Vic (Rattlehead)
New Member
I will strike when the iron is hot, and bend it to my will.
Posts: 332
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Post by Vic (Rattlehead) on Jul 22, 2013 22:02:53 GMT -5
You don't have to get brand names, but if you don't then there is a much higher chance of getting a shit product. There are lots of things to consider, mostly personal preference. Do you like 8" or 6" tall boots? Do you prefer breathability or waterproofness? Steel toe, composite, or nothing? There are so many options. Well, comfort and weight are definitely a big plus for me. I want to be light on my feet, I like being able to run from cover to cover without lagging behind my team mates haha. IF I end up playing in the winter months, I'll wear my waterproof boots, but during the dry months, on dry fields, I'd prefer a lighter boot. I currently have a pair of 6" work boots, and I like 'em. The insoles in them are going bad after 4 months of use, but that's normal for any average boot, and an easy fix with some aftermarket insoles. As far as steel toe/composite, well I don't think I really need all that stuff for airsoft, but being that I'm new that's more of an educated guess than anything else. Maybe there is some use to a steel toe boot that I haven't been made aware of. I think next chance I get I'll go try a few different pairs here an there, but if I try those Kmart boots and they seem comfortable enough, I might just go with 'em(plus they're only on sale until the 27th, and good deals are hard to resist! haha). Anyhow, thanks for the input, it's much appreciated!
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Post by Gimpalong on Jul 23, 2013 8:56:21 GMT -5
Take a look at the boots in the closeout section on LAPoliceGear. Some pretty decent deals in there, especially on the Bates RAT.
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Vic (Rattlehead)
New Member
I will strike when the iron is hot, and bend it to my will.
Posts: 332
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Post by Vic (Rattlehead) on Jul 23, 2013 9:41:45 GMT -5
Take a look at the boots in the closeout section on LAPoliceGear. Some pretty decent deals in there, especially on the Bates RAT. I'll give it a look now. I'm a little concerned about not being able to try them on before buying, but thanks for the heads up! If anything I'm right about to go to Kmart to try on the ones I mentioned earlier. I'll report when I get back. If I do like them enough to get them, and I end up with them on the field, maybe I'll post a review on here somewhere. They're extremely budget friendly for someone new to the sport, especially to someone who won't wear them for anything else than airsofting. Sure a pair of $100 boots is something you won't regret, but only if you're willing to wear them to work/college/shopping/hiking/everything else. If they sit in your closet between airsoft games, especially for a newbie like me, I'd regret it.
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Post by Gimpalong on Jul 23, 2013 11:03:00 GMT -5
I've also found great deals on boots at military surplus shops. For example, I found a $10 pair of the old leather Army boots from the 1990s at a shop in Columbus OH. Aside from being a bit beat up, dusty and slightly too narrow they were great boots and I wore them not only for airsoft but for lots of hikes in SE Ohio.
I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying boots at K-Mart, I'm just suggesting that there are a lot of places that you can get good quality boots for quite cheap.
Another thing to look at might be a hiking shoe like those made by Merrell, Teva or Columbia. They don't always offer as much support, but they have pretty aggressive tread and can be worn every day as regular shoes.
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Post by Tank on Jul 23, 2013 13:27:13 GMT -5
I wear Merrell Geomorph Blaze Mid Waterproof boots as a daily wear. They are great boots and very comfortable, but I've never tried them for airsoft. The boots I use for airsoft are Bates GX-8 GORE-TEX Side Zip Boots. I can't rave enough about them. Super comfortable, water proof is an understatement, and the lightest shoe I have ever worn. They weigh way less than my Merrells that are only mid height boots. antihero, if you want to try on Bates boots, the Harry's Army Surplus on Telegraph at least use to carry them. I haven't checked in years, but that is where I bought mine. I would only use them for trying them on, I would follow Gimpalong's advice on the LAPoliceGear.com closeout section. They don't always have what you want on sale, when you want it, but when they do the prices are stupid cheap.
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Post by snafu on Jul 23, 2013 17:54:42 GMT -5
I recommend Keen hiking boots. After owning several pairs of merrels I bought these and I'm in love. I have wider feet and the Keens fit perfect for me. You really can't go wrong with any quality hiking boots however.
