I like these.
Posted on 05/07/2005 10:56:05 AM PDT by neutrino
I'm thinking of purchasing a pair of combat boots - I want something durable, comfortable, and suitable for extended walking. I'm in Texas, so heat is a greater environmental challenge than cold.
In this instance, price is not a concern. Quality, durability, and functionality are critical.
Altama seems to have some good products; Magnum has some strong advocates. Corcoran has some proponents - one model is here
Danner has an interesting model here
So, as I asked earlier...what is your favorite? Which would you never use? And why? Quite possibly I'm not aware of the best brands or models, so please don't feel constrained by any of the items I've listed.
Thank you for your thoughts.
The ones we just got issued with the ACU's, are the best I've had in 21 years of duty.
They're like slippers, I swear!
Did you look at Red Wing?
My dad was a marine grunt and wore danners whenever he was in the field.
Ive also heard that wolverines are good for steel toe boots.
Please forgive my ignorance...but could you be a bit more specific about the details?
We've been issued the tan boots for desert duty. Incredibly cushioned, and wear great in hot climes.
Mine have "Belleville" stenciled on the suede.
They're similar to the old jungle boots, but lighter.
My grandmother swore by Magnum.
I'm a bit hesitant. I went by one of the stores to get some boot laces. On the positive side, they gave me some laces - they wouldn't even accept money for them. On the negative side, the laces seemed to be of poor quality. And, in this case, quality and durability are key issues.
Danner has an interesting model here
And NONE of these are an issued combat boot...
once you get a good fit for the boot and all that, make sure you get some good socks and that you use the boots to the point that they are well broken in. After that, they will probably be the most comforable boots or shoes you have ever worn...
I like these.
Thank you!
While I appreciate the suggestion, I can assure you that these are not a last minute mother's day present....
THAT'S IT! You found them - and a whole potload more!
Your momma wears combat boots
Well, of course. How else can she help with the crew served weapons?
Cochorans are excellently made, I would definitely swear by them. Wore their jumpboots and field boots the entire time I was in the army.
I was waiting for that. LOL.
That said, these would not be acceptable as combat boots even if they were black.
I used to work on an island, where my feet were always wet and I loved Timberlands, but you are right the quality is on the rapid decline.
Just kidding! :-)
Found that on an similar FR thread I bookmarked a while back. Consensus there seemed to lean heavily toward Danner.
So I guess you'd be looking at something like this?
Is the apparent lack of a Goretex inner boot a problem?
If your more interested in in a hi endurance boot for hiking, backpacking, rock scrabbling and that sort of thing, go with a mountaineering boot. They fit better, and are more supportive of your feet under heavy load, and have better grip on rocky terrain like mountains.
The only true advantages I see real combat boots having, is higher uppers to protect and support more of the ankle, especially if your jumping (from an airplane). And cost.
A good pair of mountaineering boots will cost you $200+, depending on what you want. A lot of the newer boots have full leather outers, with goretex inners. Great for insulation and moisture wicking. By the way, a light insulation system matched with moisture wicking in a hot environment like Texas would be ideal.
Also, always in any weather, wear a good pair of wool sox. I recommend SmartWool brand, expedition weight. They have plenty of cushioning between the boot and foot, can wick away the Niagra Falls, and are rock solid for holding up and staying together.
As far as boots. My favs are La Sportiva Makalus. I wear them for EVERYTHING. (Except going to weddings and funerals). I've had 2 pair, and am soon going to get a third.
If you go this route, I suggest finding a store where you can try them on, and walk around the store for 30-45 minutes. Make sure they're comfortable and well fitting. And then when you know what brand and model you want and size you need, find them online. I bought my last pair from England saved $65 by not getting them in the US, not to mention another $20 in taxes.
In July, we’ll be spending three weeks tromping around in the jungles of the Yucatan and near the Guatemalan border. It is a malarial and other insect-borne disease risk area. We will be taking prophylaxis but I want to try to keep the bites on my wife and teen-aged kids down to a minimum.
All our outdoor gear is designed for the cold Pacific Northwest and the mosquitoes here are not that big of a problem.
