Boots and how to break them in.

USAFDefender · 01-26-2005, 04:00 PM

I'm looking for a good pair of boots to go to SERE Indoc with. They need to be all leather and black.
I'm thinking of buying these: http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/ta...Fresults%2Etam

Could anyone chime in on what they think of these boots, or give me a link to a better pair?

Also, once I get these boots, what is the best way to get them broken in quickly? I've heard all sorts of things, but I'd like to hear some of your ideas.

**Scary** · 01-26-2005, 04:17 PM

My friends here (and our old MSG) said that the ripple sole is awesome for being on the road, but suck everywhere else. I guess you can feel all the branches and rocks and stuff, and aren't that comfortable for off road stuff. I haven't personally worn the ripples, but am a big fan of the panama sole. I see a lot of the AF guys at Fairchild with them on... but I only see the SF guys more than anything, and they're all on pavement.

As for breaking in boots, I always shower in them. Make sure you have the socks you want to wear with them on when you do this. I also make sure to flex and bend the boot in the way that I walk and run while in the shower. Make sure lots of water gets into the boot. After oh maybe 10 or 15 min, you can get out of the shower and take the boots off. Dump all of the standing water out of the boot and change into a dry pair of socks. Wear them around for another 15 min, bending them as you walk, then change socks again. Do this until your socks are either barely damp or pretty dry when you are changing them. I don't usually change socks every 15 min... but wait until my feet are getting pretty wet and I know the sock sucked up a lot of water. Wear them a day or two before really using them for what you need (ruck march or field use or whatever). Anyway, that's what I do, and I've had a lot of success with that technique.

E.S.

rabbid37 · 01-26-2005, 04:21 PM

I have those kinds of boots and they are really nice. I just break them in by putting them on and walking around with them.

USAFDefender · 01-26-2005, 05:57 PM

Quote:

I haven't personally worn the ripples, but am a big fan of the panama sole. I see a lot of the AF guys at Fairchild with them on... but I only see the SF guys more than anything, and they're all on pavement.

I assume you mean Security Forces when you say SF, right? And are you saying you see them with ripples alot or with the panama sole? Also, have you used the panama soles in an off-road environ and liked it?

**Scary** · 01-26-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

I assume you mean Security Forces when you say SF, right? And are you saying you see them with ripples alot or with the panama sole? Also, have you used the panama soles in an off-road environ and liked it?

Heh sorry for so much ambiguity. Yeah I mean Security Forces when I say SF... I may be an Army cadet but I have learned a thing or two about the ol' AF. I see a lot of the AF guys with the ripples... but again, they are the SF guys and they do a lot of standing and walking around the gate, so they might be better for that. I really like the panama for out in the field, but again I haven't tried the rippled. I know I have put a crap load of miles on my Altamas (black jungles) that I got last year (I think the sole is going to need to be redone here soon) and the only time my feet bother me is after ruck runs on the pavement. I have a different set of Altamas (standard issue full leather) with a similar pattern on the bottom, and they don't bother me as much on the runs. Hmm I was on base Monday too and I finally saw a SERE qualified airman... and I don't remember what he was wearing. I'll pay a bit more attention to it next time I go out there.

E.S.

Rusty24 · 01-26-2005, 09:19 PM

Brazen, I have the ripples on a pair of jungles and they work fine. The reason you feel so much on your sole is the density of the rubber. If you look at the soles they are layed, which allows your foot to flex more comfortably. Plus I would reccomend the "BASIC" leather boot to anybody. They also remove the spike strip in the bottom, which will lighten them as well.

The standard soles are one piece rubber and solid, which does not allow your foot to have a fluid movement on the ground. Plus when your heel strikes it has a "Pivot" point, where as the solid soles (heel-less) give you a solid base all the way through you natural foot movement.

Go with them. Also if you can get your hands on a set of "Ft. Lewis Specials" or "Matterhorns" they would be good as well for cold weather. The only difference in the two are the height of the boot. The Matterhorn comes up about 3 inches higher than a standard boot. Belleville also makes a pretty good boot as well, but i have not worn them.

As for breaking them in. Just like they said - WATER. As for showering with them ...... not me. Wear them everywhere and do not seal them with kiwi until the get comfy.

USAFDefender · 01-26-2005, 11:42 PM

W

Quote:

Plus I would reccomend the "BASIC" leather boot to anybody.

What do you mean? The boot issued to you out of basic? Or a brand name called BASIC? I know, I'm a jeep.

Anyways, thanks alot. I've heard about removing the strip from a couple Airborne infantry guys while I was in the sandbox. Where can I get that done? Any shoe repair shop should be able to do it, right?

ColeGyreneJROTC · 01-27-2005, 10:12 AM

My favorite pair of boot so far were the Altamas. They kept their shape a lot better than my last pair, even after being broke in. Also the soles dont wear down near as much. I'm blanking on the brand of my last pair.....They're just like the black jungle altamas in that the have the spike, protective stuff in em and the little vents in the bottom, but they just dont hold up well under constant use.

Rusty24 · 01-27-2005, 02:56 PM

By BASIC I mean the style that you are issued at basic training. A sole is a sole, so what ever makes you feel comfortable is what you should get. If you get a boot re-soled, the place will know about the shank or spike strip.

USAFDefender · 01-27-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

By BASIC I mean the style that you are issued at basic training. A sole is a sole, so what ever makes you feel comfortable is what you should get. If you get a boot re-soled, the place will know about the shank or spike strip.

Ah ok. Well I think that's the style I got for the boot, just with the ripple sole. Thanks for the help.

**Covertness** · 01-27-2005, 05:00 PM

Try some saddle soap also man. It won't seal the leather and it won't dry it out like water can.

IMHO, nothing, but nothing beats mil issued Jungle Boots that were manufactured BEFORE 1986. 'Course that's me. Mine were issued to me in 1984 and I still have them over twenty years later.

RFleischman · 01-28-2005, 09:10 AM

Yes Jungles do work nicely. I also take a shower with my boots to break them in, and lately I have been wearing them in the snow too, but if you have any polish on them the snow will take it off, if they are not waterproofed.