Boot sizing for lightweight desertboot models (Altama Exospeed, Danner TFX, Bates M9)

A

Apec

Joined
Oct 30, 2007
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I'm looking forward to getting my first pair of lightweight desert boots.

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of trying a pair on since there are no dealers that carry those around here (and the mil surplus store only carries the regular issue models from those respective companies).

So far I'm interested in the Altama EXOspeed II, Danner Tfx, and Bates M9, in order of preference.

Has anyone here had any experience with the sizing for those models? I wear size 12 running and basketball shoes and size 11R for regular issue boots.
 
I'd be interested to hear others' answers as well. I've wanted to get a pair of tan desert boots too but can't find anyone around that carries anything I'm interested in. Of the three brands you listed I checked all their sites and overall like the offerings from Altama and Danner best.
Good luck, hopefully someone chimes in with some good info.
 
I am writing this while wearing one of the two pair of Danner Altima's I have over here this time (sandbox). They are true to size. They are also the only boot I wear any more. Altama are horrible to break in, and Bates are (in my opinion) designed for the guy on duty at the mall. Danners fit right the first time, and require no break in time. I just replace the insoles every now and then. The boots I have now are 4 years old, on their second combat deployment, and one pair is finally due to go back to the factory, where they'll rebuild it to look like new for $30. Spend the money; buy quality.
 
NaturalMystic said:
I'd be interested to hear others' answers as well. I've wanted to get a pair of tan desert boots too but can't find anyone around that carries anything I'm interested in. Of the three brands you listed I checked all their sites and overall like the offerings from Altama and Danner best.
Good luck, hopefully someone chimes in with some good info.
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I sent an email to Altama customer service. Their reply:
Thanks for your email to ALTAMA. The EXOSpeed II is a tactical style boot that is made to fit like an athletic shoe. It also runs pretty true to your regular shoe size. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
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Good thing I have a pair of EXOspeed II size 12's on the way, unless the store bungled my order.

I recall seeing something on Danner's site that said (clicked on the sizing tab while reading the TFX page):

Free Return Shipping
Rest assured that if the boot you receive doesn’t fit correctly, we pay for return shipping back to us. You can order with confidence knowing return shipping is always on us.
Click to expand...
 
I know a lot of guys in my unit like the nike desert boots cause they are lightweight and comfortable. Ive tried a pair on and really like them but cant justify paying for them since i only have 7 months left and already 5 pairs of boots.
 
NaturalMystic said:
I'd be interested to hear others' answers as well. I've wanted to get a pair of tan desert boots too but can't find anyone around that carries anything I'm interested in. Of the three brands you listed I checked all their sites and overall like the offerings from Altama and Danner best.
Good luck, hopefully someone chimes in with some good info.
Click to expand...

I finally got my EXOspeed II's. The size is true to my running shoe size, though they are slightly larger - but that leaves good room for an insole. But they really do weigh as much as running shoes. My old Bates pair felt like walking around with a brick strapped to each foot.
 
Apec said:
I finally got my EXOspeed II's. The size is true to my running shoe size, though they are slightly larger - but that leaves good room for an insole. But they really do weigh as much as running shoes. My old Bates pair felt like walking around with a brick strapped to each foot.
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Good stuff man! How comfy are they? Do they need to be broken in, is the sole stiff or does it flex like runners?
 
My soles are pretty flexible.

As for comfort, they're pretty good, though the fit isn't perfectly snug compared to my size 12 running and trail shoes. I can definitely fix that with an insole and perhaps thicker socks.

I should have a road march coming up saturday and next monday so I'll see how they perform.
 
Having it slightly larger for ruck marches is apparently bad. Burnt the skin off some small hot spots on my right heel and ankle, since there are some stiff parts on the boot generating friction. I should have ordered 1/2 size smaller than my running shoes - the boots are not a true fit out of the box, though I still have to see if an insole will save them.
 
That kinda sucks. Yeah try the insole, hopefully that works. I've also seen those heel wedges that you can stick to the inside of the heel to push the foot forward a bit. Or maybe try something that you can comfortably wedge up at the toe.
A trip to the foot section of the pharmacy should give some options.

Good luck!

I bought some Magnum Stealth Force 6.0 black tactical boots back in the Spring and I haven't worn them yet since every time I try them on they don't feel as comfortable as I'd like. I know they'll need some wearing in so maybe this winter I'll give them a go.
 
I go down a 1/2 for my desert boots, but then again mine are safety toes. I have the bates in coyote brown. Not sure about the style, because they were issued to me. For what its worth I like the fit of these better than my last two pair of belleville's.
 
I don't trust altama boots anymore. I have a pair of desert hoplites that tore on the side within 2 weeks. My firends all use altama' as well and all had the same hing to say. The exospeeds are not really meant for rough use at all, the are comfortable for awhile than start breaking down fast. By the end of about 13 weeks my friends exospeeds were torn to pieces inside and out. My advice go with Oakley, Danner, and Rocky S2V's, oh and ernest emerson reccommends Garmont boots so they are worth a look
 
I have a pair of oakley light hikers that I picked up on sale at their outlet store. I am very pleased, they put the same quality into their footwear that they do into their glasses. These are not uniform boots they are ankle high hikers, great stability and very comfortable. I have only had them a few months, so I don't have anything long term to judge by. The outersoles are very rugged and they breath nicely. I gave them a couple of coats of water proofing just for good measure.
 
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