Its almost winter here in Korea, which means its almost time for a month out in the snow.

I hear guys complaining about frozen feet- does anyone have any recommendations on purchasing cold weather boots, or just good boots in general? I was looking at 5.11 or Danner boots- any opinions?

I was stationed in Germany and loved my Danners.

Danners are good. Be careful to allow them time to dry inside by switching them out when you can. Also for extreme cold, there's nothing better than vaper barrier "VB" boots. The white ones are good to -70F, the black ones are good to -50F. Changing socks is very important when wearing these. Just one pair at a time and change them daily.

desert/ coyote color only... anyone have any experience with 5.11 boots? any comparison of 5.11 to danner?

I wore a plethora of boots my first time in Germany and at Colorado. My feet froze in anything.

Then I broke down and bought Danners when I got recalled. I swore I would not freeze the second time in Germany. I still wear them deer hunting. I've never worn a better all around cold weather boot.

quote:

Originally posted by 11B3VF7:
Also for extreme cold, there's nothing better than vaper barrier "VB" boots. The white ones are good to -70F, the black ones are good to -50F. Changing socks is very important when wearing these. Just one pair at a time and change them daily.

Are those the infamous Mickey Mouse boots with the air nozzles on the side? With the hookup for skis? If so, I had the black pair issued in Northern Germany.

quote:

Originally posted by ErichG2:

quote:

Originally posted by 11B3VF7:
Also for extreme cold, there's nothing better than vaper barrier "VB" boots. The white ones are good to -70F, the black ones are good to -50F. Changing socks is very important when wearing these. Just one pair at a time and change them daily.

Are those the infamous Mickey Mouse boots with the air nozzles on the side? With the hookup for skis? If so, I had the black pair issued in Northern Germany.

I only put them on once.
Didn't like them.

I find it amusing when everyone here talks about boots.
I wore the boots issued to me through everything.
The only boots I bought were Cocoran Jump boots for Guard Mount or boards only.

I spent a lot of time in the wet, ice , snow and bitter cold and my feet never got cold. I always wore 1 pair of issue socks all the time too.
I knew guys that would wear 3 layers sometimes.

Truth is, I don't remember ever having cold feet except in the sleeping bag a few times when I took my socks off. For some reason, I couldn't sleep with socks on in a sleeping bag.

There were times I had to quick evac a bag and didn't bother putting socks back on when I stuck my feet in the boots and took off without lacing them up.

I think the secret to keeping the feet warm was always moving them around inside of your boots.
twinkle those toes. Get the blood flowing. Plus having a solid callous on the bottom of the feet helps too.

It is strange what you remember after 30 plus years. But, I can't tell you what I had for supper tonight.

^^^ I didn't wear them that much either. They were a beotch to get clean for layout inspections.

I didn't buy much beyond the issue. Except for the Jungle Fatiques and the waste of money Summer BDU (because I was stupid and thought it would be cooler to wear).

The whole custom gear thing goes way back. When I was in it was hip to have these large Rambo knives duct taped upside down to your LBE. I didn't understand that whole fad. It looked dumb so I never bought one. The boyonet worked fine and was sharp enough.

My Danners are Thinsulate and Goretex. Outstanding boots!

quote:

Originally posted by ErichG2:
I didn't buy much beyond the issue. Except for the Jungle Fatiques and the waste of money Summer BDU (because I was stupid and thought it would be cooler to wear).

I fell for those stupid summer BDUs, too. I bought one pair when they first came out and found out they sucked. I never bought another uniform except when I was going to PLDC. I wore all issue uniforms.

I'm a boot junkie, though. I had a bunch of them. I wore jungle boots probably 90% of the time because both commands let me. I had inspection jungles and field jungles. I also had some GoreTex "special forces" boots I bought somewhere. They were like jungle boots with GoreTex and speed laces. I wore them if it was real cold. Jump boots, old combat, new combat, etc., etc. I think at one point I had at least ten pairs of boots for uniform wear, but I never displayed more than two or three. I never put on the Mickey Mouse boots. They were too hard to clean and too expensive to buy to clear.

