicion that i've got a bad pair). A friend of mine has Magnums and they are okey dokey (1 year old).

Or should i just go for Belleville 700 USAF

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4001/belleville700vluy3.jpg

I've done a search on boots and most of replies here on Magnums - they are crap. I need them maily for mud rain etc. autumn /spring

Wall

02-10-2008, 11:58 AM

Danner Striker, try these, very good, high quality, you are satisfied if you buy these:
http://www.finnrappel.fi/DannerStrikerPicture.jpg

Hippo

02-10-2008, 01:31 PM

there was a huge thread on boots awhile back. perhaps you should try the search function

Laconian

02-10-2008, 01:37 PM

IMO, Magnums for a filed boot would be crap. Even the Danner Strykers are a little too light for a mud/field environment. Danner Acadias would be great. I don't have any personal experience with the Bellevilles, but folks that I know that wear them think they are great. Matterhorns are sturdy as well.

James

02-10-2008, 01:53 PM

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/search.php?searchid=1478521

Wow, I used the search function and look what I found!

:roll:

Jed Meyers

02-12-2008, 11:33 AM

Midn./Patriot

02-12-2008, 11:44 AM

I'm going to reverse the question a little bit. I'm planning to buy my first pair of "military" boots, which would be Belleville 790s. The question is how do I compare their size to my casual wear sneaker's size. I've got a couple pairs of Vans shoes and all of them are size 9. Foot is about 9.92 inches (25.2 cm) long. Would belleville's size 9 fit? Thanks.

Welcome to the forum Jed.

I wear size 11 running shoes, and have a pair of Belleville Steel Toe boots that are size 11R. Just make sure you can wiggle your toes in them, and that your toes are not against the end of the shoe.

Trying them on before buying is ideal.

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Midshipmen-Activities/aab.sized.jpg

Jed Meyers

02-12-2008, 11:52 AM

Welcome to the forum Jed.

Thank you

Trying them on before buying is ideal.

Don't think it's possible over where I live :)
Anyway I think if I will not be sure about the correct size it would be better for me to wait couple months 'till my visit to the US.

orbitaljg

02-14-2008, 02:38 PM

Can someone please tell me who makes this boots, thanks.

Hippo

02-14-2008, 02:52 PM

is this for a "loadout?"

orionhawk

02-14-2008, 02:55 PM

Blood Diamond boots?

kutter

02-14-2008, 03:02 PM

They look like Merrells.
http://www.merrell.com/

Meteor

02-14-2008, 03:26 PM

Asolo Fugitive GTX, I have a pair, great boots :)

orbitaljg

02-14-2008, 04:24 PM

Thanks Meteor!!!

dave81

02-14-2008, 06:39 PM

Almost a dumb question, but I have seen a lot of pics of Special operators wearing those. I almost bought some when I discovered my local camping outfitters store had them in stock, but found them too uncomfortable for my feet when I actually tried them on.

James

02-14-2008, 06:41 PM

Trillium

02-24-2008, 06:05 PM

Welcome to the forum Jed.

I wear size 11 running shoes, and have a pair of Belleville Steel Toe boots that are size 11R. Just make sure you can wiggle your toes in them, and that your toes are not against the end of the shoe.

Trying them on before buying is ideal.

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Midshipmen-Activities/aab.sized.jpg

Those are 800ST at the picture in 11R size ? Actually , i am dealing with the same problem, need to by a pair of those on the web (can not get those here).

Can you measure the length of the insole from these one?

stottman

02-26-2008, 09:27 PM

Trying them on is a must. Not an option.

Military boot sizes (the actual size, not what is written) vary by model, manufacturer, and even the lot...

Jed Meyers

02-27-2008, 09:28 AM

You're so right. The size 9.0R Belleville 790s I've got recently were huge.
Luckily I've been able to sell them the next day because it would've been a pain in the ... to ship them back to US for a free size exchange. I've ordered a pair which is one size smaller. Hope they would fit.

p$ycho+log!cal

03-01-2008, 03:30 PM

Trunk_Monkey

03-01-2008, 05:22 PM

I'm assuming a steel toe wouldn't be minded for the intended role. With steel toe but no insulation, Belleville 700ST, or 800ST. If insulation is required/desired, maybe the Belleville 880 ST, it has 200grams thinsulate. I recommend this brand of boots because they're the best I've ever bought. A little heavy perhaps, but if you aren't rucking it you should be fine.

Fintin

03-01-2008, 08:10 PM

http://www.redwingshoes.com/

Ask no more questions. If you need a boot, they are the boot you need.

digrar

03-01-2008, 08:42 PM

http://www.steelblue.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=7

Worlds most comfortable safety boot. (http://www.steelblue.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=86)

Steel blue, best work boots ever, as used by every man and his dog in the Western Australian mining industry.

helomech

03-01-2008, 09:00 PM

http://www.redwingshoes.com/

Ask no more questions. If you need a boot, they are the boot you need.

X123456789

Albatross

03-01-2008, 09:41 PM

What he needs is a plane ticket, due south.......

Zentrum Jagdkampf

03-02-2008, 05:55 PM

http://www.jallatte.fr/marques/jallatte.asp

Jallate Jalaska, I use them on the drilling rig.

Vince S

03-02-2008, 07:43 PM

ok my friend works in construction and he really need good boots.
since we have snow here i suggested him some goretex one.
would you please give me some advice about the best quality/price relation boots? price doesnt really mather as long as its not like 1k

its about -20 Celcius here so he need something for rain/cold protection

any suggestion?

thanks

I used some good ol' Royer when I was working in a woodmill and had to go outside often, can't remember the model though. They were pretty confy and lasted a good 3 years.

