What Boots?

[rawli]

I am looking at getting some new boots and are unsure as to what to get. I get on fine with CABs but am wanting something a little more diverse in terms of weather conditions etc. At the moment I am looking at the Pro-Boot Classic and the Lowa Military Combat Boot. Any comments or suggestions as to which I should go for or suggesting something new altogether would be a great help.

Cheers Guys

Rawli

[Fow22]

Hey bro, I would suggest a company named Altberg. They are in Richmond, North Yorkshire. I have a pair of their Defender model, and I like them a lot. I bought myself a pair whilst I was doing my course at Catterick which is nearby. They are a good sturdy boot, they have Goretex models but I personally prefer non Goretex. The boots have a good sole as well, with a very good warranty. Give them a try and I'm sure you'll be happy with them. Good luck, Kyle.

[rawli]

Cheers bud, I have seen Altberg's and heard that they were quite good so I might give them a look.

[Doc]

What purpose are the boots going to be utilised for? If its time in the hills and mountains then Scarpas are the way forward, great boots and coupled with a pair of yetis will last you years.

Danner Acadias are good also, and again like all gortex lined boots you should use them with yetis as if you get water in over the top cuff they take an age to dry out.

[rawli]

I am using them as an everyday working boot in wet and cold weather environments. May use them on hills as well.

[Fow22]

What purpose are the boots going to be utilised for? If its time in the hills and mountains then Scarpas are the way forward, great boots and coupled with a pair of yetis will last you years.

Danner Acadias are good also, and again like all gortex lined boots you should use them with yetis as if you get water in over the top cuff they take an age to dry out.

Ya Doc, I can also vouch for Danners, hella good boots. We sometimes cut our NBC gloves right below the fingers and slip them on our legs over the cuff of the boot for some homemade yetis.

[Greenronnie]

Lowas or Altbergs will probably be your best bet, if you are going to wear them around camp as well as in the hills. Scarpas are great hillwalking boots, but only come in brown, plus they're low cut, so the question might be whether or not you're actually going to be allowed to wear them.

[Ruth]

My Scarpas are a nice dark blue, but that's probably even less useful than brown!

[Hostage_Negotiator]

I've got a pair of Scarpa Combat (High Leg in black) sat in an MFO box in the loft, so they were available don't know about now as these are about 12 yrs old!
Personally I've bought and worn all those listed below and they have all been top quality, some better than others for different reasons but all top quality just the same!

Danner
Hanwag
Altberg
Lowa
Sorel Agawa
Scarpa
Lundhag
Addidas

The subject of boots has always been a very personal one to the wearer and the best boot is the one that suits you!

[rawli]

Cheers for that guys, certainly given me some ideas!

Rawli

[Doc]

I've got a pair of Scarpa Combat (High Leg in black) sat in an MFO box in the loft, so they were available don't know about now as these are about 12 yrs old!

what size and do you take visa? then again I havent had my xmas pressie from you yet so just bung them in the post theres a good chap

[Irish Rover]

Get a pair of second hand german army paratrooper boots. Only cost around 20 quid in one of them surplus shops. Know loads of lads who go out and spend 200 euro on mendels or what have you. German para boots are just as good, a bit less comfortable, but look at the money you can save, which you can use to go on a right piss up

[Rogue Chef]

Ahoy there!
Save your money. You will pay through the nose for boots such Lundhag, Danner, Scarpa etc. My experience (22 years in the RM some of which was in Recce Troop, Falklands, Jungle, Desert, Arctic etc) is that issue boots are more than adequate.

There will be detractors, but the truth is that most lads spend 100 quid or more on boots that are at best a bit more waterproof or a bit more comfy.I fell for the con myself and was hugely disappointed (I got wet feet, cold feet, blistered feet etc, reverted to issue kit and soldiered on.
Sure, if you are going to spend a long time in mountainous terrrain specialist boots such as Scarpa will be more functional. Other than that issue boots with the correct socks will suffice for most tasks.

Having said that I did own two pairs of second hand German para boots (bought for 5 quid a pair in those days) and as stated by Irish Rover, they were possibly the best boots I ever had (still got the second pair). Incidentally when I disposed of my first pair circa 1987, Matt Harris (PTI) rescued them from the bin, had the stitching repaired, resoled and continued to use them. In 1991 I visited Angelo Barracks, NI where 42 Cdo RM were based and bumped into Matt who was delighted to point out to me that he was still wearing my old para boots!

Furthermore having spent your hard earned cash on the latest boots you may find that your OC or CO enforces a regime of "worn as issued". Ask around, officers do that from time to time.

Go on tell me I'm wrong, I dare you.

[Sandy The Guvnor]

Altbergs

[Doc]

Im now opting for black flips flops and rubbing kiwi parade gloss into my feet ankles and shins.

Still favour scarpas, with insoles by http://www.yoursole.com