<p>I’m currently a Junior in High School, haven’t started the application process (will as soon as school starts up probably) and was wondering if any current or graduated cadets could offer a recommendation for combat boots.</p>
<p>I’m asking for a pair for Christmas (so I don’t have to pay for them ).
There’s a couple of things I’m wondering about:</p>
<p>1.) Does the Academy want a certain kind/style/model/brand of boot?
2.) What kinds of boots does the Academy NOT want?</p>
<p>Also, I’m hoping some of you can give me some examples of your boots. Are they comfortable to run in? Do they have the weird designs on them (like ‘sections’. If they have little lines in them, dirt is going to get caught in them and make it really hard to get out and polish)?
How high are they?
ex: 8 inches high from the ground up</p>
<p>Well now, I'm afraid I'm not going to be very helpful here since I've never worn ABU boots. As I'm sure you know, my class is the last one to wear BDUs, so you'll inprocess with a different boot than what I'm used to. In fact, you probably won't find much input from current cadets on ABU boots, since the first class to wear them hasn't even inprocessed yet. Maybe our AD personnel could chime in here...</p>
<p>The one thing I can tell you is that you won't be allowed to wear marauder-style boots. These are boots with a cut-away toe that can easily be painted shiny (example</a>). Since they're easy to "shine," their wear is a privilege reserved for upperclassmen.</p>
<p>At orientation, we were allowed to buy boots on the second day. The brand they gave me were Wellco. They are a green suede with a little Goretex on the sides and quite a bit on the upper back. Here's a picture from their website: 80040-004</a> [80040-004] : Wellco Enterprises, Providing Quality Footwear For Over 60 Years!
The price listed there is $130, but they were offered at the Academy for about $40 cheaper. They don't seem to mind what brand it is, but the boot must have "a sage green color, be 8 inches high, have a rubber sole, and a waterproof upper bootie (gore-tex or similar). The boots must NOT have steel or safety toes, or zippers." I'd highly suggest the Wellco brand though. They are EXTREMELY comfortable and require very little breaking in.</p>
<p>I ran a couple miles in them about a week ago and it wasn't that bad. It just takes a little getting used to the extra weight and you have to alter your stride accordingly.</p>
<p>You DON'T polish suede. That is going to be an experience for us this year because we won't have to polish them, but we will have to keep them clean of mud and dirt (which I have a feeling won't be easy in Jack's). A friend of mine went on a hiking trip with hers and tried to clean them, but wasn't very successful. If you get yours early enough, you'll have more time to experiment. As for dirt getting caught in it, it has suede fibers everywhere that beg dirt to cling to them. You won't have to worry about nooks or crannies because they don't have that many and dirt will cling to just about anywhere on them.</p>
<p>Overachiever, my recommendation is that you get an appointment to the Academy before you consider buying combat boots. You have a lot more on your plate to worry about for now if you are serious about applying.</p>
<p>And as an AD guy here is my two cents on ABU boots - marauder-style boots look freaking ridiculous. Think about it this way, you have fuzzy toes. That being said, by BDU marauders were comfortable as all get out so eventually you may want to upgrade.</p>
<p>As far as cleaning is concerned I have no complaints. A stiff brush and some water has worked for anything I have come across, then again, I didn't do basic with ABUs so I am sure Jack's Valley will be quite the experience. I guess we can ask 2012 in a couple months.</p>
<p>All right, thanks everyone. I will probably just wait; I just didn't want to have to worry about getting blisters or shin splints during BCT.</p>
<p>I didn't know the Academy was switching their boots around. I figured they would still want everyone to wear the leather ones that we would have to mirror polish.</p>
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