Boots again

[hawkwind]

Sorry to drag this old thema again up, particulary when I already asked once in the past. I would like to ask (particulary british) folks who go here and have the experience, what do they think about british "assault" boots. Its army footwear, OK, but they seem to be fully leather lined inside, no goretex, easy maintenance a any army boots. Any experience?

I seem to dislike modern hiking boots, particulary they are mostly made in leather which cannot be polished and with goretex and fabris inside, which regardless of brand makes my feet to rot.

Thank you kindly for the hints.

J.

 

[skammer]

You dont need boots, seems many here prefer barefoot on any terrain. Its better ankle protection.

Skam

 

[bulgron]

You dont need boots, seems many here prefer barefoot on any terrain. Its better ankle protection.

Skam

I strongly believe in heavy hiking boots; all the better to stomp the bare little toes of other hikers when their opinions annoy me too much.

I have no experience with British Army Boots, though, sorry. Can't chime in there.

 

[PayetteRucker]

You dont need boots, seems many here prefer barefoot on any terrain. Its better ankle protection.

Skam

nobody said that... I simply stated I had more ankle issues heavy stepping in combat boots than I have lightfooted eithr barefoot or in softsoled mocs. But if you wanna get sore about it we can start at 900 feet and see who summits in the Sawtooths the fastest...

 

[maverick3981]

I have used boots used by the Indian Army which I assume would be similar in construction if not design to the ones you mention. They are made of leather fully and have direct molded soles and in Army parlance are hence known as DM boots. Basically the rubber sole is moulded on to the upper portion rather than stitched which makes them water proof also in a way.

The boots are extremly durable and dirt cheap here ($10.00). My only gripe is, the leather is so tough, it needs breaking in with regular wear for a month before they get soft enough to hike in.....

 

[skammer]

nobody said that... I simply stated I had more ankle issues heavy stepping in combat boots than I have lightfooted eithr barefoot or in softsoled mocs. But if you wanna get sore about it we can start at 900 feet and see who summits in the Sawtooths the fastest...

Was just ribbin the thread not you ruck, chill man.

We start at the base with 60lb rucks.

Skam

 

[baldtaco-II]

They feel like high heels to me. Very hard inside on the feet and if you're gonna yomp in them you'll want Sorbothane footbeds in them. Of course that adds to the weight and increases the feeling of the high heel. Tough on tendons. If you have a high arch as I do that can be really painful. Some relief can be gained from lacing them differently. All the Nikwax in the world wont keep water out of them and that's the best product in my view.

In short, avoid them if you can. I'm certain you can find better military boots on Silvermans or somewhere like that. If you are a bit tight on loot at the moment you could even find an “as new” pair of Danners for £60 in the UK. Although you'd have to find out what it is about the way you are using Gortex that is giving you the foot problems though 'cos they are leather and Gortex.

 

[skammer]

Gortex rotts my feet as well. After body oils clog pores form the inside they are like wearing rubber boots. Some peopel their feet dont sweat as much and have no problem, some people swim in them.

Leather only for me.

Skam

 

[Toucan Oasis]

I don't know about Brit boots but I have the foot funk too and finally found a boot that works for me. Haix Airpower. They must have some kind of anti microbial crap they treat with.

I wonder what kind of boot The Queen wears ?

 

[hawkwind]

I actually had "civilian" version of similar molded boots which I suppose was at the time exported to south america, the lather was quality though and they were also lined inside with leather. I have worn them for 7 years except for summers as my normal shoes and they even kept original laces, so durable they were. At the end the soles were worn so much that I couldnt walk in them, but the leather held. I also had some normal shoes with fabric lining since them and I oculdnt wear any of them for more than week, regardless of how patented membrane they had. On the other hand I had simple ankle shoes leather oustide and leather lined and though they were light I had them for 3 years. This is simple recipe to me then - I just look for leather lined boots ever since, but they are hard to find. I also dislike designs of modern hiking shoes, the look like mongrell between nikes and buldozer.


Thank you all.

Jaro

 

[metalfof]

Older style DMS boots were a pain as they were manufactured to a budget,they did not even have a double tongue.They were replaced by Proboots which are a lot better.You may want to consider older style walking boots such as Zamberlan and Scarpa which come in an all-leather format-both of which are excellent brands.Modern Hiking boots are always going to be technically superior to cheap combat boots,but you get what you pay for,an example of a top-end combat boot would be Danner.As above get yourself to Silvermans in Mile end,London.

 

[Millhouse]

I would avoid a British Army boot. They are built at a low price point, so something has to give. Nor were they designed with leisure activities in mind.

If you cannot get on with Gore Tex, I would recommend going with a good unlined leather boot from the likes of Scarpa, Meindl and Zamberlan. If treated right with the correct treatment, these boots are near waterproof.