The problem is, I can't seem to find a pair of black all leather combat boots!
My reqs I think are simple enough:
1. All leather
2. Height: 8"
3. Plain toe
But it seems I can only pick 2.
This (https://www.bellevilleboot.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=98) is the closest thing I could find. It has 2 and 3, but not 1.
Can someone help me out here? Or should I just cave and deal with the nylon fabric uppers?
http://tacticalgear.com/mcrae-10-all-leather-combat-panama-black?gclid=CjwKEAjwy6O7BRDzm-Tdub6ZiSASJADPNzYrOH5pryoleqN2mHXPMFPPM8GH80ZDqZm11mFJpm7x5BoC2ffw_wcB#/2597/653,439,5131/1?dl=b (http://tacticalgear.com/mcrae-10-all-leather-combat-panama-black?gclid=CjwKEAjwy6O7BRDzm-Tdub6ZiSASJADPNzYrOH5pryoleqN2mHXPMFPPM8GH80ZDqZm11mFJpm7x5BoC2ffw_wcB#/2597/653,439,5131/1?dl=b)
These are the 10", but it seems that all-leather "combat boots" are getting harder to find. Most services have moved to a suede boot and the leftovers have a lot of nylon. I absolutely LOVED my old black jungle boots and had them resolved for years until the AF moved away from the black boots.
Do these need to be aircrew (i.e. Flight-rated) boots? Cause that's a whole 'nother story.
The ones you linked are minimalist boots, so they'll take a while to get used to. I wouldn't buy them and then go on a 5-hour UDF mission :-)
I can't help you with the all-leather boots (I'm sure they're out there, but I haven't seen any in years). That said, I strongly recommend the Rocky S2V boots. I have a pair in sage green and just got a new pair in black, and absolutely love them. While they're a little bit on the pricier side, these are by far the most comfortable boots I've ever had.
Quote from: audiododd on June 22, 2016, 02:35:34 AM
Do these need to be aircrew (i.e. Flight-rated) boots? Cause that's a whole 'nother story.
What is the difference? Searching for flight boots pointed me at the Belleville 800ST, which looks at first glance like it fits the bill...
I don't know about WA, but the CAWG supplement to 39-1 USED to only allow all leather or approved flight boots (I can't find it anymore -- I've heard it's down for revision). Flight approved boots have no nylon (they use some other kind of synthetic fabric) to melt into your feet in the event of a crash. It's getting hard to find a list of black USAF approved flight boots anymore since they have moved to the Sage Green and Desert Tan flight boots, but I have an old USAF policy letter that defines the black boots that are "safe to fly" and the 700, 770, & 790 are approved. There are probably some others for other services as well. I just bought the 700s for aircrew duties because the all leather make my feet sweat horribly (especially in the CA Central Valley :-)
Dodd
Quote from: audiododd on June 22, 2016, 03:52:20 AM
I don't know about WA, but the CAWG supplement to 39-1 USED to only allow all leather or approved flight boots (I can't find it anymore -- I've heard it's down for revision). Flight approved boots have no nylon (they use some other kind of synthetic fabric) to melt into your feet in the event of a crash. It's getting hard to find a list of black USAF approved flight boots anymore since they have moved to the Sage Green and Desert Tan flight boots, but I have an old USAF policy letter that defines the black boots that are "safe to fly" and the 700, 770, & 790 are approved. There are probably some others for other services as well. I just bought the 700s for aircrew duties because the all leather make my feet sweat horribly (especially in the CA Central Valley :-)
Dodd
Keyword: "USED TO"
Belleville. I only stopped wearing mine 5 years later because it turns out that's not my boot size.....
Beware their search feature, it's as bad as CT! (or was last I looked)
As stated above, it's hard to find all of your points... I prefer my Nike boots. Ultra comfortable and you can do a 12-mile ruck in them the day you get them and you won't have to worry about blisters. http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/sfb-field-8-mens-boot/pid-10028427/pgid-10267225?cp=usns_kw_pla%21g%21t%21nobr%21&k_clickid=d6283044-c19e-47ed-8986-94dcbab39e61 (http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/sfb-field-8-mens-boot/pid-10028427/pgid-10267225?cp=usns_kw_pla%21g%21t%21nobr%21&k_clickid=d6283044-c19e-47ed-8986-94dcbab39e61)
Check the Corcoran Boots. They are great boots and they offer free shipping. http://uspatriottactical.com/corcoran/?&category-id=185&filter=Sub-Category_fq:%22Jump%20and%20Paratrooper%20Boots%22&filter=Shipping_fq:%22True%22&rows=20&start=0 (http://uspatriottactical.com/corcoran/?&category-id=185&filter=Sub-Category_fq:%22Jump%20and%20Paratrooper%20Boots%22&filter=Shipping_fq:%22True%22&rows=20&start=0)
Cocoran Marauders: Comfortable, lightweight, don't last terribly long.
Belleville Khybers: Comfortable, lightweight, heavy duty.
Modern USAF Flight Boots have nylon in them, I don't think all-leather is the best way to go about anything.
Give these a try. I bought a pair of them for my son based on research and a lot of recommendations from others, and he says they're the most comfortable pair of boots he's ever worn. Says they feel like he's wearing running shoes. So, I bought a low cut pair of Haix over Father's Day weekend for flying duties. Yup, Haix are definitely comfortable. Just make sure you order a half size bigger than your normal SHOE (not boot) size.
http://www.tacticalbootstore.com/haix-300103-black-eagle-tactical-high-boots-p-3998.html (http://www.tacticalbootstore.com/haix-300103-black-eagle-tactical-high-boots-p-3998.html)
I work with Coasties every day.
Most of them are wearing all-leather boots.
Navy wears black leather too...
What's for sale @ the Naval Clothing Sales??
I'd start there...
Or here:
https://www.bellevilleboot.com/shop/index.php?&c=1&l=product_list&color=12&gender=17&climate=3&features=5&width=&size=&sortby=&shn=8&c=1&l=product_list&color=12&gender=17&climate=3&features=5&width=&size=&sortby=&shn=21
The navy issue boot is available through MCS and it's less than $80. Polishable, steel toe, oil resistant sole.
Quote from: Jester on August 15, 2016, 07:03:36 PM
The navy issue boot is available through MCS and it's less than $80. Polishable, steel toe, oil resistant sole.
And can be uncomfortable, if they are still like what's sitting in my closet from a while back. It depends on your chosen foot-boot interface. I double sock, and have gel insoles. Try them on before you buy if at all possible.