I have not had much luck with boots holding up. I have tried 511 HRT boots, Bates USMC Rat boots, and some others. I am loooking for a natural color boot with good support and will hold up. Any suggestions. I use these boots every day both in the field and around town.
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- Thread starter nhhillbilly
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Order up a pair of Limmer medium or light weights - Limmer Boots, North Conway, NH.
My light weights are on 10 years old. They have snow shoed, hiked, benn used for general walking around and on the range without failure.
My light weights are on 10 years old. They have snow shoed, hiked, benn used for general walking around and on the range without failure.
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It would be worth your time to atleast try on some different styles of Lowa boots. I've never heard anyone who didnt like them or say they were more than comfortable. I have 3 different pairs ranging from light weight everyday day boots (Zephyr GTX) up to their mountain style boots. I kick myself in the ass for not learning about them sooner.
My recommendation: Asolo in the flavor of your choice. If I were buying now it would probably be the Fugitive GTX, but my FSN 95s are still going strong (and I tend to be very hard on footwear 
!) Check REI for discounts and closeouts.
!) Check REI for discounts and closeouts.
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Frankly, my old school "buy once cry once" is White's Boots. Custom made leather by USA craftsmen (literally, they measure your feet at 11 places and make then to spec. Most people's feet are off by a quarter size right to left). They fit like a dream and perpetually rebuildable, unlike most any other modern boot or shoe.
They are not the lightest or sexiest or tacticool-est. But they will not fail you. They make the original issued boots to smokejumpers (paratrooper wild-firefighting badasses).
They are not the lightest or sexiest or tacticool-est. But they will not fail you. They make the original issued boots to smokejumpers (paratrooper wild-firefighting badasses).
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Agreed. I've been running a pair of Renegade GTX with Superfeet insoles for a couple years now and I'm amazed at how well they've held up. They took a while to break-in but once they did they feel as comfortable as my first pair of leg boots by the time I finished IADT. Next to my old 10th Group Raichle boots, these are easily the best mid-boot I've ever worn. Most boots last 12-18 months for me before I replace them, but these Renegade GTX have about 24 months and easily could go another six to twelve months. Very durable!
the only boot i will buy is Danner Strykers, In them about 12 hrs a day fit great water proof and have a side zipper for easy on easy off (lazy). Had a zipper break on a pair once after a couple months contacted customer support. Sent the old pair in, and had a new pair less then a week
I have beat the shit out of my Aslo Fugitive GTX for 5 years and they are by far the best and most comfortable boot I have ever put on my feet. I have hiked up the worst Maine has to offer, crossed frozen streams and broken through, waded bogs, used them as deep snow boots with gators, summer boots with shorts, ect...
Danner, lock the thread. I have had Acadias, Fort Lewis, and several style of Quarries. I always go to Cabelas and get the Quarries in the bargain bin for $125 a pair.
I go to the Danner outlet here in Portland where they are made, and there are AMAZING deals on boots because of factory "blemishes" that are no more than small marks and such on the leather. It's awesome. Danner hands down if you don't pay full retail that a lot of places ask. There are deals on them to be found.
Issued two pairs of Bates, one pair made it through boot camp and straight to the shit can. Second pair shit-canned halfway through Infantry Training Battalion. First set of Danners' Jungle boots has been resoled once, made it through seven months in various parts of South-East Asia and seven months in Afghanistan and every field op in between to include Advanced Infantryman Course and the two years I was stationed in 29 Palms. About to send them in for another outsole, but other than that, Danners' Marine Hot Weather boot was the best $180 I spent 7 years ago, and they are going on the next pump with me.
White's Boots are my footwear of choice. They're a lot heavier boot than a Danner, Lowa, etc., but will last many times longer and are rebuild-able. Once they're broken in there's nothing more comfortable and supportive. They make several models, I prefer the lace to toe smokejumpers: Lace-to-Toe Smoke Jumper
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Ive heard those Whites were good boots but cant get past that "riding" heel. One thing about Danners is alot of there stuff has "made in China" labels on the inside.
