Best military boots...

...well we have had almost every other kinda of 'what is the best type of X product' so it's time for all us ACTUAL military folk to post what boots we found were best during our time in the forces.

At this stage I don't have any pictures of my old GPs but I'll start with my favourites (NOTE: to be part of this its better you actually have military experience - playing copious amounts of CS or reading as many fanpages can help you here Armchair specialists).

When I first enlisted I was issued with the stock standard Mark 5 kangaroo leather GPs (tan). these don't have steel caps for a VERY good reason.

Why is that? - Have you ever been in alpine or snowy locations with steelys on? Your feet will take a batterign from the steel getting extremely cold. Our standard issue Australian GPs have Kevlar caps.

My current GPs - Mark 4's were the predecessor to the Mark 5 - and although it lacks the two extra breathing vents (Mark 5's have 4) it provides par better ankle support. I've been wearing mine everyday in wet conditions and varying temperatures from -10 celcius to 40 celcius with contact with 70 celcius. These have lasted with this battering for 3 years now and not a stitch is out of place.


I've also heard Tiapans are fantastic but have never purchased a pair so can't comment on them.

(Oh I can't wait for the Armchair generals to start googling for this!).

Have only ever heard good things about Kangaroo-hide boots. Having hunted Kangaroos I know how damn tough their skin is!

Wore a pair of US GP's (with the full-length tongue) 12 hours a day plus for two months through a SEAsian monsoon a couple of years ago. They did a great job but the solid plastic sole didn't give great "feel". It did wear pretty well 'though. Breathing wasn't a problem as such. I was wearing cotton socks and my feet were getting washed twice a day. Plus I could go shin-deep in mud and water and stay dry.

Fo civilian boots, can't go passed a pair of DMs. Not even Rossis and Blundstones do as well for both durability and comfort.

JALAS m/91 Military boot used by Finnish army is goog choise if you're looking for basic boot. Nothing fancy, nothing new, but seems to fit my feet perfectly. breathing isn't perfect, but it is quite waterproof when maintained properly.
I served 12months in Recon platoon doing 90km+ recon missions on foot and ran several 20km force marches (both on roand and through forrests) with 40kg backpacks and never had any blisters or other problems with the boot.
m/05 boot is supposed to be even better with breathing materials, but i haven't walked enough with them to confirm.

Gotta be Lowa Mountain boots for general temperate infantry use. They're hard wearing, waterproof, warm and really comfy. They don't come cheap though. Thing is, the type of boot you use depends on where you're gonna use it. Lowas are great for about 90% of military tasks, but I wouldn't fancy using them in extremely hot, sandy, dusty conditions (sound familiar to anyone!!!)

I don't know about the best, but I can tell you the worst: the U.S. Navy Chukka boot, often simply referred to as a "Boondocker". They were uncomfortable and offered no high-ankle support. But at least they were cheap.

For me, after suffering from years of very badly made issued boots that did not fit correctly, it has to be the Altberg.

Very expensive but well worth it and what's more, Altberg guarantee the boots for the lifetime of the user.

What is very surprising is the fact that once the sole or heel is worn down, for a small fee, Altberg will resole/reheel them. I believe that no other boot manufacturer in the UK offers this service.

Of course I could be wrong............ feel free to correct me....... if you can.

I could have sworn this post has been done already...

After wearing my standard issue British army combat highs for all of about a week in S. Armagh before they fell apart!.....i tried the Lowa mountain boots which i agree were great, but as Paddy says they are'nt too comfy in seriously hot weather.

After a good recomendation from a couple of guys who had used these on thier SAS selection course and for many years afterwards, i tried a pair of Rocky boots. Very comfy, 100% waterproof, speed lacing and most importantly did'nt fall apart. Plus they did'nt need breaking in at all and you can run fast and far in them without having to patch your feet up the next day. I think i paid about £120 for them but they paid for themselves enough times.