I still buy a lot of boots, but now they're cowboy boots.

quote:

Originally posted by WENDELLKEITHDUNCAN:
I spent a lot of time in the wet, ice , snow and bitter cold and my feet never got cold.

My feet are cold sitting right here in my house now. I was born with cold feet. The only question is how cold.

quote:

Originally posted by PepeLep:

quote:

Originally posted by ErichG2:
I didn't buy much beyond the issue. Except for the Jungle Fatiques and the waste of money Summer BDU (because I was stupid and thought it would be cooler to wear).

I fell for those stupid summer BDUs, too. I bought one pair when they first came out and found out they sucked. I never bought another uniform except when I was going to PLDC. I wore all issue uniforms.

I'm a boot junkie, though. I had a bunch of them. I wore jungle boots probably 90% of the time because both commands let me. I had inspection jungles and field jungles. I also had some GoreTex "special forces" boots I bought somewhere. They were like jungle boots with GoreTex and speed laces. I wore them if it was real cold. Jump boots, old combat, new combat, etc., etc. I think at one point I had at least ten pairs of boots for uniform wear, but I never displayed more than two or three. I never put on the Mickey Mouse boots. They were too hard to clean and too expensive to buy to clear.

I still buy a lot of boots, but now they're cowboy boots.

I'm with you. I have a ton of boots. I've found that Converse has a very underrated boot. I bought them on sale from an online retailer and expected them to last for a season or two, but to my surprise, I'm still wearing them two years later.

And of course, cowboys boots as well, ha

Wore Herman Survivors on the "Hohenfels Death March 85" sponsored by 2/4. Tore my feet UP!

I wore jungle boots (with a steel sole) most of my time in Korea, even in the winter.

Got issued Matterhorns at Ft Drum...loved em.

Mickey Mouse boots are good if you are stationary on guard duty or something.

As I have gotten older, I have gotten colder. I would be a big ole friggin cry baby in the Army now.

Danner Ft. Lewis boots in desert US$180.00 from the MCSS and authorized

I would highly recommend Danners. You can not go wrong. THey are more comfortable than any POS lowest bidding boot the Army will issue you. You gotta take care of your feet and these boots are well worth the money. I would go with any of these three.

Desert Acadia/Insulated (400G)

Desert TFX Rough-Out GTX Insulated (400G)

Ft. Lewis Light Insulated (400G)

Exactly what I was looking at, payday means Im buying some

Cool let us know which one you went with.

Ok, anybody know if I should shell out the money (for my son stationed in the Zhari District?) It'll be his first winter in A-Stan. Does it get cold enough there (NOT in the mountain area) for special boots? God knows it was hot enough during the summer...average temp.was about 120! Hope the winter isn't as drastic!

quote:

Originally posted by Hagenmary:
Ok, anybody know if I should shell out the money (for my son stationed in the Zhari District?) It'll be his first winter in A-Stan. Does it get cold enough there (NOT in the mountain area) for special boots? God knows it was hot enough during the summer...average temp.was about 120! Hope the winter isn't as drastic!

You shouldn't buy your kid military gear unless he asks you to or says it's OK, IMO.

Show interest in what he is doing, send care packages/letters, etc. Stick to the Civilian stuff. Maybe stuff he can wear under his uniform or when off duty? Not sure what is authorized with ACU's but maybe long-johns?, socks? etc. I don't know if it is authorized or not but Champion makes excellent gym shorts and running gear. It's cheap and high quality, IMO.

If my Mom sent me a new pair of Army boots back when I was Enlisted I would have given them away rather then wear them and have to explain who paid for them when someone asks how much I paid for them (a common question, when you show up with new boots).

Just my opinion. Maybe others with more recent service have a different opinion. Maybe this has changed as well.

How about if I raid HIS bank account to pay for them? !!!
But he never asks for anything and I can't ask him, 'cause his FOB is a non-technology zone!
Ok, I hear ya. I've sent over a big-old carton of cold weather gear and the usual weekly care package. I was just worried about his dainty little feet (size 12 extra wide!!)
I guess it's a Mom thing; worrying about feet!