One of my friend has these for 2 years and I might be trying them out
http://www.danner.com/product/work+boots/protective+toe/striker+side+zip+gtx+nmt+8%27%27.do

But since he's in construction (prolly Mtl) he defenetly need to use goretes boots, especially considering the **** load of snow we got this year, srping is going to be "wet" to say the least.

Sneeker

03-02-2008, 11:02 PM

I've got a pair of danner's and plan on getting them in steel toe. They are great I love them. 3 years and running.

Another great boot I own are Terra boots Combat II. More of a work boot then the name implyes. But a great boot.

Evidently Both boots are used by the Canadian Military I have noticed.

Vince S

03-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Any good comments about the COmbat II? Some shop as a sale on these right now and prices are really really good, plus my work boots did their time...

digrar

03-03-2008, 10:18 AM

Terra make the Australian Army boot, universally hated.

Vince S

03-03-2008, 10:29 AM

Combat II are civilian boots are far as I know (even though the name is misleading)

digrar

03-03-2008, 08:33 PM

Terra make a boot that probably 8 or 9 out of 10 digs don't want to wear. That's all I'm saying.

Netfleur

03-03-2008, 08:48 PM

http://www.cabelas.com/home.jsp

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/81/24/31/i812431sq01.jpg

p$ycho+log!cal

03-04-2008, 11:38 AM

thanks guys! im sure this will help us!

Sneeker

03-05-2008, 04:50 AM

Any good comments about the COmbat II? Some shop as a sale on these right now and prices are really really good, plus my work boots did their time...

they are a good work boot. I've hade a pair for 3 years and no problems, not as comfortable as my Danners but that can be fixed with a good insole.
If they are a good price i would say buy them.

boreal

03-05-2008, 05:12 AM

http://www.bestard.com/fotos/5402_450.jpg

Bestard makes nice boots

Sneeker

03-05-2008, 05:21 AM

that is a nice boot.

Eztyga

03-05-2008, 05:44 AM

I run those Steel Blue boots, way better than the boots we get issued. I have a pair of the Gladstones with those surplus store zip-up inserts to save time when putting them on in an emergency or exercise.

Ezy

http://www.steelblue.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=66

thirteenfoxtrot

03-05-2008, 08:10 AM

Whites Boots
http://www.whitesoutdoor.com/store/product.php?category=Boots&id=701
45455
The Original Smoke Jumper

http://www.whitesoutdoor.com/assets/db/photos/products/full/45c76f16b4a41_Original-Smoke-Jumper.jpg

digrar

03-06-2008, 05:26 AM

That's ^ a work boot? Dodgy looking heal, I wouldn't want to wear that at any of the places I've worked, I'd end up arse over tit.

thirteenfoxtrot

03-06-2008, 09:02 AM

What do smoke jumpers do for a living? I'm an arborist and White's are the best made, longest lasting most comfortable boots I've ever owned.

Britboy

03-17-2008, 03:48 PM

Hey there, hope our resident Finns can point me in the right direction,

Was just out dog walking in wellies, nothing too stenuous but a few hills, but wellies give no ankle support at all!

I remember reading a thread here about cold weather boots or mukluks or whatever, where it was mentioned the FDF wear 'rubber boots' instead of combat boots in poor weather. Eh?

Are the FDF boots different, reinforced in some way? Or do Finns just possess ankles of iron?

Slightly sad question from me I know, but m'eh :roll:

Kaapeli

03-17-2008, 04:25 PM

Well the newest version claims to have improved stiffness. But I didn't have any problems with the older ones either. They are designed for -40 C with the removable felt-liner.
Since I don't have any experience with foreign rubberboots (only Nokia made like this army boot) I can't really compare.

Anyway here's two pictures of the new boot if it helps
http://www.kumitehdas.fi/image/3249
http://www.kumitehdas.fi/image/3248

Smartenheimer

03-17-2008, 04:35 PM

I don't remember the lighter summer version of the rubber boots having any special reinforcement for the ankle. They were more durable and heavier rubber than my "slick" and smooth civilian nokias. The winter version of the boot was more sturdier and offered better support for the ankles too. I remember how some stupid NCO's were real show-offs with their awesome "I don't have to wear what the grunts wear" attitude and decided to wear normal leather M91 combat boots to an combat exercise and ended up getting their legs full of swamp **** water. Staying dry is important especially during winter. You learned to appreciate the rubber boots. :D

Britboy

03-17-2008, 05:37 PM

Cheers gents, seems they are just regular wellies then. Although you seem to get a felt inner, ah well I can hunt down a big pair of old 'seaboot stockings' to do that job.

It just seems odd to me that you could march and fight in wellies. Our rubber boots feel 'squishy' so my ankles would be all over! Plus my feet bang around inside wellies, but I s'pose that means I need to get a better-fitting pair!

Don't you find your feet sweating like mad inside all the rubber though, and when they do get wet surely being rubber they never dry out? There again ski boots are plastic too and people don't complain about them...

My feet are always ice cold in winter, especially in the normal issue leather combat boots, but most people I know buy Lowas for the bad weather:
http://www.rvops.co.uk/military-footwear-87/lowa-boots-84/gore-tex-lined-lowa-combat-boots-507.html

Interesting stuff anyway, after all I imagine Finnish troops have to be switched on with arctic kit, I don't think I will get away with wellies on exercise, but I will try them out on the hills!

Have any of you used mukluks, I think they are a more fabric-like type of boot with a felt inside? Although I'm not sure they are for cold wet but rather for cold-dry type climates?

Kaapeli

03-17-2008, 06:16 PM

Don't you find your feet sweating like mad inside all the rubber though, and when they do get wet surely being rubber they never dry out? There again ski boots are plastic too and people don't complain about them...

It's almost inevitable that your feet sweat in the field no matter what you wear even with goretex boots. Socks should be worn in several layers. It's easier to adjust to the cold by adding or removing layers and to change the wet layers without the boots themselves getting too wet.
Of course after every field day socks and felt liners are removed and dried.