Asolo. Zappos has a larger selection than REI and has more sales. Asolo are top notch, definitely puts Danner to shame.
My recommendation: Asolo in the flavor of your choice. If I were buying now it would probably be the Fugitive GTX, but my FSN 95s are still going strong (and I tend to be very hard on footwear
This. Love my Asolo's. Been up every swampy mountain in the uk and many in Europe when I lived there.
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+1 for Danner; also Red Wing is a good brand. I'm pretty hard on shoes and Danner has never let me down. Plus the company stands behind their product and many models are made in the USA.
Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots. I had the same problem finding a good pair of boots that would hold up. 5.11 HRTs were awesome out of the box but within a few months seams started splitting. I bought another pair thinking it was an anomaly but they suffered the same seam splitting issue. While reading No Easy Day the Navy Seal author talked about his Solomon's and I figured they were worth a try. Ordered a pair online from REI since no one had them locally. Out of the box they were extremely comfortable with great support requiring almost no break-in. 6 months of daily wear and they still look brand new and are even more comfortable.
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I know its not quite what your looking for but just to give one more example from a VERY satisfied customer... WHITES. I can honestly say my two pairs have thousands of miles on them due to wildland fire. They are a bit of a pain to break in but as stated above once you do they are perfect. My one recommendation to you is that if you wear them a lot make sure your doing ankle strengthening exercises because they are so supportive that your ankles will stop supporting themselves. I literally wear mine 16hrs p day for 5 months out of the year and couldn't be happier. As for the strengthening exercises all I do is stand on one foot barefoot and drink my coffee and watch the news in the am, about 5-10 min per foot is good enough.
If your stuck on the natural color though, Lowa, La Sportiva, Asolo are hard to beat. But try them all they each fit a different foot.
If your stuck on the natural color though, Lowa, La Sportiva, Asolo are hard to beat. But try them all they each fit a different foot.
To the best of my knowledge the FSN 95 is an older model (discontinued?) with the Fugitives being newer and more-or-less the replacement. Someone may respond who knows more...
600.00 worth in my current array. Wear them every day. 60yrs old, boots all my life. Work, Motorcycling cross country, Schlepping thru muck to my targets...
Zephyr Mid, Tempest GTX Mid. all terrain.
What fits is paramount. These fit me.
Quality and comfort there. No China in my house.
Salomon Quest 4D GTX.
They beat the snot out of every pair of Danner or Asolo I have, and I have a lot.
They beat the snot out of every pair of Danner or Asolo I have, and I have a lot.
I too have a sweet pair of Lowa hiking boots. Made in Germany. Vibram sole. One of the few I could find with an all-leather liner, which I prefer for comfort. Did fit a wee bit short, but not a problem with thinner socks. Mine are the Trekkers. These boots are high-end and the price is commensurate with that, however. I always try to buy these high-end high price Euro boots when they are on closeout somewhere. Otherwise it seems too much to me. But getting boots like these for the price of workboots if you shop around is golden.
I recently picked up a pair of AKU Teton Gore-Tex hikers which are awesome. Hand made in Italy. Vibram sole. I think these are a close-out model and you should be able to find a deal on them. Not all-leather like the Lowas, but much less expensive (low hundred+) if found on sale. If not, about the same price -- close to $300. Fit true to size.
I've heard great things about Asolo too, but I hear they often run narrow.
I recently picked up a pair of AKU Teton Gore-Tex hikers which are awesome. Hand made in Italy. Vibram sole. I think these are a close-out model and you should be able to find a deal on them. Not all-leather like the Lowas, but much less expensive (low hundred+) if found on sale. If not, about the same price -- close to $300. Fit true to size.
I've heard great things about Asolo too, but I hear they often run narrow.
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Danner if you want American made. They are built to last, but I am less than impressed with the design and quality for rugged use or any kind of trekking/backpacking use.
Lowa
La Sportiva
Scarpa
Hanweg
Asolo
I have tested/abused all these brands extensively, and they have been superb in durability, construction, and use in the mountains carrying loads.
