The SOCNET boots thread....

[JV89]

How do Danners run in sizing? According to a Brannock foot measuring device I'd want a 8 1/2, but different brands have different sizes. I'm just looking for a nice pair of boots to go backpacking with. Should I definitely go for the Danners if I have the money or do you guys know if I should look for something cheaper like the Scarpas mentioned in this thread. Money is no issue as long as it's around $250 max.

[Devildoc]

How do Danners run in sizing? According to a Brannock foot measuring device I'd want a 8 1/2, but different brands have different sizes. I'm just looking for a nice pair of boots to go backpacking with. Should I definitely go for the Danners if I have the money or do you guys know if I should look for something cheaper like the Scarpas mentioned in this thread. Money is no issue as long as it's around $250 max.

My experience is that Danner's are usually true-to-size for length, but run narrow. I just got rid of a pair of Acadias for that reason.

[grappler]

Since having owned Keen low cuts, I'm sold on them. My feet breathe and the toe keeps the front of the boots protected -- especially when taking a knee over and over again -- as well as the toe box not cramping my toes together.

I just purchased these for an upcoming school that "requires" a boot that goes over the ankle.

Altrec.com has them for up to 20% off right now.

Keen Voyageur Mid

[bobofthedesert]

Anyone recognize these Merrell's? I love my Moab Ventilators and am more than willing to try another boot in their product line. I checked their website and don't see this exact item there. Special model for certain end users?

[FritzLakritz]

In Germany Hanwags Alaska GTX are THE Reference in military.
Many wear Lowas and Meindl's but for heavy rucks, I think this is the best one:
http://www.recon-company.com/index.php/de_recon/hanwag-alaska-gtx-schwarz-12.html?id=24466&___from_store=en_recon
http://www.hanwag.de/schuh-detail.php?shoe_id=20
We've got these for hot climate zones and nobody complains:
http://www.haix.com/germany/images/produkte/produktbilder/206206.jpg


What about the Nike Boot??? Any experiences?
Thx

[bobofthedesert]

Anyone recognize these Merrell's? I love my Moab Ventilators and am more than willing to try another boot in their product line. I checked their website and don't see this exact item there. Special model for certain end users?

Update: This model is no longer made, Merrell recommends the Sawtooth for Military applications......

[frmrcatamount]

FWIW, I managed to secure a pair of the new Lowa Desert Uplander boots, which are the replacements for the Desert Seeker PT's. They are very light, about 2-1/2 lbs., and with only a minimal amount of break-in (one five mile roadmarch, and a couple of times around the house), they are very comfortable. I have successfully worn them for the first week of RSLC to include the land nav, and no issues at all.

Because I already owned Lowa civilian boots, I knew for sure to order them a half size big. I wear a 10R in my Wellco boots, and the Wellcos are a bit big. I ordered the Lowas in a 10.5R, and they fit perfectly.

[Axman]

Just bought some Wellco Combat Hikers, they were on sale at Ranger Joes for 115$, so I bit the bullet and am going to try em in A Stan.. Ill chime back with a AAR on them in a couple months...

[JAFO]

My BLACKHAWK! ZW7s just arrived yesterday.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Warrior-Wear-ZW7-7-Side-Zip-Boot,1065,135.htm?utm_source=ConstantContact&utm_m edium=email&utm_campaign=08132010-RETAIL
BLACKHAWK! was having a 50% off sale on all side zip boots (while they last), so I said to myself "Self, when are you going to have a chance to pick up a pair of these for half price?" So, self went online and purchased them. The regular price for these things is around $180! Ive been wearing them around the house for about a two hours now as a break-in period, but I don't really think I'll need to for much longer. These boots are as comfortable as a new pair of sneakers.

[RANGER52]

Hey guys, currently looking at getting some new boots. Have narrowed it down to Oakley and the T8 Garmont. Would love to hear you opinions on what you think is better.

My problem is that I have really small feet. In a jungle boot I would wear a 7W, can't seem to find that size in the T8 but found it in the Oakley. How do the sizes run? I need something that will withstand some punishment.

[eoddude]

I picked up a pair of Keen Pyrenees (size 13) on Wed and hiked to Pike's Peak on Sat. No feet problems at all. Very cool.

[Charlie Waite]

Im waiting on a pair of keen deltas for hunting in Colorado this year. I have had the low Pyrenees for 2 years and love em, those things are like the energizer bunny. The toes still look like they are brand new. Me and a buddy went walking around Little Creek during this past noreaster and I could still wear em to church.

[Lannister]

I was gifted a pair of "Men's Converse 8" Stealth CT SZ" and would like to send them to my brother who is currently deployed.