And no, it's not very confortable to march in rubber boots but it's really the swampy/wet forrest or thick snow they are meant for when normal combat boots don't offer enough insulation.

CouchCommando

03-17-2008, 06:16 PM

Muck lucks would get wet in an instant. Wet feet -> frozen feet -> no feet in -20 degrees Celsius. Also i don't know what kind of rubber boots you have where you come from, but around here they are lined only with a cotton cloth and dry in an instant, unlike leather boots. Some support can be achieved with proper thick boot socks. That said, the army rubber boots suck a** in just about every aspect except in keeping your feet dry, which in the long run is the only thing that really matter anyway.

Sweating and other discomforts are hardly dangerous, you'll just need to harden the fcuck up :)

Basillicus

03-17-2008, 06:52 PM

I had pretty good experiences with those too, especially because we didn't have to march that much (arty ftw :)). During the midsummer they were hot like hell but rest of the year usually better than the leather boots. Nowadays they are especially good because all this global warming and ****, it seems it now can be anything between +10 to -40 during the winter and rubber boots have the best versatility. Mostly though I had both rubber and leather boots with me in the field so I could change them depending on weather. I don't know if we would have such luxury during war time or would we be just issued with a pair of rubber boots (well, of course then one could use his own gear).

Romeo98

03-25-2008, 09:41 PM

http://www.blackhawk.com/images/catalog/83BT03_0BIG.JPG

http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=83BT03&C=C0864

Blackhawk! Warrior Wear Black Ops Boots

http://www.blackhawk.com/images/site/pd_underline.gif

Does anyone have any experience with them?
Thinking of it as my next boot...

I've had mine for over six months now and even though I am not in the military I've used mine for work (I do maintenance work), hiking among other things since I bought them.

They look sexy and comfort wise the feel like the are the mating between a hiking boot and a sneaker. Very comfortable and very light.

The cons, I've found that they can get torn pretty easily, I had to repair tears on a couple different occasions, the soles wear down quickly and the Desert Ops model is not waterproof.

I personally like them fine, but I think they could be sturdier...

Anybody else has had any other experiences?

LT08

04-05-2008, 12:15 AM

Can anyone identify these boots (brand and model)? They were used by the USMC before they switched to MARPAT and brown combat boots.
http://flickr.com/photos/94146534@N00/2388234549/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/94146534@N00/2388234409/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/9414634@N00/2388234549/

LaoSexMachine

04-05-2008, 12:21 AM

Doesn't look like the Bellvilles I was issued.

James

04-05-2008, 02:06 AM

Can anyone identify these boots (brand and model)? They were used by the USMC before they switched to MARPAT and brown combat boots.

Having been in the USMC prior to the MARPAT and brown boot era (and, I might add, the Belleville boot era) I can assure you that those boots were not used by the USMC. Someone might have gotten away with wearing them for a time, but they were not issued.

We wore either all leather combat boots, black jungle boots, or green jungle boots.

the_hog

04-05-2008, 10:40 AM

For chrissakes hav'nt you seen blood diamond?

flanker7

04-05-2008, 10:56 AM

Prior to the "Belleville era", weren't Altama's All Leather and Jungle boots pretty much the standard among the US Military? Either with "Lung-sole" or "Panama-sole"

James

04-05-2008, 11:34 AM

Prior to the "Belleville era", weren't Altama's All Leather and Jungle boots pretty much the standard among the US Military? Either with "Lung-sole" or "Panama-sole"

Yes. Some personnel wore different boots (pilots, USAF/USN) but the majority of us wore regular combat/jungle boots.

Trunk_Monkey

04-05-2008, 01:58 PM

They look like Corcorans to me

eR_Skaarj

04-07-2008, 03:59 AM

I looking for new boots, for mountain terain, long range patrols (30km and more) in heavy terain - and my favorite is Mojave from matterhorn. What do you think about this boots? Is it good for me? And is it good for easier terain? Or do you think any alternative boots will better?
Thanks for advices.

James

04-07-2008, 01:14 PM

Have you looked at civvie styles/brands? I'm partial to Vasque, but Lowe, Merrell, and a host of other boot makers have some really great products out.

Trenk

04-07-2008, 01:41 PM

look on Garmont tactical multiterrain, if you prefer lighter boots because your feet are sweating...

Britboy

04-07-2008, 03:11 PM

I'm wearing a pair of Columbia 'Frontier Peak GTX' at the mo... not for mil stuff tho!

They are the mutts nuts, goretex, lightweight, comfy as walking on the breasts of a Havana virgin every step, and they come in browny-coloured suede & fabric too. They're an ankle boot so I think v suitable for mountains (won't restrict the tendons at back of ankle, right)?

If you can get away with wearing them for mil stuff (dont have to wear black leather issue or issue-looking boots), I'd consider them.

Was a little wary buying Columbia as I know theyre not a traditional bootmaker (as opposed to Meindl, Scarpa etc) but v v pleased with the results!

eR_Skaarj

04-07-2008, 03:42 PM

Have you looked at civvie styles/brands? I'm partial to Vasque, but Lowe, Merrell, and a host of other boot makers have some really great products out.

I looked for somethink mil/style. But maybe... I'll take civ. style... Im not resolved.

4 Trenk: yea, I have "women" narrow feet - so I looking for somethink comfortable. And the Garmont multi terrain T8 looks really good.

4 Britboy: this boots is too "civi"... but good (i think one of my friends have it).

The One and Only

04-16-2008, 05:02 AM

What kind of Combat Boots are these ? i see alot of Serbian Soldiers from Serb Armed Forces wear them and some parts of Bosnia, Macedonia, and Croatia, does anyone know where they are made and who makes them ???

