I'm asking from people in the know for recommendations for "combat" boots. I'm not even sure what I'm looking for hence the thread.
I 'think' I want 1. light. 2. traction. 3. breathable in hot weather but warm in cold weather. 4. waterproof if possible.
If you tell me I don't need waterproof or insulation, etc, I'll believe you. Tell me what I need.
What I have currently: I have a pair of Danner Lights II I've had for 25+ years. Great boot that is waterproof and offers a lot of ankle support. A bit heavy and while warm, not an oven. I have a pair of your everyday Sorels. Very warm, but no support and even going a ½ size small, my feet still move around enough that they're best for very cold or standing in cold weather. Merrell Moabs. I have several pairs of these. Both in breathable and Gortex waterproof. Great shoes I often wear daily. The Gortex waterproof aren't very waterproof. Light and maneuverable but lacking a bit in ankle support due to mid height.
I'm not in great need of ankle support but it would be nice. Not sure if I need or want a steel toe, but there seems to be a nice option if available and doesn't add a lot of weight.
The Danner Marine Expeditionary Boot catches my eye but seem to be a bit HEAVY.
Let me know.
Maybe
@TheGerman and others who have actually used boots in some sort of working situation.
Hi,
Pretty much it's 'horses for courses' ... One mans ideal isn't another's. So here's my tuppence view for what its worth. Ex British Army 28years and still like a 'day in the hills' at any opportunity.
First off, make sure you have good socks, something you know works for you and your feet, plus a quality insole, a lot of quality manufacturers produce a great boot and supply it with a dog toffee insole..... go figure. My socks of choice are by Brigdale, heavy duty pairs and lightweights, used them for many years and they work well for me, no hot spot seams and thick durable soles. Have them on hand for when you try on new boots, no good wearing sports socks and finding out later it's gone tight after 10 miles because you've got your favourite 1000mile thick socks on...... been there! It was a hard lesson (10 miles back....!) For some boots they will need a good break in period, but then once done, they tend to be the ones that last forever and generally can be resoled / rebuilt. Others are just like trainers and you can hike them straight out of the box, but they tend to be shot after the sole dies and can't be resoled. Your feet will sweat, no matter what, even stood still. Dry socks and powder. I take a couple of pairs on the longer treks and powder regularly/on stops (like lunch), if you think your feet are wet, but there's no significant weather issue, it's probably your sweaty feet....... If your boot goes in to the water and fills up....... it's wet, it will stay wet until you get the chance to dry them out properly.... gortex or no gortex, it won't matter. Trust me, it sucks when you've been up to your waist on a river crossing and there's another 6 days of army fun to go....... they will wear dry eventually (with sock changes), but if it's continually wet, you're up against it.
Boots I have used:
Boots, DMS (with cloth ankle puttees) - Bloody awful army combat boots from the 80s .... hard soled, no lining and very 1940s era thinking and shockingly bad, not waterproof.... Thankfully only wore them for a year and a bit in the mid 80s
German Para boots (80s/90s) - whilst serving in BAOR Germany, managed to trade a Bundeswehr soldier for a pair of these. Officially not supposed to wear them, but they got used regularly for 'non barracks' activities like ranges, exercises and the like. High quality German boots, similar construction to say a Danner or Lowa, with a speed lace system, comfy lining and quality sole and insole. If they made them again I'd have another pair. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd been made by Meindl or similar.
Boots, CBH - Similar to the DMS with a bit better construction (but not by much), no lining, no toecap and high legged with a hard sole ... tore your feet to bits and not waterproof..... the stich line down the back of the ankle was a doozy......
Boots Assault - the 'Pro Boot' was a high leg, proper change and a step in the right direction (excuse the pun) boot , good lacing to the toebox, leather and cambrelle lined, soft soled, I wore mine to death and luckily was issued another pair. Sadly no longer made or I'd get another pair!
