Big Boots for Big Feet
The average shoe size for a man is 10 to 12. This explains why many military boot manufacturers only make boots up to size 14.
And you know what big feet mean? Even bigger problems while boot shopping.
Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal wears a size 23. And if he's shopping for combat boots, unfortunately he'll have to go the custom route. But if you wear a size 17, you're in luck.
Magnum makes a military boot that goes up to a size 17 regular. The Magnum Stealth Force ($99.95) is a black soft-toe boot. With full-grain leather and a ballistic nylon upper, the side-zipper boot is large and in charge. Along with a Cambrelle moisture-wicking lining and Agion antibacterial treatment, the compression-molded EVA midsole creates a comfortable wear for men and women.
Still curious about the Stealth Force? Watch a full review on the boot.
If you're a size smaller, look no further than the Men's Belleville 300 DES ($111.99).
The tan steel-toe boot has Vangaurd running sole construction. The upper material is a full-grain tan cowhide; the outsole is Vibram. Don't forget the Polyurethane removable inserts—a very nice touch indeed. This boot is available in a size 16 regular and wide.
And then there's the world's largest boot...
Even Shaq himself would look puny next to this gargantuan tower of boot. Erected by Red Wing Shoes, the work boot is a size 638 and a half. It weighs in at an astounding 2,300 pounds. To fit into this boot, you'd need to be 12 stories tall. Ready to test it out?
Poll: What’s Your Favorite Boot Brand?
For some, the choice is difficult. For others, it's not. But the task at hand? It's more than simple.
We want to know all about your favorite brand of military boots.
You've got to have at least one. There has to be something about the certain way those boots hug your feet. Or maybe it's the extra ankle and sole support. And then there's the ability to take on ultra-rugged terrain when other boots fail.
So, what boots brand has served you best? Why did you buy that certain boot? What made you pick one over another? We're curious to find out.
(Image via Flickr)
U.S. Military Boot Contracts
Wellco Men's 8" ST HW
Last week the U.S. Department of Defense announced five new contracts with military boots manufacturers including Belleville, Altama, Wellco and Rocky.
Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Co. picked up a $24.3 million contract for hot weather Army boots. The Illinois-based company, who has been working with the U.S. Military for nearly a century, will make the boots for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Altama Footwear has also been tasked to deliver hot weather boots with similar contract for a $19.8 million.
Meanwhile, Wellco Enterprises picked up two contracts at $18.2 million and $14.7 million for temperate weather Air Force boots and hot weather combat boots, respectively.
Rocky Shoes & Boots will also be making hot weather boots at the tune of $6.1 million. Last month Rocky secured another contract for $3.2 million to product 45,000 pairs of boots.
Defense Industry Daily has been tracking boot contracts since 2007, and the list includes all of the manufactures mentioned above along with McRae Industries.
Army Scopes New Mountain Boot
According to Kit Up!, the Army is testing three versions of a new mountain combat boot. The blog says that the new test boots are similar to the Danner Combat Hiker.
Pictured above is one of three versions of the boot, this one is Danner's Mt. Combat Boot. The other two are from Wellco and Belleville. We don't want to steal Christian's thunder, so head over to Kit Up! for the full story.
The new crop of boots do indeed look like Danner's Combat Hiker Military Boots. Those boots feature a tough full-grain leather and Cordura upper to guard against abrasions and tears and rubber rand for further protection. It also touts Vibram Fifida outsoles and Gore-Tex lining.
In other boot news, there was an interesting piece in The Sydney Morning Herald chronicling Australian soldiers' struggle with ill-fitting military boots. Several hundred soldiers have logged official complaints about the Terra combat boot, the newspaper reports.
''Mark 3 combat boots never seem to fit,'' one soldier wrote. ''I resize every time to show my size hasn't changed, but every pair of the same size seems to be different. It takes a good deal of my blood to soak into the leather to make them more comfortable, then by that stage the sole has worn and broken away or eyelets fallen out, meaning I must change for a new set and start again.''
The Herald even revealed that the boot, which is said to have an unstable midsole, didn't test any better than the boots it replaced in 1999.
Does anyone have experience with uncomfortable issued boots? What actions did you take to improve your footwear condition?
(Image via Kit Up!)
New Boot Alert: Oakley’s Water Shoe, Tactical Research’s MultiCam Kiowa
With every passing year there are more and more new military boot styles and colors, and this year is no different.
Last month Gear Scout posted a sneak peak of a new water combat boot from Oakley. The boot, which is not yet listed on Oakley's website, will join its Tactical Six ($130) and Elite Assault Boot ($500), both newer boots from the military/duty line. According to Gear Scout's sneak preview, the boot features strategic slits that allow water passage and improved traction. The boots debuted at SHOT Show, so expect more details in the coming weeks.
Oakley's New Water Combat Boot
The second isn't necessarily a new boot as much as a new boot color. For those already familiar with Belleville's Tactical Research combat boots know that it comes in desert tan, sage green and black. And you can now add MultiCam to that list. With the new color, the MultiCam boot still touts all the same features like an "over-lasted" EVA midsole for shock attenuation and a stabilizer strap for the heel and ankle.
