If you must hike in boots, "combat" or hiking?

Ramm9 said:
That sounds like cotton socks. If not cotton, fitting a boot for two pairs of wool socks would help. Many leather boots that have been oiled or waxed heavily no longer breathe at all so if your feet sweat heavily they will make you miserable. Ten plus miles should be no problem for leather boots that fit and worn with wool socks.
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Thicker socks make it worse. The Ragg Wool socks they always used to say to use were the worst.

Thin merino wool socks work best for me in both the leather boots and regular hiking shoes/boots.
 
hollowdweller said:
Thicker socks make it worse. The Ragg Wool socks they always used to say to use were the worst.

Thin merino wool socks work best for me in both the leather boots and regular hiking shoes/boots.
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Agreed, rag wool strikes me as being too heavy and too loose a stitch. Merino is the way to go these days. My best luck is Smartwool. I'll use a standard hiking sock under a heavier one in waders or winter hunting boots rather than the poly pro or silk liners.
 
Well, my take on the OP. I started wearing combat boots back in '88 and have seen a major change in how the Army views footware. For the longest time I did the same thing with the issued green/canvas jungle boots...have them resoled with Vibram and some quality insoles put in. I still have two pair (Wellco's) and they are great for knocking around.

I have several pair of Danner and Matterhorn Gore-tex boots. For hiking, I don't care for the tall sizes. It really depends on your activities, but I like ankle-high, leather, uninsulated hiking boots. I even prefer cross-training type trail shoes for day hikes...and I've even used my Chaco Z/1 for hikes as well.

The new Army boots are excellent for dry weather/location and I have too many pairs to count (Bates, Cocoran, Belleville boots, Wellco, Altima and Danners). Most are great fitting, but geared towards a certain type of climate and terrain.

I do like the newer variety of mountain/combat boots made by Danner and Wellco...more like "Military Hiking" boots.

My Keens crapped out this past weekend, and I'm going to look at Merrell Moab's, but for heavy duty, I have a good pair of Cabela double-welt hiking boots that I just love and will continue to use for those backpacking trips that require a little more support, but for long hikes, I don't care for the tall style of most combat boots.

ROCK6
 
I will swear on my grave that the most durable pair of wool socks I have worn are the 9.99 Columbia Midweight hikers. I'd say I average about 15 miles a day between recreation and transportation (I live car free) and there's a definate balance between the thickness of the weave and the thickness of the sock. For whatever reason the Columbia Midweight hikers last the longest and seem to breathe better than any of the other hoochy koo brands. I've spent probably 100 dollars on smartwool socks in the last year, and got at least 50 dollars worth of North Face socks for Christmas. all of them either wear holes or sprout a loose thread that unravels into a gaping hole a few days later. I wear my columbia midweight wool hikers to death and they usually last a good 4-5 months.
 
I wear 6 inch camo hunting boots. My feet are picky and combat boots are not comfortable to me. I also like more ankle support than is provided by most low cut hiking boots.
 
anyone here use the vibram 5 finger shoe thing....I am a barefoot person when not at work. I am thinking on picking some up
 
Crackerjax, my buddy tried them for boldering and other physical outside stuff, he's kind of a hippie. If the toes don't fit you perfect the molding around the toes will literally shred the skin, toenails and loose skin between your toes. The first day, he pulled them off and a steady stream of sticky rust colored blood ran out of them. I prefer softsoled mocs.
 
Bushman5 said:
i'm curious as to whats causing the blisters and foot problems with military boots? only because i have never had such problems with the combats. Regular hiking boots have torn up my feet with blisters, due to the extremely rigid construction. Whereas my combat boots are soft like mocassins.

thoughts?

(come up to BC, its all about conquering the woods! conquering IS communing! :D
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There are too many variables here to tell. Some folks here were in the military and had issues boots, some folks here bought military style boots. I think some people may not break their boots in enough before they try some strenuous activity.

