Quote:
Originally Posted by Drake
Best. Boots. EVER.
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I hate to disagree but I have had both the Bates USMC Gortex boots and the Belleville USMC Gortex boots and I have to say Belleville won in the comfort department. The Bates pinched in ankle area and just did not feel like clouds on my feet.
My boot experiences categorized;
Awesome Boots:
1. Merrel Sawtooth – Yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Clause. If you can get these, you’ll quickly know why they are so Milk and Cookie sweet.
2. Blackhawk WarriorWear Desert Ops – It’s one of those things where you put them on and then quickly believe you can scale walls effortlessly, or just jump over them.
3. Belleville 790’s/550’s – I’ve put at least 6 hard years of bush, asphalt and winter thru my 790’s and only now are they starting to show their wear. Next time around I will get a half size larger and put Dr. Sholes insole in, but that is just by experience. Feel free to learn your own by your own accord.
Not-So-Bad Boots:
1. Magnum Desert Boots – I’ve had the older Magnum black boots and they were similar to the BlackHawk Desert Ops in terms of gravy comfort, but I was somewhat disappointed with the out of the box comfort on these boots. I have somewhat higher arches and these boots made me feel like London Bridge was falling down after a few hours. Alternate insoles saved the day on these boots – surprising never the less from Magnum.
2. Altima Issue Desert Boots – My god can these boots last longer than a season or regular wear? I use mine as swimwear now. They have been proven to actually DRAIN heat from your feet faster in cooler/colder weather, regardless of layers or protection. It’s like a wet leather glove in -20.
3. Altima Issue Jungle Boots – Your ankles will not be impressed with you. Expect some bitching in the form of sheering pain.
4. US GI Issue Speedlace Combat Boot (Altima, various US contractors) – The simple BDU issue boot prior to the PEO Program is not bad; the sole pattern is pretty good for dirt and grass, but steer clear of anything paved. You might get 2 years out of them before they are goners.