Are "Sage Green" desert boots authorized for wear in the Iraq theatre by any of the Army Commands...???

Thanks

Lannister

[BOFH]

I was gifted a pair of "Men's Converse 8" Stealth CT SZ" and would like to send them to my brother who is currently deployed.

Are "Sage Green" desert boots authorized for wear in the Iraq theatre by any of the Army Commands...???

Thanks

Lannister


Well...there's authorized and there's authorized. Probably not authorized by regulations, but some units might let a Soldier get away with it. I know I've worn non-regulation boots and been left alone at the last unit...and got hemmed up somethin' fierce for my Garmonts at the current unit. Never can really tell.

[N2Narkosis]

I bought a pair of Magnum II's a few years back and loved their lightweight and sneaker feel. Up until, I tried to fastrope in them.... :eek:

[arizonaguide]

Not exactly Milspec, and I usually like my Merrells...but,

in making my Thrift Shop loop a couple weeks ago I found these (brand new) someone had donated still with the tag on them and not a mark on them...in my size! FOR $8.00!

I do believe it was an act of God. (thank you, God!) :cool:

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/arizonaguide/LaSportiva-1.jpg

LaSportiva's...very comfortable.

[BOFH]

Had a pair of Merrell Sawtooths I took on deployment once...one of the two best pairs of boots I've ever owned. Only boots better than those were my Garmont T8s.

[arizonaguide]

Had a pair of Merrell Sawtooths I took on deployment once...one of the two best pairs of boots I've ever owned. Only boots better than those were my Garmont T8s.
Yep, I usually wear Merrells for Canyon Trips...and they hold up fine.
And the Grand Canyon can be hard on your "equipment". :cool: (there IS life after 40!)
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/arizonaguide/GrandCanyonTrailPic561.jpg
I LOVE my "j-o-b"......and PS: suck on THIS, MEPS doctors with your bogus "over 40" EKG bullshit!

...but I think these LaSportiva's will be better for the (shorter) wildlife photo/hunts.

[AK49]

I'm using the Danner Striker 2's with a composite safety toe. Its -19 deg. out right now I after 90 minutes I could still feel my toes and they did great during break-up this past spring here. Very light, I would say its like wearing tactical clouds on your feet

[Cecil]

I've been a fan of the Danner product line for two decades.

A couple of years ago a Danner rep hooked my race buddies and I with Desert TFX boots.
We were doing runs to raise money for deployed Marines, I was rockin old school jungles.... God bless that man, I love the Desert TFX's for what I am using them for.

Here's a pic from the Ragnar Relay (203 miles) we did across Florida in 2009.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs079.snc3/14651_1170476545643_1339868065_30475207_3746779_n. jpg

Here's one from another run we did.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs069.snc3/13650_200159975527_51475285527_3559094_2785578_n.j pg

Foot note:
I love me some Danners :-)

[Certa Cito]

A little update on the Altberg boots I mentioned on the last page: I recently had one of my pairs of Sneekers resoled, as the amount of miles done in them had finally taken their toll and started to wear them down a bit - this isn't because of a sub-standard sole, but because of the amount of use they've seen.

Anyway, sent them back to Altberg, who did a grand job, and fitted them with a better type of sole. Excellent customer service too, I was contacted by phone by a friendly employee. I seriously can't fault this company, or their boots.

[BRC]

Has anyone used Tecnica Nevegal boots? So far they are the only ones that will/should fit into our uniform SOPs but I cannot find any real reviews besides ones from the manufacturer.

BRC

[foxcolt13]

I just bought a new pair of Danner Combat Hikers for $110.00 and I'm stoked about them great fit and I really like the ankle pads since I have had problems with ankle pain in the past. Sweet!

[arizonaguide]

Love my Merrells!
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/arizonaguide/boots1.jpg

[Slinger17516]

I will be attending a training course in about a month and I am only allowed to wear black boots.:mad:

I have a pair of Danner TFX's which I have worn for years and I am in the market for the next closest thing in Black.

I saw the Blackhawk ZW7's that JAFO mentioned a little while back and from what I can see online those appear to be the closest match.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[TerminalLance]

I am still searching the previous 14 pages and 10 years of knowledge for the answer to this. I have very wide feet and I need a new pair of boots that would pass for Army/Marine issued boots. I will be attending a National Guard SFAD in 5 weeks and need a second pair of boots. I have a cheap pair of SWATS as my primary. They are comfortable and so wide that I can put high arch insoles inside and still have plenty of room. Downside, they are sponges. If anyone has suggestions on a backup pair, please let me know. Thanks

[Rip Shears]

The Bates M-6 is pretty wide and should give you plenty of room for arch supports. The tread pattern rocks. Don't know if they'll pass for standard issue stuff, though.

