For those of you that have served recently, what's your opinion of the suede/canvas boots the Army/Marines use?

I need a pair of non gore-tex, non waterproof boots for desert hiking in rugged conditions. Rocky makes a pair that look pretty good for the price.

Most boot companies can't seem to make a pair of boots that don't have gore tex or some sort of water proof lining. What are y'all using for hot, dry climates that let your feet breathe?

Belleville Sabre have been the ones I've worn for at least the last decade. Comfortable, supportive, breathable and long-lasting.

https://www.uspatriottactical.com/belleville-sabre-hot-weather-hybrid-assault-boots?PMOPV1=COY&PMOPV2=5&PMOPV3=R&PMSRCE=92350008&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0jsVV9c1Yr7MopcUedPpw_YR3-DWrQBCO3yINrBqwyrucAmQQxuTwAaAuRdEALw_wcB

Generally, no.

I had a pair of Danner Rivot (best link I can find; original from my order isn't up anymore: https://www.danner.com/rivot-tfx-8-coyote-400g.html ) that I wore when I had to, but generally we'd try to wear non-issue boots whenever possible. Civilian companies make a much more comfortable boot than what we were issued.
Solomon and Lowa were very popular, at the time.

The Nike combat boots are light and great for force marches. Light and breathable. The soles are a little soft for aggressive terrain. Garmonts we're always the best for that for me.

*** EDIT : no military combat boots are not as good as what is available for civilians****

Don't cheap out...

https://kenetrek.com/products/desert-guide

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at these because of the price. I agree about avoiding military issued boots.

https://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Alpha-Force-Inch-Brown/dp/B081B8D4H2/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=rocky%2Bboots%2Bfor%2Bmen&qid=1680974934&sr=8-11&th=1&psc=1

These look tempting, also. https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/razorback-b6-b/. Their African Ranger boot looks like a great every day boot, especially in buffalo hide.

The reality is that we're moving to South America soon, and I won't need desert boots down there. I'll need to find something better suited for a hot, humid, and rainy environment. The Rockies would get me through this field season for work and I can sell them along with the rest of our stuff when the time comes.

Again, I'm going to try to steer you away from an AR670-1 compliant boot because it places unnecessary design constraints on the maker that could be working against what you're after.

Find the best desert boot you can, not the best military desert boot. Your feet deserve it!

Between those two, I'd lean toward the Jim Green just because it wasn't designed for the military uniform standard.

I have long ago learned not to like gi boots. I've been out so long I was wondering what recent veterans thought of current issued boots.

"I need a pair of non gore-tex, non waterproof boots for desert hiking in rugged conditions"

"The reality is that we're moving to South America soon, and I won't need desert boots down there. I'll need to find something better suited for a hot, humid, and rainy environment."

Maybe decide what you need first. Look into lucchese if you do decide against goretex.

lucchese makes hiking boots?

You've got a misconception. Goretex DO allow your feet to breath. That is their design. The fabric is weaved (if that's the term) in a way so air molecules can go back and forth but liquid molecules can not. Perhaps I'm misusing the term, molecule, in a technical way, but you get the idea.

With that said, some Goretex lined boots may be hotter than others. You may just have to do some research on what people like for that particular climate. Also shoe/boot weight is important.

I would strongly encourage you to not take specific brand suggestions from individuals. Your foot is different from mine and everyone else's. Plus, there are low, mid, highs, etc. Unless you're doing serious elevation changes, I'd go with a trail running shoe. People hike the AT with those. I'm not sure about the western trails. I would at least get a pair and try them out. I've got a pair of Hokas, but Asics and Brooks (to name two; there are others) both make quality pairs of trail runners in various foot types.

Go to REI and get properly fitted. They have most of the brands you'd want anyway. Wearing them around is a good way to know whether they'd too heavy and if you'll need an insole (you probably will want one).

Yes

Jim Green's are on my list. I spent a lot of time overseas (hence the handle). I worked with a South African that swore by them. A tough SOB but a diff story for another time. So i cant personally recommend, but they are my next boot.

In fact i am fighting with myself about ordering the razorback right now.

I know how gore tex works and have worn boots with and without. I like it in cool, wet climates like Alaska or the west side of the Cascades, but not in a hot dry climate where I live. I won't have it in my boots anymore. Boots that are all leather worn with good wool socks breathe just fine and are less hot.

