[garrettwc]

Hey folks, looking for a pair of basic black lace up boots for daily wear, stomping around the woods, etc.

Something of good quality, but with some padding, and support, comfortable like running shoes or sneakers.

Does something like this exist? Which ones would you recommend I look for?

My middle aged feet can't stand a "hard" boot such as the old stand by Corcoran leather jump boots anymore.

[MaterDei]

http://www.magnumboots.com

These are made by Hi-Tec.

Good Luck!

MaterDei

[Morgan]

Danner, the best, by far.

Striker (http://www.danner.com/products.asp?catid=12&prodid=1732) is their lightweight boot, $155 retail, and worth every penny.

You might find an old pair of Trooper II (their old lightweights) somewhere for less.

[Skunkabilly]

I like Danners, they hold up good out there but are also suitable for business casual dress. Granted I haven't tried everything out there, but I like the set I have on my paws now.

Oakleys for added tacticality, but can't comment on them as I don't have my own set.

[Pheonix]

What about http://www.originalswat.com ?

[El Tejon]

garrett, I've always liked the beta boots my uncle had. Years and years ago on a trip to Knob Creek I found those "Israeli Desert Commando" boots at U.S. Cav. Canvas upper and sneakeresque sole. Great for running.

Loved them. I think they were $20.00 or something silly--think they were black, od or tan.

I bought three pairs and wore them to death. Should probably get some more (if they are still around). Now stick with basketball shoes for gun training or hiking and wrestling or racquetball shoes for boxing.

I'll check that U.S. Cav webthingy.

[Glockster35]

I just received my order on Thorogood 8" Waterproof Force Recon Boot that I will wear on duty.

They are the best I have found to date.

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/products/20030512013637_Photo2.jpg

The Fire Store (http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=1463)

[Schuey2002]

Here's another shout out for Danners..

I "stomp around" the Oregon Coastal Range/ and Oregon National Dunes in my Rainforests (w/ 200 grams of Thinsulate). They keep my toes warm and dry as well as offering good traction (w/ the Vibram soles) on uneven terrain. My ONLY beef with them is their price. At $260-ish (retail) per pair, they ain't cheap..

* I picked up mine on Ebay.. Cost? They ran me $199.00 for a pair of new ones. *
http://www.danner.com/images/productimg/15100.jpg
(That reminds me, I need to squirrel away some money for a pair of the new Super Rainforest boots..) :o

Edit: The first thing that I did when I got mine was I removed the silly tongue guards, and I also replaced the factory laces with OD green ones. ;)

[garrettwc]

El Tejon, that's the kind of review I like to hear. Good for the rough stuff but still able to "double time it" when needed. I live near the Cav store (short road trip) so if they are listed I may have to go check them out. They have most of what the others folks have named so far in their CavPro catalog.

Glockster, I have never heard of those. They look like just the ticket, and Lightfighter has them down at Ft. Campbell (also a nice little road trip). Post here or PM me after you have tried them out for a few days and let me know how they are.

Thanks for the great recommends so far guys. Keep 'em coming.

[AUTIGER04]

Magnum.;)

[Glockster35]

Garrettwc,

I have worn them for the last two days at work and at play. They are very comfortable. They seem to be built very well and I love the lacing system used and more importantly to me, I haven't heard them squeak yet. Not even on a highly shined tile floor.

Did I mention that these boots look awesome while you wear them, not highly important, but I have received many cudo's from others I work with, all the way up to my Captain, who is a self proclaimed gear geek.

I don't think you can find a better boot for the money. I looked hard before I made the purchase. You can also read more about them on Lightfighters website forum.

[stevelyn]

Another vote for Danners. Got my first pair of Ft. Lewis "Go Devils" in 1990 and it took 7 years of hard use and abuse to wear them out. Got my current pair in 1997 and they are still going strong. I use them for both duty and back-country trekkin'.
I won't risk spending money on another brand that I may have to absolutely depend on. Danners have never let me down.:cool:

[El Tejon]

gar, I don't know about "rough stuff". If you are talking about fighting bears on jagged rocks over beer, don't think the canvas would hold up. However, for the concrete, asphalt or the green and fertile earf of the Nort, you should be fine.:)

[garrettwc]

Glockster, thanks I'll check out Lightfighter's forum.

El T, no bear fighting for me. I'm smarter than the average Vegas performer :D

Concrete, ashpalt, and the green and fertile turf of Hoosier National Forest was what I was thinking. With the occasional sloppy winter day thrown in.

[El Tejon]

gar, everyone said you were smarter than the average bear. Bears get shot here, by gosh, by golly!:cool:

Have used those very boots to trek the hills and sinkholes of Southern Indiana, shooting every bear I saw.:D

[Ed Straker]

'Nother vote for Danner. Hard to afford on a Lance Corporal's salary, but well worth it. Still wearing them years later. Another one you might look at is Belleville. http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/
They have what's called the Tri-Layer System, which they claim is like an athetic shoe sole within a combat boot. My Marine Corps Combat Boots match my Danners for comfort, with a little springier sole.

[6530]

After all the talk about Danner, I broke down and bought a pair of these:

Danner Granite Insulated (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?wc=true&base_no=61739&item_added=yes&qty_Added=1&str_base_no=str%5Fbase%5Fno&search_type=search%5Ftype&showImages=showimages&page_name=page%5Fname&special_type=special%5Ftype&header_title=header_title)

This is my first order from Sierra Trading Post, but I've heard good things. And this is $50 less expensive than I can find anywhere else.

[Glockster35]

I have been totally satisfied with every order I have placed through Sierra Trading Post. I don't think you will have any problems with them or your new Danners.

[Variable1]

Vote here for Original Swat. Somewhat of a new comer to the boot market, but they make a great product! Very durable and comfortable. They claim sport show comfort, and I have to agree. I have been wearing my 6" classics for a year and they are holding up great. I put about 10 hours a day on my feet while wearing these.
The 6" run about $58 and the 8" $60.

http://64.239.80.125/assets/images/CLASSIC6.jpg

[Med 10]

Hi-Tecs are fast losing favor among the public safety agencies I've talked to. It seems that Rocky and Bates are the big sellers lately.

Personally I would not recommend Magnums to anyone. I've owned 3 pair and that was 2 too many pairs in my opinion. I purchased them cause they were trendy and sharp looking but did not last long at all. here is what I have found to be the Magnums weaknesses.

Once you get them wet they are useless. They lose support and they get smelly fast, They have terrible arch support, the soles wear out fast, they make youre feet sweat, and the metal 1/2 inch support in the soles gets rusty with sweat and they slip on wet surfaces.

The Sympatex versions stay fairly dry but REALLY make youre feet sweat.

I work for a busy metro Atl. Fire dept. as a FF/Paramedic and put my boots through conditions you could only imagine during a typical 24HR tour. Naturally the talk of boots comes up a lot in the stations and with 800 plus sworn personell I get a lot of testimonials of what works and what doesnt.

Right now the Bates and the Rockys seem to be performing well. I know my pair of Bates ultra lights is going on 6 months and they still feel almost new.

I also highly reccomend Danners if I'm gonna spend over $100 on a pair of boots.

Hope this helps. Good luck.