Boots types: Combat or hiking???

Were would be the best place to purchase some jungle boots on-line. also has anyone tried the Israeli comando boots are the commercial jungle boots that uscav has on there site.

Thanks,
Colt
 
I have Hi Tec Magnums for everyday and motorcycling (actually I ride the motorcycle almost everyday). For light hiking I have some old Nike Lava Domes. For heavier hiking and backpacking I have Vasque Sundowners. I have a really hard time finding any footwear big enough to fit me (size 15).

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Mike Melone

"Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. " Psalm 144:1
"One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them." Thomas Jefferson
 
Colt, be careful of any off brand jungle boot. The cheap ones will not last. A good place to buy Altamas is from Brigade Quartermasters at http://www.actiongear.com or you can access them off the logo on our main page at http://www.jungletraining.com Good folks to deal with. Tell them we sent you and they will know what you need for good jungle boots. If you buy anywhere else make sure the boots have brass hardware and drain ports.

The pair I have now is on their 6th trip down and still holding up well. I have seen on more than one occasion the cheap jungle boots come apart. Usually the person walks right out of them leaving the sole stuck in the mud and nothing but the rest of the boot around their ankles. Seriously.

If you're doing wet areas stay away from those damn Israel boots. Had several guys take them down and they just don't work well in the muck.

Jeff

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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
When you have feet my size(14EEE), you don't have many choices on footwear! Combat boots and New Balance sneakers. I have a pair of Corcoran jump boots that are about 3 years old. They are great boots. The Matterhorns are good for weather 60 degrees and below. I have a question on resoling my boots: Where is a good place to get them done. I don't trust the local shoesmiths(cobblers). I don't think they've ever resoled a pair of combat boots, and there's no way I'm going to let anyone mess up my broken-in boots. I went through too many days of sore feet to get them nice and comfortable.
smile.gif


For care of my boots, I use Danner boot cream(black) to condition the leather. For polish, Kiwi Parade Gloss and Lincoln Stain Wax seem to work the best.


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K. Williams
Modern Arnis Student
AKTI Member #A000978

[This message has been edited by K Williams (edited 09-15-2000).]
 
Owen,

I know what you mean about Corcoran jump boots being painful. I jumped/dropped off a 5' high platform at work while wearing the boots. I landed with my feet flat to distribute the weight. My heels felt like they were broken or had a deep bone bruise. Those WW2 paratroopers must have been tough as hell to do combat jumps in them. Other than that, I find the jump boots to be very comfortable.


[This message has been edited by K Williams (edited 09-15-2000).]
 
I prefer Matterhorn over Danners. Probably go for a brown nobbled medium Matterhorn next.
Had some Timberland for building work and they were fine. Have they changed and gone cheap?
My feet have grown all of a sudden, so not sure what to do (34).
Are the Sorrel Big Browns any good? Still looking for a half desent hot weather high boot.

I usually wear thick looped cushioned socks. Surgical spirit, powder and Compeed second skin band aids. Can't remember when I last had a "to the bone blister". Keep boots on the larger side.
 
For continuous wet conditions, the Altamas jungle boot is ideal provided one does not wear socks. After 2 days in the paddies we used to set back in the sun and wear Ho Chi Minh sandals for a day to prevent immersion foot. Even so, our boots rotted out in about 3 months.
 
The way we operate against foot rot is simple. We wear socks during the day through the muck. As soon as we get a break or rest for the night, the boots and wet socks come off. Feet are dried and dry socks are put on. If there is a problem I always carry alcohol to dry my feet, small amount of foot powder and a tube of Lamisil just in case fungus starts.

Next morning the wet stuff goes back on and the dry socks are put away for the next night. We use sandals and river shoes around camp. I've operated many time for 3 weeks at a time in swamp with nothing but 4 pairs of socks. I just make sure the dry ones stay dry and give my feet relief everytime i get the chance. For me, jungle boots and bare feet inside don't mix. I don't care how tough your feet are, changing terrain, 12 hours hiking, and weight on your back will destroy your feet without cushioning between the skin and leather.

Jeff

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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
Does anyone else here use liner socks? I have often worn light weight polypropylene liner socks and found they help to keep the feet dry.
 
Right now, I'm using Rocky Workmax 9's w/Sorbothane inserts. I know; Rockys are weak, but concrete and leather don't ride.

Best boots I've ever owned are Vasque Kenais w/Superfeet insoles. Matched w/Smartwool Mountaineer socks, I've found no equal. Then again, I'm no pro, but these boots kick ass.
Jason

[This message has been edited by Survivital (edited 09-17-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Survivital (edited 09-17-2000).]
 
I can't believe the info here! Great thread! I've only had regular issue full leather combat boots and some Timberlands, so there's a lot out there I haven't tried. I put Dr' Schol's inserts (the full sole flat pad, then the funky gel heel cup on top of that), and it worked really well, BUT although I wore them every day during training, I only did occasional (twice a week) ruck marches, so can any of you 11-B's or others out there who've used Dr. Schol's day in, day out for miles & miles tell me how they held up for you? And Jeff, how do Dr. Schol's stuff hold up in continual wet environments?

Many thanks.
 
In lieu of Dr. Scholl's have you considered using silver duct tape. Works great in wet environments where you can't take your boots off for 4-5 days. Then again, you should be able to get some green 100 MPH tape but that doesn't slide as well inside the boot. You could also try lots of Vaseline. I mean gobs of it. Ah, how I miss the days of hammer and anvil operations where one wore a single set of BDU's for 3 weeks and burned them on returning to the firebase.
 
I wore a pair of 2 1/2 year old Adidis GSG-9 boots during a 4 week operation at the Marine Corps Moutain Warefare School and they held together real well. I was also the only person with happy feet.

At Jungle Warfare School in Panama I wore a pair of issue (green) jungle boots and was pleased with their performance. Is there really a perfect boot for the jungle?

At the Marine Corps jungle school in Okinawa I wore Bates Lites and was miserable the whole time. They seemed like they took days to dry and traction was only a wishful thought.

Chippewwa(sp?) S.F Moutain boots have done me well in the coldest Norweign nights (with some thick wool socks).

One warning! Stay away from the new Marine Corps Infantry Combat Boot! The "Air Krulak"
may look like a Danner/Matterhorn but the similarity end there. These boots are WORTHLESS! By far the worst boots I have ever put on my feet.

Dont laugh but Doc Martens have done me well in the woods also.


 
Riddlin, Doc Martins were a favourate for Northern Irland patrols. Very comfortable and kept the cold coming up from the ground. However, with no steel shank they were not up to supporting the weight when tabbing across hillsides, and could only take so much mud and wet. Nice lite street boot. Not seen now that the issue boot has got a lot better.
 
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