Best boots (tabbing, etc.)

**spanner_monkey_55** · 01-03-2009, 20:38

Baits boots, very much like the old Adidas but only Â£60!

Cheap, light, dry quick and I find them very good for tabs and other boot runs.

Only down side they seem to wear down quicker than any other boots I have had.

**mr.russell** · 07-03-2009, 22:19

At the moment I'm on leave, waiting to get to my first unit, then I'll hopefully put onto pre-para...
Just wondering the best boots to wear for the course because the issue ones tear my feet up.
I've been recommended Lowa Urbans, Altberg Sneakers and Adidas GSGs...I've shopped around and now just looking for an opinion from fellow ARRSErs.

Cheers.

**Arankay** · 07-03-2009, 22:36

Originally Posted by mr.russell

At the moment I'm on leave, waiting to get to my first unit, then I'll hopefully put onto pre-para...
Just wondering the best boots to wear for the course because the issue ones tear my feet up.
I've been recommended Lowa Urbans, Altberg Sneakers and Adidas GSGs...I've shopped around and now just looking for an opinion from fellow ARRSErs.

Cheers.

GSG9's (the old style) take an age to wear in and the 'nubby' soles wear down quickly and are impossible to source to replace, however once broken in and resoled with AN Other sole they are like slippers.

**spanner_monkey_55** · 08-03-2009, 11:47

Don't waste your money on the Adidas boot just buy the baits for half the price and get the same boot pretty much. I didn't even wear mine in just put them straight on.

**captaink** · 10-03-2009, 19:19

non Goretex Lowas for those Brecon soakings or Altbergs - you can get made to measure if you cab get to the factory apparently

cheap boots don't last but any injuries they cause can

**tiger stacker** · 10-03-2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by captaink

non Goretex Lowas for those Brecon soakings or Altbergs - you can get made to measure if you cab get to the factory apparently

cheap boots don't last but any injuries they cause can

Factory fitting is really good, they will make you glad you booked a appointment. Downside you are stuck with all those different ones you want to try.

**Ace_Rimmer** · 17-03-2009, 16:16

Not much has been said about Goretex vs non-Goretex.

My (limited) experience with Goretex boots is that they are normally comfy etc. but once wet on the inside they take literally days to dry out.

I've never actually done any "hard-graft" in non-Goretex boots, so what's the view on those?

At the moment, I'd go for non-Goretex lowas with some Goretex socks/sealskins as backup. Thoughts?

**BBear** · 17-03-2009, 16:28

Non-Goretex all the way, sealskin socks and the rest are great for harbour areas - not as great for more tabbing.

To be honest, after running up a river during a platoon attack my boots got absolutely soaked. I changed socks about an hour later, and had no dramas - boots seemed relatively dry, if not a little damp. Non-Goretex patrols lowas for me thanks!

**CornedBeefHash** · 17-03-2009, 19:45

I have Lowa Combat GTX at the moment and yes they take days to dry out, but are comfy as fcuk! I usually wear CAB's if I know I'm going to get wet, but recently after being issued a new pair they strain my achilles and now am in a catch 22, have wet feet for days or sore body parts for weeks. I'm looking at getting Lowa Urban boots, but am not a fan of the mesh panels; after finding out the hard way with magnums... S*"T!!!

But as they make both a GTX and non GTX versions what would generally be better? As there is only a small amount of mesh how much water would get through?

Thoughts/ points please.

Thanks

**Bravo_Zulu** · 17-03-2009, 19:50

Lowa Supercamps; not Gore-tex, very quick drying and comfortable, and provide enough support for those who have to tab with weight.

**Deadreckon** · 17-03-2009, 20:18

Right, bracing for impact BUT....

Raichle Mountain Guide for the CFT's or any running in green. They only come in dark brown so need blacking up (as do the red tags and gray brand name on toe but FFS if that gives you away then they'll be close enough to hear you breath) but they're so light they float away if not tied down (700grams lighter per boot then Lowa Patrols) and they have a cambered sole so they don't feel like clunking along in lead weighted diving boots as my Lowa patrols feel in comparison.

Brecon or any baby-head territory? Lowa patrols! Great ankle support. Find superfeet insoles within and foot ensconced in thousand milers. Job Done.

Barracks? Issue. nuff said.

**Jonesy** · 23-03-2009, 22:32

Originally Posted by Pebble_Monkey

If you are going for alternative boots then I highly recommend Altberg's Defender Microlite Boots. Light and very comfortable straight from the box.

Me too, spot on!

**legs-o-lead** · 07-04-2009, 07:28

I got some Meindl Army Goretex last year, and they seem OK. The sole is a bit slippy on rocky ground, but otherwise they perform well...... well apart from a bloody annoying squeak when they are damp !!

Anyone got an opinion on these things, or some advice on stopping the squeak ? I think it's from the laces rubbing on the outside... and I got them as tight as I can bare......

And, can anyone recommend a particular Altberg boot over the others in the range ?

Ta

**The_Cheat** · 07-04-2009, 07:57

Does any one else suffer from sweaty feet like I do? I love my Altbergs and I've never had any trouble with them, but after wearing them for about an hour my feet get all sweaty! And then I've pretty much got wet feet all day.

Less than ideal.... Any help?

T C

**Gandy** · 11-04-2009, 12:40

Hoping to do Nijmegen this year, and we basically only started training today, with a 15 miler with 10KG at a good pace. I had always scoffed at those paying money for boots as my issue ones never really bothered me on ex except for a few blisters, but today fook me heels were sore at the end of the march took my boots off, you coulda justified puttin on an FFD there was so much blood! pretty scary when you think Nijmegen is 25ish Miles a day for 4 days!!!!!!!!

So really what i want to know from your combined experience what boots would be best for a road march like Nijmegen and Gaerlochead without any considerations about whether they are good in the field.