<p>what boots they y'all reccommend?
do they make any goretex desert boots?</p>
<p>I have the Belleville's. They're like sneakers, they feel alot better than the altama's I have (Same ACU boot). Nothing but good reviews on USCAV.com. Highly recommend them.</p>
<p>i have the bellevilles as well. I did a 12 miler the other day-no hot spots and my feet were fine. I highly recommend.</p>
<p>what about the danners, are the worth the $230? at ranger joes.</p>
<p>I'd have to say that no boot is worth $230. I have belleville cold weather gortex ACU boots, and they feel really good. I have the Bates hot weather ACU boots, which also fell extraordinary, but they ripped 5 minutes after I put them on and me and AAFES are going to have words about that. Both these boots feel good, but I've never used them in the field (we just got them for 2LT issue), so I cant say how great they are. Both Cochran and Belleville have great reputations, so I doubt you can go wrong there.</p>
<p>We went down to Fort Bragg yesterday to try and get boots and lowquarters. No luck on either - they only stock the patent leather low quarters and only had the "commercial" Belville ACU boots. We had no idea that there was an "issue" boot and a "commercial" boot. Son phoned WP and was told that he had to buy the "issue" boot (it has a different sole). For those who are ordering online it may be something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>We had a tough time finding boots and low quarters last year even with 3 large exchanges/clothing sales stores in our area. Different brands fit differently which adds to the confusion. You can try getting the correct fit then ordering online but I sent more than a few pairs back. Cadet ended up with one pair of low quarters to break in (should have done a lot, LOT more in the low quarters looking back) and one pair of boots.</p>
<p>I guess the boot saga is part of the journey. Son has phone ordered the boots and low quarters from the AAFES number listed on the instructions. He was told that there is no choice in make of boots (which is contrary to the WP instruction sheet), so we will see what arrives.... The only online stores we have tried is USCAV.com, and they only have the "commercial" boots, not the "issue" boots. Does anyone know of an online store that carries "issue" boots?</p>
<p>You can buy them on ebay. I have a pair of the Bellavilles, and I'm wearing them for the first time today. I LOVE them--they're so comfortable.</p>
<p>Thanks marines4me - were you given the same "issue" versus "commercial" instructions at WP?</p>
<p>Bottom line is if you purchase boots that are deemed a no-go, you'll get issued 2 pairs of what you need no matter what. These boots break in much more quickly than the old all leather combat boot, and once you get promoted, you can wear the "commercial" boots you bought anyways. I have had literally 7 different pairs of boots during my time here, some out of preferece, some out of need, so you'll make it through no matter what. They're very good during Beast about watching over feet and making sure boots get broken in. I'd say that anything you get from AAFES that is deemed an ACU boot will most likely fly (Belleville, Cochran, Bates).</p>
<p>ScreamingEagle: that makes sense, thanks.</p>
<p>how bout low quarters? any preference?</p>
<p>i'm also curious, what are the pro's and cons of the ripple sole vs the tradition boots with heels</p>
<p>Bellevilles from USCAV.com have "commercial" sole....
!@#$%^&&<em>(!@#$%^&</em>(@#$%^&</p>
<p>What a pain in the ass, I guess I've gotta go to USMA to go buy !@#$%^% issue ones....Thats annoying.</p>
<p>In my experience, ripple soles are worthless. They wear out quickly and make for poor traction. Plus you cant wear boots with them to any schools (Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger). </p>
<p>You can go to any AAFES to get the boots that they're going to sell at USMA, and the PX here's selection isnt great anyways...</p>
<p>i've never worn the ripple soles nor understood why people wear them, if they suck, why do they make them?</p>
<p>Ann, goto the Combat Footgear Store on Reilly Rd. in Fayetteville, right outside the Ft.Bragg Reilly Rd gate. Get your son some Wellco boots. I also have Bellevilles that feel alright, but I swear by Wellco.</p>
<p>which ones weight the least?</p>
<p>so they MUST be HOT WEATHER and the MUST BE ISSUE not COMMERCIAL, right? no way around that...</p>