Posted: 6/14/2007 9:29:08 AM EDT
I've got a pair of boots, given to me by my late wife through a mutual friend that were said to be of British Army issue. They were so comfortable that they immediately became my favorite boots. I have babied them over the years because I can't be sure how and when I'll be able to get another pair. I avoided getting them soaked, and I would never have used them for work. These were always my GOOD shoes (they look good with a suit, I think).   They didn't even need to be broken in; they were comfortable since Day One. The lining is so soft I could wear them without socks if I wanted to.  They seemed to be VERY well made... until last weekend, that is. I was visiting Niagara Falls, enjoying the sights and taking pictures. As I was walking around, the boots just didn't feel right. I checked the soles:      The soles were just coming apart. At first, a couple lugs came off. I figured, ah, well; normal wear and tear. Then MORE came off. You can see that one heel peeled off down to the inner portion, which seems to be a foam rubber. The soles also started to wear through to the inside. I'm considering having them resoled if possible, both for sentimental reasons and because the shoes were just so damned comfortable to wear and because the uppers are still like new. 1) Do these look like authentic British kit to you guys? 2) If so, is this sort of deterioration normal? Granted, I've had these boots for several years, but I've never seen a pair of boots come apart like this. Jim 
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I wear Danner's and have had my current pair for about 8 years. They're in need of a service, but it just seems too cost prohibitive to send them to Oregon. I did try to get a replacement pair when I was over recently, but couldn't find the pair I wanted. Yours look like they had Vibram soles, I'd go for those again Mark |
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In my past experience, Vibram soles would gradually wear down over the years. These boots had the same pattern, but the soles seem to be a molded soft rubber version that finally broke down. I do know an old-time cobbler here who might be able to replace these with the actual Vibram soles that I'm used to. If he can't do it, I'm going to try to order a new pair of these same boots; maybe TWO pair. BTW, I can look for your size and model number here if you like. Best post a photo just to be sure. Jim ETA: I think I just found my boots here: www.silvermans.co.uk/Silver/docs/topframe.htm They're about 40 Quid, which translates to $80 US, IIRC. I might order a set. They also have Danner boots; see if they have your model, Mark, and if the price is right. |
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Yep they are British army issue Assault Boots (the predecessors to the current issue Pro Boots). Not quite as good as the new Gortex lined Pro boots (which i have a pair of and wear them for cadets, and all the shooting i do, and would highly recommend as a comfy and hard wearing boot) But those assault boots are good pieces of kit. In my short time in the cadets i have seen a few pair of boots come apart like that. What i have heard is that it is the result of a bad batch, with bad soles (which we often get as cadets as they arn't good enough for regs - i have seen a 6 month old pair of Pro boots (£150 worth) fall apart like that). That shouldn't happen to a good pair of boots, but i think you just got unlucky with a bad pair. Those Assault boots are made to last a lifetime, and most of them do. If you look on ebay or in surplus stores you will be able to find a new pair with no trouble. |
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I had a pair of the trial boots in the early '90s and the soles went the same way as yours - exactly as Tyga said, a bad batch. The current ones shouldn't go that way (although the 2002/3 early issue desert boots were a bit similar in the longevity stakes). I'll look in my loft and see if I've got a buckshee pair. If you're a 9 medium (UK size) then they're yours if you want them. cheers Nick PS Are you absolutley certain they look good with a suit? |
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I could very well have gotten them contaminated, although I don't recall walking in Glycol or anything like that. It's a shame, as I really did expect them to last several more years. It does seem as though something has caused the material to decompose. My 17 year old stepson will be traveling to London in July to stay with his grandmother for a month. Maybe I could trust him to find the proper ones, and in the correct size so he can bring them back for me. (I'll send him with copies of those photos) What about Silverman's (linked above)? Are their prices in line, or can anyone here recommend another good outlet in London? Their online price for these boots is £39.95. Otherwise I'll just order them and have them shipped. |
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I did a quick 'recon', and the Danner 8" Recons list for $254 on the Danner website. Figure about half that number for a Sterling equivalent. I'll also look around for a better price. WRT to UK sizes, I would have to call them and ask. I do know that my British-issue boots are 7L, and I normally take a US size 8 ½. There must be a cross reference chart somewhere. Jim |
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I found the Gortex version here for £50. most other places have them around £70-£90. http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ishop/853/shopscr457.html Those Silvermans prices seem pretty good( for a change! Silvermans are usually quite expensive but they do have HUGE inventory.) US sizes are generally a size to a size and a half larger than UK sizes. So US 8 =UK 7 That 7L stands for 7 Large , which I think refers to width fitting( Large). These people are usually pretty good too and they have size comparason charts!. http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/ishop/877/shopscr77.html Or just google British army boots. Just be aware , over here if surplus items are graded it means they have been issued and therefore are used not new. |
I think I paid £195 for mine, but when I was in the US I took a look around Cabela's and Sportsmans warehouse in the hope of fiding some. They didn't have that model though. $254 is about right and works out to about £130 and I can live with that Mark |
sort of correct these are British combat assault boots and are current issue the gortex boots Tyga mentioned are for cold climates and are expensive usualy issued before deployment (Kosovo Bosnia) you get the idea. as for the sole I have seen this happen a lot but never to me. I have never found a reason for this happening maybe a solvent? or perhaps the compound just gives up sometimes. I agree that they are great boots however not enough whistles and bells for the young boys who all like gortex that never dries out on patol and turn into fridges. now I have some of these in my old footlocker and as I don't need them now let me know your size and we will see what we can do when I'm in the states in july. another boot I think are great is the 5:11 HRT anyway let me know your boot size! Nick Just checked the photo's 7L that's small I'll have to make some Phone calls to my old team no promises though. Nick |
funny old thing that Brit troops buying their own kit  however the new cold weather boots to replace pro boots are just like the lowa I wonder where they got that idea? |
It's the good old UK Public Sector buying power. They always seem to get charged the most, but end up with often the worst kit. It's a common topic still even with us. I totted up one day and found that I was wearing about 300 quids worth of stuff I had paid for myself! 
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Nice boots, but can you wear them at Bisley ? 
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