Desert Boots

M

mycroftt

Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Messages
7,350
Today's "desert boots" tend to be a sophisticated military type of footwear suitable for the demands of military operations in desert environments. Back in the 1970's or so "desert boots" were a lightweight suede chukka-style boot with crepe soles. They were real comfortable and inexpensive but not really all that durable.

I started looking for a pair a couple of months ago. Clarks had some nice ones but they were a little pricey and were uncomfortably narrow. JC Penney had some nice ones but they just didn't feel good to my feet - too bad. I was leafing through the Cabelas catalog and I found a pretty good prospect. I bought them online. They are a little more "structured" than the 1970's "hippy boots" but they will probably be more durable too. They are every bit as comfortable as I remember, and they look great for casual wear with jeans and a sweater. Aaahh! Happy feet!
 
5.11 Tactical makes good looking desert boots. The problem with desert boots, though, is that they are not waterproof like most good hiking boots.
 
danner makes a gtx desert boot w/gortex that is really light and comfy

26012
 
Working in the desert I just wear my regular hiking boots. All-leather with thick soles are critical, to keep out cactus needles and mesquite thorns.

Mine don't have high tops, but that would be helpful too in case of snake strikes. The thing is, as much time as we spent working in the desert, all day, every day, for months at a time, year after year, no one was ever bitten by a snake.

-Bob
 
I'm very pleased with the Altama #4156 desert boots that I have. The desert around me is rocky/rubbley with small and large, sharp edged rocks,. These boots have a steel shank and sturdy soles to keep the wear and tear from these rocks on the soles of your feet. They are also lined with Coolmax and have a midsole heat barrier which helps tremendeously with keeping your feet cool. In full sun the desert surface is brutal.

Since it doesn't rain much in the desert (duh, and when it does rain you really don't want to be there, keeping your feet dry is the least of your worries) I think Gortex is a minus. I've never had any apparel with Gortex that breathed well and that just increases the heat load. Dry cool feets is happy feets :)
YMMV
 
I think when you mention 'desert boots' these days you can immediately count on separating the generations! :D

I know what you mean. I own a couple of pair, and in this case, the more expensive ones have lasted the longest and are the most comfortable because they give proper support. I think the people who make the cheaper ones figure they can get away with stitching the sude uppers around a cheap crepe sole and they have a 'desert boot'. Not so. I'd try to swing the more expensive ones, after checking out that their construction justifies the higher price. Check out the stitching around the vamp especially.
 
Check out the Meindl Desert Fox. The German KSL (spec ops) wear them. Mine been with me to N- Africa and not a blister.
M
 
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