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7136/070911vezba20vs20i20kfodo7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2393/mthsm83e1jl6nm9mn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Kachinjsh

04-16-2008, 05:10 AM

What kind of Combat Boots are these ? i see alot of Serbian Soldiers from Serb Armed Forces wear them and some parts of Bosnia, Macedonia, and Croatia, does anyone know where they are made and who makes them ???
I believe it's offtopic from here, but these are French boots, if I'm right.

The One and Only

04-16-2008, 05:17 AM

I believe it's offtopic from here, but these are French boots, if I'm right.

okey if ur gonna be like that, then forget about it

The One and Only

04-16-2008, 07:34 PM

i see alot of balkan state have these, Many serb soldiers wear them, what country makes these boots and y do so many balkan states only use them ??

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/5403/mthsm83e1jl6nm9mn0bo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Buckeye67

04-16-2008, 07:48 PM

They look like a pattern of boot that was widely issued to troops from various Warsaw Pact countries. I've seen Poles, Czechs, Bulgarians, East Germans (paratroopers) & Yugoslavians wearing them.

Similar patterns of boot has also been worn by western nations as well, the French particularly. Even the United States issued a similar type boot in the latter part of WW2.

I'm sure that the reason they're so common in the Balkans is largely due to the fact that they were standard issue in the militaries of the Warsaw Pact nations that the current countries were born of.

For example, here's a pic from the Warsaw Pact Forces thread (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=101350) in the photos section:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19824&d=1167771926

Four of the six guys pictured there are wearing that type of boot.

The One and Only

04-16-2008, 07:58 PM

Buckeye67

04-16-2008, 08:03 PM

Can't help you there, mate. I've never had to wear them. :)

The One and Only

04-16-2008, 08:05 PM

Can't help you there, mate. I've never had to wear them. :)

ok, well thanks for the info

James

04-17-2008, 01:32 AM

well thank you very much !!! what else can you tell me about them, whats there reputions, are they conftroble, do they wear out faster then other pairs ???

Seeing as they were Warsaw Pact, I suspect that they were not very comfortable and wore out quickly. p-)

radzior

04-17-2008, 02:27 AM

IMO these boots were the best everissued to polish army. Couple of years ago I got a pair of them (had to pay 3 botles of vodka:)) and it took me almost 3 years to wear them out.

The One and Only

04-17-2008, 05:32 AM

IMO these boots were the best everissued to polish army. Couple of years ago I got a pair of them (had to pay 3 botles of vodka:)) and it took me almost 3 years to wear them out.

thanks for the info friend, so it took u 3 years to wear them out, wow, so are these boots worth bying, they look cheap, they r probebly cheaper then other european military boots ?, but my question is y do the only BALKAN STATES use them, poland dont use them anymore nor does the other ex warsaw pact countries ???/ please help ????

Hispeed1

04-17-2008, 12:46 PM

I think they're the boots from Blood Diamond, they go with the cargo pants...

ekranoplan

04-18-2008, 04:45 PM

My father wore those while he served in JNA. He kept them and wore them every winter for 20 years. I took over and wore them for at least 7 years. I don't wear them anymore but they still might be here somewhere in the house. They are very rugged and can stand the beating. Father told me JNA issued some RBK grease for them which made them impregnable. He said that worked superb for snow and rain but made your feet sweat like bitch.

They are uncomfortable but I remember making them bearable with some dr. Scholl's soles and thick socks.

TallGuy

04-18-2008, 09:14 PM

They look like copies of the French combat boots:

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8929/451blq5.jpg

Polygon

04-19-2008, 03:24 AM

Actually, the French Combat boots are based upon the WWII U.S. M1943 double latch boot. Subsequently after the war, many armies including the West German army copied the design.

radzior

04-19-2008, 04:48 AM

thanks for the info friend, so it took u 3 years to wear them out, wow, so are these boots worth bying, they look cheap, they r probebly cheaper then other european military boots ?, but my question is y do the only BALKAN STATES use them, poland dont use them anymore nor does the other ex warsaw pact countries ???/ please help ????

I don't know why, but polish army decided to equip soldiers in boots similar to ones being used by Bundeswehr. As for me, they suck (boots of course). But the good news is that manufacturer is still making tehose boots - link:
http://www.protektorsa.pl/index.php?strona=towar&id=41

Zarkus

04-19-2008, 07:25 AM

Very, very uncomfortable. Wore them for nine months during service in Macedonia (actually, two pairs... both pairs fell apart). It took quite a while to brake them in... blisters were common. Fortunately... now days they issue quality boots, mostly Planika (Slovenian made) and Bates.

P.S. Earlier produced Yugoslavian boots (during the 80's), had better quality then the newer ones... still uncomfortable thou.

Herrmannek

04-19-2008, 10:14 AM

Polish boots of those kinds where called "opinacze" because of the leather part that "buckled" laces at the top part of boot. They where mainly brown... They were made from quality thick leather and were known from their durability. Current issue called "desant boots" are much worse, both in quality of finish and materials used, and they don't have the buckle part... When it comes to comfort its all matter of getting used to boots you are wearing, only problem with the boots that could be a problem was lack of cushioned sole, but you must ask people who actually had them, supply of those in my size is long dried so can't say anything first hand...

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1493/62112401ku3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I don't know why, but polish army decided to equip soldiers in boots similar to ones being used by Bundeswehr. As for me, they suck (boots of course). But the good news is that manufacturer is still making tehose boots - link:
http://www.protektorsa.pl/index.php?strona=towar&id=41

Boots from the link are no different than desanty apart from the buckle... I think they are used now by some representative units only...

