Dec/090
Gap’s Holiday Combat Boots
As always, this year’s ubiquitous holiday Gap commercial juxtaposed a cheesy, jazz-handy musical number with the moment’s must-wear fashion statement. This year (drum roll, please): Lumberjack flannel and high-heeled combat-style boots.
While the ladies teetered around in chunky brown boots, the men disregarded the boot trend altogether (how dare they!), opting instead for a mix between Doc Martens and bowling shoes. Boooring! What’s worse is that Gap doesn’t even sell boots. So, when everyone decided to show up and buy a pair, they were redirected to Barney’s.
The infamous Gap commercial boot in tan.
To make matters more confusing, Barney’s doesn’t even carry the same dark brown color that was highlighted in the Gap’s Go Ho Ho campaign. Instead, it *was* only available in a work-boot tan for … $395! And since the sexy boots are nowhere to be found on Barney’s website, we’re assuming it sold out.
If you’re still in the market for overpriced, fashionista-friendly footwear, don’t fret! Barney’s CO-OP line carries several other military boot lookalikes for men and women. Below is a side-by-side comparison of a real-deal mil boot and one from the Barney’s CO-OP collection. Can you guess which one is which?
Will the real military boot please stand up?
On the left, Yara black boot ($450) is from Barney’s. The Italian-made leather cap-toe combat boot boasts a 40mm-thick stacked heel. On the right, Rocky’s 2090 boot ($89.99) with full-grain, water-resistant leather features a contoured EVA footbed and Goodyear Welt Construction.
If your heart is still set on that stiletto-esque boot, check out some other options, like this ridiculous Rogeri Trooper Fashion Boot ($36.80). The six-inch platform, soft leopard print lining and side zipper make it a choice boot for any non-tactical, yet trend-setting operation.
A fashion never?
Nov/091
Are Your Military Boots Hungry?
Aside from protecting feet from all the extreme elements, some have found new (and fairly unusual) uses for their military boots. Namely, they “feed” their boots delicious foodstuffs, and, well, other not-so-delicious items — hungry for a keyboard case, anyone?
Check out these six boot-crushing videos where military boots mash french fries to modems in less than a few minutes.
1. The title of this first video “Military Mountain Boots Having a Sandwich” is no lie. These hungry, hungry boots indulge (a.k.a. squash) on a pickle and what looks to be cheese and bologna on white bread. Yummy. And messy. Click here to view the video since the user disabled embedding. Or view the rest of his food stomping videos where he pulverizes fruit with military hiking boots, slams a moon pie with Nikes and more!
2. In the next video (below), the rather health-conscious boots crush an ice cube and apple. It also pulverizes a water bottle, which we do not recommend eating.
3. For the fast food junkies, there’s “Lunch Leftovers for Combat Boots,” where an order of McDonald’s fries are compressed to a greasy pulp by US Speedlace boots. It’s a sight that would make even Ronald McDonald cry.
4. Is it a squash? Is it an oversized lemon? A yellow pumpkin? Bootsguy1984 doesn’t specify what this giant yellow mystery fruit is, but it’s almost as big as his foot. However, he does manage to almost flatten it with his Ranger boots. Success!
5. Recommended for a wholesome breakfast, Rice Krispies also make excellent stomping fodder for Harley Slash boots. While some might call this food destruction wasteful, others say it’s a great way to show off the awesome power of military boots.
6. “Death of a Modem” documents the quick destruction of a “noncooperative German DSL modem” by German combat boots. This striking video certainly sends a stern message to all those other modems out there considering an uncooperative route in the future. Watch out!
Not enough boots squishing stuff for you? Continue the destruction here.
Nov/090
Magnum Boots Put to the Test
The Fire Critic with New Magnum Boots
A few weeks ago, we talked about Magnum’s ion-mask waterproofing. Now we’ve discovered that Rhett Fleitz over at The Fire Critic is putting a pair of ion-mask boots to the test.
Mr. Fleitz has been in the Fire/EMS service for about 15 years and has probably been through his fair share of boots.
Only after 8 hours of having the boots in his possession, he was ready to give the world a preliminary glance at his Magnum Elite Force boots.
“I have had the boots on since 8am (4pm at time of post),” he writes. “I had to get through a short break in period this morning where it seemed as though the hair on my legs was being ripped off, but I made it through ok.”
He notes that the Magnum boots won’t replace his current firefighting boots. However, he said he might wear them on calls.
Look out for The Fire Critic’s full review in two weeks. For now, check out a video of Medic999, who also reviewed the Magnum boots, testing out the ion mask waterproofing feature.
“Overall, this boot is one of the best I have seen, and worn, so far,” the blogger at Medic999 writes about the Magnum Elite Force boots. “It is lightweight, looks cool, is cool – i.e. it doesn’t make your foot feel like its in a heater, and the Ion Guard feature really does seem to work.”
Oct/090
Roots: Back in the Boot Game
Roots Desert Suede Boots
Roots is going back to its, uh, roots. The Canadian shoemaker has reissued a line of classic desert boots that were made when the company started in 1973.
While its not the first shoe Roots made (the first was one with a negative heel), the desert boots ($173) are constructed with 100% latex rubber, which makes it slip resistant, as well as with flexible, vegetable-tanned leather. Desert boots are handmade in Canada, of course, like everything else Roots produces.
In addition to the desert boots, Roots is also launching a “Tuffer” brand boot ($218), which will feature the identical rubber soles from Soucy Baron Inc. that can be found on Canadian military boots, as well as a sheepskin boot ($288) specifically for women.
“We feel it’s the finest sole we’ve ever had,” Michael Budman, the company’s co-founder, told the Canadian Press. “We think we have something nobody else has on the commercial market.”
Let’s hope that along with footwear, Roots brings back this A-mazing ad campaign from 1983 shown below. Saxophone solo, anyone?
Oct/090
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).
Oct/090
How Long Do Military Boots Last?
When you’re throwing down some major dough on a sturdy pair of combat boots, what’s going to be the ROI on those suckers? The major consensus online is that it comes down three things: quality, maintenance and what you put them through.
Obviously, like anything else, if you buy a military boot constructed with quality materials like full-grain leathers, 3M Thinsulate, Gore-Tex and Cambrelle nylon, it will last. Some lower-grade boots might appear to be a better deal in the short-term (like the ones at Army-Navy surplus stores), but they are typically slapdash.
Looking at buying a less expensive pair is like selling your “sole.” When you do the deal, you’re trading in quality, comfort and reliability for something that will not only fail you when you need it the most, but you’ll end up wasting money in the long run when you have to buy a new pair in a year.
A good, high-quality pair of boots is smart investment indeed. Would you go to Payless to buy your boots? We think not.
Most people who take good care of high-quality boots could, in theory, make them last a lifetime. How can you make your pair last longer? Tend to your boots’ needs. Keep them clean, dry and polished or brushed. If you’re not sure how to exactly do that, consult the brand’s website such as Danner, which has an excellent boot care guide.
Jul/090
Danner Recrafting
Danner Recrafting Results
If you’re familiar with Danner boots, you know that they represent top quality materials and legit craftsmanship. Old world craftsmanship. Their boots are the kind of thing that once you have them broken in, you probably won’t want to give them up. The good news is, you don’t have to.
Danner now offers a recrafting service in which they lovingly restore your boots to like new condition. The process has to be seen to be believed, and luckily for us the company has provided a video giving us a glimpse into the recrafting process and results. Amazing!
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