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Deuce
New Member
Posts: 313
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Post by Deuce on Jul 23, 2013 18:01:07 GMT -5
Mine are expensive but I'd recommend Belleville boots. Best all around boots that I own, plus mine has gortex and vibram
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Vic (Rattlehead)
New Member
I will strike when the iron is hot, and bend it to my will.
Posts: 332
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Post by Vic (Rattlehead) on Jul 23, 2013 21:56:42 GMT -5
Okay, I'm going to attempt to reply to everyone as best I can, but I have a blister on my thumb so it's making the operation a bit challenging. First, I ended up trying the boots at Kmart. I tried them as-is, walked around, didn't like the feel of the insoles. So I tried them on with a pair of gel work boot insoles, and walked around some more. The comfort factor was there. They had a composite toe, which I didn't remember from the first time I encountered them. The toe added a bit of weight to the boot, and they ended up being a little heavier than I had remembered, but I was fine with that. I was set on buying them, but then I started looking at the construction of the shoe. I was so blinded by the cheap price that I had failed to notice the EXTREMELY POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP in it's construction. White padding was visible after the thread that held the side zipper on. The leather that holds the laces was a bit thin, possibly prone to ripping. The boots seemed to vary in color/shade, depending on which pair I was looking at. I decided instead of buying the boots for $35 and a $10 pair of insoles to make up for the boots' poor insoles, I'd save my money for the time being and get something decent. I'm still not entirely convinced I should spend $100 on a pair of boots I'll probably only wear for airsoft(I'm a musician, so nowadays all I wear are $12 converse from Walmart. Please don't judge me haha), especially after spending $60 on my goretex 8" sage boots last summer, but I'm a bit more open minded to the idea now. Anyhow, time to reply to everyone(Sorry for the long post); I've also found great deals on boots at military surplus shops. For example, I found a $10 pair of the old leather Army boots from the 1990s at a shop in Columbus OH. Aside from being a bit beat up, dusty and slightly too narrow they were great boots and I wore them not only for airsoft but for lots of hikes in SE Ohio. I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying boots at K-Mart, I'm just suggesting that there are a lot of places that you can get good quality boots for quite cheap. Another thing to look at might be a hiking shoe like those made by Merrell, Teva or Columbia. They don't always offer as much support, but they have pretty aggressive tread and can be worn every day as regular shoes. I'm really not against buying used shoes. Hell, if they've been to Iraq/Afghanistan, that just goes to show someone trusted them enough to wear them in combat. Since I'm not really planning on wearing them outside of airsoft, I'm not SUPER interested in a hiking shoe, but I'll give them a look. Thanks for the input! I wear Merrell Geomorph Blaze Mid Waterproof boots as a daily wear. They are great boots and very comfortable, but I've never tried them for airsoft. The boots I use for airsoft are Bates GX-8 GORE-TEX Side Zip Boots. I can't rave enough about them. Super comfortable, water proof is an understatement, and the lightest shoe I have ever worn. They weigh way less than my Merrells that are only mid height boots. antihero, if you want to try on Bates boots, the Harry's Army Surplus on Telegraph at least use to carry them. I haven't checked in years, but that is where I bought mine. I would only use them for trying them on, I would follow Gimpalong's advice on the LAPoliceGear.com closeout section. They don't always have what you want on sale, when you want it, but when they do the prices are stupid cheap. Harry's is a bit far, but I'll have to go there eventually to get myself a shemagh, and maybe some mag pouches. When I'm there, I'll remember to check out the boots they have there. I recommend Keen hiking boots. After owning several pairs of merrels I bought these and I'm in love. I have wider feet and the Keens fit perfect for me. You really can't go wrong with any quality hiking boots however. I'll give those a look-over also. I'm gonna have a lot of boots to look at, but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end! I'm kind of a research-freak. I don't like to buy ANYTHING unless I've read countless reviews from different sources. By the time I'm informed enough to make a purchase, I know more about the product than most people who OWN it haha.Mine are expensive but I'd recommend Belleville boots. Best all around boots that I own, plus mine has gortex and vibram I believe I've heard of that brand before. I have a pair of Goretex sage boots, and TWO pairs of Vibram Fivefingers... Does that count? Haha just kidding, but seriously though, I'll look into them, but if you say they're expensive, I'm probably gonna freak when I see the price tag. Anyhow, thanks for the input! I hope I answered everyone correctly! This blister is seriously driving me insane!!!