Any advice about the best “Bug Suit” to use in a hot, tropical climate? I want the best protection that won't cook my kids.
I have been considering the Shannon brand suits that have a double mesh construction that allows a space between the outer mesh and the body so that mosquitoes can’t get you at the mesh/body contact points. However, I don't know how hot this double mesh construction will be.
That's more what I'm interested in. Still, good ankle support and comfort are important - even though I have no intention of jumping out of a perfectly good (or even not so good) airplane. And it isn't just rough terrain - the boot needs to have good traction in a variety of areas, including gravel, mud, and regular pavement.
I hadn't considered your solution, but I'll certainly take a close look. Thank you.
By all means...and thanks for pinging some great FReepers!
Don't get the Corcorans. Even with extra insole cushions these soles are HARD. Tough to break in, too. Real ankle twisters in big gravel. I had to have some boots when my Wolverines gave out after 4 months and Corcorans is what the PX had, but there are better choices.
The best combat boot is the one the sargent puts up your butt. :)
Magnum Amazon 4's beat Corcorans all to hell. Much more comfortable. Issue boots for the Brits. I have tested these and recommend them.
Thanks for the advice. So, what would you suggest?
My husband gets horrible blisters anytime he wears a pair of Corcorans. He prefers Belleville for desert boots. He gets his jungle boots from Altama.
Danner makes the sturdiest boots. Nothing can touch them once they're broken in.
Bates makes a decent, moderately prices Nylon/Leather Vietnam Style boot. Good soft soles. Though the sole does tend to wear quickly and is prone to splittling.
Jack.
Converse Desert Boots and Magnum Amazon 4 are working for me. The Magnums required no break in.
Just my personal opinion. maybe Cochorans fit my feet better or something. The field boots were especially easy to put one in front of the other. btw served as #4 for a little bit, what piece are you on?
Bought a pair of Magnums five years ago and they still look great.
ah, very cool. I was on one of these: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m198.htm
Was in the only airborne 155mm batallion in the world.
sorry for the thread-jack tho, I never had a pair of cochorans fall apart, and i am brutal on footwear.
I'm in the market as well for a durable pair of black boots that will work suitably for tough rural work, urban use in poor weather conditions, and can be worn on my motorcycle in a pinch for short rides where I want protective footwear besides specialized motorcycle boots. With that in mind, I'm considering the White's Boots Lace-to-Toe Smokejumpers below.
They're a bit pricey at nearly $400.00, but obviously top-of-the-line and can be completely rebuilt a few years from now. Check the picture to see how the lugged sole is sewn, screwed, and glued to the upper. How much stronger can one get? They're apparently used by wildland firefighters, soldiers, hunters, and others in rough conditions.
I'm also considering some of the Danner models to get a bit of price relief...which would save me about $100.00 as compared to the awesome White's Boots model above. Danner also enjoys a great reputation among outdoor enthusiasts. Here is the double-thickness Super Rain Forest in the 10" version:
Any other suggestions would be sincerely appreciated! Let me know what choices have worked well for everyone else.
~ Blue Jays ~
I had mine handmade in Korea to fit my feet, complete with a hidden pocket inside for stuff (Razor blade, Dogtag, P-38)
All of Danner's boots used to be made in USA. Sadly, they've recently started importing from China. I have a seven year old pair of Danner mountaineering boots; Vibram soles, steel shank, Gore-tex and Thinsulate. They're my sole footwear when I'm in the mountains of northwest Montana. Not sure what I'll do when they wear out -- some day.
There wasn't any definitive information on the Danner website with regard to where all their boots are built. I know the headquarters is still in Portland, Oregon (also the home of Langlitz Leathers...very cool) but that doesn't speak to whether they outsource. If anything, I might guess that the lower-tier models might come from elsewhere.
At the same time, we have to be willing to pay for quality if that is what we desire. It is just taking me quite a bit of courage to pony-up the big bucks for the excellent boots I pictured above. White's Boots offers a great explanation about support, but I'm wondering if that heel just looks a bit bizarre.
~ Blue Jays ~
~ Blue Jays ~
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