Posted: 11/29/2005 2:20:59 PM EDT
| Hey fellas. Haven't posted in this forum before, but I need some advice on boots. I'm currently training with a team of fellow firefighters for the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, NM. My neighbor advises that I purchase some of the ripple sole style boots as the route covers asphalt, hills, gravel/dirt road, and a two mile long sand pit. He says those are the best boots for the terrain. What do you guys think of this style of sole? The ones I'm considering ar the Altama brand, and also, how does the 'jungle' style differ from the other style. They are available at Brigade Quartermaster for around $95. Please tell all. |
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I own mostly Wellco boots except for the Bellevilles that were issued to me. When it comes to rucking/marching I wore Wellco Jungle Boots with a flat and softer vibram sole. Its light and provides some more cushion for your feet. If you go here http://www.vibram.us/products/industrial.asp its #2062 Olympic. Its probably the most popular sole I've seen other then standard soles that come on jungle and leg boots in general. As far as the differnet boot styles. Jungle boots have a canvas upper and leather lower. They're typically lighter and breathe more. Work well for warmer enviroments. There is all leather legs boots which has no canvas, just leather. The other option is hot weather or cold weather lined boot from belleville, wellco, or Bates. They all make the same boot pretty much. It looks different then a jungle or leg boot. |
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I've given some thought to resoling a current pair. This advice comes from a neighbor who served as a medic for two marches and witnessed success and failure and boot issues. I just don't want our experience to be marred by poor equipment choices from a novice group. Oh yeah, we I forgot to mention that we are all competing in the heavy division which entails a 35 pound pack for the duration of the 26.2 mile distance. www.bataanmarch.com is the website |
| I wore jungles with a 55lb pack and competed in various activities including a 20mile ruck over 48hrs that added up to about 40miles all together. Jungle boots would work fine. I wouldn't keep a normal panama style sole on there. Either get some Wellco Tuffcushion jungles or get a pair of normal jungles and have a softer vibram sole put on them. Likewise a civilian hiking boot in the $80-100 price range would work fine for that mileage and probably provide more comfort. |
35 lb pack is in the "heavy" division?? Dayum. |
Exactly my thoughts. 35 pounds is a nerf ruck. As important as the pading is, also makes ure the leather uppers fit your feet when broken in. I guess I just have wierd feet, but the best fitting boots for me have actually been the all leather "leg" boots. The desert boots that are the same design as the jungles also fit me well. Luckily for me, I'll never have to wear those fabric and leather boots that the Army began issuing a couple years ago, as they are the same design as Danner, Matterhorn, Cove, etc and just do not fit me right. Get boots that fit, and you can have a good sole put on them. The ripple soles do have some give, and absorb shock well. There are other padded soles that work just as well if you can'tfind the rippled for everyone's boots. You can take a look at local shoe repair stores to see what option are available. |
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im partial to Belleville with a vibram, but thats just my personal preference. whatever boot u pick, wear them all the time, break them in for as long as u can, and get your feet and boots used to eaqch other. The funniest thing i saw as far are boots are concerned. We had a training ruck march in MOPP gear back in the 1980s in Baumholder, one PVT decided to wear his MOPP boots without any combat boots underneath. It was just socks, with those flimsy MOPP boots that kinda wrapped around your boots. around 8 miles in the PVT was in pure agony. He ended up with some seriously blistered and bloody feet. AND eneded up with an ART 15 for damaging GOVT property and not being in correct uniform. 
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| The sole is not as important as the insole. I wore Dr. Scholl walking insoles with my jungle boots for about 20 years. The current issue Bellville desert boots are very comfortable and I even use the insole that come with the boots. They required little to no breakin and are very durable. |
| +1 on the bellville 390's Their like wearing sport shoes I did the bataan in 99 with jungle boots and my feet looked like ground beef I actualy received a profile to wear sandals for a few weeks afterwards. The socks will be worth what you pay for them just remember to keep your boots snug when you get to the bootsucking sand it will wreck you. Other than that stay hydrated and get used to your ruck. |