Altama Jungle Boots: Domestic vs. 'other'

T

The REAL Commander

Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
278
Hello folks, I usually stick to the WSS forums, but though this would be the best place to post. I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Altama Jungle boots, in specific the "domestic" ones made in USA. I am a big "buy at home" guy, and wanted to know if the quality of these boots reflects the craftsmanship one would expect from a North American product. Also, how do they compare vs other domestic manufacturers, and even moreso, how do they compare vs the Altama jungle boots not made in USA? I am unable to find any milspec olive drab jungles from Altama, and this is the color scheme I wish to have for nostalgia sake, and while I understand that a milspec boot would indeed be superior, I am prepared to settle for a civilian model if the quality is good, the boot is comfortable, and the color scheme is similar to what was issued in 'nam. Other suggestions are welcome as well; perhaps someone knows of a manufacturer in the US or Canada that makes a good milspec olive drab jungle boot?

Thanks very much in advance, and I look forward to hearing the various reviews and comments.

Glenn
 
Altima's are pretty decent. I use to prefer Wellco (they are still made in the USA), but they no longer carry the OD green jungles either and only have black. Another "not so original" recommendation would be OTB jungle boots. They started out as American made, but since they're joined New Balance shoes, I'm not sure if they still are; regardless, they are the most comfortable, light and tough jungle boots I've used...and they still come in OD. You best option for orignal OD jungle boots would be ebay...sizes are pretty much spot on to your regular shoe size.

ROCK6
 
I bought a pair several months ago.They are good warm weather boots.I am pushing 300 lbs and wear a 13w.The soles lost their cushion much faster than any other boots I have had.Don't think I will buy another pair.
My next pair will be Rocky S2v in black for work,bought a pair in the green for non work and love them.
 
I've been buying and wearing "Made in the USA" Altama boots since 1991.......I've gone through quite a few pairs but they last a good long time for the money. There are more "hard-core" options out there, but Altama makes a tough, long-lasting boot. I've worn them on and off duty and in several hostile environments with no problems what-so-ever. With this said, the Altama's that come with rigid shanks last longer than the non or half shank models. I'm 6'2", 185lbs and wear a size 11.5 medium width boot.
 
what makes them "milspec" is the inclusion of a metal shank, this was spec'd in Vietnam due to the presence of pungi sticks- I don't think a steel shank is necessary for jungle use (unless you are chasing two legged villains through the jungle :D)

the difference in price is $20 on the domestic vs US, not sure what (if any) differences there are- personally I'd fork over the extra $20 knowing that someone stateside will benefit from my purchase

I know Mike and Jeff (Esse Jungle Training) are big on the Altama boots, I'd like to try the OTB ones personally- extremely light- they also have a neat draining footbed
 
according to Altama.com they still offer the made in USA OD jungle boot.
personally, I prefer the black speed lacer version, but that's what I'm used to.
(currently my hiking/camping boots are Altama " 'cruit boots")
 
mtwarden said:
what makes them "milspec" is the inclusion of a metal shank, this was spec'd in Vietnam due to the presence of pungi sticks- I don't think a steel shank is necessary for jungle use (unless you are chasing two legged villains through the jungle :D)

the difference in price is $20 on the domestic vs US, not sure what (if any) differences there are- personally I'd fork over the extra $20 knowing that someone stateside will benefit from my purchase

I know Mike and Jeff (Esse Jungle Training) are big on the Altama boots, I'd like to try the OTB ones personally- extremely light- they also have a neat draining footbed
Click to expand...

I don't know about altama but most companies avoid steel for the shank because of weight- I know danner uses fiberglass
 
Great replies folks, and thank you all for your input. I doubt I will be stepping on any spikes or dropping into any booby traps, so I doubt I need any steel shanks or plates, therefore the non-milspec should do just fine from what I understand. What concerns me most, as fate would have it, is eyelet integrity. I have had a lot of trouble in the past with bootlace eyelets coming free from the material. Are they secured well in the Alatama US-made boots? Also, do the soles bend readily or are they prone to stress separation (kneel down with toes bent forward and sole tears like a folded eraser) ? I am also curious about size and fit. For example, I wear a 11 1/2 wide shoe, so are the Altamas close to dead on, or do they tend to lean toward small or big? I am just wondering, since I am a rather old gent whose feet certainly don't need any sudden surprises, heheh.