Ammunition Boots - Used mainly for parades (and covered in beeswax and polished to a high shine), but essentially the boots grandad used in WW1 and WW2!! Made from the thickest leather you can imagine, and only leather! But when broken in (and they took some breaking in!), surprisingly comfy and could wear them all day every day, also hobnailed, so impromptu skating lessons happened occasionally. You had to have a good insole for these or you were buggered....! Not very waterproof, but it was for smart dress so no drama! You'd find many a soldier in vintage 1940s/1950s boots, I was luckier and had a new pair (handy knowing a mate in the Guards!).
Matterhorns - Issued these for use in the Balkans (for the second time), heavier than the Lowas, thick liner and made my feet sweat like mad, which in turn made my feet soft (no matter how much I powdered and changed socks). Good quality construction, but not a 'hiking' boot really. Great for working as a AFV or APC crew and standing on guard.... but not marching about.... not in my experience.
Danners - Had a pair of the fabric sided combat boots, used them for years. My unit was deploying to the Balkans (my first outing there) and many of us made our way to the US Army PX to get them, as did many other Brits (we eventually found some in Berlin....... after driving for a day to get there.... .). Hard wearing, quality construction, lined similarly but not so thick as the Matterhorns, only fault (for me) was they were a tad narrow. First pair of boots I used as a 'go to' in either a military setting or for trekking about the hills. Rather than having a pair of dedicated mountain boots for 'after work' business. I'd get a pair again if I wasn't using my others.
Karrimor KSB - From the 80s/90s, very different to the KSB styles today, more a traditional style leather boot for mountaineering. You had to break this bugger in and it was a blister maker, but once broken in, it was really good for a traditional boot. The cheaper sole construction meant that when the sole died, the boot died too, which was a shame as the leather had many years of life in it.
The boots I still use regularly are:
The Lowa Mountain Boot is a quality heavy use gortex lined boot, with a shank, which makes going up rocky terrain easier. My pair are on the second sole, vibram, standard grippy stuff and rand (after 10 years and the sole was slick when sent for repair) and they have taken abuse in all kinds of terrain (with the exception of arctic circle, jungle or high mountains). Solid performers but a little on the heavy side, used to put up with 20 and 40 mile bergen marches regularly, luckily those days are behind me and I can choose to do shorter trips now! The next repair will probably, maybe, need a liner change, but that's years away.
Lowa Elite Desert Boot is also gortex lined, pretty much the same bombproof construction as the Mountain, but a little lighter (not by much) with fabric panels, but is not a resole / repairable type welt, so when it dies, it dies and they don't seem to make these anymore. Used these in Afghanistan for my deployment and they worked fine. Pretty much the go to patrol boot for me there. These are occasional use now, but good for a summers day rather than the mountain boot.
Lowa Zephyr (it's like I'm a Lowa fan.... It's just how it ended up!) is my go to for when it's really hot. Got these for Afghan as the 'barrack boot' and used them occasionally on the ground. Mine are lined, but they are like a comfy pair of trainers and were good to go out of the box. The soles on these have started to go after about 10 years (so 1 Afghan and 9 UK summers). Not a heavy use boot and the ankle support is minimal (think carpark kerb more than rocky terrain!)
AKU Pilgrims - Got these after I left, but they are also one of the current issue boots available to the army, they are a commercially available boot so not just military patterns. Light, lined, fabric panels, good sole (vibram style) and ankle support. sort of stiff out the box, but usable after a bit of a walkabout (not quite a break in boot). Sizing and width fit with these was a bit of an issue, I'm a UK 8 but had to swap for an 8 1/2 as it was too tight with socks. Not had a great deal of use, but they are good for going into the hills for a days walking and I've had no issues with them.
Solomon GTX - These were a surprise for me and taken as a recommendation from a pal. I use them year round (in the UK). Light like a Zephyr, comfy like a trainer, but as bombproof in make up as the Lowa without the heavy leather construction, good ankle support, only gripe is the sole is not as good as the vibram types on my other boots. Can get a bit slippy when the going is slick.
Well that's my ramblings, hope it was of use, if not a little entertaining
Happy Trails !
James
are phenomenal. I like knowing that they are resoluble. They were comfortable from the start. You should definitely consider as pair. 
