Dress boots for outrunning zombies

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DrivebyTrucker

Joined
Nov 8, 2005
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1,339
A fictional character I have always admired is James Bond. He's like a super hero. His power? He can run and jump in dress shoes. I don't know how he does it. Surfing on a wave caused by a falling ice burg in the Arctic? I could see that. But running in dress shoes? I say nay nay. I can can put on some sneakers and walk at least a dozen miles right now. But in the dress shoes and boots I have, and I some nice pairs, I could barely go two miles. Even my doc martens start to hurt in under five miles. Most of the time I have to wear nice dress shoes or boots when out and about. That poses a problem should the need to run or at least hike on foot arise. I may not be able to reach my car for a change in footwear. So being a mere mortal, I need some some suggestions for a nice pair of tactical boots to wear all the time that can pass as formal dress wear.

This one could work. It looks great. Obviously I would change to black laces. But it cost $390:eek:
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I'm looking for smooth black leather boots. I've gotten away with doc martins and could wear them, but they're not comfortable for me. I would take shoes meant for skateboarding into the woods with me before I took doc martins. I despise them that much. I recently tried on some Under Armor boots and found them to be only slightly less comfortable then my down slippers, and only a little bit heavier. They would be perfect if they were dressy. But they're not. They scream tactical. I'm trying to avoid that.

I look forward to the suggestions.
 
I haven't heard any leather boots that you slip in and felt "break-in" on the first time...
Now you will be wearing the same footwear till the end of time and that pair better last; Sneakers are bad if you wear it 24hours as it's too mushy over-time, skateboard sneakers are tough but not much cushioning.
Military boots are made for a reason- armed forces on their feet for a very long and stressful time.
Work boots wise? I will pick Irish Setter- well broken in.

If you managed to gather enough moula, may i suggest White's SmokeJumper or Nick's Hotshot?
 
I haven't heard any leather boots that you slip in and felt "break-in" on the first time...
Now you will be wearing the same footwear till the end of time and that pair better last; Sneakers are bad if you wear it 24hours as it's too mushy over-time, skateboard sneakers are tough but not much cushioning.
Military boots are made for a reason- armed forces on their feet for a very long and stressful time.
Work boots wise? I will pick Irish Setter- well broken in.

If you managed to gather enough moula, may i suggest White's SmokeJumper or Nick's Hotshot?
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The timberline classic style are very comfortable with a soft leather and softer sole
And they polish up well for a dressier boot
 
Yep, some mil boots, some lincoln paste, maybe some saddle soap, definitely some alcohol, and a rounded file. Stitched sole, because after a few years, you're gonna need to put on a new or better sole.

Stay away from Kiwi and all that crap, it's full of alcohol, stick with Lincoln paste (that's my knowledge, there may be other good pastes)

The rounded file is to knock down the leather ridge that rubs your heel raw on new boots, and the alcohol is for use before the saddle soap and before the Lincolns.

Oh, yeah, cotton balls, a brush and a very fine lint free buffing cloth.
 
I guess it depends on which type of zombies you are up against. If it is those slow, broken ones then you have no worries. I can run just fine in my flip-flops. But if it is those crazy fast ones that are all motivated you will need some quality foot wear. The boots you have pictured look like some Danner Quarry boots I had a while back. They were awesome and fit great from the first day. Those would be a good chose and they were good lookin to boot! :thumbup:
 
While no work or tactical boot is ever going to look corporate dressy...however the boot I believe best fits your criteria meaning all black, low profile (meaning doesn't look overly tactical), affordable, comfortable and almost broke in when putting on outta the box are the Bellevues boots.

These boots are used by folks who cannot afford to break in a pair of boots. I've gotta say they are pretty amazing. Indeed like putting worn in boots first time. I've sloshed around in deep wet snow, standing water and sloppy mud with no leaks or compromises. Take 'em home, hose and scrub them off and put polish on 'em and wear 'em to church!

I used to be a hard core Danner man. Did some work for them once and have two guided factory tours with a senior mgr. I was hardcore loyal. Until another group of clients came along and insisted I try Bellevue. There is NO compairison. Besides for the price of a pair of Danner Acadias you can buy two Bellevue. They do run size wise different so try before you buy.
 
Rocky boots have some nice styles. In my experience they are as good a boot, if not better, than Danners and usually cost almost half as much.
 
Listen man - 'Q' designed Bond's shoes - that is why he can dance a tango AND jump from tall buildings.

You don't have access to that technology!

TF
 
I love me some danner quarry's. I hated the acadias. Two entirely different fit types - the quarry's fit tight around the angles and loosely around the toes, the acadias fit loosely qround the ankle and tightly around the toes. I have wide feet, and would wear a 9.5-10 in the quarry's, but I can get away with a 10.5ee (extra wide) because of the way they fit. That means I have lots of extra room for my meta tarsels and toes to spread out but the boots still fit nice and snug, enough so that they are very comfortable while hiking and have no hot spots. Because they hold tight to the pivet point (ankle) the boots themselves feel snug fitting even though their too big. With the acadia's every time I took a step my heel would leave the bottom of the shoe, yet my toes were constantly being constrained making the fit feel sloppy and unpleasant, like I could never get it tight enough yet I was strangling my toes.

If your willing to do some minor repair or spit polish on your own, you can get them used for under 100$ on ebay.

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Many of these are to ugly to pass as dress attire. Except the Danners I posted. And these...maybe. Lowas that swatbwana suggested
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Get you some danner hiking boots, high end wolverine hikers, or even the Northface Ballard & dye 'em black. I've had 2 pair of the Wolverine's & I'm currently wearin' the Northface. Most comfortable boot out of the box I've ever worn. I'd love to have a pair of the Danner hikers, whichever the recraftable model is, but $380 a pair is too much for me.


edit:I see the Ballard is now available in black so no need to dye.
 
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Thank you, all of you, for the suggestions so far. I want you all to know I check every boot suggested. Many of the suggestions have been great, but not all have been classy enough to wear. I'm especially impressed with Quirt's suggestion of Belleville. None of their offerings are dressy enough, a couple of pairs are close and I may still buy one. But damn if I don't know what size to order.
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But I wouldn't buy those Chinese made Under Armor boots now that I know about these. Danner is still in the running with these uniform boots. Which would be even better if they had a safety toe. Or would they? Probably not but it would be a nice option.
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I used to have two pairs of Canadian military parade boots. The were ankle high polished black leather. They sort of looked like a police boot. I could walk in them for miles without getting tired. They had a hard rubber sole and nicely shaped toe. They looked good enough to wear with a tux but they were boots. THE best and most comfortable boots or shoes I ever owned. They were made by HH Brown.

I bought them well over 10 years ago and haven't been able to find new ones again. I ruined both pairs wearing them in the winter in Toronto. They salt the sidewalks to melt the ice and it ruins leather.

I would love to find another pair!
 
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You don't need to have a good pair of boots to run in...just a stick to knock down whoever you're with so you can get away:D . Seriously, I also recommend Danner boots. I use them for work and they are very comfortable. A little heavy, but fit great right from the start.

I also have a pair of Bates brand boots that are super lightweight and fit like slippers. They are my most comfortable pair of boots I own. I switch to them in the Spring/ Summer because I don't need the insulation in the Danners.
 
I wear Danner Acadias everyday as it's my only footwear. I would feel funny at a funeral with them on but everywhere else it's what I use. Those Quarry do look nice. I need to look up the details.
 
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