Boots...

[NightCat]

Well fellas, we all know the most important thing to a soldier is his feet, and with that we need some comfortable boots that'll take a beating.

My poor Belleville 390's are finally on their last leg and I'm looking for suggestions on new boots...

Belleville's? Rocky's? Blackhawk's? Magnums? Oakleys?

What do you guys find is comfortable and holds up well?

How much advertising/bullshit/lies/not really field tested do you guys think goes into the marketing of these boots? I see a lot of "cool guy" and "tacticool" looking boots...but time has taught me that simplicity is the key and most of this waffle is bullshit.

[Bailey Guns]

The best boots I've ever worn have generally been from Danner. Hands down the Danner boots I wore on the street were better than anything else. I got a pair of the (now discontinued) Rocky tan military boots from my son and I REALLY like those, too. As good as any Danner boot I've tried. Too bad I can't find them any more. I just ordered a pair of Danner "Kinetic GTX" boots from their "Breakroom" sale for $75. They're going to be imported from China, which really kind of irritates me, but for less than 1/2 price I'm willing to try them. Should have 'em by the end of the week.

In general I like something with a pretty aggressive sole, GoreTex lining, about 200 to 400 grams of insulation and 8" height.

[TheBelly]

What size are your feet, OP?

[Guylee]

Depends on what you want them for. As far as all around comfort goes, the Nike's are hard to beat, but they don't offer a lot of tread and their QC is kind of hit and miss. Some guys have had theirs for years and others break down after a couple months. I have the Rocky S4t and they are good boots but mine were a gift and a little big so they move around on me so I can't say how they are for anything REALLY serious. Honestly for rucking I just use my old issue boots with a really good insole...I've broken them in to where they fit perfectly and don't rub anywhere, but I know a lot of folks like to buy other boots. I guess really my suggestion is the Nike's for just general wear.

[Byte Stryke]

I love my Magnums...

[liberty19]

I have tried several different brands of duty / tactical boots. My favorite are the Rocky S2V. I have and
a pair of the black ones and a pair of the desert tan ones. They are lightweight and very comfortable and durable. They also dry very fast if you get them wet or sweat a lot. They are not insulated so I wouldn't consider them winter boots.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your search.

[stevelkinevil]

My Rockys lasted forever, hell I still have them they just have no tread left. On the other hand avoid 5.11 boots, total crap! for comparison my Rockys lasted over 8 years on duty, The 5.11s split after 6 months of working in an indoor range. They sent me out a new pair no questions asked but I just keep thinking "o great another pair or crap boots!"

[kidicarus13]

Can't go wrong with Danners

[porfiriozg]

stay away from red wing they don't hold up for the price

[mcantar18c]

I've had no complaints about my Blackhawks. They've lasted through the running in jump school and the rocks and grape rows and shit in RC-S, and they're comfy enough for every day garrison wear.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I like Altamas with the ripple tread.

[Teufelhund]

+1 on Danner. I had some insulated combat-boot Danners issued to me in the Corps (probably the same ones Bailey mentioned above), and they held up well and were comfortable throughout a lot of ground-pounding. I just bought a pair of Danner Big Horn gtx with 400g Thinsulate for this hunting season and they were worth every penny. I like a boot with an aggressive sole, tall enough not to rub on my ankle bones, the more leather the better, and some insulation. Can't go wrong with Danner.

I also still have a pair of Bates combat boots that I bought to wear in garrison because they were good leather and easy to shine. I wear them out to the range still, but they aren't nearly as comfortable as my Danners.

[Sharpienads]

I've had no complaints about my Blackhawks. They've lasted through the running in jump school and the rocks and grape rows and shit in RC-S, and they're comfy enough for every day garrison wear.

+1 for Blackhawks. By far the best boots I've ever had. I've had them for about 5 years, been through 3 deployments to Iraq and Asskrackistan and they're still going strong.

[Ronin13]

I bought a pair of Converse Stealth tan boots (w/o zipper) just before deploying, holy crap! Awesome boots, 100x better than the issued boots, and they're light, comfortable, and have great traction. They survived the deployment and the 9 months after with several runs to the range and whatnot... After having them for about 4 years they're now starting to show some wear, but they'll probably be replaced with some black ones since I'm no longer in.

