Military boots recommendation. Update. pics of AO page 1&2 - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Military boots recommendation. Update. pics of AO page 1&2

Posted: 10/15/2014 12:16:13 AM EDT

Budget is not a problem. I really do not care about the price as long as I'm getting whatever works for me.

I'm on the lookout for some quality military (or civilian but I do want them to be taller than hiking boots). Durable and light are a must, waterproof and breathable would be nice. Don't really care about the colour as long as they are durable and confortable.

Any advice you guys have for me will be highly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to help me out, or even read this.

HTR.

Posted: 10/15/2014 12:18:26 AM EDT

[#1]

Where dem army guys at?

I prefer rocky s2v, but they aren't flight rated.

Posted: 10/15/2014 1:35:23 AM EDT

[#2]

I've worn Belleville boots for years both at work as a tank mechanic and also as everyday out-and-about shoes..once they get broken in they're great..I've worn the bottoms off of probably 10 pairs so far and have no plans on trying any other brand.. My personal favorite is the 300 TROP ST, but I am considering trying out one of their similar models with the composite toe.. Ive used them camping, hiking, six flags with the kids...I'd wear them on the beach if the wifey would let me

Posted: 10/15/2014 2:24:45 AM EDT

[#3]

Bates

Posted: 10/15/2014 4:15:42 AM EDT

[#4]

Bates works for me too. I have found that every one is different, you need to find what works for you and stick with it. I tried the Altama EXO speed 2 and hated them, wore them one time to work and they ate my feet up. I have had good success with Bates boots, they have held up well and are very comfortable to me. I just picked up a pair of these ones today.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/bates-e01801-delta-8-desert.html

Posted: 10/15/2014 4:57:45 AM EDT

[#5]

Danner. I wish I discovered them sooner. I'll take the Chinese Danners over Rocky's any day. Last few pair of Rocky's I had were missing gortex, and didn't hold up at all. Literally fell apart in 2 months. I couldn't even get a response from Rocky. They came out of clothing allowance so, I had to burn my own money to replace them. I have USA made Danners and made in China mil/duty boots and hunting. After I got hurt spine doc wanted to know why I was still wearing boots. I explained I got more support from the boots, the pain came on faster in regular shoes versus boots. He messed around with them and agreed, I was better off wearing the Danners.

Posted: 10/15/2014 11:07:34 AM EDT

[#6]

Another vote for Belleville - I've been in a pair of 790 ST's for about a year and a half. I'll order another pair when these get worn out.

ETA: these guys are great to deal with. I've bought a couple of pair of boots over the years from them, and they are always helpful.

Posted: 10/15/2014 2:17:07 PM EDT

[#7]

Funny how a lot of units started using hiking boots in Afganistan.

Just because it's "military" does not mean it's the best product for the task or environment.

Posted: 10/15/2014 2:39:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Danner, Belleville,(interchangeable) Matterhorn, Rocky...that order..I own all 4..and have worn them for 40 years.

Posted: 10/15/2014 3:22:01 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Funny how a lot of units started using hiking boots in Afganistan.

Just because it's "military" does not mean it's the best product for the task or environment.

View Quote

This^

I can't wear combat boots anymore.

Posted: 10/15/2014 3:54:10 PM EDT

[#10]

http://us.magnumboots.com/product-stealth-force-8-0-sz-wpi-black.html

My last pair, favorite so far.

Previous boost, i have wore in the past 9 years in the civilian side of the house.

Bates ultralight (fell apart in 3 months)
Converse (now reebok) lasted about 9 months. These were my second favorite.
Rocky alpha force (will destroy your feet, hard to break in).
Matterhorn (heavy but best quality type) Stop wearing because they set off metal detectors due to the metal eyelits.

Posted: 10/15/2014 4:03:41 PM EDT

[#11]

I've worn belleville 390s for damn near 10 years now

Posted: 10/15/2014 6:05:17 PM EDT

[#12]

I have 3 pairs of bellevilles sitting in the closet right now.

They are a bear to break in, but the wear like sneakers now.

Posted: 10/15/2014 7:06:35 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

This^

I can't wear combat boots anymore.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Funny how a lot of units started using hiking boots in Afganistan.

Just because it's "military" does not mean it's the best product for the task or environment.

This^

I can't wear combat boots anymore.

I'm in south america and will use them in and around the jungle-rainforrest. Snakes and wading through shallow water are a concern, that's the main reason I want taller boots. Hiking boots are more confortable, granted, but they offer less protection against these two issues.

