How are surplus army boots?

[alarazr]

Have any of you guys owned a pair of British army soldier 95 assault boots? I'm after a decent pair of tough walking/outdoor boots but I don't have much money. 25 quid seems a bit cheap compared to the £150+ boots that are available, but common sense tells me that if the army wear them then they must do their job well.

Share your experience using army issue boots?

[Scott]

I dont know about british army boots but german para boots are great

[beefcrisps]

To be honest I wouldn't bother with the normal assault boots, the cold weather or pro-boots are better as they're gortex lined. If you after surplus boots your better off spending a bit more and getting the ex-german army boots made by LOWA or miendl, they're pretty much walking boots but black and overall a much better design and a lot more comfortable. Hope that helps a bit.

[alarazr]

To be honest I wouldn't bother with the normal assault boots, the cold weather or pro-boots are better as they're gortex lined. If you after surplus boots your better off spending a bit more and getting the ex-german army boots made by LOWA or miendl, they're pretty much walking boots but black and overall a much better design and a lot more comfortable. Hope that helps a bit.

The pro boots were my second option, they're still great value. Thanks for the input guys

[JonnyP]

I have been wearing a pair of German para boots I bought from Endicotts, while working in a stream for the past couple of weeks. My feet eventually got damp, but I was impressed at how long the boots kept the water out. The boots have never been treated or waxed since I have owned them. They are very comfortable, but the lacing system is awful..

[bigstan]

Another vote for Pro-Boots. Mine are 15 years old and still dont leak.

[cuppa joe]

Have any of you guys owned a pair of British army soldier 95 assault boots? I'm after a decent pair of tough walking/outdoor boots but I don't have much money. 25 quid seems a bit cheap compared to the £150+ boots that are available, but common sense tells me that if the army wear them then they must do their job well.

Share your experience using army issue boots?
What size ?

[Silverback]

The assault boots are cack. Pro Boots are good as are the newer version of the same - the real star of the show are the Meindl boots

[Thumbcrusher]

All i would suggest is dont buy online as the quality varies significantly. Go to an army surplus store and pick out the best ones that way you will avoid the small cracks etc in the leather that you dont see in online pictures.:D

[comanighttrain]

common sense tells me that if the army wear them then they must do their job well.

be wary of this line of thinking - army gear, unfortunately, is often the cheapest stuff that they can get away with....

Highly recommend saving and getting good boots, if you've been outside in damp weather for any length of time you'll really appreciate dry feet! Plus boots tend to last years...

[alarazr]

Well for my purposes (general woodland adventures) the reviews of the pro boots were good enough for me to opt for them. They arrived today and for grade 2 I'm thoroughly impressed with the condition they are in. No obvious signs of damage, very little wear on the sole. Thanks for the advice lads, £20 well spent.

[Silverback]

Look good for grade 2 more like supergrade.

As an aside where in West Yorkshire are you ?

[alarazr]

I live around Wakefield. There isn't much sprawling wilderness around here but a few good trails and hidden gems

[Silverback]

I live around Wakefield. There isn't much sprawling wilderness around here but a few good trails and hidden gems

ooh i dont know...if you know where to look or are prepared to go for a walk/drive/cycle/bus... I originally hail from just outside Wakey - Live over near Hudds now so not a million miles away

[BushcraftAndSurvival]

If your looking for cheap boot's then steer clear of the assault boots, as others have mentioned i have another votes for German Army para boots, they are very good for the price.

If you have some money in your budget then I highly recommend Alt-berg Peacekeeper aqua boots. I've been wearing them for a year now and they are far superior to German Army para's. I tired the Lowa Military boot and for it felt like I was walking on stilts. The Alt-berg's were like wearing slippers. It depends on your size. If yoru a 6ft tall monster with big feet then the Lowa's might be best, for a size 8/9 5"11 bloke the Alt-bergs were the clear winner for me.

You must try them on before you buy though, don't buy them online before trying them on and i would not recommend second hand boots as they will be broken in to somebody else's feet and walking style. For example i tend to put weight on the outside of the heels, if you don't walk the same way as me then a pair of my old boot's would probably be uncomfortable to you.

[JonnyP]

If your looking for cheap boot's then steer clear of the assault boots, as others have mentioned i have another votes for German Army para boots, they are very good for the price.

If you have some money in your budget then I highly recommend Alt-berg Peacekeeper aqua boots. I've been wearing them for a year now and they are far superior to German Army para's. I tired the Lowa Military boot and for it felt like I was walking on stilts. The Alt-berg's were like wearing slippers. It depends on your size. If yoru a 6ft tall monster with big feet then the Lowa's might be best, for a size 8/9 5"11 bloke the Alt-bergs were the clear winner for me.