Tactical Research MultiCam Kiowa
Introduced less than a year ago, the boots sport a low profile much like footwear seen in wrestling, Nascar and outdoor markets. This type of boot improves the grip and feel, said Glen Becker, president of Tactical Research for Belleville Shoe Company, in the video below.
UPDATE: Love these boots? They're now for sale at MilitaryBoots.com for $89.99.
Manufactured to meet U.S. Army Regulations, the boots come in two styles -- Paladin and Kiowa. "With the Kiowa pattern we are going after that market that is highly involved in light assault operations," said Becker. "The boot is tailored for U.S. soldiers involved in tactical operations where lightweight footwear is critical."
7 Ways to Make Your Boots Last Longer, Look Sexier
Combat boots are hot.
You love your boots, don't you? (Well, we certainly do since we run a blog entirely dedicated to them.) So, assuming your adoration runs as deep as ours, you should want to care for them like they were your first and only child … or something along those lines.
Here are seven tips for you, gleaned from the experts themselves -- the people who make them! (Note: Some of these tips apply to only full-grain leather, while others only to suede. Read closely for specification.)
1. Brush 'em. Just like your teeth and hair, your boots need a good bristle lashing to get their cleanest. For full-grain boots, some advise using a stiff brush to remove dust and dirt on a regular basis, while Danner and Belleville both suggest a softer brush. For suede boots, pick a metal bristle brush and lightly stroke the boot -- no heavy scrubbing! Doing so can be damaging to the leather and possibly to your boot-cleaning reputation.
2. Clean 'em. Instead of a brush, you can use a wet rag on full-grain leather boots. Danner offers its Cleaning Gel, which can remove even the tiniest particles of grime and helps with waterproofing. Apply the gel sparingly to wet leather. On the other hand, suede boots should be wiped down only on the inside with a wet, soapy cloth. If your boots have Cordura nylon fabric, that can be tidied up with warm water but NOT polish.
3. Polish 'em. Note: This only applies to certain types of full-grain leather. Utilize a polish containing silicone to keep the leather soft. Wellco suggests you use mink oil, and rub a small coat into the leather and seams with a cloth or dauber. To give them that super-glossy, rock-star look, make sure you buff 'em, too.
4. Waterproof 'em. Even if your boots are awesome enough already to have Gore-tex waterproofing, you still need to treat the leather. If you have a problem with that, consult Danner's Boot Care page, because that's what they say. Apparently water can get in between the leather and Gore-tex liner and create ugly water spots. And nobody wants that. The solution? They propose Danner Waterproofing Gel as a proper solution, which should be applied after boots are cleaned. Once you massage it onto the boot, allow some dry time and then wipe away any extra gel hanging around. However, they do warn: Do not use Danner Waterproofing Gel on nubuck, suede or rough-out leather boots. Instead, use our Danner Waterproofing Spray, which will help maintain the original texture of those products. Whatever you say!
5. Condition 'em. On this one, if you own nubuck, suede and rough-out leather boots, you're in the clear. What does that leave? Full-grain leather! If your boots are made out of full grain, condition them with a boot dressing product to prevent the leather from flaking, cracking or just from looking generally unattractive. Really work in the conditioner with all your might, and let it dry overnight. (And we promise that we didn't plan to have that rhyme. Because that would be awfully trite!)
6. Dry 'em (naturally!). Your best bet, unless you own a professional boot dryer (which, let's face it, you probably don't), is to let those puppies air dry. It will be really tempting to get out a hair dryer or head over to the nearest Wal-Mart bathroom and stick it under a hand dryer, but DON'T DO IT! All that blistering air could put your feet's best friend in critical danger. It's best that you let the sun or air at room temperature take care of it. Plus, that's less work for you, right?
7. Restore 'em. If you've been a neglectful boot parent, it's OK. We forgive you. Although your boots won't until you restore them to their original beauty. No matter how much you've mistreated them in the past, there's a way for you to get those handsome boots back -- but it will cost you. Danner's Recrafting service runs between $45 to $160 and includes repair stitching, hardware and sole replacements, new laces and, of course, a good cleaning and polishing. In the end, it will be well worth it and very "green" of you to do instead of tossing the old pair.
Now forget everything we just told you, and see how a 7-year-old (well, he's definitely young) polishes his military boots...
Belleville Boots: By the Numbers
Belleville 800 ST
There’s nothing quite like slipping on your first pair of Bellevilles. But before you get too comfortable, get to know your protective footwear in a quantitative way.
- 1 million – The number of pairs Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Co. currently produces every year.
- 1917 – The year Belleville landed its first military order.
- 50 – Employees who worked at the first Belleville Shoe factory, which was founded in 1904.
- $2.5 million – Cost of Belleville’s new plant in 1986 (and its current home).
- 1997 – The year “Belleville” was printed on the outside of military boots.
- 6 or 7 – Pairs baseball legend Stan Musial, Belleville’s best customer, normally used a season.
- $6.3 million – Amount the Defense Logistics Agency is contracted to pay Belleville for Army, Navy and Air Force boot orders through 2010.
- 23.1 – Miles Belleville’s headquarters in Belleville, Ill., is from St. Louis, Mo.
- 1 – Times a guy on YouTube squishes a lemon with his Bellevilles (see below).