Keep the good advice coming guys. Thank you.

HTR.

Posted: 10/15/2014 7:15:15 PM EDT

[#14]

Custom-made Russel Moccasin boots made with kangaroo leather are about all I ever wear any more. Light, durable, and as comfortable as socks. If money's not a problem, that's my recommendation.

http://www.russellmoccasin.com

Posted: 10/15/2014 7:17:30 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Funny how a lot of units started using hiking boots in Afganistan.

Just because it's "military" does not mean it's the best product for the task or environment.

View Quote

yep, I wore a pair of merrills when I went on mission in afghanistan. It was against regulation, but higher didnt really care as long as we didnt wear them when not on mission.

I actually still wear them for work boots around the house, they are now finally starting to come apart after a year in afghanistan and two years back home.

Posted: 10/15/2014 7:40:46 PM EDT

[#16]

Belleville 390 DES. Been wearing them for about 10 years, I've gone through maybe 4 pairs. About to get the current pair resoled.

Posted: 10/15/2014 9:34:46 PM EDT

[#17]

Granted I'm not in the service anymore but I've had a pair green jungles and black jungles for over 20 years. Soles are damned near gone but they'll still comfortable as hell.

Just picked up a pair of Wellco steel toed S160 AF boots. Wore them dry Sunday and they rubbed a small blister. Put on a pair of Gore Tex socks, soaked them in water and wore them til dry on Monday. No problems.

Posted: 10/15/2014 9:42:41 PM EDT

[#18]

The Danner TFX's were some of the most comfortable boots I ever wore. The older Oakleys were great as well. I'm not sold in the newer ones.

Posted: 10/16/2014 9:50:27 PM EDT

[#19]

If you will be in and out of water, I'd recommend against any of the "waterproof" combat boots. They are great right up until water gets inside them, then all that "waterproof" capability tends to keep the water IN. I'd go for quick-drying and lots of ventilation, if I expected to be in a swampy area or ford streams/rivers.

Posted: 10/17/2014 12:58:54 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you will be in and out of water, I'd recommend against any of the "waterproof" combat boots. They are great right up until water gets inside them, then all that "waterproof" capability tends to keep the water IN. I'd go for quick-drying and lots of ventilation, if I expected to be in a swampy area or ford streams/rivers.

View Quote

I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.

Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.

HTR.

Posted: 10/17/2014 7:45:38 PM EDT

[#21]

I love the USMC RAT boots. Expensive and heavy, but very comfortable and durable.

Posted: 10/17/2014 10:27:05 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
I love the USMC RAT boots. Expensive and heavy, but very comfortable and durable.

View Quote

These are my #1 choice... Oakleys come in 2nd... Had a pair of Oakleys last 6 years....

Posted: 10/18/2014 7:02:07 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/Imagen027.jpg
Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.
HTR.

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

If you will be in and out of water, I'd recommend against any of the "waterproof" combat boots. They are great right up until water gets inside them, then all that "waterproof" capability tends to keep the water IN. I'd go for quick-drying and lots of ventilation, if I expected to be in a swampy area or ford streams/rivers.

I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/Imagen027.jpg
Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.
HTR.

hey did you move to florida lol

my shtf boots are the 790's iirc ( black goretex soft sided issue boot)..they are nice on rocks,,hard surfaces and water ...

untill it goes over the top . As already posted above.

They are built like a tank. The tread pattern is ok but will clog up going from say silty /gravel stream bed to mud/loose sand/muck which then adds three pounds LOL.

But over all they are a do all pattern.

Ive been eyeing up the new balance (otb iirc) jungle boot. Even the old altma jungle boots that i used to wear when younger with the deep lugged "panama" sole look better each day. light,,dry times etc

i wear merrels each day. they dry fast,,drain h20..but arent water proof.

Honestly if your mucking it up it wont matter unless youve got full rubber boots on.

snakes will go through most "combat" boots least ones we have here..im sure you got a few lil nasties down that way that would compare.

so its a trade off..have good drainage...or stay dry till your to deep then stuck walking in buckets of h20?

same debate here ..ive been having..

if it wasnt for foot rot or injuries id wear chacos sandals (think tevas on steroids)..

Posted: 10/18/2014 1:44:28 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

hey did you move to florida lol

my shtf boots are the 790's iirc ( black goretex soft sided issue boot)..they are nice on rocks,,hard surfaces and water ...

untill it goes over the top . As already posted above.

They are built like a tank. The tread pattern is ok but will clog up going from say silty /gravel stream bed to mud/loose sand/muck which then adds three pounds LOL.
But over all they are a do all pattern.