You must try them on before you buy though, don't buy them online before trying them on and i would not recommend second hand boots as they will be broken in to somebody else's feet and walking style. For example i tend to put weight on the outside of the heels, if you don't walk the same way as me then a pair of my old boot's would probably be uncomfortable to you.

He has already bought some boots.. See above ;0)

[BushcraftAndSurvival]

oh well, someone else may or may not benefit

[Ashley Cawley]

Another vote for the German para boots from me, I got mine from Endicotts also - perform great and I love them, but as Jonny said lacing system is a bit annoying (this varies between models).

How are your new boots holding up alarazr? Comfortable?

[Marvell]

German and Russian Para Boots are excellent.

[Primerib]

When I entered the German Army for my Service 2002 we were supplied with two paires of the "Kampfstiefel 2000". They are still accompanying me. Not even the laces have snapped! They are very rugged but heavy. All the care they need is a good haul of black shoepaste every few days. You can get the german army shoepolish in i think 300ml tubes for 1-2 Euros! I still have a few from my service days. We also used the shoepaste as a firestarter.

So my recommendation also goes for the German boot - If you want something rugged! But it is heavy!

[alarazr]

Another vote for the German para boots from me, I got mine from Endicotts also - perform great and I love them, but as Jonny said lacing system is a bit annoying (this varies between models).

How are your new boots holding up alarazr? Comfortable?

They're excellent thanks! A good purchase I think. I've been out on a few long walks and they've kept me dry and comfortable. A little heavy, but definitely worth it

[Basha72]

Before the likes of magnums gsg9 and other lightweight boots German para boots were the most used alternative if the units allowed them so they are as others have said the best cheap option out there, some people say you can't wear 2nd hand boots well due to them moulding to the other persons feet, I've always had old boots and never had issues and never had the money the buy the likes of danners !

Dave

[MontySprocker]

Where did you buy your Pro Boots for £20 Alarazr? They look in very good condition and wouldn't mind a pair as a reserve set of boots at that price.

[David_JAFO]

hello,
Lots of good advice on boots & care. I've still got my Forces issue patrol boots DMS sole as well
as a spare pair of German Para Boots. I've used as part of my kit more 'Gucci Gear'
Scarpa Attak as well as Danner Acadia (Goretex) still got a spare as issued pair on the shelf
great boots these but pricey.
You can't beat a liberal doze of Kiwi boot polish, elbow grease, & beeswax for protection :wink:
Regards
David

[Scott]

Does anyone know anywhere I can get a pair of german para boots I have 1 pair but want another pair for work??

Cheers scott

[Roadkillphil]

Does anyone know anywhere I can get a pair of german para boots I have 1 pair but want another pair for work??

Cheers scott

Dude, have you tried herehttp://www.endicotts.co.uk/extra_info_pages.php?pages_id=6

[Scott]

Yea I have phil I emailed them last night, got a reply this morning they dont have any in stock and dont know when or if they are getting them in. But thanks for the idea.

Scott

[Primerib]

Here's a german source! http://www.raeer.com/shopexd.asp?id=17713 30-50€ for used ones

or 90 for new ones! http://www.raeer.com/shopexd.asp?id=12268

That's the standard Infantry Kampfstiefel 2000.

If you are already at it! Order the orginal German Army Shoepolish with it. It's quite cheap 2€ per tube. It's really good as it keeps the seams sealed and freshens up the cooler. In my army days we also used it as a firestarted. Burns nicely. If you keep them covered in a generous smudge of shoepolish every now and then they will stay waterproof for quite a while.

[Scott]

Thanks i'll have a look

[Scott]

Well i managed to pick up a pair of german para's today. I was amazed I went in my local army surplus shop not looking for them and they had about 10 pairs in there. I found a pair in my size and in great condition for only £32.

[AL...]

great find Scott :D


Cheers
AL

[Under My Basha]

Stay well away from Brit issue boots they are hard leather with next to no flexibility. If your buying ex military boots go Lowa or Altberg they are supple so breaking them in to your feet should be okay.
Failing that Karrimor do hiking boots never had any but the guys who have never had any complaints in fact said how light they are.
Good luck pal- mick

[roberts]

Another plus here for the German army boots the newer ones are the ones to look out for

[MadZ]

cant fault my now decommissioned set of english pro boots, they lasted years and stood up to anything i could throw at them, even long days covered in concrete, only reason i stopped using them was because i put a pick axe through the inside of the right one and it leaked badly, but as a summer boot there still good

cheers

Madz