<p>where is it possible to order the boots? local AAFES dont have issue sole. can't order direct from belleville? is there anyway to mail order or phone order the bellevilles?</p>
<p>also- it looks snowy and wet in ny sometimes. could you bring one pair hot weather and one pair temprate?</p>
<p>plenty of places online to order bellvilles. they're the bellville 390 des boot. they run about 1/2 to a full size smaller than a normal black boot size. theyre about $90-110 before shipping</p>
<p>Just watch out because apparently theres a difference between for example the 390s on USCav.com and the ones you get at an AAFES so i've heard.</p>
<p>okay- the ones you get from ranger joes, uscav.com, or anywhere else online, even AAFES are the COMMERCIAL boots. the letter specifies ISSUE. the soles are different. commerical have piece of rubber covering the layer, whereas the issue you can see the layers. the ones from uscav or the internet are NOT the issue. Most AAFES have the issue in some extreme sizes and are awaiting reshipment.</p>
<p>the ones they're giving out for rapid fielding initiative are the ones where you cant see the layers.</p>
<p>those are commercial! ack! i better call west point on this.</p>
<p>so im guessing the oakley boots are out of the question???</p>
<p>Here is the DA message info on the tan boots. You are authorized others. Now, they may require you to wear the ones that they issue if yours look too different (so Belleville ones should be good to go, but you might be pushing it with Oakley--but they are authorized in the Army itself) just due to USMA/Beast standards. But if you have Bellevilles or Altamas, you should be good to go:</p>
<p>5E. BOOTS. ARMY COMBAT BOOTS (HOT WEATHER AND TEMPERATE WEATHER), AND OPTIONAL BOOTS. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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).</p>
<p>alright, so i know this has been talked about alot but i went to get boots from aafes today at ft. mcpherson. I was excited that the comfortable belleville 390s were in my size but when i took them up to the register the lady said that I could buy these boots but i wouldn't be able to wear them at USMA, i needed "issue" boots (DCHP or something) and that the belleville 390s were not it but i could were them when i got into reg army. So i called the numbers on the boot letter and they confirmed that the 390s were not authorized for cadet use. So i bought some McRaes and was done with it. Has anyone else heard different from an authorized source? Cause those 390s were comfy.</p>
<p>thats stupid...</p>
<p>i guess, what have u heard? or r u just takin ur chances with the 390s mrgreenapple</p>
<p>The bellevilles really are much more comfortable. I swear the only difference I can see is that the bellevilles say belleville on the back.</p>
<p>Heres what I can see: I have a pair of commercial Altamas some strange plain sole. I have two pairs of Bellevilles, comfy, Vibram sole. I have two pairs of issue McRae's tight to too small, have vibram sole, not very comfy. I really want to just wear my damn Bellevilles. They are the exact same as the Issue boots but say Belleville almost invisibly on the back.</p>
<p>thats what i said..........i dont see much different.....hell i almost got into an argument on the phone with sgt mcvoy or whatever......i was like "are u sure that the 390s arn't authorized?"........."yes".........."u know which ones im talking about?"..........."yes"..........</p>
<p>I found the issue hot weather, no brand name on the outside, wellco brand, you can see the layers and everything. The temperates were tougher. The BX swore that "all of our boots are issue" which may be the case. The closest temperate, I could see the layers, but there was a brand name "rocky" on the outside of the boot. I have never heard of this brand but it appears this is the issue or practically the issue in everyway. If not, do you think removing the brand name from the outside might mean they allow me to have them? I am pretty sure it can be done. I think its more important everyone at least gets their feet in shape. </p>
<p>And whats the deal with "soaking boots"? Need some help on this one. The labeling with the boots specifically notes that they should never be soaked or baked, immersed in water or anything similar. Has anyone soaked the new acu boots yet? Don't want to ruin them.</p>
<p>Likewise I have heard talk of edge dressing on the low quarters. The packaging expressly states "do not apply edgedressing" as it may cause damage to the show. Again, why would they say this?? </p>
<p>I think this is the most accurate picture of 790s, you can see the "layers"
<a href="http://forums.military.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/80019858/m/3170069360001%5B/url%5D">http://forums.military.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/80019858/m/3170069360001</a></p>
<p>I personally like the look of these oakleys (doubt we are ever allowed to wear them though...look too diff.):</p>
<p><a href="http://oakley.com/o/o3552d%5B/url%5D">http://oakley.com/o/o3552d</a></p>
<p>mrgreenapple: "thats stupid..." </p>
<p>You will probably find that there are a lot of rules/instructions in your future that may seem stupid. That may just be part of being a candidate cadet/new cadet/plebe. Just pack your sense of humor and you will be fine.
Good luck to all of you - one month to R day!</p>
<p>OK....You all have to wear issued items for plebe year. I showed up to beast with a nice pair of coccoran boots...and they went into the trunk room for the rest of the year. If you show up with the wrong boots, you will be issued the correct ones and you will not be allowed to wear the other ones. This is fairly similar to basic training. </p>
<p>As for soaking them, soaking your boots to help break them in applied to the all leather ones. My Marine buddies told me to shower in mine and then walk around until they were dry. Since these aren't all leather I would not suggest trying this. </p>
<p>Edgedressing - They may be talking about applying it directly to the leater, but I've never had edgedressing do anything to the edges of my shoes other than make them black and shiny, like it's supposed to. This is ONLY for your low quarters, don't edge dress your desert boots.</p>
<p>im taking my chances with the 390's. They issue them at basic training. they issue them for RFI. They issue them for ACU changeover. If WP doesnt like them fine. Not bringing low qquarters either. I was talking with MAJ ******** yesterday and mentioned my boots how its hard to get the right size with the supply at clothing and sales and he didnt say anything about not bringing the bellevilles. </p>
<p>Showering in your boots will help even if they arent all leather. </p>
<p>And of course after more than 2 years in the army I've had my fair share of "stupid things" and can deal :) A sense of humor will save you this summer.</p>
<p>I have about 30 days or so (don't we all). If I don't soak them will I be missing out on anything? Won't wearing them give me the same results...just slower?</p>
<p>yeah. takes a couple weeks to break them in wearing them everyday. try some small road marches. like 3 miles at a time. enough to give hotspots but no blisters.</p>
<p>mrgreenapple: I wish you would call Staff Sgt McCoy and get an official response to your point of view. If you are told that 390's are OK that would be welcome news to your fellow classmates. If you are told they are not authorized, it may put the "issue" boot debate to rest.</p>