Herrmannek

04-19-2008, 12:55 PM

I know there was lots of boot topics already. But not much of them about knockoffs and civilian use. I'm boot guy and I want something ventilated for the summer... Boots will be used in a city, for driving a car, behind desk work, and if they prove worthy I plan to walk them on a 9 day road(asphalt, dust country road) trip averaging 25km a day... they may be used in rain depending on the weather... There is a range(50$ ones) of knockoffs that are available to me http://www.allegro.pl/search.php?string=buty+pustynne&order=d

So guys what do you think, will those Chinese knockoffs survive use any ordinary sport shoes would? Last time I went on the aforementioned trip I accidentally sprained my ankle while walking in sandals, don't want that to happen again...

Jarhead

04-19-2008, 02:23 PM

I´d stay with the originals. You can get a pair of unissued desert boots on the german ebay for about 40€ or 50€.

TheHatta

04-19-2008, 02:48 PM

i have a pair of rothco boots they were the same style and they have held up pretty nicely i thought they were comfortable too but just as a heads up they come in large sizes so i would go down a size you are looking at.

James

04-19-2008, 06:13 PM

I have the same answer for every single boot thread:

Vasque Sundowner Classics.

firemedic

04-19-2008, 09:00 PM

I would stay away from standard issue US desert combat boots. I find them uncomfortable to ruck in. I did a 12 mile ruck and they damn near broke me off not to mention the blister i got. The Belleville desert boots are more comfortable.

Ichhabe

04-19-2008, 09:58 PM

I have the same answer for every single boot thread:

Vasque Sundowner Classics.

Careful there, the price of those boots are almost the whole BNP of Poland...

Herrmannek

04-20-2008, 05:59 AM

Careful there, the price of those boots are almost the whole BNP of Poland...

Listen to the wise man :) I have proper boots already, but they are to warm for the 2 hottest months in the season... I'm surprised no one had boots from mil-tec or whatever its called.

Catch22

04-20-2008, 09:21 AM

Herrmannek

04-20-2008, 09:46 AM

Herman for f'cks sake, stop bothering people on buying cheapest b-s china sub standard ripoffs! Every time the same story - last time we spent several pages on persuading you to get surplus BW boots instead of some MilTecs. Honestly, for the last 5 years you spent here, wailing on how poor you are you could make enough money to fix yourself more quality shoes than Imelda Marcos.

And those Vasque Sundowners are cheap enough with the dollar running at 2,15 to PLN.

If someone doesn't want to be bothered he don't need to read this topic :) I can't do much about fact I like buying cheap, and if you like buying cheap you better ask for things if you don't want to pay twice :)

As for BW boots look again :) you haven't to persuade me on those. You mixed it with desant boots topic from maybe one and half year ago. Those boots are still in one piece, leather is perfect, sole needs some minor repair costing 7$, I'm to lazy to do that. I use them every day for more than 12hours straight except weekends. So I presume it was after all ~50$ well spend, as you said not to good boots for serious hiking though, thats why I bought BW boots you mentioned and I'm glad with them too...

Now I want some knockoff for summer where BW and Desnaty are to warm. In other words I don't need next boots for 130$ or more. If I can have boots for much less that will stand planed use I'll take them.

Every money left I would rather spend on some quality softshell blouse I'm starting to look around for.

James

04-20-2008, 01:10 PM

Why don't you just wear a pair of Chuck Taylors in summer? Or sandals? Must it be boots?

Herrmannek

04-20-2008, 03:07 PM

Why don't you just wear a pair of Chuck Taylors in summer? Or sandals? Must it be boots?
My experience says it must be boots... Last time I made the mistake and I took the sandals for a longer walk with some jumping and singing at the end of the day I was grounded for a month, 2weeks in plaster, 2 another weeks on walking sticks because of sprained ankle. I love sandals and I use them even right now but I'm lousy walker and need some protection. Plus I'm planing on going to work by motorbike, I believe sandals are big no no in that case... When it comes to chucks, I always have pair or two of those around as a backup, never really liked them, they are completely flat and I need something with proper heel.

justagoodolboy

04-22-2008, 11:38 PM

the bellevilles are the shiet. They hold up well and are comfortable for rucking. Just make sure you get them sized right, i.e. wear the same sock/socks you're going to wear when in use.

yoav_e

05-08-2008, 04:26 PM

Which units use hiking boots insted of army boots?
wHich brands?

GETSOME

05-08-2008, 04:30 PM

Which units use hiking boots insted of army boots?
wHich brands?

987654321.....

Hispeed1

05-08-2008, 04:33 PM

I've seen pictures of Merrels, Oakley SI, etc.

Solomin

05-08-2008, 06:31 PM

What laces do SEALs use? and what type of know do they tie their high speed laces?

khukuri

05-08-2008, 06:39 PM

What laces do SEALs use? and what type of know do they tie their high speed laces?

Sorry cant tell you, opsec

clean

05-08-2008, 06:42 PM

What laces do SEALs use? and what type of know do they tie their high speed laces?

SEALS don't use laces. They wear Tevas. And Dolphin shorts and half tees.

gaijinsamurai

05-08-2008, 06:45 PM

SEALS don't use laces. They wear Tevas. And Dolphin shorts and half tees.

What brand of suntan lotion do they use?

Catch22

05-08-2008, 06:50 PM

That was indiscreet, and really low ganjin...

But there was topic somewhere around where Matchanu slip a word or two on haircare products used by the Teams... p-)

clean

05-08-2008, 06:52 PM

What brand of suntan lotion do they use?

Lately they've been going with Kiehls. It's a nice hypo-allergenic blend that comes in a handy spray bottle. Depending on where they're operating spf 30-45 is used. Anything over that is too heavy and may result in a slight skin "condition."

Buckeye67

05-08-2008, 06:59 PM

Lately they've been going with Kiehls. It's a nice hypo-allergenic blend that comes in a handy spray bottle. Depending on where they're operating spf 30-45 is used. Anything over that is too heavy and may result in a slight skin "condition."

