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Need a new pair of boots.

PhOnEpHrEaK

PhOnEpHrEaK

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 2, 2006
527
89
33
Salem, Ohio
Over the last two years I have destroyed two pair of boots, Under Armor's Valsetz. They are the lightest, most comfortable boot I have ever worn, but they just don't hold up. What I need is a black, preferably light boot that will hold up to everyday use. I prefer the boot to be light since I will most likely be running around in them. I also have to wear them with dress/casual do to uniform requirement. Any suggestions?
 
Oakley SI assault boots are really comfy for duty boots, but I pretty much stick with Lowa's on the civi side.
 
Lowa Zephyr.......GTX or Desert depending on if you need Gortex. Atleast do yourself a favor and try them on. Under Armour and Oakley don't know shit about boots compared to Lowa. They are selling a name. Lowa is selling a boot.
 
I have had about everything and the best boots I've owned are the asolo fugitive gtx I'm wearing now. You aren't getting them in target indicator black tho.
 
Danner melee. Light. Comfortable. Goretex. And danner will resole them after there already broke in
 
trevor300wsm said:
Lowa Zephyr.......GTX or Desert depending on if you need Gortex. Atleast do yourself a favor and try them on. Under Armour and Oakley don't know shit about boots compared to Lowa. They are selling a name. Lowa is selling a boot.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Killswitch Engage said:
I have had about everything and the best boots I've owned are the asolo fugitive gtx I'm wearing now. You aren't getting them in target indicator black tho.
Click to expand...

I agree completely! I have worn about everything out there and the Fugitive GTX is hands down the best!
 
I have Lowas and the Oakleys...great boots... my UAs lasted all of 4 months before they started splitting from the lower.
 
I mean no offense to anyone by saying this, but from spending time reading on here and listening to people that spend their life in the field......I learned to stop shopping for boots at Cabelas and Bass Pro, or any hunting and fishing store. Instead I went to places that sell boots for people that run, hike, and climb mountains. You can pick your own store, but for me it was REI. Before this, I never knew what "good" boots were. I was a Danner guy and thought they were the best. Geez.....if I'd only known.

Everyone's foot is different. What feels great to me may not be the best for you. I've worn Lowa, Asolo, Merrell, and most of the other $300+ boot brands. Lowa fit me best. Asolo was horrible.....for me. Give them all a chance and see what works for you.
 
I have worn Asolo, and I wear Lowa on a daily basis too but for a solid boot in black that fits the bill you are looking for check out Zamberlin also. I really like mine.

JW
 
Asolo, my last pair lasted 6 years, just ordered a new one….

The break in it's not fun, but after it's literally a part of me. Got a pair recently on sale around $100, marked down from 185$
 
Danner Acadia has my vote. I got a pair for my last 365 to douchebagastan, wore them all year and have been wearing them almost daily since returning 10 months ago. Very comfortable and no break in period.
 
lowa or hanwag. both are coming from the a set of brothers (lorenz wagner - lowa, and hans+adolf wagner - hanwag). personally I prefer hanwag over lowa.
 
LOWA!!!!!!!

Asscanistan EATS footwear. Guys will throw $200 boots in the trash after 3-4 months. My Lowa GTX have stood up to this miserable country for 3.5 straight years. I have thousands of kilometers on these things and the leather is finally starting to crack, but the sole hasn't separated and I still live in them.

As the guys have said, everyone's foot is different, but I've never had a pair of boots, no matter how well broken in, that have NEVER given me a blister, even 20+ hours into a dismount over some EVIL terrain. Never a rolled ankle or foot problem.

Find what you like best, but seek out an actual Outfitter that carries the good stuff and try several.
 
bogeybrown said:
LOWA!!!!!!!

Asscanistan EATS footwear. Guys will throw $200 boots in the trash after 3-4 months. My Lowa GTX have stood up to this miserable country for 3.5 straight years. I have thousands of kilometers on these things and the leather is finally starting to crack, but the sole hasn't separated and I still live in them.

As the guys have said, everyone's foot is different, but I've never had a pair of boots, no matter how well broken in, that have NEVER given me a blister, even 20+ hours into a dismount over some EVIL terrain. Never a rolled ankle or foot problem.

Find what you like best, but seek out an actual Outfitter that carries the good stuff and try several.
Click to expand...

This is spot-on. The Lowa's have no equal, and I've tried lots of boots. I have a high and mid Zephyr GTX and I can PT in them as comfortably as my sneakers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Rumlover said:
Danner Acadia has my vote. I got a pair for my last 365 to douchebagastan, wore them all year and have been wearing them almost daily since returning 10 months ago. Very comfortable and no break in period.
Click to expand...

If you're looking for light or even moderate weight, don't even bother looking at the Acadia. I love mine, they fit me perfectly (size 13EEEE, hard to find boots that fit correctly) and tough as nails, but they are heavy as hell. Like wearing ski boots.
 
I have been using the Nike SFB for the last 3 months, and I really like them. They are light and have a flex sole just like their running shoes. I can run full speed with them, which I cant do with some of my other boots. I did replace the insole with the new balance pressure relieving insoles, and they feel much better when worn all day. I hear good things about the lowa too.
 