Here is another thing if military boots sucked so bad and troops were ate up with blisters they wouldn’t be combat effective would they. Another difference with military boots in the military is they are broken in very well before most people do any kid of hiking or road march. You get two pair, you switch them every day, and you wear them for weeks before you go out on a road march. That’s way different than someone buying some boots wearing them around the house and then going on a hike.

I do think crappy sock are a big cause of blister in the military and inexperience. In the military you are moving for time and distance carrying weight. If you don’t have tough feet you have a learning curve on how to take care of you feet. Troops that have to road march all the time learn to take care of their feet and blisters are not a re occurring theme.

I had a set of issues Matterhorns and hated them; I only wore them a few times when it was way below freezing. I had the issue leather leg boots that I got rid of after basic. Those boots just sucked. The best at the time were a set of green jungles, minus the spike protection, with a set of ripple soles. Then you would have you boot guy grind the sole down around the outside of the boot, so when you picked your feet up, the edge of the sole/welt area wouldn’t catch on stuff. New made jungles with ripple soles from the store have too much padding between your foot and the sole so you foot is way off the ground, to me it causes rolled ankles.

Right now I wear Whites most of the time. I had some Scarpas back 15 years ago and they were good boots. I have a pair of Vasque that suck. I get Danners free at work and I don’t like them. I have tried a lot of boots and it comes down to a correct fit, your foot and the right boot for you.
 
As previously said, military boots are made by th lowest bidder, so if money isn't an issue I'd go for top brand hiking boots. On the other hand you can get a pair of decent boots for very little when buying surplus military.
 
My rule has always been that when I try on the boots, if they aren't IMMEDIATELY comfortable, no break in, then they go back on the shelf.

The time when boots had to be broken in is over. You should be able to get high quality, waterproof, breathable (Goretex) hiking boots these days without having to break anything in.

Andy
 
superc0ntra said:
As previously said, military boots are made by th lowest bidder, so if money isn't an issue I'd go for top brand hiking boots. On the other hand you can get a pair of decent boots for very little when buying surplus military.
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That's really no longer true. I went through three different Rapid Fielding Issues (RFI's) for deployments and all the boots issues were brand-name and first class. The new "issued" combat mountain boots are by Danner and Wellco, two top tier boot manufacturers. Since issued boots are by a sole contract, there are several different brands issues...some better than others of course.

Most of the gear in my duffle bags would make you think I shopped at a high-end outdoors store like REI or Cabelas. The "lowest bidder" still exists, but the issued clothing (especially for combat zones) is extremely well made by reputable manufacturers (Danner, Arc'Teryx, Polartec, Oakley, etc.). Wear the Army screws up, is when they try to duplicate a brand-name item and mass produce...that stuff typically sucks and usually falls apart.

As to blisters...well, you just need to toughen up your feet:D The original all leather combat boots (and the jungle boots as well) were often put through a break in period...taking a shower to soak and mould the leather and wearing them around until dry. Doing several short "road marches" to break in the boots and your feet.

Good fit, quality insoles and wearing as often as you can is about the only way to reduce or mitigate blisters.

ROCK6
 
When I was in the Corps and we were issued our boots in bootcamp. We were immediately taken out to the washracks and made to break them in.

As to folks getting blisters etc or a bad fit form military boots. The military uses the Naval Last sizing system, they DO NOT correspond to the more common civilian Munson last sizing...close but not close enough. The Naval last actualy allowas for more variations in foot width.

Thats why I stick to White's If I were to get mil boots I'd have to find a size 13N which is difficult from most online sources.

I always stick to wool socks.
 
Fit and socks are paramount. Any footwear will cause problems without a good fit and decent socks. It's not the boot that causes blisters, etc. When I went to Airborne school, all I had were jungles, and we had to have the issue leather boots, so I went to clothing and sales and bought 1 pair. There was no break in period. I was sure that my feet would be in bad shape, but that wasn't the case. No blisters at all. I usually like a looser fitting boot, but this time I just tightened them pretty tight, and the running broke in the boots. Once the school was completed, those boots were the most comfortable pair I owned.
 
