Airsoft boots - what to buy? (Was in the 'how did your day go' thread)

[Colin Allen]

Dan, I've been looking at the YDS Kestrel boots, they're in stock in 10W for me, grade 1, and reviews seem positive though they're 'only' a patrol boot and thus not very 'technical' in their features.  But they're relatively lightweight (1.7kg) and reviews say they are comfortable out of the box.

Don’t!  They are very old fashioned boots; awkward and uncomfortable when worn over any length of time.

Guys all these recommendations are

A) Really helpful

B) Giving me too much choice ?

I'm going to suffer a paralysis of indecision if I'm not careful.

I think, given I've got the paratrooper boots and no one here is going to buy them off me, that desert or lightweight boots are the way to go.  That way I retain a choice of type of footwear (for different seasons)

I'm now rather regretting letting those Iturri Desert boots go this morning... £35 for some very good condition boots in 10 Wide, I can't find any similar stock at the same price point anywhere.  But I need to remind myself I'm not in a tearing hurry, a week and a half before the next skirmish, and I could wear the clod-hoppers if I need to...

I think I'll be looking at the various Haix desert boots available next...

(I'm currently watching YT videos about the history of the jungle boots, they're still in the running too!)

Edit:

I found these Bates patrol boots in my size (hopefully, that is)

£25 for a pair of very lightweight (1.2kg the pair) boots... Are they cheap because they're shit, or just not because they're not very fashionable?  At that price, for a boot that is so lightweight yet seems to be reasonably well reviewed, I might give them a go.  I'll go watch some reviews videos ...

https://goarmy.co.uk/products/bates-combat-boots-brown

These are quite similar to the YDS boots; old fashioned, awkward and not particularly comfortable.

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

I've waxed and then schlepped around the garden and patio in The Boots Of Stomping for a while and come to the inevitable conclusion that light flexible boots are what I want next.

(The para boots actually feel a lot lighter once they're on the feet than when I'm carrying them around but they'll have me slowed down by the end of the day, I'm sure)

I'll have a look at the Merrells out there.  Thanks @Lozart

@Colin Allen which would you recommend as the best / lightest desert or brown patrol boot, given my desire for lightness?

And... at the moment I've been using a pair of old wellie boot socks, but they've worn through.  Or sports socks, which definitely aren't the best in terms of keeping my feet fresh.   Most things I've seen mention merino wool socks, Any recommendations there?  The goarmy website sells one pair for £7 where as I can get 3 pairs off Amazon for £12, is that false economy?

 

[Lozart]

And... at the moment I've been using a pair of old wellie boot socks, but they've worn through.  Or sports socks, which definitely aren't the best in terms of keeping my feet fresh.   Most things I've seen mention merino wool socks, Any recommendations there?  The goarmy website sells one pair for £7 where as I can get 3 pairs off Amazon for £12, is that false economy?

Bridgedale Trekker socks, 1000 Mile socks or Thorlo Light Hiker socks would be my recommendation. Don't cheap out on socks, it's a false economy. If you want better pricing, get a GoOutdoors membership (like £5 a year or something) and get discount on EVERYTHING they sell.

 

[Colin Allen]

@Colin Allen which would you recommend as the best / lightest desert or brown patrol boot, given my desire for lightness?

Best desert boots: Iturri, by a very long way, but they are not good in the wet without sealskinz socks.

Best patrol boots: Iturri. Light, comfortable and pretty much waterproof if treated properly with waterproofing wax.
 

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Iturri (desert or patrol, depending on what I can find), and nice socks it is then!   Thanks chaps!

 

[Colin Allen]

Bridgedale Trekker socks, 1000 Mile socks or Thorlo Light Hiker socks would be my recommendation. Don't cheap out on socks, it's a false economy. If you want better pricing, get a GoOutdoors membership (like £5 a year or something) and get discount on EVERYTHING they sell.

1000 mile socks are great.  As an alternative, I have been using these for walking, airsoft and everyday use for years and have covered an awful lot of miles in them: https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc141251954

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Well that's done it, those Iturri Desert boots that I missed out on yesterday have popped back up on eBay.   I made an offer of £35 and it's been accepted, so I should get them in time for the next skirmish, or indeed the next trip to the pub ??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-British-Army-Brown-Iturri-Desert-Boots-Size-10L-Bushcraft-Wildcamping-/374741970759

Thanks everyone for all your valuable input ?. I know I tend to overthink my Airsoft purchases, but to me all this research is good fun in itself ?

