Trouble finding special boots

[Overkill]

Alright, so I have had a heck of a time locating some new boots after my last pair tanked. I haven't used tactical boots before (previously used an aged pair of hiking boots, hardly adequate), and would like to get a pair now because i always felt that it was an area where I really needed an upgrade.

My feet tend to get HOT, really hot, so I need a breathable boot. Unfortunately, I also need to get a waterproof boot, two elements that don't like to mix very much. I don't really wish to play in winter anymore, so insulation isn't a problem, and spring to fall is my outdoor play season. So far I have been looking at the:

(so far my top pick)
www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Footwear/8-Boots/XPRT-Tactical-Boot-8-Boot.html

I've also looked at a few Bates models and Magnums, but I can't seem to find something else that is comparable! All the Gore-tex boots have Thinsulate and seem to be for winter applications, not a light breathable waterproof warm-weather boot.

I've googled the heck out of this and keep hitting search overload, so I would appreciate some hard experience with this matter.

[sunshine]

Best boots I ever owned.

www.copshoes.com/p-C-8895.html

[Bison]

You can get the current issued boots at a decent price at a surplus store. They suck at first but once broken in they are decent. But if you want the most comfortable and durable go for some Oakleys. They feel like tennis shoes and havn't given me any issues as far as wear and tear. If your military you can get a discount at usstandardissue.com.

[solidsnake]

This is the pair that I personally own and love.

www.harrysarmysurplus.net/5090-gi-type-cordura-nylon-speedlace-jungle-boot.html

waterproof, no... but they are built to get wet, they have little drain holes on the sideof them, are build from a highy breathable mesh up the legs, they are comfortable, and when you do get them wet... they dry fast and are good to go. Did I mention they are cheap? This is just my opinion though. I would love to have a $100 pair of boots but I would also like a bunch of things haha so now that you have my two cents, its up to you what you do with it

[Thor]

Converse are good, Oakleys are good as well. These are the ones I have:

www.onlineshoes.com/mens-oakley-si-assault-boot-6-inch-11-desert-p_id240818

I don't think they are waterproof, but most boots aren't really and the ones that are tend to get kind of hot when you're wearing them all day.

I would highly recommend finding a boot you're interested in, and then hitting ebay, you will almost certainly pay less than you would at retail.

[Melson]

I would look into Merrell's. You can find them at Dunham's for not a whole lot. They aren't all necessarily boots but I believe they work great.

[Paranox]

I agree with Melson, Merrel makes some pretty good stuff. I own a set of Merrell Chameleon 3's, and Merrell sawtooths and they have both done very well for me. I also own a pair of Altima boots, and they do there job... however they're not the most comfortable until they're broken in. Now that they're broken in they're not so bad. However comparing them to my Merrell's, the Merrell's are a whole lot better.

[Zander]

www.bellevilleshoe.com/product.php

I use these Bellevue's and they are amazing. Single best gear purchase I have ever made. Very comfortable to run in and the quality is superb.

[Kir (3.14)]

I'm going to chime in with another vote on the Oakley's. Had two pairs that I wore religiously in country, and they are simply amazing.

[Thor]

The thing I like especially about the 6" Oakleys is that they don't feel much heavier than an athletic shoe. It doesn't feel like you're lugging around a boot on your feet all day, it feels like you're just romping about in a pair of shoes. And, in my case, they needed like almost no break in period, they were already comfortable right out of the box. Your mileage may vary however.

[ctres]

I just picked a pair of merrells yesterday, and so far I would reccomend them if you are at all considering a hiker style boot rather than a military style.

I got the moab mid goretex version in dark tan and I really love them so far. They haven't seen much use yet, so I really can't comment on durability, but I have worked around the yard in them a little bit, and I went on a couple mile bike ride in them today and they seem really nice. The same model is used by SEALs and other USSOF operators in Iraq and Afghanistan, so they are great for any impression.

So far, Here is what I think
1. They are really light, almost as light as a normal athletic shoe, and about twice as light as my Herman suvivor steel toed boots.
2. They are comfy, not much more to say on that.
3. They are quite breathable as there is lots of mesh, and yet the goretex keeps them nice and watertight. (I tested with the hose in my yard. I was just curious ;D)

I got mine for $120 at a store in downtown milford called "For Feets Sake" and they were really about the only shoe/boot in there that I would want to play airsoft in, but they were exactly what I was looking for.

[GrinchBiscuit]

You won't find a pair of breathable gore-tex boots.

I personally run a pair of New Balance 573's as my SEAL shoes. Best footwear purchase I've ever made.

[ctres]

I guess breathable probably wasn't a very accurate description, as waterproof and breathable don't usually mix. I haven't worn them enough to really see how the vent moisture, but they tend to stay quite cool.

As for the new balance, are there any pics of seals using those?

[GrinchBiscuit]

Haha, no.

I tend to use it as a euphemism for trail runners, of which SOF types have been photographed using.

[ctres]

Ah, yeah, those fairly recent pics of seals from some magazine show some of them wearing trail runners. The way I see it with footwear for an SOF impression, it doesn't really matter THAT much if you use something that hasn't been specifically documented since their boots vary so much anyways. Lots of that is just personal choice, and seeing as you are the one using the shoes/boots you just get something similar that works for you, just like the real operatorwould.