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Deuce
New Member
Posts: 313
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Post by Deuce on Jul 23, 2013 23:05:29 GMT -5
The model I bought were expensive, it's been a while since I looked but I do recall some lower priced boots ($125 ish).
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Vic (Rattlehead)
New Member
I will strike when the iron is hot, and bend it to my will.
Posts: 332
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Post by Vic (Rattlehead) on Jul 24, 2013 10:00:01 GMT -5
The model I bought were expensive, it's been a while since I looked but I do recall some lower priced boots ($125 ish). $125 is on the expensive side for me. I'm hoping to get a decent pair for around $75 hopefully. I know that's low for a decent pair of tactical boots, and I understand that I'll never regret good footwear, but I've got so many other things I need to save my money for, like a primary for one, and a bunch of other things, like mag pouches, holster, etc.
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Post by Gimpalong on Jul 24, 2013 10:36:41 GMT -5
I hate to keep yelling about this, but this is just too good of a deal not to make like 5 threads about. www.lapolicegear.com/co-bates-29502-usmc-rat.html. I really want a pair myself, but I've already got a lot of boots... Sorry if I missed this, but what are you doing for your gear and rifle? You've decided on the Combat Machine or you're going to wait and try some different guns out?
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Deuce
New Member
Posts: 313
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Post by Deuce on Jul 24, 2013 10:50:46 GMT -5
To start, all you need is a gun, face/eye protection, good footwear, and some high caps. Once you get all that down, than work your way up to gear and upgrades.
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Vic (Rattlehead)
New Member
I will strike when the iron is hot, and bend it to my will.
Posts: 332
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Post by Vic (Rattlehead) on Jul 24, 2013 11:12:46 GMT -5
I hate to keep yelling about this, but this is just too good of a deal not to make like 5 threads about. www.lapolicegear.com/co-bates-29502-usmc-rat.html. I really want a pair myself, but I've already got a lot of boots... Sorry if I missed this, but what are you doing for your gear and rifle? You've decided on the Combat Machine or you're going to wait and try some different guns out? Holy crap! That's a good deal! It isn't exactly new though. I'll watch some reviews or something, but not to be picky, but they're not the tan I was looking for, but for the price I'll give them a solid look. People are saying that LApolicegear has some issues with not warning customers about backorders ahead of time, though. I'm a little concerned about that... For my gear, I've already got a zip-up OD MOLLE vest I got last summer(Look at my DP for reference), I'm just gonna get some open top mag pouches from ASGI, A drop leg holster, a shemagh to protect my neck, and eventually some Smith Optics Boogie Regulators, a mesh mask(the ones that cover the lower face and ears), and maybe later a FAST helmet. For my primary, I'm pretty sold on the G&G Combat Machine Raider M4(standard length barrel), but unfortunately unless there's an airsoft store in the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area that lets you try out their guns that I haven't heard of, and that has a decent selection, I've got no way of trying any guns out. The G&G has pretty good reviews by many different known reviewers, so I trust it is reliable.
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Post by Phantom Reaper on Jul 24, 2013 11:19:38 GMT -5
I've been meaning to ask, whats that glove you're wearing in your picture? On your right hand. *Edit* P.S. check This out.
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Post by Crapshoot on Jul 24, 2013 13:08:03 GMT -5
I've heard lots of bad things about the Smith Boogies, and for only $15 more, you can get the Bolle X1000s ( www.lapolicegear.com/bolle-x1000-goggles.html ). I have used these for 1.5 years, they are so comfortable that I forget I'm wearing them (no joke) and don't fog even though I've cleaned the lenses only once and never used antifog. They are also lower profile than ESS NVGs and Revision Desert Locusts.
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