Ive been eyeing up the new balance (otb iirc) jungle boot. Even the old altma jungle boots that i used to wear when younger with the deep lugged "panama" sole look better each day. light,,dry times etc

i wear merrels each day. they dry fast,,drain h20..but arent water proof.
Honestly if your mucking it up it wont matter unless youve got full rubber boots on.

snakes will go through most "combat" boots least ones we have here..im sure you got a few lil nasties down that way that would compare.

so its a trade off..have good drainage...or stay dry till your to deep then stuck walking in buckets of h20?
same debate here ..ive been having..

if it wasnt for foot rot or injuries id wear chacos sandals (think tevas on steroids)..

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you will be in and out of water, I'd recommend against any of the "waterproof" combat boots. They are great right up until water gets inside them, then all that "waterproof" capability tends to keep the water IN. I'd go for quick-drying and lots of ventilation, if I expected to be in a swampy area or ford streams/rivers.

I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/Imagen027.jpg

Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.

HTR.

hey did you move to florida lol

my shtf boots are the 790's iirc ( black goretex soft sided issue boot)..they are nice on rocks,,hard surfaces and water ...

untill it goes over the top . As already posted above.

They are built like a tank. The tread pattern is ok but will clog up going from say silty /gravel stream bed to mud/loose sand/muck which then adds three pounds LOL.
But over all they are a do all pattern.

Ive been eyeing up the new balance (otb iirc) jungle boot. Even the old altma jungle boots that i used to wear when younger with the deep lugged "panama" sole look better each day. light,,dry times etc

i wear merrels each day. they dry fast,,drain h20..but arent water proof.
Honestly if your mucking it up it wont matter unless youve got full rubber boots on.

snakes will go through most "combat" boots least ones we have here..im sure you got a few lil nasties down that way that would compare.

so its a trade off..have good drainage...or stay dry till your to deep then stuck walking in buckets of h20?
same debate here ..ive been having..

if it wasnt for foot rot or injuries id wear chacos sandals (think tevas on steroids)..

Mainly these two.

Rattle snakes:

And Yararas:

There are other snakes like the coral but it's very unlike to get injected by.one of those. They will bite, but they are not very effective injecting as their fangs are placed to deep inside their mouth

Any of those two above will seriously ruin your day.

Are you sure they would go through your boot? I never heard that before. Not arguing, just really honestly curious about it.

HTR.

Posted: 10/18/2014 3:49:20 PM EDT

[#25]

Double tap. Sorry.

HTR.

Posted: 10/18/2014 5:28:37 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Custom-made Russel Moccasin boots made with kangaroo leather are about all I ever wear any more. Light, durable, and as comfortable as socks. If money's not a problem, that's my recommendation.

http://www.russellmoccasin.com

View Quote

They are not cheap (or military) but I love my Russells. I have a couple pair of boots and a pair of their Oneida Moccasins. They are my favorite (and most comfortable) footwear.

Posted: 10/18/2014 5:59:06 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Funny how a lot of units started using hiking boots in Afganistan.

Just because it's "military" does not mean it's the best product for the task or environment.

View Quote

The hiking boots we were issued werent all that comfortable, or durable. At least IMO. I still preferred by Dinner Rivets and my Rocky S2V's that I brought with me.

Posted: 10/18/2014 6:04:05 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

They are not cheap (or military) but I love my Russells. I have a couple pair of boots and a pair of their Oneida Moccasins. They are my favorite (and most comfortable) footwear.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Custom-made Russel Moccasin boots made with kangaroo leather are about all I ever wear any more. Light, durable, and as comfortable as socks. If money's not a problem, that's my recommendation.

http://www.russellmoccasin.com

They are not cheap (or military) but I love my Russells. I have a couple pair of boots and a pair of their Oneida Moccasins. They are my favorite (and most comfortable) footwear.

Thank you. I'll make sure to give those a looksy.

More pics of the AO.

Ugly mug

Windmill view

So, basically a lot of mud, water and venomous reptiles.

HTR.

