The boot thread!

**gregaquaman** · Posted On: 9/08/2010 7:21am

I dont go bush but for walking the pavement I stand by a pair of black sneakers.

black polishable is our brief though.
Used to wear boots shoes and all maner of kit and have quite simply gone off them. These give me the best grip on slippery slimy floors and I can run in them

**daishi** · Posted On: 9/08/2010 10:24am

USMC issued boots are "doable" for a deployment...we get Bellvilles and Bates. They certainly aren't the best out there though. Too many guys have a stick up their ass about what's allowed and what's not...so most guys are just like "**** it" and wear what's issued to prevent asspain.

I was introduced to Altma's when in Benning by some guys. Those boots are really nice. THanks for reminding me of them, I think I'm gonna get some for my pump to AF in a couple months.

Good point about socks. Big thing is not to just get EXPENSIVE socks, but the RIGHT socks. I've got kid of sweaty feet, so those super thick, $12/pair socks don't work for me because they suffocate my feet and make hot spots. For my feet, I buy socks that are very cooling and mostly cotton...the sweat wicking stuff doesn't work too well for me b/c of my feet. I buy REI brand socks...they fit snugly and work out really well for me...they are gray, but oh well.

**Diesel_tke** · Posted On: 9/08/2010 1:08pm

I like my Bates with gortex lining for winter and when it is raining. Keeps my feet dry which is crucial. However, in the summer, they are too hot and keep my feet FROM being dry. So I wear 9-11s in the summer. They are light weight, slip resistant, and comfortable.

But I also don't go running around in the forest like you fellas, so my boots are for pavement and cell blocks.

**ArrogantBastard** · Posted On: 9/08/2010 2:13pm

My issued boots sucked. Went for a slight upgrade with some Belleville 750 (I think that's the right model).

Pretty comfortable after they are broken in and not very expensive.

People I know have sworn by Blackhawk! and Rocky boots.

**3moose1** · Posted On: 9/09/2010 2:23pm

Originally Posted by Cassius

My two personal favorite socks are both made by Thorlo. Their anti-fatigue line is supposedly antimicrobial (I have no idea if this is true or not), but more importantly, they have a good moderate cushion. The second sock I wear is their combat boot line, which has an extremely heavy cushion. The trade off is that the combat boot line is extremely warm, so combining them with goretex boots will make your feet sweat a lot. Don't use them with goretex boots if it's not cold or a relatively short hike.

That's assuming you like having your heels intact.

I agree completely, and I fucking love the Thorlo socks. Make my feet sweat like a bitch, but are so much more comfortable.

I don't know **** about the anti-microbial, but I keep getting athlete's foot regardless. So much more comfortable, and they actually stay up, which is nice when its cold out.

As for issued boots....mine haven't been too bad. Decent enough, though the, "Insulated combat boot' is about as insulated as my fucking dick. Feet still froze, like a mother fucker. I put those $50 dollar custom insoles you get at meijer with the cool foot-scanner **** in them, and never had a problem. However, after a year of hikes and training, **** is wearing down fast :(

**Rock Ape** · Posted On: 9/09/2010 3:24pm

Altberg are another premium boot, not sure if you can buy them in the US though as they're a British company but their quality is primo if you can mail order.

Moose, I assume you're powdering your feet on every sock change.. right ?

**daishi** · Posted On: 9/09/2010 3:41pm

....in addition to powdering its also important to thoroughly DRY feet after washing them. A lot of people don't do that for some reason. Unfortunately sometimes the only good solution is to change socks multiple times per day. I would change them right after morning patrol, and then again if I needed to. So usually at least twice a day.

**Tactical Timmy** · Posted On: 9/13/2010 12:23am

I was looking forward to some midnight amusement when I saw "The Boot Thread" and mistook it as a place to post stories and complain about newer members of your unit. With that being said, I don't wear anything but Bates while in uniform, specifically their Durashocks USMC hotweather boot and goretex variant for the field and the Lites for garrison. I also like the Blackhawk Warrior Wear desert boots, very comfy and great for a boots and utes run on soft sand. I'm sure there are probably better boots out there, but as mentioned in an earlier post I say f it and deal with the issued stuff. I've had great experiences with the Bates boots, they've kept my feet dry during hot and cold and two pairs made it all the way through a deployment.