Lowa
La Sportiva
Scarpa
Hanweg
Asolo
I have tested/abused all these brands extensively, and they have been superb in durability, construction, and use in the mountains carrying loads.
My situation is a bit different. As the result of two injuries my one foot is larger and wider than the other.
About 20 years back I discovered the Russell Moccasin Company. They do hunting boots , dress shoes, etc.
Made in the USA, rebuild-able, very high quality. You would need to be measured though by one of their Reps.
Add me as well to the Whites Boot company fan base. Another near lifetime purchase.
About 20 years back I discovered the Russell Moccasin Company. They do hunting boots , dress shoes, etc.
Made in the USA, rebuild-able, very high quality. You would need to be measured though by one of their Reps.
Add me as well to the Whites Boot company fan base. Another near lifetime purchase.
I had a pair of HAIX Airpower P6s and while they weren't bad (I'd put them in the same range comfort and durability-wise as Danner) they aren't in the same class as my Asolo FSN95s. BTW: if you're considering HAIX definitely consider going at least a half-size up and the next width up from what you'd normally buy... Ask me how I know...
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My favorite combat boots I've tried are the 6" Oakley SI assault boots. Feels like a running shoe with ankle support, but doesn't Jared your heel, ankle, and knees when parachuting or kicking doors like an altma or similar boot. Still hurts if you land with a cigarette rolled chute though, just sayin. They will also cut your brand new boots instead of cutting the laces.
If you have wider feet and want a tough comfy boot you should check out KEEN's new utility line. I have 2 pairs that I rotate through and the are the most comfortable boot I have ever owned. I own the Detroit soft toe 8" in black.
Danner Usms rat boots. The most comfortable best wearing boots I have ever owned I have and have worn Acadia patrol striker and ft Lewis models and the rat boots are the best so far
Danners stich down models are made here the others are not regardless I have found the last make and model I will ever wear the heel and toe caps really help protect the leather as well
Danners stich down models are made here the others are not regardless I have found the last make and model I will ever wear the heel and toe caps really help protect the leather as well
Another vote for Asollo's!! I've had a pair of 520GV's for several years now and wear them almost religiously 3 seasons out of the year with minimal to no wear. They were out of the box comfortable and are still going strong.
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Boots are about design and proper fitting to the individual foot, not what is recommended from a salesman, friend, acquaintance, military use, or the interweb. Nine out of ten customers I custom fit boots had the wrong boot for their foot but it is was the boot that was recommended by someone as the boot to use.
But I also know that things like this are is the past as everyone wants instant gratification!
But I also know that things like this are is the past as everyone wants instant gratification!
I have three pairs of the Salomon Quest 4D GTX and love them! I have used Danner GTX's, 5.11, OTB, Zamberlan's, Merrell, Rocky, and Matterhorn and they are no match for any of them. The perfect light hiker and all around boot. My buddy has Danners, Lowa, and Salomon and he agrees the Salomons are the best for his feet. That is also the main reason I have never tried the Lowa's which he suggested to me prior to him trying the Salomon's.
Give the Oakley boots a try. Having worn all sorts of different combat/jungle boots from the military, these Oakley boots I'm currently using for work are by far the most comfortable. However, I haven't used them for any humps yet. Strictly from standing around and working, they provide excellent support.
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In my opinion you can't go wrong with a pair of McRae Mil-Spec Hot Weather Desert Boot. These are the basic issue Army boot. I know many people who are in the Army (the units I have been in at least) who immediately ditch their standard issue boot without ever giving them a chance for Danners or something more expensive. They must be better cause they cost more right? I disagree. I think this boot is one thing the army has got right. Full grain leather and Cordura upper, plus a Vibram outsole make this a hard boot to beat for under $80 (you can get it even cheaper at a mil-surp store where a private who has never worn it has sold it cause he just has to get a pair of Danners or Oakleys). I have rucked countless miles and jumped out of planes with mine. The one weakness is the cheep insole it has, but that is quickly remedied by simply removing it and replacing with another type (I happen to have Danner insoles, all the comfort at a fraction of the price, only $10).
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