Thread: Favorite boots
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Old 10-09-2004, 13:52   #59
The Reaper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by odoylerules
Hate to bring up a thread this old, but it seemed more appropriate than starting one of my own.

Having read a lot of threads about boots here, there are a few recurring patterns that make me curious.

First off, green jungle boots are preferred over black jungle boots. Why? Is there a significant difference between them to merit this? (According to the Wellco website, the only difference seems to be green jungles are made of a different material and have only eyelets for laces, instead of speed lacing.)

On that subject, do you prefer speed lacing or all eyelets? Can 550 cord be used in either, or only in the all eyelet set up?

Finally, everyone seems to be glad that the old all leather boots are gone. But then, a lot of people say that jungle boots are their favorite boots. Jungles seem pretty similar to all leathers. Does this mean that ICBs are way better than jungle boots too?

Thanks,
Doyle

EDIT TO ADD: The Vibram Sierra sole on Belleville and Altama ICBs seems very similar to the Tuff Kushion design of Wellco. Are they the same?
I usually wear the Wellcos.

They have a tremendous variety of confiigurations, and I am pretty particular.

I liked the old original US GI jungle boots except for the following.

No speed laces, some "bite" on the top of the foot, piss poor insoles, and zero cushioning in the soles. The next version (the newer black one) addressed the speedlace and biting issues, but had nylon uppers (hotter and prone to melt, rather than cotton) and a big collar around the top. The soles/insoles still sucked.

The ICB is a great cool weather boot, but in the summer, your feet will sweat a quart in them.

For the summer, I wear a Wellco Tuffcushion jungle boot, black cotton uppers, speed laces, no collar. It is great and very comfortable for short distances. If I were rucking a lot as a field boot, I might have the toe/heel boxes removed and the metal shank.

For the winter, I wear the Belleville version of the ICB, but will switch to the Wellco ICB if/when I ever wear them out.

The most comfortable boot I own is the Wellco Desert boot. Outstanding warm/hot weather boot, but not authorized with BDUs.

All of my boots (except my Jump Boots) have black 550 cord laces.

The Ingenius socks are the heat and will make up for many boot deficiencies.

Good insoles like the Superfooot can help, but I cannot bring myself to part with $30 for insoles when my first pair of jungle boots were $12.

I believe that the Tuffcushion soles are proprietary to Wellco.

Good luck.

TR
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