 

[Leo Greer]

I’m a little late here, but if you ever want to spend the beans, the Salomon Crosshikes are amazing—by far the best shoe I’ve ever used. I hike difficult/steep/wet terrain with some frequency throughout the Americas and Europe.

I ate through my Keen boots after a trip to the Rockies, and the Salomons have lasted over a year of use at this point, which is really considering my track record with hiking/outdoors shoes.

they also weigh something like 1kg total for the pair…

 

[Colin Allen]

Well that's done it, those Iturri Desert boots that I missed out on yesterday have popped back up on eBay.   I made an offer of £35 and it's been accepted, so I should get them in time for the next skirmish, or indeed the next trip to the pub ??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-British-Army-Brown-Iturri-Desert-Boots-Size-10L-Bushcraft-Wildcamping-/374741970759

Thanks everyone for all your valuable input ?. I know I tend to overthink my Airsoft purchases, but to me all this research is good fun in itself ?

Excellent!  I have been wearing mine today.  I only own one pair of shoes, which are for when I have to wear black tie.  I own 17 pairs of issue boots.

 

[Rogerborg]

 I only own one pair of shoes, which are for when I have to wear black tie.

People meet the monarch wearing issue boots.

 I own 17 pairs of issue boots.

Is it possible that you have a boots issue? ?

 

[Dan Robinson]

I've ordered a pair of 13M Iturri desert boots for myself....  Hopefully they'll come tomorrow for pewing Sunday.

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

I only own one pair of shoes, which are for when I have to wear black tie.  I own 17 pairs of issue boots.

View attachment 109448

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

I've ordered a pair of 13M Iturri desert boots for myself....  Hopefully they'll come tomorrow for pewing Sunday.

If they're shit, we'll go round to that Colin bloke's house and sort him ahhhhhhhhhhhhht!

 

[Colin Allen]

If they're shit, we'll go round to that Colin bloke's house and sort him ahhhhhhhhhhhhht!

Fair enough.  I will be near Milton Keynes on Thursday; ask your second to contact mine to make the arrangements.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

Ooh, a duel, what we going for? Slapsies? Handbags at 20 paces?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Game of good old fashioned Mercy? 

I was champion at that. 

Anyway, new boots arrived and fit nicely. 

Problem is.... The boy got tackled at school yesterday playing American football.  Ie when I grew up "sissy rugby", and occasionally, rugby league with body armour. 

Anyway.  The big softy had a bad sprain to his wrist and the doctor said no airsoft or drumming. 

Now I could be a big meany pants and go alone, but I'm not that much of a barsteward. ?

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Looks like I'm going to miss at least half of next week's Spec Ops skirmish, I'm going down to Brighton on Friday night to see a band.  Likely staying over in London.  But I can't wait long for my 'fix' so I'm going to try to be there for the afternoon... I want to try out the SIG 552 and the new boots ?

 

[Colin Allen]

Ooh, a duel, what we going for? Slapsies? Handbags at 20 paces?

It would have been the traditional way: throwing blancmanges at each other from the baskets of hot air balloons.  It is how I repeatedly duel with my mortal foe, Roger the Welshman (that isn't an instruction).

Game of good old fashioned Mercy? 

I was champion at that. 

Anyway, new boots arrived and fit nicely. 

Problem is.... The boy got tackled at school yesterday playing American football.  Ie when I grew up "sissy rugby", and occasionally, rugby league with body armour. 

Anyway.  The big softy had a bad sprain to his wrist and the doctor said no airsoft or drumming. 

Now I could be a big meany pants and go alone, but I'm not that much of a barsteward. ?

I am pleased to hear about the boots.

Go and play, and tell him what a brilliant day you had .  Hope he recovers rapidly.

 

[Colin Allen]

People meet the monarch wearing issue boots.

Is it possible that you have a boots issue? ?

I very definitely have an issue boots issue, and I don't care.

I have worn black tie with black issued German boots; nobody seemed to notice.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

It would have been the traditional way: throwing blancmanges at each other from the baskets of hot air balloons.

Ahh yes, the french style, can't go wrong with a classic.