Another advocate of the Asolo Fugitive GTX.... I love those boots.
 
Danner's are phenomenal. When I first put them on I thought for a moment I was putting on tennis shoes. I got a pair of Merrels for Christmas and they are super comfy but I doubt they have a style that meet your appearance requirements.
 
A military buddy of mine turned me from Wilson onto Belleville...

I wanted a composite toe just because.

I was a skeptic at first but, I wear them daily for everything, couldn't be happier...Most comfortable boots I've ever owned.

Can't speak to longevity but, they kick ass.
 
There's a lot of great suggestions here, but the OP needs black boots for uniform purposes, lightweight for running and durable. You know what? I have no idea if that even really exists! Not in a shineable black leather version at least... Bates might be your best bet, but quality and durability are questionable.

Black boots have taken the back seat since the sand boxes took center stage. Two years, two pairs of boots isn't too bad in my book for lightweight boots. I've been through many of the above mentioned brands, Danner GTX and Lowa GTX included, and I get about one year out of them before I have stitching falling out or the soles wearing through. I'm hard on boots, with lots of gravel and pavement time for a few to several miles a day walked at work, so I take it all with a grain of salt when I have to get a new pair every 12-15 months. I'm currently wearing a pair of Asolo Powermatic 100 for the last two months.

What I've found of boots is this: China made Danners are pure shit in terms of durability. They may be comfortable, but they would only last me 10-12 months across three different pairs. Lowa GTX are great boots, comfortable and lightweight, but they only got me about 16 months of use (longest so far). I tried another pair of Lowa boots, don't remember the model but they had a pigskin lining, and they lasted only 8 months until the inner lining fell to shit. My current Asolo boots are great so far, especially for the Kabul winter, but they're new still to me. Very heavy in comparison to others but have great support and a sturdy sole for wearing on the rocks, and they seems to be durable thus far.

I do have a pair of Danner Acadias I've had since the 90s and have worn across 8 winters here, and they are still going albeit on their third pair of Vibram soles. There's one section of stitching that has come loose on the tongue so I would watch when I'm going through deep puddles. I haven't had a need to break them out yet this winter in lieu of the Asolos doing everything I need them to.

5.11 boots are worthless here. It took us several years but we've finally convinced our company to stop buying them. They last a couple-few months only with stitching coming apart or the soles falling off. I don't even bother signing for them when they do come in as they will never see one day on my feet.

Boots are an expendable item to me. I find a comfortable pair and abuse the shit out of them, then move onto something else or try them again. My biggest hurdle is finding a 13W size.
 
For really rough wear I'd recommend Bellevilles. Built like a brick shit house and light weight. I wouldn't say they were the most comfortable but put your own sole in and your set.
 
I have belleviews and wouldn't concider them light weight unless we are talking about different models.
 
trevor300wsm said:
I mean no offense to anyone by saying this, but from spending time reading on here and listening to people that spend their life in the field......I learned to stop shopping for boots at Cabelas and Bass Pro, or any hunting and fishing store. Instead I went to places that sell boots for people that run, hike, and climb mountains. You can pick your own store, but for me it was REI. Before this, I never knew what "good" boots were. I was a Danner guy and thought they were the best. Geez.....if I'd only known.

Everyone's foot is different. What feels great to me may not be the best for you. I've worn Lowa, Asolo, Merrell, and most of the other $300+ boot brands. Lowa fit me best. Asolo was horrible.....for me. Give them all a chance and see what works for you.
Click to expand...

Forget about offending anyone, there only boots for crying out loud lol. I want to know what the best boots are so I can buy them, and F the rest. Speaking of which I'm in need of a new pair, if there's better, I want them.

For me I need a boot that is extremely sturdy, durable for all terrain, breathable, light weight for running and composite toe as a minimum. Comfort usually comes down to the sole you place in it, so that's not a concern there. Unfortunately I live in Australia so it is pretty hard to get a hold of quality here, we get stuck with the cheap stuff. You guys don't realise how good you have in America when it comes to buying quality. You guys have that choice, we don't.
 
The best boots (whether they come in uniform black or not) are made by mountaineering/outdoor companies. Try looking at:

Lowa
Hanwag
Asolo
La Sportiva
Boreal
Scarpa
Kayland
Salewa

I love the Asolo Fugitive GTX like other posters do. I also wear Lowa and La Sportiva.
 
I run all three and beat the absolute S* out of them in the field (mountains/desert/temperate/etc). Hanwag is the heavier of the three but bullet proof. Mine are dark dark gray so not what you are looking for. If you can find a pair in black, buy them.

I have a set of Asolos in black (actually had a small red stripe on the side that I colored in with a black sharpie (can't tell/blended right in) and lasted 2 years of abuse before the sole finally started falling off. The boot and sole is still in excellent condition, just started pelling at the toe. Awsome boot and comes in the black you are looking for. Also probably the only boot I've ever owned that didn't require a "break in". Great right out of the box!