That and the Kiehls sunscreen also helps dampen their IR signature.

Catch22

05-08-2008, 07:00 PM

Both IR & thermal... ups OPSEC

clean

05-08-2008, 07:48 PM

Currently, SEALS are only drinking Voss bottled water as well. They noticed Lindsey Lohan drinking it, and thought it would fit in their new loadout quite nicely.

Ghostryder

05-08-2008, 08:09 PM

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...........ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...............aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................aaarrrrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

CPLHUNTER

05-08-2008, 08:19 PM

Just FYI

"Units" are issued a pair of combat boots depending on the branch could be Bates etc

It is up the individual to choose what kind of boots they wear as long as they confirm to standard

clean

05-08-2008, 08:49 PM

Back when I was with the 31st special force recon marine raider battaliment, we wore converse one stars. Very adaptable.

T3ngu

05-08-2008, 08:50 PM

Currently, SEALS are only drinking Voss bottled water as well. They noticed Lindsey Lohan drinking it, and thought it would fit in their new loadout quite nicely.

Cool, im going to drink it so i can be Lindsay Lohan....

WTF is it with people and first posts with inane questions? Maybe newbies should not be able to create a new thread until they have x posts.

clean

05-08-2008, 08:53 PM

You down under types make no sense.

Sloppy Joe2

05-08-2008, 09:24 PM

Which units use hiking boots insted of army boots?
wHich brands?http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6986/30981814al6.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6986/30981814al6.5dcb909a63.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=254&i=30981814al6.png) the only unit hi-speed enough for hiking boots

T3ngu

05-08-2008, 09:26 PM

You down under types make no sense.

Its cause we speak upside down.

Chops

05-08-2008, 09:31 PM

WTF is it with people and first posts with inane questions? Maybe newbies should not be able to create a new thread until they have x posts.

Cracking idea. I shall speak with the head shed and see if there's any way to implement.

T3ngu

05-08-2008, 09:33 PM

Cracking idea. I shall speak with the head shed and see if there's any way to implement.

Thanks Chops, the frequency of first post vs inane questions seems to be very high.

As many say lurk moar and read the FAQs/Stickies

clean

05-08-2008, 10:11 PM

Does that mean I can finally start my "SAS - briefs or boxers" thread?

supercontra

05-09-2008, 04:42 AM

Whichever goes best with the blood diamond pants

BrianT

05-09-2008, 06:37 PM

Back when I was with the 31st special force recon marine raider battaliment, we wore converse one stars. Very adaptable.Ha, no ****. We wear the same thing in Space Recon. Works well in a zero gravity vacuum.

Seraphim

05-09-2008, 08:00 PM

They also have special high speed boot bands for their hiking boots.

megusen

05-10-2008, 06:30 AM

made a little pic, i had to do it ;)

wilkj05

05-10-2008, 07:37 AM

lol very funny, good work haha

Blackburn

05-31-2008, 12:34 PM

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8531/bild098rq0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8531/bild098rq0.3827f7bbb4.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=228&i=bild098rq0.jpg)

My new boots just arrived the other day.
Many NCO's and Officers in my unit wear 'em
and they say they're worth their money.

They seem to be way better than our issued combat boots!

Jarhead

05-31-2008, 04:09 PM

They look good.
some of my NCO´s also have em.

LaoSexMachine

05-31-2008, 04:20 PM

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h29/eh1656/101_1419.jpg

For urban terrain.

LlON

05-31-2008, 06:34 PM

I've been using the Asolo TPS 535 for some time now, and like some others said - I wouldn't swap them for anything else.

gilgoul

05-31-2008, 07:20 PM

I've been using the Asolo TPS 535 for some time now, and like some others said - I wouldn't swap them for anything else.

Same here :)
But I wonder what my Magad will tell me at my next reserves when I'll leave the "barvaz" home p-)

deathbeuponyou

06-06-2008, 05:00 PM

Hey, I'm looking to buy a pair of Magnum Amazon 6 boots (UK size 10) online. I found a pair on amazon.co.uk but they don't ship footwear outside of mainland Britain. I searched a lot of other online stores selling military boots with no luck. Does anyone on the boards know where I could buy a a pair online, even from States if necessay? Thanks in advance.

Hammer27

06-06-2008, 09:22 PM

I have all leather Bates Durashocks, Altama ICB's, and I just bought Oakleys. The Oakleys are definitely the most comfortable. I've read the thread here and a lot of people say they've fallen apart rather quickly. Mine appear to be built pretty well and it seems that everytime I look at a photo from the "Today's pics" thread there's some grunt wearing them. They're also all over mattaxelson.com....which leads me to ask what's the deal? Did the quality suck at one time and get better or are they just a gotta have item for the SOF wannabe?

On another note, Nike is coming out with a "Special Forces Boot" in the near future so that should be something to look out for.

Hippo

06-06-2008, 10:18 PM

search for the boot thread

James

06-06-2008, 10:39 PM

Are you talking about Hi Tec Magnums? I'd encourage you to try something else...

Check out the boot thread.

Chops

06-06-2008, 10:57 PM

X2

Magnums are a terrible field boot. If you want them for anything beside airsoft buy something decent.

Hauser

06-06-2008, 11:04 PM

If you still want them after that advice, i think these guys ship anywhere:

http://www.army-surplus.co.uk/militarygear/product/magnum-amazon-black.html

Hutz

06-06-2008, 11:07 PM

Bought a pair of Magnums, not bad if you don't intended to do much walking in them. Nice for around the office though.

Mate

06-07-2008, 05:41 AM

Planika from Slovenia makes the best boots,i have mine for 5 years and they are in good shape http://www.planika.si/.
And i have a pair of Meindl.
http://shop.backcountryuk.com/ekmps/shops/backcountryuk/images/meindl_army_performance.jpg

digrar

06-07-2008, 07:55 AM

Making new boot threads makes baby jebus cry. Merged.