I guess everyone to thier own though, i've worked alongside guys who still wear and swear by the old Brit army boots that i thought were phased out with the Le Enfield!

CX.

Canada is bringing in a system where each pair of boots is custom fit to eachsoldier. They scan each foot, dl. the info into the machine and a short time later, boots that fit perfectly, no slopping around causing blisters on long marches, waterproof, lightweight, and extremely durable. The downside is they are costly to replace. The trials I did with the new system was outstanding. Nothing worse than sloppy loose fitting footwear that lowers morale when your feet start gettin messed up. Wrap your feet in our new black cadillacs, you`ll never want anything else.

What about Danner boots??


This is the link to their Police and Military line

www.danner.com...


I'm pretty sure that the US Army's 10th Mountain Division wears the Ft. Lewis model which can be seen here:

www.danner.com...

Originally posted by Vass
Canada is bringing in a system where each pair of boots is custom fit to eachsoldier. They scan each foot, dl. the info into the machine and a short time later, boots that fit perfectly, no slopping around causing blisters on long marches, waterproof, lightweight, and extremely durable. The downside is they are costly to replace. The trials I did with the new system was outstanding. Nothing worse than sloppy loose fitting footwear that lowers morale when your feet start gettin messed up. Wrap your feet in our new black cadillacs, you`ll never want anything else.

Our Mark 4's/5's are custom fitted. THough not scanned in and made to order. Three significant measurements are made and we are then provided with boots that match our feet quite well.

Are the boots you guys are talking about Stell cap/hardened plastic or Kevlar?

Don't know... But the British troops had lousy boots during the 1950 so they borrowed from the Aussies and the americans...

Older model that I wear each day:


Current variant of the Terra Combat Boot


Another pair of Aussie Comboots - affectionately known as 'poo boots'.


Redback Boots sell these to the general public (just checking the weblink first) - www.redback.net.au... - cant find direct link to the boots though...

Best boots I've had actually where british army combat boots, strangly enough they where great for cadet work, shine nicely and where snug as a bug.
Pity I outgrew that pair...

I would never wear shiny boots in-field. Anything shiny = get yourself spotted.

Originally posted by Ezekial
I would never wear shiny boots in-field. Anything shiny = get yourself spotted.

Yeah you dull them down until they dont shine but its the fact that they shine AFTERWORD was impressive..

Ah ok, we have two sets of boots for general use in Australia.

One pair for fireld use and are generally in ok condition (regular work boots).

Second pair are High Shines which are our shiny pair. (plus we have parade shoes, runners, shower thongs ...).

Originally posted by PaddyInf
Gotta be Lowa Mountain boots for general temperate infantry use. They're hard wearing, waterproof, warm and really comfy. They don't come cheap though. Thing is, the type of boot you use depends on where you're gonna use it. Lowas are great for about 90% of military tasks, but I wouldn't fancy using them in extremely hot, sandy, dusty conditions (sound familiar to anyone

!!!)

agreed , excellent boots very happy with them check out Meindl aswell (island pro,leather not suede) used three pairs before i switched to lowa , both way more comfortable than any mil boot i tried
get the Adidas GSG9 for urban intervention type of activities extremely light and couldn't have a better grip but definitely nothing to be worn in the wild

Originally posted by Ezekial
Ah ok, we have two sets of boots for general use in Australia.

One pair for fireld use and are generally in ok condition (regular work boots).

Second pair are High Shines which are our shiny pair. (plus we have parade shoes, runners, shower thongs ...).

Yeah we (cadets) have 2 pairs, combats and parade boots or shoes.
But I managed to "aqquire" officer shoes

Word of warning devilwasp -

If you ever go into the army NEVER admit to being a cadet - you will get bagged out big time.

I got it especially worse cos I was an Air Cadet - as I was planning to join the Air Force, but when I enlisted 'Aircraft Technician' wasn't available at the time so I changed to Army with the same position.