[Harve Curry]

On the topic of hunting, hiking, or work boots the 2 best pairs I ever had were :
1). US issue black leather, about 10" tall, with the tan plastic mesh sole inserts. They had a ripple sole and wore like iron.
2) British army issue black leather with a white smooth side in horse hide lining, about 10" tall, had a star pattern sole.

On both pairs I wore out the leather before the soles because of the rocky slopes of the mountains around the SW. They both gave good ankle support. Recently I broke my ankle and am recuperating from surgery right now. I think if I had had on one of the above pairs of boots it would have just been a bad sprain.

So the question is does anybody know a good source to buy these boots??

[dracphelan]

I've seen both Cheaper Than Dirt and Sportsman's Guide carry those boots. You can try looking at their web sites.

[AZTOY]

http://www.rangerjoes.com/footwear-accessories-boots-shoes-c-300_303.html

[swampgator]

I found the issued black leather to be too heavy. But in all fairness mine were the later version with the heavier lug sole and speelacers. I always replaced the insoles with Dr. Schols about every six months.

The boots that I wore to pieces were the green jungle boots. I still have my first pair that I bought right after basic training. 14 years later the nylon and rubber are good, leather is falling apart. But with a pair of gore-tex socks these were my go-to boots.

[Oldnamvet]

I still have my last pair of jungle boots, issued a month or so before I left RVN in 1971. Wore out two pairs while there but the last ones are still good, leather and all. But yard work and walking around the neighborhood aren't all that hard on them.