Military boots

[ak70g2]

I'm looking for informations and personal opinions about military boots. Because I'm collector of military gear, I'm interested about military footwear. Until now I used Romanian "old school" military/soviet style boots (nightmare), Romanian "new style" boots (Agdesy brand - confortable and very sturdy) and US made Bates M9 desert boots (Vibram sole, very light, very confortable, but not very solid, a sole cracked after used on mountainerous terrain).

So, please, post your boots, their pro's and con's, I'm looking to expand my collection and need advices.

[cavguy]

Alot of US Army soldiers are wearing hiking type boots now in Afghanistan. I had a pair of Asolo (Forgot style name) boots and Scarpa (Kailash). They were both GREAT but were a bit warm for summer use. They were of solid construction and the soles held up great, the Asolo's wore out quicker than the Scarpa's though. Interestingly enough if I remember right they were both made in Romania.

[ak70g2]

Thanks for your answer, CavGuy. Unfortunately, it's made in Romania just for export, I can't buy it here. Currently I'm looking for a pair of Bundeswehr Lowa mountaineering boots (I'm involved in Search & Rescue, I spend a lot of time in the mountains/on rugged grounds), a pair of British Army Lowa ( ) Desert boots and for Norwegian M77 boots. I had a pair of Asolo civilian hiking boots, I used (abused, actually) for 3 years, they're still in my locker, missing inner padding.

Thank you very much again, I'll look for Kaylash boots.

[fdsman]

If you want something truly unique, you should check these out.

http://www.bfrboots.com/english/html/bfr_boots.html

I'm temtped to pick up a pair because from what I've heard, they're more comfortable than standard issue boots.

[Treesuit]

CAVGUY and Ak70G2,

I have an intersting note about the boots US forces are wearing in the A-stan. It may help in your search or not. There are several different directives that came out in 2009 when most forces were reporting that the current desert boots were wearing out to quickly, DoD requested several different types of mountain boots from some companies that make civilian hiking boots here in the states. What most troops wear right now is a smattering of several different varieites. There was no real directives from DoD on what would be a standard boot per se so the agency gave the authority and money for unit commanders to purchase whatever worked.

Some units went out and directly purchased DANNER's; which are made in Portland, OR and have been made there for over 100 years. There were two types Danner put out, both names I can't remember, but one was a lighter boot with a thick sole and another was a thicker heavier boot than that with longer ankle support. Both of which held up superbly in A-stan especially with rocky terrain and sand. Of course there are many other companies still out there such as ALTAMA, Ro-search and BATES. The first two made US Jungle Boots back in the 1960-1990's and Bates are the ones that make dress shoes both military and civilian.

With the Danner's from what I seen, they don't have good ventilation so therefore your feet would sweat too much especially in summer and you need thicker socks with those boots. Interestingly, DoD hasn't upgraded nor standardized what a good solid sock should be. If anything socks should be an important choice along with the boot.

[ak70g2]

Treesuit, I think you're talking about these two models:

http://www.danner.com/dannerr-combat-hi ... boots.html

http://www.danner.com/dannerr-ichtm-bro ... boots.html

I heard many good and nice things about Danner, but unfortunately they are way too expensive in Europe. Currently I'm settled to this model:

http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBo ... y=8&Type=M

Germany Bundeswehr mountaineering boots. But first I need to get the money, 'cause I want a climbing static rope too. I love high cut boots and wear it all the time, 'cause I have some kind of rheumatoid disease on the ankles (I have some pains when it's cold/damp, so I kept "packed" even in the summer), so, I don't mind to change my socks twice a day and wash them, so long my feet keep me moving. Last Saturday I made a 32 km trip (roughly 20 miles) on foot, to stretch my bones after this long and hatred winter.

[Treesuit]

Ak70g2,

Yes, those two types of boots by Danner are the ones that I see with most of the units that went and came back from the A-stan. I heard many good things about those two types as well. I too would love to get a pair but the price turns me off, I figure I can spend that money elsewhere and just pay $50.00 on a pair of black US made jungle boots and still be comfortable.

Just out of curiousity what size of boot do you take?

[ak70g2]

I wear European size 43 /US size 10/UK size 9 (I hope is correct, for european size i'm sure ).

Regarding spending money, I preffer to get a very good and pricey thing, which can last "forever" and trust my life on it, than many cheap things ("chinese") that fail when I'm not expected, with dangerous chances. Just my opinion.

[Treesuit]

AK70G2,

Then I take it your country has a lot of "Chinese products" that flooded your market like here in the US? Almost everything here has a "made in china" lable or stamp on it. Sometimes the chinese copies are more expensive than the US made stuff.

[ak70g2]

Brother, I think every country on this planet was flooded by "chinese products"... It's very hard to find good products... "Cheap" and "Throw Away" seems to be the most common features. That's why Housil's BMW costs a lot.