Surplus boot sources for hunting:

[ApacheCoTodd]

From "IDSHOOTING's previos OP:

I could not think of a good place to ask this. But I know I would not get a straight answer out of the "other" big forums. If it needs moved, please, if it needs deleted/locked, so be it.

Anyway, I am looking for Surplus boots to add not only to my collection but to stock up on, get a set of gear in the car, and at undisclosed locations. I am old Army and my beloved Black boots and even my more beloved Green Jungles are becoming scarce. Army tan boots do not really fit into my AO. There is however an Air Force base nearby and thusly lots of Air Force current-issue sage colored boots in the local surplus shops.

Any word from FAC's, MP's, Para Rescue dudes on how well these hold up? I really want to know how they did pounding the dirt, crawling through the weeds, in the mud, covered in "ick", kicking in doors, stomping on necks. Not really interested in how well they worked walking up and down the flight line or in the office

No offence to most of the Air Force guys. Loading munitions, fuel, and maintaining aircraft is tough work with really long hours. I respect that and LOVED that A10's were on-call to come blow crap up for me. Just different jobs and different expectations, you know?


Not meaning to tweak the MODS as this was generally closed in an earlier less pertinent section but I too lean towards GI boots for sporting use. Having grown so familiar with them in the past, they have been my primary footwear even after retirement. Desert, fly fishing, mountain... whatever. Quality GI boots are hard to beat in general but specifically when price is taken into account.

Add to that that guaranteed US manufacture is just frosting on the cake. Each manufacturer offers even cheaper import versions but the extra bucks on the US item pays in the end - in more ways than one.

So:

In addition to the already mentioned Belleville, there is my favorite - Altama and also McRae.

The down side as since the "sequester" some GI suppliers have fallen on un-prepared for harder times and the simple on-line ordering has devolved to needing to actually call them up.

I specifically primarily purchase the "Jungle Boot" or "Tropical" soles. Not so much for their muds shedding as that they grab up considerably fewer small rocks that can turn into nature's own ball bearings in the wrong circumstances. Add to that that one can always add socks for warmth but otherwise has the coolest of footgear in the desert heat.

Wearing my privately purchased Altamas right now...

Good luck.

Todd.

 

[jmr40]

I've had good luck with military surplus boots for hunting too, but the really good deals are getting harder to find. At the height of the fighting in the sandbox I used to find insane deals on some. I've bought Gore-Tex Danners for under $50 in the past. Lots of good options for non Gore-Tex desert boots for half that. Really a good option in the early season or during the summer.

Lots of good brands, some imported, but most are USA made too. Even at full price most of them are a better boot than 95% of the hunting boots sold. There are 2 military surplus stores reasonably close that carry 1st quality boots at fair prices. You can order online here www.militaryboots.com or at other places too.

One negative to ordering online is that many of the military boots are sized much differently than most hunting boots. You may need a full size larger, or smaller than you normally wear depending on who made them. Best to try them on if you can.

The last good deal. I bought these Gore-Tex McRae boots along with the Glock at a gun show about a year ago. Boots were $25.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

One negative to ordering online is that many of the military boots are sized much differently than most hunting boots. You may need a full size larger, or smaller than you normally wear depending on who made them. Best to try them on if you can.

That's why I order directly from the manufacturers that I listed. The "in house" GI sizing is very standardized in my experience. Each manufacturer's 10 1/2 wide is very much the same as another's so far.
Each of them have great exchange policies and two of them have individual "account" options in case you go far enough between purchases that you forget the size and don't have a set around to read the bottoms.

Love your photo. What's cooler or more evocative than a photo of old, broke-in GI boots sitting open and ready like that?
Todd.

 

[MCgunner]

i have a pair of those a friend, who's son is in the army, gave me. Danged things feel like lead ingots on my feet, heavy as hell, but they're good boots otherwise. I prefer my store bought Magellan snake boots, lot lighter, still water proof, and we have lots of cottonmouths around here in the warm months.

BTW, you can keep the Glock.

 

[jmr40]

Those are a little heavier than some, but were worth $25, or free in your case. My son works as an electrician, most jobs don't require safety toes, some do, but he goes through boots pretty fast. I've found him some pretty good deals on surplus boots.

I can't believe you'd turn down a good deal on a Glock over a 357 revolver

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Weight is why I favor "Jungle" or tropical desert boots. Order them without the vents and old-school waterproof them for wet or sock-up for cold. Light as loafers and tough as nails. Had a Sidewinder do his damndest all over a pair a couple years ago while I was trying to control my pissed off dingo and not one penetration as I could tell. The dog - not so lucky - survived but expensive

Todd.

 

[jmr40]

Overall I'm not pleased with most all of the boots made and marketed towards hunters. Even when paying full price I see much better quality with the military boots or hiking boots. The true deals on military boots seems to have passed though.

This is a heck of a deal right now if someone is looking for a good boot. There is currently an additional 30% off bringing this down to $147.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/as...filterString=mens-boots~d~137/&colorFamily=01

Never used that exact boot, but have had a couple of pair of Asolos in the past and they are a quality boot.

 

[Gunnerboy]

you can see in this picture the old black leather boots are what i wear hunting.. dont matter if they get wet just dump em out and change your socks! They dont hold water for days like them lined fancy boots! ... I stocked up when i walked into a local gun store one day and they had 5 pair brand new in my size for 10$ a pair .. well guess it wont attach the picture

 

[MCgunner]

Overall I'm not pleased with most all of the boots made and marketed towards hunters. Even when paying full price I see much better quality with the military boots or hiking boots. The true deals on military boots seems to have passed though.

Well, those surplus boots my buddy gave me are REAL comfy, lots of toe room which can be a problem with me and boots. I do use 'em, especially when it's wet and we're going somewhere, easier to put on than the snake boots and keeps me dry walking to the truck. I used to wear 'em on the motorcycle a lot due to the fact that you aren't walking on a motorcycle. Don't ride the bike distances that much anymore. They're well built boots. My only gripe is the weight of the things. If I'm only walking out to my box blind, that's one thing, but if I'm hiking in to public hunting areas, they can put a bit of strain on me. Thankfully, at 62, I don't do a lot of hiking anymore, though there are times. I went duck hunting a few times this season (waders) and it took me a day or two to recover from the first trip, especially, due to all the walking in mud. A mile in the mud is worth about 5 on dry ground, at least. My second trip wasn't so bad, though, used the canoe to cross a lake and set up, not so much walking/wading, especially since the dog does all the fetching.

All this duck hunting and walking didn't used to affect me like this. I'm still active, but it hurts more than it used to. The more I can do to eliminate effort, the better. Guess I"m just a big wuss now days. Damn shame, I tell ya.

 

[Blue Line]

http://www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com/category-s/364.htm