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Boots
Dec 23, 2011 20:26:17 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Dec 23, 2011 20:26:17 GMT -5
I will be in the market this year to obtain some new boots. I will need to have a good pair that will be used for hiking, and training. Since I live in an AO that can have some pretty wet days, waterproof would be helpful. The coldest I would use them is probably around 10 degrees with the hottest about 100 degrees. I have looked at the 5.11 ATAC coyote 8" boots, but am concerned about that they are not waterproof. 5.11 has the Storm, but they are black and I think that would look too "tactical". I would appreciate any ideas.
Edit: Mods, I think this would be better in the Clothing forum. Feel free to move if you wish.
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Dedicatedpro
New Member
Sweat More Now Bleed Less Later
Posts: 209
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Boots
Dec 23, 2011 23:04:07 GMT -5
Post by Dedicatedpro on Dec 23, 2011 23:04:07 GMT -5
Merrill and Danner make some good ones for a variety of conditions ... check their lines out.
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Boots
Dec 24, 2011 9:02:16 GMT -5
Post by Hawkeye on Dec 24, 2011 9:02:16 GMT -5
You looking for something for current/daily use, or something for longer term/shtf type of use? I'm a big fan of Danners for longer term use, specifically one of their models that has a stitch down sole. Those are repairable/rebuildable, and come bad times, it will be much easier to keep them serviceable, either via your own hand, or that of a simple cobbler. I think that skills like that will be something quick to arise, and having a pair that someone can repair, will be very smart. Standard glue-on soled shoes/boots, wont last as long and cant be repaired/resoled. They are fine for every day use though. As mentioned, Merrel and Danner are good. I'll also add that BlackHawk Warrior Wear boots are EXTREMELY comfortable, for every day use. I prefer my boots to be brown as opposed to black. They arent as hot and add to concealment. I prefer to order from here - good selection and good prices. www.militaryboots.com/?gclid=COiJ8PDsmq0CFdGR7QodORzqnQFor daily wear I like these - www.militaryboots.com/mens-blackhawk-desert-ops/coyote-tanFor shtf use in hot weather, I have these and LOVE them - www.militaryboots.com/mens-danner-8-rat-hwHere is the waterproof version - www.militaryboots.com/mens-danner-8-rat-gtx-twI plan to get a pair of the waterproof ones as soon as I have the $$. The RAT boots arent cheap, but, I think they are worth it since they worth it as they will last a LONG time. Danner will repair/resole them for you, and, they can obvioulsy be repaired by a cobbler or yourself come bad times if need be, thus giving them an extremely long service life. Lastley, I have some of the older Bates M6 and M9 boots from when they were offered in Coyote/Mojave Olive. Just amazing boots. Love them to death. They arent resoleable, but they will last a long time. I wore one pair daily at the concrete plant I worked at, for about 2.5 years. That is an environment that will destroy footwear and these held up great. They dont offer them in the brown anymore, but the tan still looks good, and , they'll dirty up in field use to match the environment. www.militaryboots.com/mens-bates-delta-6www.militaryboots.com/mens-bates-delta-9-desertwww.militaryboots.com/mens-bates-delta-9-gtx
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Boots
Dec 24, 2011 21:33:09 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Dec 24, 2011 21:33:09 GMT -5
Thanks Hawkeye. Those Danners look great, but $350...? The daily wear Blackhawks seem to have good reviews and a little more doable at $118. Heck if I like them I could buy an extra pair and put away for shtf and still be ahead $ wise. I do like the Danners though, just hard to pay $350 for boots I won't use daily. I guess one could say I probably would have them the rest of my life unless shtf. It's something to think about.
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Boots
Dec 25, 2011 17:26:08 GMT -5
Post by Diz on Dec 25, 2011 17:26:08 GMT -5
If you look around you can find Danner Acadias for around $250.00 or so. I have been wearing these boots since the 80's and they are awesome. While I prefer a brown boot, these Acadias are hard to beat.
When it comes to boots, this is a very personal choice. Lots of styles, colors, etc. come into play. What I look for, in terms of a boot I can depend on for years, is a boot that is stitched down, and re-solable. When cared for properly, a good Danner boot will last 10 years+, and can be re-soled several times as required.
So from a prepared citizen standpoint, I am looking for a boot that will last a long time. Yes they are expensive, but are probably cheaper in the long run, when you think of how many lighter boots you would have gone through.
The Danners are heavier and stiffer than you're probably used to, and will take some breaking in, but once they're dialed in, they're hard to beat.
