Desert boots for Bushcraft?

C

Call_to_Arms

Joined
Apr 13, 2011
Messages
394
Hey guys
Is anyone using tan desert boot in a woodland environment? I know they are meant for sandy arid regions but a nearby surplus store has bins and bins of Canadian issue desert boots that I assume came back from Afghanistan for dirt cheap, in excellent shape. Does anyone have any experience in waterproofing them? I know most oil/beeswax type products say specifically not for suede, has anyone tried anyway? or found better? Thanks
 
Why wouldn't they work, the military uses them.
 
it's all I wear. when I was in the infantry and they got rid of the black leather boots and switch to the desert boots it was amazing lol. the US army boots are very comfy. they dry quick and breath well.
 
Are they ones that are just canvas uppers? I've been looking for some of those. I wear either my Merrill Moab ventilators, or my Danner Marine hot weather boots. But I like the simplicity of the canvas ones.
 
I am really surprised by these responses, thanks guys. I cant link to the store selling them but I can tell you they are the ones with suede like leather for the lower 4" and canvas for the upper. Like this:
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Are these things in anyway waterproof? I should have mentioned I am not in Socal, im in Canada, it can be very damp here year 'round. If you step in a puddle in these are you going to get wet?
 
Those look almost identical to my Danners, even down to the sole. I wear them on most of my wanderings (I'm in a really hot and dry area) I love them
 
Often the only way to tell is labels but one hint is they don`t have metal vents in the arch area ,those are never waterproof mostly because they have a screen door built in. The other type look just the same without the vents but some are gore-tex (or another brand of waterproof membrane) and then yet another type that look the same are cold weather lined but not waterproof. I am sure that I missed some of the types but you get the Idea ,also the suede can be coated in waterproofing but it changes the look of the leather and sometimes makes the suede pick up stains/dirt ,but it will make them resist water.
 
Those should be Bates, but even if they ain't, they're waterproof & actually, with a good set of wool socks, these are quite comfortable in knee deep snow! I didn't serve, but like you, I found 'em cheap & dug out a bran new pair for $40! They've seen a LOT of outdoor miles & quite a bit of indoor too! I used to wear 'em to work in inclement weather because they're relatively light but then started wearin' mine in the woods & they're surprisingly well adjusted for my climate. However, they're still pretty slick on ice so tread lightly on the clear & black clear stuff!
 
If they were Canadian issue, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were built to budget, and are not waterproof at all. I don't know though, I've never owned a pair of leather boots that were waterproof, even if they were labeled as such. if you can find a pair that fit good, whats the worst that happens?
 
I use desert boots working around the homestead only. The soles are on mine are very slippery on wet rocks.
 
Thanks for the input guys, I am holding these in a higher regard now. I am accustomed to black leather that I saturate in oil and then polish, which will make water bead right off of them, this material is new to me. They are very nearly identical in design to the CF combat and cold-wet weather boots except out of different material. If I can find them in my size I am going to try them out. Thanks again.
 
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