Salewa's are my new favorite but only been using a pair of them for about 8 months. They put alot of people off due to their look (cross between a rock climbing shoe and mt boot) but again, a great boot and the lightest of the three. Again, not sure if they come in black, but I'd recommend. Only warning on Salewa's are they have a narrow heal box, so do require some "break in". I'd also no recommend if you have wide feet.

As others said, stay away from the name and stick with a good Mt boot. Asolo's will probably be the only one you will find in black that aren't so technical you can't walk on the flats with...Good Luck!
 
Danner on my third pair comfortable outstanding gaurantee and customer service I am terrible on boots spend better then 14 hrs a day on concrete, mud and water they just hold up
 
For all the Danner fans, how many have tried some of the Euro brands? I love my Danner super rainforest boots for everyday wear however, I only wear Lowa Tibet's in the field.
 
The toughest boots I have ever owned or seen are White's Boots made in Spokane, WA. Almost all smoke jumpers use them, and as well as loggers. But they are old school, and usually heavy. They do have one set of light weight boots, which are reasonable in weight:
Hunters

They are good in the rocks, good in mud, good on pavement, and good in the snow. But they are heavier than many modern boots.
 
Lowas are tough, may be not the lightest. Stay away from goretex, unless you think you really need it. Your feet will sweat and they won't breathe and you'll be wet and cold. Love my Lowa's wish they weren't goretex. I can't wear them in cool weather at all, feet sweat, get wet, and freeze! Tennis shoes are warmer.
 
zfastmalibu said:
Lowas are tough, may be not the lightest. Stay away from goretex, unless you think you really need it. Your feet will sweat and they won't breathe and you'll be wet and cold. Love my Lowa's wish they weren't goretex. I can't wear them in cool weather at all, feet sweat, get wet, and freeze! Tennis shoes are warmer.
Click to expand...


What kind of socks are you wearing?
 
SCARPA for me, second choice is Lowa/Hanwag but Scarpas simply accommodate my high volume feet better because of their different lasts available.

I have the Escape with DL last and Kailash with, I think, the BXX last which is a wide sizing, but they are not really much more wide, just more room vertically for high volume feet. I LOVE my SCARPAS!
 
ldunnmobile said:
What kind of socks are you wearing?
Click to expand...

All I wear is wool. They really don't breathe. What I have done is not put them on until your in the field, but you will still be wet and cold. Wool is only an ok wicking material. If your really sweating poly dries much quicker. Not knocking them, they are the best summer boots I have owned. I will buy them again when I wear these out, but without goretex.
 
Last edited:
Do you guys find that you have to go a size larger then regular shoes/boots when going GTX? I've always worn a size 12 in every shoe I've owned, I bought a pair of under armor speed freaks last year with Gore-Tex and they seemed about a size too small. Comfortable except my toes seemed to slam into the front of the boot so maybe I should have gotten a 13. After following this thread I just ordered a pair of Lowa's in size 12 and they seen about a size to small as well, so I was wondering if it's the Gore-Tex or just in this style you usually jump up a size?
 
Admittedly, I haven't tried too many different boots, but 2 years ago I got some good advice:

Go to a real outfitter and get fitted. I ended up at REI and after the sales girl spent well over an hour with me, I walked out the door with a pair of Asolo FSN95 GTX boots, which have been great.
 
Danner Patrol
On my third set of Vibrams and boot still looks great! Wear them daily in wet, dry, hot, cold. For ME, not a better boot to be had ,YMMV
 
FamilyMan said:
Do you guys find that you have to go a size larger then regular shoes/boots when going GTX? I've always worn a size 12 in every shoe I've owned, I bought a pair of under armor speed freaks last year with Gore-Tex and they seemed about a size too small. Comfortable except my toes seemed to slam into the front of the boot so maybe I should have gotten a 13. After following this thread I just ordered a pair of Lowa's in size 12 and they seen about a size to small as well, so I was wondering if it's the Gore-Tex or just in this style you usually jump up a size?
Click to expand...


Yeah, they are half to a full size smaller than what I normally wear. I have a pair of the Under Armor Speed Freaks and when trying them on I found that I had to go up 1 full size, I have had them for over 2 years and love them! if you get them in the correct size they are awesome, light weight, very comfortable when walking over ruff terrain and when carrying heavy packs full of meat. My feet have yet to get wet while wearing them, the Gore-Tex works great, when hunting in colder weather I normally wear a pair of Smart Wool socks medium or heavy weight depending on how cold it is. From my experience they are a great boot for 80 to 90% of what I do.
 
Sorry I never got a chance to respond. Its been a busy year so far. Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided to go with the Lowa Zyphyr. It seemed to fit the bill the best.
 
Danner has a huge line of quality boots.
I have tried many different companies over the years and developed some foot issues as I got older.
The Danners superior fit really helped me. I will not be trying other companies.
 
I used to be a Vasque fan and wore them exclusively for 10 years or so. Then I found Keen. I cant speak to their durability in a deployed environment, but they are without a doubt the most comfortable and supportive boot I have worn. Look at the Keen Detroit Softs.

I have never had a stitch break, or a tear or sole fail. I cant say that for the $350.00 Haix I wear for work.
 
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