[TerminalLance]

The Bates M-6 is pretty wide and should give you plenty of room for arch supports. The tread pattern rocks. Don't know if they'll pass for standard issue stuff, though.

I tried a pair on today and they are weet. But they will be too warm, not to mention they look too comfortable to not get undue attention. I'll be looking at Bates summer boots though.

[TerminalLance]

Fat fingers, please make that *Sweet

[mikloski]

I pretty much have an open season on boots for my next deployment. A lot of guys are wearing the Lowa Zephyr GTX Mid Hiking Boots. I tried a pair on at REI yesterday, and I could tell that they would absolutely cook my feet.

I'm looking for a recommendation mid-height hiking boot that keeps the foot cool. I wear a 14N combat boot, and a 13 in Merrell Trail Gloves. I noticed the Sawtooth being recommended earlier in the thread, and I think I will go check those out.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[mikloski]

I tried on the Merrell MOABs earlier today. I think I like them. Does anyone have any experience with them?

[StateSoldier]

Love my Danner Desert Acadias, made in USA and tough as nails.

Keens make a great water shoe, the Newport H2 is one of their best sellers and I wore mine on a recent kayaking trip and they worked out great.

[texmed]

Check out Merril Pro Deal and you get 50 percent off along with a ton of other companies. Good prices on Leupold also. As per boots, Merill and Asolo will treat you right every time.

[Tuukka]

Factory specs can be seen here:

http://www.salomon.com/fi/prod...d-mid-gtx-ultra.html (http://www.salomon.com/fi/product/xa-pro-3d-mid-gtx-ultra.html)

http://store.greygrouptraining...-PRO-3D-MID-GTX.html (http://store.greygrouptraining.com/XA-PRO-3D-MID-GTX.html)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_007214.jpg

The XA Pro 3D Mid GTX is a midheight version of the Pro 3D Ultra 2GTX trail running shoe.

This pair is actually a special version of the Pro 3D Mid GTX, with discrete markings and color.

I have been wearing these shoes for some months now. One of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, extremely light also.

A team mate of mine borrowed these for the IPSC World Shoot in Greece and he also commented on the fit, comfort and traction the shoes had.

This winter will be first one with these and I will see to what temperatures they will be comfortable to wear.

Have not encountered any negative issues with these and will see if there are any problems durability wise in the long run.

Side view:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_007416.jpg

Sole:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_00739.jpg

Got the Guest 4D GTX full boots as well, however not so many km's on those, so thoughts on them will wait until I have had the chance to use them more.

[ccorgr175]

^^

Been wearing various models of the low & quarter top Salomon's for the last few years without any issues now.

I've always purchased the GTX versions, and they have done very well year round, barring extreme cold issues.

If you plan to be away from a shipping source for some time, take the time to order an extra pair of the quik laces. On my older pairs, I've notice the first thing to start wear are either the laces themselves, or the lace loops...

The replacement is kind of a pain, but once you figure it out, I imagine it can be done in a reasonable amount of time...


2%

[Tuukka]

Good to know, have had Salomons over the years, but not the Quicklace equipped ones.

[EightyDeuce]

I've booked travel for this years Bataan Memorial Death March and have been thinking about boots. Since I'm in the NE and it's cold I've been training in my North Face boots which will not be a good fit for the environment the march takes place in. I have a pair of green Altama jungle boots with the ripple sole which I'm considering using but I'm not sure how the ripple sole would do in sand. I know the ripple sole is comfy in garrison but I always used my leg boots that had the steel shank taken out of for ruck marches and field work.

If the ripple sole won't be a good option, I've been considering Garmont T8's, Oakley MK-II Assault Boots and a pair of Wellco's (TFX I believe)

[Brownsurccapt]

The OTB DesertLite is an amazing boot, it worked very well for me and I will be getting another pair soon. Link (http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=18795&TabID=548)
I purchased the first pair about 2 years ago, and to be honest, they would probably go another year if I sent them in to be resoled. (Will be looking into this option soon, dog chewed the top a little, so might just get a new pair)
I used them for a wide variety of missions, boat work, hiking, walking in the woods/river banks, on the range, wearing around the office, and teaching for 8+ hours, ect. (you get the idea) :biggrin:
Teaching for 8 hours behind a lecturn wasn't the best mission for these hooves, but they did fine. Feet were about as sore as they were in any other boot/shoe I've worn.
Where they realy shine was on the boats. Great traction and ankle support when walking about the craft or in turns. I must say the traction was great overall, everywhere. I remember walking on an alge covered boat ramp and not having too many slipping issues.
I can't speak to how they are when rucking, but I have walked a few miles in them through the woods of NC and the 8in version gave great support and comfort.
They are very, very light and cool in the hot NC summers, and they breath extremely well. I've worn them in the winter here with nothing more than a cotton sport sock on, and I can't recall my feet being terribly cold. (Danners keep them warmer)
Where they are far and above anything I've worn, are when my feet got wet. They dry quickly while you are wearing them and they swick the water away from your foot and allow it to evaporate. I don't worry about getting my feet wet like I do in my Danners. (I Love the Danners as well). My feet dont look like prunes 8 hours after getting wet.:eek: Best of all they don't stink after being wet over and over, due to how fast they dry, no mildew.