La Don

06-07-2008, 08:47 AM

I'm going to buy one of those boots: Mil-Tec Speed Lace becauze they are cheap; Belleville 390TROP or Belleville 700USAF. Help me to decide :)

deathbeuponyou

06-07-2008, 04:02 PM

Hey, I'm looking to buy a pair of Magnum Amazon 6 boots (UK size 10) online. I found a pair on amazon.co.uk (http://amazon.co.uk/) but they don't ship footwear outside of mainland Britain. I searched a lot of other online stores selling military boots with no luck. Does anyone on the boards know where I could buy a a pair online, even from States if necessay? Thanks in advance.

Hypno85

06-11-2008, 05:18 PM

Has anyone had any experience with Lowa's? I'm looking at getting some but not sure which the few im looking at

http://www.patrolstore.com/Lowa-Boots-Combat-GTX-p-575.html Lowa Boots Combat GTX.
http://www.patrolstore.com/Lowa-Boots-Mountain-GTX-p-594.html Lowa Boots Mountain GTX.
http://www.patrolstore.com/Lowa-Boots-Patrol-p-613.html Lowa Boots Patrol.

The only difference i can see between the Mountain and the Patrol is that Mountain have gortex. The only thing i no about gortex is that there more water proof.

Mordecai

06-11-2008, 06:16 PM

Has anyone had any experience with Lowa's? I'm looking at getting some but not sure which the few im looking at ...

I have a couple pairs of the mountain GTX and they are great boots. They take a lil while to break in but after that they are G-2-G. I wont wear anything else in the mountains...

Crip

deadtired

06-12-2008, 06:51 PM

I've got a pair of Belleville 550 ST's that are in need of resoleing. I took them to a local (Galveston) shoe repair place who told me that they can't get the proper outsoles. I went to the Vibram website (the guys who make the outsoles), but their main website is in Italian, and their repair website doesn't even list the soles that Belleville uses on their boots (Sierra, I think, is the name of the sole). Have any civilians out there tried to have their Bellvilles resoled? Can find the right soles out here on civvy street, or do I need to take them to some place that caters strictly to military folks?

joeyl

07-08-2008, 01:09 AM

Does anyone have an experience with these kind of boots. Im interested in them the price is right but something doesn't sit right. So if anyone gots some comments about them I would like to know what you think of them.

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=429450

James

07-08-2008, 01:25 AM

The price is right? $24.97? Are you kidding? At that price I'd say they are probably trash.

There's a boot thread here somewhere, do a search.

BiZ

07-08-2008, 02:04 AM

Does anyone have an experience with these kind of boots.

If by "these boots" you mean "crap boots" in general then yes. Don't waste your money on cheap and nasty footwear. Look after your feet and they'll look after you.

Irish_11

07-08-2008, 02:24 AM

If by "these boots" you mean "crap boots" in general then yes. Don't waste your money on cheap and nasty footwear. Look after your feet and they'll look after you.

x2, when it comes to shoes if your feet are happy, you'll be too. If not then you'll feel it EVERY step you take.

Solomin

07-08-2008, 02:25 AM

Buy them, at that price can you really afford not to buy them?

AROUETLJ

07-08-2008, 10:47 AM

If by "these boots" you mean "crap boots" in general then yes. Don't waste your money on cheap and nasty footwear. Look after your feet and they'll look after you.

Even expensive boots from top-notch manufacturers can let you down. I've worn a pair of Magnum Amazon 5 desert boots for just three months, and the inner mesh-like lining around the heel has been worn away.

Chops

07-08-2008, 11:11 AM

joeyl

07-08-2008, 11:28 AM

Expensive. Top Notch. Magnum.

All in one sentence. Hmmm...

sounds like a condom ad

ADK031

07-08-2008, 01:55 PM

Even expensive boots from top-notch manufacturers can let you down. I've worn a pair of Magnum Amazon 5 desert boots for just three months, and the inner mesh-like lining around the heel has been worn away.

Exception rather than the rule. Danners have let me down (1 pair out of 3)due to stitching coming loose, but I still wear them, just bought my first pair of Acadias recently. Excellent footwear.

jagermeister

07-08-2008, 06:38 PM

I've yet to have a pair of Danners or Merrells let me down. Last pair of Desert Acadias I had them resoled and they are still going strong.

Sabre

07-08-2008, 08:03 PM

Buy cheap boots, buy expensive wheelchair....

Tourist

07-09-2008, 05:56 AM

Danners, IMHO, are the bestest battle booties you can have.

You get issued with one pair of feet and one back. Look after both with the best gear you can get hold of either officially or by buying it.

Problem is, and we all know it, there are many, many companys that have jumped on the "we make it too" wagon and they are in reality selling crap to the troops ............ and I mean some of the big brand name companies that used to sell pouches and now seem to sell everything.

Danner have been in the boot making business for years and years, they hav a lot invested in R&D. I remember before they made military boots the troops used to buy their brown hunting boots and dye them black......yes I am that old.

Like ruck's, look at Lowe, Berghaus and the like. They have R&D staff, their kit is bought by serious outdoor and mountain types they have years of experience. Then look at the new players, "Yeah, that looks cool sell 'em".........and they will cripple you. I have 3 Lowes and one Berghaus...not greedy, just all for different jobs.

James

07-09-2008, 07:51 AM

I've been very happy with Vasques. Whatever you get, I'd strongly encourage you to invest in a pair of SuperFeet insoles. Expensive, but glorious. Makes my bots feel like running shoes.

D.K.

07-10-2008, 07:04 PM

I completely agree with those advicing you to stay away from cheap footwear. But just by looking at the picture I can tell that I'd never wear those.

