I like these.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.
My grandmother swore by Magnum.
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.Cochorans are excellently made, I would definitely swear by them. Wore their jumpboots and field boots the entire time I was in the army.
Just kidding! :-)
Found that on an similar FR thread I bookmarked a while back. Consensus there seemed to lean heavily toward Danner.
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.
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. :)
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.
Bought a pair of Magnums five years ago and they still look great.
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.