This has been a VERY interesting and entertaining thread. I've NEVER had a comfortable boot in my life, and that includes Army boots (late 70's through late 80's), high end REI boots, and everything in between. I had cowboy boots that were incredible comfortable, but I don't think I'd try hiking in them.

I am going to try ECCO and Danner this year. I had a pair of ECCO shoes about 10 years ago that were the most comfortable thing I've ever had on my feet, truly like walking on a cloud. They discontinued the line, and the new ones aren't even close in comfort, but I will try the boots.

I have wide feet and narrow heels, so my choice is either a loose sloppy fit, or too tight across the ball of the foot and hope they stretch. The only tennis shoes that are comfortable are Reeboks.
 
sodak said:
This has been a VERY interesting and entertaining thread. I've NEVER had a comfortable boot in my life, and that includes Army boots (late 70's through late 80's), high end REI boots, and everything in between. I had cowboy boots that were incredible comfortable, but I don't think I'd try hiking in them.

I am going to try ECCO and Danner this year. I had a pair of ECCO shoes about 10 years ago that were the most comfortable thing I've ever had on my feet, truly like walking on a cloud. They discontinued the line, and the new ones aren't even close in comfort, but I will try the boots.

I have wide feet and narrow heels, so my choice is either a loose sloppy fit, or too tight across the ball of the foot and hope they stretch. The only tennis shoes that are comfortable are Reeboks.
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If you are considering ECCO boots, I recommend these -
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These are the ECCO "Track 5" boot. Here is how they are described -

Durable lug sole provides all-terrain traction in a cleanly styled ankle boot crafted from smooth oiled leather. Gore-Tex® lining ensures waterproof protection while allowing the foot to breathe.

I bought these two years ago and have been wearing them almost every day for all kinds of activities, from hiking to construction since then.

They are durable and just a really good all around boot.

:thumbup:

Andy
 
ROCK6 said:
The new Army boots are excellent for dry weather/location and I have too many pairs to count (Bates, Cocoran, Belleville boots, Wellco, Altima and Danners). Most are great fitting, but geared towards a certain type of climate and terrain.
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Rock,

Have you ever tried, or know anybody that has used the garmont military line? I think they are fairly new and reviews are scant.
 
STAGE 2 said:
Rock,

Have you ever tried, or know anybody that has used the garmont military line? I think they are fairly new and reviews are scant.
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I know at least one person who has worn the T8, and recommended it. It's a good boot, with more of a traditional jungle feel to it. When I was looking for a pair of hot-weather boots, the T8 was one of the recommendations...but, among all the boots, the Merrell Moab Ventilator was recommended the most.

I haven't made a purchase yet, and I'm not sure if I want the Merrell or the Garmont.

I wanted to point out one more thing. The flesh-out boots, at least in my experience, both in the deserts of the US and SWA, have always been very comfortable compared to other hard-leather combat boots. I always felt there was really no break-in period, they were just good to go; but, like I said earlier, I have no experience with all the new boots that are out.

If you like heavier boots, go with one of the many excellent flesh-out combat boots. If you like lighter boots, go with a hiking/backpacking boot. In addition to the weight of the boot, take into consideration your typical terrain, and the activity involved.
 
STAGE 2 said:
Rock,

Have you ever tried, or know anybody that has used the garmont military line? I think they are fairly new and reviews are scant.
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C_Kyle may have better info...I've only heard good reviews on the civilian side of Garmont, but not their military line.

kalama said:
im a sucker for pain,jungle boots for me,love my OTB's
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I've only heard great things about OTB's! Sounds like they're working well for you...

ROCK6
 
sodak said:
..... I've NEVER had a comfortable boot in my life, .........

I have wide feet and narrow heels, so my choice is either a loose sloppy fit, or too tight across the ball of the foot and hope they stretch.
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It just might be worth it for you to invest in some custom or semi-custom boots. Look into Russell Moccasin, Limmer, and the Whites a few have mentioned.
 
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