The wierd "mini-belts" at the top of the boot are guarenteed to become a pain in the ass. You can't operate them while wearing gloves, they're harder to replace than just a broken shoelace and they will easily be torn once subjected to say the afghan winter.

For desert operations I recommend either the Meindl Desert Fox or my favorite, the Blackhawk Desert ops boots. The Meindl is great for long foot patrols if you're carrying a lot of equipment on your back, but it's a little stiff for some people. Sadly it doesn't agree with my wide scandinavian elefant feet, but most of my comrades swear by them.
The Blackhawk is about 150 grams lighter (710 g per boot) and very comfortable. It has the most remarkable sole I've seen so far, with a compound that gives incredible traction. If you fall in these boots it's no ones fault but your own. Besides the midsole and insole are very comfortable, really protecting your knees when marching or standing in an M113 like I do for hours at a time.

I have yet to test the durability and also the comfort over longer foot patrols (+15 km) though.

shatrujit

07-11-2008, 03:39 AM

Hi Guys,

I picked up 3 pair of Ridge Scorpion Boots.(Black/Tan/OG)

They are made of a dry-wick canvas upper and an injection moulded rubber sole.

The design is based on the French Palladium Commando Boots and Israeli Patauga Boots.

A few observation. (I live in INDIA, Hot tropical climate)

1) Good construction for a canvas boot.

2) Good for sandy and wet conditions (Beach & Riverbed)

3) The tread clogs up in clay and thick mud.

4) Not much support to the ankle and the foot instep.

5) Good grip on rocky and gravelly terrain but no support for the ankle.

6) Durable and very comfortable with a sports insole.

Regards,

Arka

D.K.

07-11-2008, 09:25 AM

@ Arka

I see. How does the straps at the top perform, I haven't seen those on a boot before.

BTW I forgot to mention that the Blackhawks don't have as much ankle support as the Meindl, something worth considering if you have a tendency to twist your ankles and such.

Britboy

07-14-2008, 10:49 AM

Hey there,

Am looking for some new boots for hiking and mil stuff that are comfier and less blister-causing than the ones I have at the mo, when I noticed these kicking about... a mates.

They are Meindls in 'anthracite grey' nubuck I believe, have tried them on and are v comfy with the soft leather inside. But I can't nick his, so to allow me to acquire my own, does anyone know what they are called, and if they are still made?

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4738/picture002ur6.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture002ur6.jpg)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8174/picture003lg7.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003lg7.jpg)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7011/picture004es9.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004es9.jpg)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6466/picture005ff1.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture005ff1.jpg)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9099/picture006qy6.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture006qy6.jpg)

Thinks they were called Borneo or Burma or somesuch if thats any help, but not sure really. Had a look on the Meindl website but no joy. Hopefully the codes inside the tongue ( B II 12585 ) mean something to somebody.

Thanks!
BB

Murmelmann

07-14-2008, 11:03 AM

I'd say Meindl Borneo, you can buy the new version which is called "Meindl Borneo Pro MFS".

James

07-14-2008, 11:04 AM

I'd encourage you to check out the Vasque Sundowner Classic. Pair them with SuperFeet insoles and your feet will shout out "Glory! Glory hallelujah!"

Britboy

07-14-2008, 11:17 AM

Cheers James, they look a bit like Brashers or Scarpas. I know theres all sorts of boots out there tho... Are they only in U.S., or UK/Europe too?

The nubuck seems to work when I tried em on, and its worked on the bottom half of my Columbias, top half being roughout and nylon - but these are too civvy for mil stuff and need replacing anyhow, even if I did want to try and polish/dye them black! For some reason the usual black leather combat boots seem to cut my heels to ribbons, hence me trying to find something that is comfier, but still being tough and looks okay for mil stuff. Which I think dark grey nubuck could, with a splash of polish on the toes.

I also think this open-front design of boot works better for me than the design with the shoe-like eyelets at the front - like the standard issue British or American boots for example.

So so far we think they are Borneos, right?

Will have to look up their website and find out what the pro MFS means, or if they do a goretex pair (I'm thinking nubuck doesn't hold up to wet for very long on its own!)...

Cheers
BB

camalbitboy

07-15-2008, 08:04 AM

I've had some Meindl boots for the last 12 years now, and they are still going strong. They have done multi day Hikes in Peru, Turkey, Alps and at least 2 weeks a year in the Lake district, as well as loads of walks on the South Downs, Breacon Beacons etc. I've only had one blister in all that time, and I put that down to some light socks that were a bit too big and so rucked up.

Mine are most similar to the Engadin Men MFS that they sell now.
The fact that they are single peice leather, plus a rubber kick band around the base of the leather means that mine have never leaked. I've been (breifly) mid calf deep in a bog with gaiters on and still no leakage.
The rubber band has started to seperate from the leather upper slightly, but after a quick chat with Meindl they have offered to repair it for free. Not bad customer service for a pair of 12 year old boots!
I've always treated them wih the meidl spray. They do a cleaner and a waterproofer forthe newbuck, Tbh it doesn't look like newbuck any more, but still works perfectly well.

Other good brands that my mates use are Scarpa, Raichle, and one of them even swears by Brashers. So remember that reviews can give a good guide to quality of make, but the best peice of advice is, go and try lots of different boots on. Take a bag with a realistic hike weight in it to the shop, and when you've narrowed it down to a couple of choices try them both on for 10 mins walking round the shop. When you decide, take them home and wear them round the house for a couple of hours, walk up and down the stairs etc and make sure that they are right. If not then you can takethem back so long as they haven't been outside. You feel like a bit of a prat, and it might be overkill, but it means that you get boots that will not cripple you, and you don't waste £150-£200 odd.

Carib

07-16-2008, 07:48 PM

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0f3Ug2N3RWgHL/610x.jpg

TheHatta

07-16-2008, 09:39 PM

which ones?