Again, thank you all very much for your valued input!

Glenn
 
The REAL Commander said:
Great replies folks, and thank you all for your input. I doubt I will be stepping on any spikes or dropping into any booby traps, so I doubt I need any steel shanks or plates, therefore the non-milspec should do just fine from what I understand. What concerns me most, as fate would have it, is eyelet integrity. I have had a lot of trouble in the past with bootlace eyelets coming free from the material. Are they secured well in the Alatama US-made boots? Also, do the soles bend readily or are they prone to stress separation (kneel down with toes bent forward and sole tears like a folded eraser) ? I am also curious about size and fit. For example, I wear a 11 1/2 wide shoe, so are the Altamas close to dead on, or do they tend to lean toward small or big? I am just wondering, since I am a rather old gent whose feet certainly don't need any sudden surprises, heheh.

Again, thank you all very much for your valued input!

Glenn
Click to expand...

I'm reluctant to say they are dead on, but I do wear my regular shoe size...9.5 and they fit just fine; however, I really recommend trying a pair on or if you mail order be prepared to try and and send back if they don't fit (if you can't try them on locally).

I've never had Altima, Wellco, Danner, Bates, Belleville, etc. soles separate on me. My Altima's were used pretty roughly in both Iraq and Afghanistan (7 days a week/16-20 hours a day), and I've worn the older OD Jungles for numerous deployments and field exercises. Either the tread wears down flat or the sewing will start to wear out on the back/sides before there's any tread separation or torn eyelets. I can't remember any eyelets tearing out or breaking off, however I have replaced dozens of worn out laces laces.

The flexiblity is pretty good and they really don't take much to break in, but you'll want to do wear them daily for short periods before taking them on a long/extended walk/hike. You'll get good movement yet still adequate ankle support. I always add a decent pair of insoles for added comfort as I wear them every day for work (desert jungles that is).

ROCK6
 
I have never had, or heard of any combat boots of any kinds eyelets come out/off etc. And I usually where a pair until there's no sole left- and I guarantee the soles will last
 
XanRa said:
I don't know about altama but most companies avoid steel for the shank because of weight- I know danner uses fiberglass
Click to expand...

The steel in the jungle boots was very thin and flexible. I doubt the average person could tell the weight between a steel and non steel boot without a scale.
 
Actually, wellco ceo was jailed for 41 months for claiming some boots that were made in China were made in USA. I believe this happened in 2018. They defrauded the government concerning the berry act which states troops must be fed and clothed in American made products. Wellco was cheating the system. Also I do believe altama had a contract before wellco and might have been the original builder of the jungle boot.
 
way7aa2acr said:
Actually, wellco ceo was jailed for 41 months for claiming some boots that were made in China were made in USA. I believe this happened in 2018. They defrauded the government concerning the berry act which states troops must be fed and clothed in American made products. Wellco was cheating the system. Also I do believe altama had a contract before wellco and might have been the original builder of the jungle boot.
Click to expand...
RO SEARCH / Wellco was first as far as I know.
The first US jungle boots with DMS construction ( direct moulded soles ) I believe was made by them.

You do know this thread is over a decade old right ?
 
When I was working at the hospital ag Great Lakes, we always were having people deploy to various parts of the world and they would require speciality uniforms and boots before deployment.. I used to order any where between 10 and 45 pair of Altama boots all the time for these deploying troops and after I while, I started wearing them as a rotational footware besides my GSG9s and my Oakley boots.. I never heard one person gripe about the altama and I wore them when I came back to work as a police man here in the south pacific.. Never had any problems, always kept an extra set of inserts stuck in them because of the amount of time I was on my feet.
 
Ruze shoes has a good price online for the Altama jungle boot in desert sand with Panama sole so I figured I would give them a try. I think I paid 72 dollars including tax and shippong and they go for a lot more Amazon.. around 125. They initially sent the wrong size so I had to send them back for an exchange and hopefully they will send me the right size this time.
 
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