[Fentonite]

I have these Lowas, and like them very much. Great ankle support without binding the Achilles, light, durable.

http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=3102440410&Category=8&Type=M

[Hoser]

Of all the boots Uncle Sam has issued me over the years two stand out.

The Matterhorn and the Rocky S2V.

The Matterhorns were great for cold weather and completely waterproof. I wore them from 88-2001 when it was cold. Sometimes into the warmer months if I forgot. After late 2001 pretty much all I wore was desert brown uniforms and then Uncle Sam went away from black boots.

The Rockys are excellent and have a lot of ankle support. The vents keep the heat down to a dull roar even when its 120-130' outside. None of mine needed any break in time and they are on the lighter side of things for a full height boot. The treads last a long time even though the back of the planes are covered in skateboard/non-slip tape.

I liked the Converse as well, but they didnt last as long as I would have liked. With bloused pants they kinda look like Napoleon Dynamite moon boots...

[Goodburbon]

The 5.11s I got lasted just fine minus the laces, but that's what happens to every pair of boots I've ever owned. That being said my next pair will be Matterhorn, Rocky, or Danner.

[Inspector Fowler]

I heel strike so hard that no boot has ever lasted past 18 months with me. It's just how I walk. My first pair of boots working in the jail were Danners, and the soles cracked right in half before I had a chance to work through the heel.

Other than that, though, every single pair of boots I've worn, I go through the heel before anything else can wear out except sometimes the laces. So I just buy for comfort, knowing that they have about 12-18 months before a new pair will be on my feet.

[Rucker61]

I got to buy all new stuff for my hunting addiction, as I didn't have anything to use, so I bit the bullet and went with the Kenetreks. Just felt better than anything else I tried on.

[Mick-Boy]

Do they have to be uniform boots?

[van7559]

I heel strike so hard that no boot has ever lasted past 18 months with me. It's just how I walk. My first pair of boots working in the jail were Danners, and the soles cracked right in half before I had a chance to work through the heel.

Other than that, though, every single pair of boots I've worn, I go through the heel before anything else can wear out except sometimes the laces. So I just buy for comfort, knowing that they have about 12-18 months before a new pair will be on my feet.

Dude I am with you on this! I am lucky if my boots see a years worth of service. My last pair were danners, currently rocking some cabelas work boots, had red wing, danner, georgia, chippewa etc. a year and there is nothing left period

[Jherexx]

Rocky S2V's, don't even have to break them in.

[NightCat]

Do they have to be uniform boots?
Nah, they dont. I've recently left active service and am now looking for a good boot for recreational use and perhaps some downrange use. Mostly just an all around boot, range time and hiking.


What size are your feet, OP?
11 Mens.

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Keep it coming!

[gnihcraes]

Georgia Boot for me. I've had them several years, multiple hunting trips, and wear them every winter here in town. I'm on my feet all day, indoors and out. They are a water proof pair, non-insulated. starting to show some wear, but hanging in there.

Sportsmans was a dealer, until the bankruptcy. Not sure where to buy them now. My 2 cents.

Edit: They never have leaked, and I keep them waterproofed with mink oil etc. (leather)

[CowboyTuff]

Danner Combat Hikers get the nod from me, best boots I've ever had the pleasure of hiking in.

[Jolly Green]

Ive had a pair of Belleville 700s for the past four years (worn 4 days a week). I like them so much I plan on buying another pair for spares. They just get a bit hot in the summer with the goretex lining. http://belleville-boots.com/wetw.htm

[jgang]

Rocky S2V. I'm on my third pair in uniform. Wear them everyday, all day.

[ColoWyo]

Check out the Danners that are made in the USA. They cost more, but from my experience, worth it.

[Richard K]

+1 for Danner. I've got 4 pair which I wear based upon the weather; unisulated, 200 gram, 400 gram and 600 gram. It has to be well below zero before I'll wear the 600 gram pair.