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Boots
Dec 26, 2011 13:36:58 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Dec 26, 2011 13:36:58 GMT -5
Hawkeye, you say you love the Danners 8" RAT HW in hot weather. Well you know where I am located, so I was wondering if you know how the waterproof version, Danners 8" RAT GTX TW, would do in my AO? There is only a $10 difference, and I'll be around water at times as well. Does the waterproofing make it hotter in the heat? They look like the same boot in the picture and description. I have been burnt before to buy the second or third option only to go back to the first option later. Sometimes we have no choice due to situations, but in a shtf scenario, I want something that will hold up and be easily repaired if needed. The Danners seem like the way to go.
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Boots
Dec 26, 2011 20:41:19 GMT -5
Post by Hawkeye on Dec 26, 2011 20:41:19 GMT -5
If I were only going to have one pair, it would be the GTX. I also have a pair of the Danner TFX GTX www.militaryboots.com/mens-danner-8-desert-tfx-gtx (originally the Desert Eagle, which is what mine are) boots, and have not found them to be an issue heat wise at all. If you dont neccessarily have to have the brownish color, then the tan Acadias with the GTX lining are a bit less expensive.
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Boots
Dec 26, 2011 20:42:11 GMT -5
Post by Hawkeye on Dec 26, 2011 20:42:11 GMT -5
Also, if you sign up on military boots email list, they do occasionally send out some decent sale codes. I used one when I got my RAT boots.
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Boots
Dec 26, 2011 21:15:41 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Dec 26, 2011 21:15:41 GMT -5
Also, if you sign up on military boots email list, they do occasionally send out some decent sale codes. I used one when I got my RAT boots. Will sign up. Thanks for the input!
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Boots
Dec 28, 2011 17:33:49 GMT -5
Post by Diz on Dec 28, 2011 17:33:49 GMT -5
Well, TNSTAAFL. The gortex boots are a little hotter, and your feet will sweat in them, especially in summertime, but overall they are awesome boots, from a purely survival perspective. I have always made it a habit to have sturdy boots on, so that I can walk out of whatever situation I may be in, and make my way back home, on foot, if necessary. On the rare occasion that I don't have them on, they're in my truck just in case.
I think that a sturdy leather boot, with a stitched-down sole, is definitely a prerequisite to being prepared, for come what may. Now whether or not you go with a gortex liner is a personal choice. Some guys prefer a non-gtx boot, especially for hotter climes, and use "Seal Skins" type gtx socks when the going gets wet. This is also a valid approach.
If you do go with a gtx liner, keep the inside as clean as possible because fine dust/sand will act like an abrasive material and break down the gortex membrane.
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Boots
Dec 28, 2011 22:43:39 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Dec 28, 2011 22:43:39 GMT -5
When I was on military boots.com, I was scoping out some other boots and came across these. www.militaryboots.com/mens-wellco-8-usmc-rat-combat. Other than the price, these look very similar to the Danners. Does anyone know about this company, Wellco? What I've read they seem to be a decent boot manufacturer.
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Boots
Dec 29, 2011 1:17:02 GMT -5
Post by Hawkeye on Dec 29, 2011 1:17:02 GMT -5
That looks EXACTLY like the Danner RAT Hot weather boot. They arent waterproof, but are good hot weather boots. If they are identical to my pair, they'll have drain vents on them. Thats a REALLY good price too.
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Boots
Dec 29, 2011 8:39:36 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Dec 29, 2011 8:39:36 GMT -5
I also found a video last night after posting. It shows two vent holes on each boot located at the instep region. Apparently there are a few companies that make this boot, Danner, Wellco and at least Bates. Apparently Bates got the contract for the USMC, but earlier this year there was a recall of the Bates boot, but not the others. Here is the article... www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/03/marine-boot-defect-rat-recall-033011w/. They sure look the same, even the Bates version. I would guess that they had specs to follow from the USMC and they all were competing for the contract. Bates was probably the lowest bidder. Wellco is MADE IN THE USA, in Knoxville, TN from what I can find. I know Danner is MADE IN THE USA as well. I don't know about Bates. I've never ordered shoes from online. How do you know they will fit? I mean every shoe seems to be cut a bit different. I usually wear a 10, but have known to fit a 9.5 and 10.5 before as well.
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Boots
Dec 29, 2011 9:31:16 GMT -5
Post by Hawkeye on Dec 29, 2011 9:31:16 GMT -5
I've got Bates, Blackhawk, Danner, and Merrel's.....and they are all pretty much the same size. The only ones I've ever gotten that I had size issues with, were a pair of Lowa's. They ran a full size or more small.
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Boots
Jan 2, 2012 21:41:24 GMT -5
Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Jan 2, 2012 21:41:24 GMT -5
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