USMC RAT Boots

[White Feather Blades]

Hey guys, I wanted to pass this on. I recently picked a very nice pair of boots for a great price. They are $40 on close out from (not a BF paid Dealer member). I had to wait for them a while because of backorder but they were comfy out of the box and solidly constructed. The only thing that is "wrong" with them is that part of the Marine Corps emblem on the heel is stamped out. Probably due to contract reasons. Bates USMC RAT boots. Mods, Hope this is ok!

USMC Rat boot.jpg

[Grease]

Regardless of what the mods think, I'm happy! I've been looking around for some good boots. I guess at $40 I won't lose much if they don't work, but I'll sure be a happy camper if they work That's less than half the price of many similar boots I've been looking at.

Edit: Interesting. Looks like some of the boots had QC issues. Some reviewers love them, and a few seem to think they're falling apart. Oh well. I've had 2nd pairs of the same shoes do that where the first didn't so we'll see.

Apparently it took 70,000 of them before the USMC noticed, so it can't be THAT common.

[White Feather Blades]

That's what I thought. For $40 it's hard to go Wrong. And even mods like a good deal!

[collecter]

WOW what a bargain. if I didn't already have boots I'd be all over these. (not a BF paid Dealer member)

Last summer I bought 2 pairs of overstock Altama Desert boots for $36 new delivered. I love them! For my climate they are perfect.

[White Feather Blades]

I think I remember seeing those RAT boots up around $300 when they came out.

[Grease]

Yeah, I think they were supposed to compete with the Danner RAT boots.

[baldtaco-II]

"Hot-weather RAT boots are also produced by Danner, but to date the Marine Corps has purchased only Bates’ version. The contract for Bates’ boots includes 105,000 pairs. About 67,000 were delivered before these defects were discovered and delivery was halted."............................."The Marine Corps stopped delivery of more hot-weather RAT boots produced by Bates and has begun working with the company to correct the problem, officials said. Temperate-weather versions of the boot, produced by Danner and Welco, are also excluded from the recall.".....................................Problems with the hot-weather RAT boots include separation of stitching and glue at the seams, said Lt. Col. Kevin Reilly, the program manager for infantry combat equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va. Eyelets that allow the boots to breathe and drain water also are falling off.“These failures are not due to the RAT boot’s design, but its manufacturing process and improper materials used in the manufacturing of the boot,” - http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news...ecall-033011w/

[White Feather Blades]

Well you guys are definitely doing your research! Lol! Thanks for the info.
While inspecting them out of the box, that was one thought I had- about them coming apart where the upper is glued and stitched to the sole- I don't see any gaps or what would seem to be weak points in the construction so we'll see how they hold up and I'll try to update you guys with any changes. That being said, $40 I think is worth the risk.
If you want to know where I got them, just email me.
Mods, sorry for the infraction! My bad!

[soapboxpreacher]

Just ordered a pair! Not bad! How do they run...true to size,big, narrow?

[soapboxpreacher]

I believe the 29502A is the model to get. The 29502D are the defective ones. I am still shocked that boots can cost 300 bucks! At 40 and a coupon code so they were 37 is a steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grease]

Just ordered a pair! Not bad! How do they run...true to size,big, narrow?

Website Q/A said they run true to size, more or less.

I believe the 29502A is the model to get. The 29502D are the defective ones. I am still shocked that boots can cost 300 bucks! At 40 and a coupon code so they were 37 is a steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazon has the 'D' ones for over $100 O.o

[Oso grande]

I've got a pair of the Danner version and love them!