Down side? The soles are a little soft and did wear down faster than I would have liked.(fast roping migh not fair so well in them?) Also some of the glue around the toe started to peel back a few months after I got them. Glued it back and no issues since. They get dirty and stain somewhat easily, but an eraser and nylon brush seemed to work.

I had a pair of OTB Abyss a few years ago and wore them off and on for about 6 months. They just didn't work for me in the job I do. If I spent a lot of time on the beach, in the surf, in and out of the water, zodiac work, ect, they would have been great. Due to the pourious soles, I felt every rock, twig, bump in the carpet. Great mission specific boot. And they tended to smell and need cleaning after a short period of time. Good review here (http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/footwear2.html), OTB starts at the bottom half of page.

I hope my rambling helps, and I just convinced myself to get another pair of the DesertLites. :eek: :biggrin:

[Okie75]

Had a meeting down at the rescue squad I am about to join, was told I needed steel toed boots. Most of the ST boots that I have worn in the past are quite uncomfortable. I am angling toward Danner ICS's but figured you guys may have some insight as to which ST boots can be more comfortable.

[Stretch]

Had a meeting down at the rescue squad I am about to join, was told I needed steel toed boots. Most of the ST boots that I have worn in the past are quite uncomfortable. I am angling toward Danner ICS's but figured you guys may have some insight as to which ST boots can be more comfortable.

Have you tried Redwing? I have always found them comfortable and a good cobbler can resole them.

[cdutchess78]

good cobbler can resole them.They still have those? :tongue:

[Okie75]

Have you tried Redwing? I have always found them comfortable and a good cobbler can resole them.

I was actually looking at redwing's online today. i think I just need to go into the shoe shop over in Sterling and just start trying on some boots and see which ones feel better.

[KSM]

I went out today looking to purchase a new set of mid-length hiking boots. I ended up going with Lowa Zephyrs. Everyone I've ever talked to who had worn Lowa boots said they were amazing. After just an afternoon, I'm here to tell you... They were right! Lowas are like sex for your feet! Believe the hype, spend the extra dollars, and don't look back. I might actually sleep in these tonight.

[Chemical Cookie]

I went out today looking to purchase a new set of mid-length hiking boots. I ended up going with Lowa Zephyrs. Everyone I've ever talked to who had worn Lowa boots said they were amazing. After just an afternoon, I'm here to tell you... They were right! Lowas are like sex for your feet! Believe the hype, spend the extra dollars, and don't look back. I might actually sleep in these tonight.

Can't remember if it was mentioned in this thread but Lowa also has a prodeal offer for military. If I remember right it is 40% off retail. I've yet to order a pair of Lowa's but will be looking into them within the next couple of months. Your thoughts seem to be in line with others who have these boots.

[erik7181]

I use the Asolo 95 gtx's for hiking, their great durable boots they just have a really long break in period, I wear two pairs of socks with them.
Someone mentioned they take their jungle boots have the steel removed and put vibram soles on them, could anyone tell me where i could take mine to have that done?

[swamppirate]

Vasque Sundowners

[AK49]

I would look at a safety composite toed boot. Way lighter and don't conduct heat/cold as bad as ST boots do. They are a bit lighter as well. I'm using these (http://www.botachtactical.com/conversec8893.html) but with the side zipper, here in the Arctic right now as temps are warm and in the 20's. They have great tread, are super light weight and have side zippers witch I prefer. But I have been eye balling these (http://www.danner.com/boots/dannerr-rat-temperate-military-boots.html) lately cuz we're about to get hit with break-up and its gonna get really wet outside soon. And, they can be sent in to get re-soled. They're just spendy. I use Danners for hunting. Good boot.


Had a meeting down at the rescue squad I am about to join, was told I needed steel toed boots. Most of the ST boots that I have worn in the past are quite uncomfortable. I am angling toward Danner ICS's but figured you guys may have some insight as to which ST boots can be more comfortable.

[aehs9111]

Just got a pair of the Rocky s2v boots. The best boots that I ever owned, hands down