Comfortable Boots??

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Specializes in ER, NICU.

Any suggestions for comfortable army reg boots? Is it possible to get a comfortable "sneaker feeling" regulation boot?

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Puff Jr,

The standard issue warm weather boots are ultra comfortable... they hold up better then 'civilian market' boots I have seen and they are far better at bearing weight, not being destroyed through massive amounts of sweating, and are durable...

However - if you want 'sneaker' feeling, light boots, and a cool guy look the only boot is the oakley SI assault boot. It's ultra comfortable and meets the regulations... base issue in some SF and cool guy units... I personally stick with issue boots as I feel they are adequate and were durable...while I saw my peers 'cool guy' boots deteriorate... Oakley has a military discount available... search for oakley + military discount.. you get mega discounts through an alternate log-on site they provide you on a given selection of equipment.. great price on boots, backpacks, glasses etc... of course I also didn't buy cool glasses as they CL9 issue oakley m-frames are totally adequate IMHO.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Any suggestions for comfortable army reg boots? Is it possible to get a comfortable "sneaker feeling" regulation boot?

Ooow,

I really like my Danner--Deserts... Just like tennies. I bought them at the PX.

cb

p.s. the standard issue boots "ripped my feet to shreds within 1 hour"

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, US Navy.

Gotta agree on the Danners. You pay a bit more up front for sure, but it really pays off. The website referred to above is:

http://www.usstandardissue.com

You have to fax in a copy of your ID and verify you are military and then they open you an account. I get sunglasses through them about 1/2 price, it's great.

LCDR Dan

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Specializes in ER, NICU.

Thanks for the suggestions! :)

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I have Cochrans which are comfortable. Older, are we allowed to purchase Danner boots? I was told yes and no by several. Thanks in advance.

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I have Cochrans which are comfortable. Older, are we allowed to purchase Danner boots? I was told yes and no by several. Thanks in advance.

The info pasted at the bottom of this post states the guidance for 'commercial boots' with the ACU uniform. That being said, as with all regulation, you can't take away but you can add... and many units will have SGMs or CSMs at their installation or post or wherever that refine the guidance which might include 'regulating' boots to a certain degree.

I wouldn't purchase any boots as a nurse. I can vouch that the standard issue boots are more then adequate and would not spend money to purchase additional. Your basic issue will have several pairs of boots and depending on your unit/location will include cold weather boots.

If you deploy you will get additional boots during your equipment issue.

The standard boots will break in over a few weeks and if you have delicate feet you begin to grow skin that is a bit more durable.

If you decide to purchase boots you can also wait until you get to your unit and that way any additional 'guidance' will not frustrate your purchase.

It is very popular at the school house (especially with officers...) to buy boots and often seems a necessity... that and purcahse other 'tactical' goodies. Looking around you will see everyone with their oakley boots and surefire centurion flashlight with oakley half jackets eye pro, even thought issue equipment is provided and now packed away in a closet.

I stopped purchasing when I was a platoon leader and realized that PL's who bought 'cool guy gear' sent their younger soldiers the non-verbal message that the standard issue gear was not up to par. These younger soldiers in turn spend a much higher % of money on cool guy stuff.

Not only does this message get sent - but when in combat and you have commercial gear that is now broken you can't simply 'swap' it out as a direct exchange. I've purchased a few things and it has never turned out to be a good idea "except" when I purchased a 30.00 headlamp with red lense during my first deployment... everything else was just extra stuff which I chose to strip down and not bring regardless.... I've purchased several pairs of jungle boots.. and even re-soled some boots with 'danner' soles... but these have always been almost 0% return on the efforts invested where I would have been better off keeping the money in the bank, focusing on my time that I had before me and helping others gain confidence in standard issue gear.

So yes - slight tangent, eh? I do think it is funny to walk past a new group of 2LTs and seeing the 'diversety' of the christmas assortment of gadgets and hoo-hahs on them..now put them in full field kit and it's almost ridiculous.... seriously.

My two cents - my experiences continue to support traveling lightly with durable equip.. tough feet are necessary - even to a degree in the medical community.. it comes with time and will hurt unless you break in your boots ;)

and if you do purchase..my recommendation is the oakley SI boots.. tan... of course... logging in with your military id you can get them for about 80.. a huge deal... they are the 'sneaker-est' boot out there... you will be a true comfy cool guy/gal.

UNCLAS

FROM

DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-HRPD-IRPD//

TO ALARACT

INFO

DA WASHINGTON DC//DALO-SMT//

DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE-HRPD-IRPD//

SUBJECT: ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (ACU) ENSEMBLE

.....

5E1. ARMY COMBAT BOOTS – (HOT WEATHER AND TEMPERATE WEATHER) MADE OF TAN ROUGH SIDE OUT CATTLEHIDE LEATHER WITH A PLAIN TOE AND TAN RUBBER OUTSOLES. THE BOOTS ARE LACED DIAGONALLY WITH TAN LACES, WITH THE EXCESS LACE TUCKED INTO THE TOP OF THE BOOT UNDER THE BLOUSED TROUSERS, OR WRAPPED AROUND THE TOP OF THE BOOT. METAL CLEATS AND SIDE TABS, AND SEWN-IN OR LACED-IN ZIPPER INSERTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED. A RUBBER OUTSOLE IS THE ONLY OUTSOLE MATERIAL THAT CURRENTLY MEETS THE NEED FOR DURABILITY AND TRACTION ON SURFACES. OTHER MATERIALS (THAT MAY BE OF A LIGHTER WEIGHT) MAY HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN THESE AREAS.

5E2. OPTIONAL BOOTS - SOLDIERS MAY WEAR COMMERCIAL BOOTS OF A DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE ARMY COMBAT BOOT (TAN), 8 TO 10 INCHES IN HEIGHT AS AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMANDER. THE BOOTS MUST BE MADE OF TAN ROUGH SIDE OUT CATTLEHIDE LEATHER, WITH A PLAIN TOE, AND HAVE A TAN, RUBBER OUTSOLE. SOLDIERS MAY WEAR OPTIONAL BOOTS IN LIEU OF THE STANDARD ISSUE ARMY COMBAT BOOTS (TAN) - HOT WEATHER AND TEMPERATE WEATHER; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT REPLACE ISSUE BOOTS AS A MANDATORY POSSESSION ITEM. OPTIONAL BOOTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WHEN THE COMMANDER ISSUES AND PRESCRIBES STANDARD ORGANIZATIONAL FOOTWEAR FOR SAFETY OR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS (SUCH AS INSULATED BOOTS OR SAFETY SHOES).

.....

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