Posted: 10/18/2014 9:08:35 PM EDT

[#29]

I can't say enough about Garmont T8s, their NFS model is a more athletic version of the T8, I own both and can't complain...also Merrill Sawtooths aren't bad, if you have access to anyone (or you yourself are eligible) who has a Promotive account, you can pick up most Merrill boots for $70-90. Haven't out the sawtooths in the water yet but I have with the Garmonts, no complaints

Posted: 10/19/2014 5:49:35 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:

They are not cheap (or military) but I love my Russells. I have a couple pair of boots and a pair of their Oneida Moccasins. They are my favorite (and most comfortable) footwear.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Custom-made Russel Moccasin boots made with kangaroo leather are about all I ever wear any more. Light, durable, and as comfortable as socks. If money's not a problem, that's my recommendation.

http://www.russellmoccasin.com

They are not cheap (or military) but I love my Russells. I have a couple pair of boots and a pair of their Oneida Moccasins. They are my favorite (and most comfortable) footwear.

Wow, these look awesomely well made. Not cheap at all, but they seem like a great product regardless.

Ok, just to clarify I'd like to keep the budget -under- 280 bucks

Thanks for sharing the link and your experience with them though, they do look sturdy and like a very well executed product.

Nice things are expensive, and I'm poor haha.

HTR.

Posted: 10/20/2014 9:12:51 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/Imagen027.jpg

Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.

HTR.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you will be in and out of water, I'd recommend against any of the "waterproof" combat boots. They are great right up until water gets inside them, then all that "waterproof" capability tends to keep the water IN. I'd go for quick-drying and lots of ventilation, if I expected to be in a swampy area or ford streams/rivers.

I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/Imagen027.jpg

Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.

HTR.

Are you wearing LL Bean boots?

If that is typical of your environment and deep stream crossings are inevitable the classic Jungle Boot or a modern derivative might be the best choice. Gore-tex just holds water in when you go over the top and it is better to have a lighter boot that dries quickly IMHO. That might be at odds with snake proof boots though.

http://my-rainforest-adventures.blogspot.com/2008/10/jungle-boots-gear-for-rainforest.html

Posted: 10/20/2014 11:57:20 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:

Mainly these two.

Rattle snakes:
http://static.betazeta.com/www.fayerwayer.com/up/2011/11/serpiente_cascabel-660x350.jpg
And Yararas:
http://www.fm899.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/yarara.jpg

There are other snakes like the coral but it's very unlike to get injected by.one of those. They will bite, but they are not very effective injecting as their fangs are placed to deep inside their mouth

Any of those two above will seriously ruin your day.

Are you sure they would go through your boot? I never heard that before. Not arguing, just really honestly curious about it.

HTR.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you will be in and out of water, I'd recommend against any of the "waterproof" combat boots. They are great right up until water gets inside them, then all that "waterproof" capability tends to keep the water IN. I'd go for quick-drying and lots of ventilation, if I expected to be in a swampy area or ford streams/rivers.

I hear what you're saying. This is me in the kind of evinroment I'm going to be using these boots.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/Imagen027.jpg

Thick jungle, lots of snakes, lots of mud, water.

HTR.

hey did you move to florida lol

my shtf boots are the 790's iirc ( black goretex soft sided issue boot)..they are nice on rocks,,hard surfaces and water ...

untill it goes over the top . As already posted above.

They are built like a tank. The tread pattern is ok but will clog up going from say silty /gravel stream bed to mud/loose sand/muck which then adds three pounds LOL.
But over all they are a do all pattern.

Ive been eyeing up the new balance (otb iirc) jungle boot. Even the old altma jungle boots that i used to wear when younger with the deep lugged "panama" sole look better each day. light,,dry times etc

i wear merrels each day. they dry fast,,drain h20..but arent water proof.
Honestly if your mucking it up it wont matter unless youve got full rubber boots on.

snakes will go through most "combat" boots least ones we have here..im sure you got a few lil nasties down that way that would compare.

so its a trade off..have good drainage...or stay dry till your to deep then stuck walking in buckets of h20?
same debate here ..ive been having..

if it wasnt for foot rot or injuries id wear chacos sandals (think tevas on steroids)..

Mainly these two.

Rattle snakes:
http://static.betazeta.com/www.fayerwayer.com/up/2011/11/serpiente_cascabel-660x350.jpg
And Yararas:
http://www.fm899.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/yarara.jpg

There are other snakes like the coral but it's very unlike to get injected by.one of those. They will bite, but they are not very effective injecting as their fangs are placed to deep inside their mouth

Any of those two above will seriously ruin your day.

Are you sure they would go through your boot? I never heard that before. Not arguing, just really honestly curious about it.

HTR.

Yeah our biggest issues are water moccasins ..eastern d -back and pigmy rattle snakes..corals don't /wont do much.
I wouldn't trust the belvilles to be snake proof..the sides are typical soft cordora and goretex.

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