[shibumi]

That was the best footwear I ever had.

I wonder if they can be found still today?

[fidelis]

I wore my Air Force issue pair for years until I wore them out. I wish I still had them. I’ve seen some cheap knock-offs at faux “military surplus” stores, but I haven’t seen the real thing for years.

[Joe 6-pack]

You’re right about comfort. I scandalized a lot of my troops by wearing them for my APFT. Around ‘95 the Army began authorizing black ballistic nylon “jungle boots” that were essentialy the same design with a panama tread and a padded collar. The OD green boots remained authorized while serviceable. Lots of us who liked them went and bought up several pairs. I still have a pair made by Altima which are pretty well worn. At some point manufacturers replaced the aluminum “punji plate” with kevlar. There are a lot of cheap Chinese made knock-offs out there, but I don’t think there are any quality manufacturers still producing them.

[Little Pig]

Altama still makes them. They have the Panama sole now, and a different insole, but they’re the same otherwise (you can still find the Saran insoles if you look).

[plymaniac]

I can’t say I ever had to use 1960s era jungle footwear. But I have seen the unbelievable improvement in outdoor gear of every type since the 1970s. If we don’t have a better wet boot by now I’d be surprised and disappointed.

[Hot Tabasco]

That was the best footwear I ever had.

I was stationed in Panama and wondered why those weren't available to us......

As a side note, it was so humid down there that you had to change boots daily and polish them. If you let them sit for a couple of days they would start mildewing......

[archy]

That was the best footwear I ever had.

I wonder if they can be found still today?

They can. there are third-generation knockoffs, often found in all-black rather than with the green nylon side uppers, that aren't too bad and run $30 or so. There are also some pretty good ones in desert tan/sand, used for current AO applications, but omitting the alloy *punji plate* that holds desert heat from sun-baked sand.

One version to avoid: the ones with side zippers, which I've had several pair of and invariably tore the zippers out on within a week or two of use. But the local cobbler sewed the side back up solid, using the inside sand flap as reinforcement, and they were again good to go.