Trail shoes don't work in my line of work because I'm almost never on a trail. Usually way off trail in very rugged terrain. I'd get a pair of Jim Greens if I was going to be up here much longer. The desert boots similar to those types used by the military will serve my needs, I just wanted to hear what recent veterans thought of the different brands.

Let's hear that story about that South African you worked with!

I've been wearing GoRuck MACV-1's for the last 2 years and have been real happy with them. I'm hard on boots and rarely get more than a year out of them before they're falling apart. I'm still on my first pair 2 years in and they're holding up great, although I'm on my 3rd set of laces. They say the design is proudly non-waterproof, very well vented and dry out easily. Their Ballistic Trainer shoes are great too. Highly recommend them.

I'd probably get a pair of those if only they had more tread on the soles.

I haven't hiked much in them, although they did fine on trails in Big Bend and Colorado. Mostly I work in them, and they still have good tread left after spending 2 years around fertilizer, ag chemicals, and Jet-A.

I still wear both pairs of issued Danner Marine Expeditionary Boots for hunting and so forth. They lasted the forever

I've used my hoka Mafate 2s as approach shoes on multiple high alpine expeditions and did 50 miles in them in Big Bend in January with a 50lb pack. Unless youre going off trial in some gnarly brush I'd seriously consider a trial runner

I'm almost never on a trail. Knarly brush, lots of volcanic rock (cooled lava flow), steep hillsides with scree. It gets nasty. I won't use a pair of tail shoes for this work. A decent pair of over the ankle desert boots will be fine.

I was just fine with issues boots, although I did buy a pair of Rockies, but still wore the issue boots more of them than not. This was in garrison as well as 2x Iraq and 1x Afghanistan. I also like the pair of Merrel Boots we were authorized to wear by our brigade. They were pretty solid, especially since our military issue mountain boots didn't even survive the sidewalks of Fort Polk the month prior to deployment.

I have a pair of Oakley Light Assault Boots that I got for $25 on clearance at DSG a while back. They are probably one of the best light boots I've ever bought. Comfortable as hell, breathe well, tough, and good traction.

I remember arriving at Fort Richardson right out of basic and learning we were authorized to buy Danner Ft Lewis boots. They were great until you sweated so much while road marching the goretex became soggy and couldn't wick moisture nor repel water. Back then, most of us were so ignorant we all wore cotton socks because the issued wool versions were horrible. Smart Wool and Darn Tough sucks were unheard of for some reason.

JABQ04 said:

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I was just fine with issues boots, although I did buy a pair of Rockies, but still wore the issue boots more of them than not. This was in garrison as well as 2x Iraq and 1x Afghanistan. I also like the pair of Merrel Boots we were authorized to wear by our brigade. They were pretty solid, especially since our military issue mountain boots didn't even survive the sidewalks of Fort Polk the month prior to deployment.

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Merrell does make a non-waterproof "tactical" boot that would probably be worth a look. It is built to the mil-spec mentioned above, but I have had several pairs of Merrells (not the tactical model) that were very comfortable.

A decent pair of Salomon's seems ideal, such as the Quest 4D

BlueSmoke said:

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A decent pair of Salomon's seems ideal, such as the Quest 4D

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That is my recommendation, I had a retired Green Beret friend recommend them to me and like them.

Those Salomans look really good, and tempting.

I have a pair of the Salomon Men's Quest 4D 3 Gore-TEX Backpacking Boots. They are not what you are looking for because they are waterproof and have GT.

That being said, they are some of the most comfortable hiking boots I've ever had. Put them to the test during a devil's river aoudad hunt.

It looks as if they make a non gore tex version, also. Really tempting..

marcel ledbetter said:

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It looks as if they make a non gore tex version, also. Really tempting..

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Didn't see it on the Salomon website when I looked. If it was somewhere else, might want to make sure they are not just mislabeling the Gore-Tex model.

It was on a site selling GI authorized boots. The add stated the boots were also available in a waterproof version. I guess that means goretex.

I wore Salomon, Bates, Lowa, and Oakley while deployed in urban and mountain terrains. Salomon had a longer break-in period to feel good on my feet. Once they did, they were great all around. Bates are tough with the hardest soles. They lasted the longest. The Lowas were ok in all aspects and best in the mountains due to the stiffer sides (ankle roll). The Oakleys were softest soled and were best at urban work. Never trusted them for super rugged terrain. I rank them in that order.

If you need ankle support...Crispi Nevada GTX. Amazing for side hill walking.