Military boot sizing help

C

collecter

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Aug 21, 2002
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Hi guys, I'm looking at a few ebay listings for new US issue combat boots but I'm confused with the sizing and could use your help.

Is boot sizing consistant with military supplies such as Altima, Wellco, Beleveville, McRea?

Typically I wear size 11 US (44Eur) but according Wellco or McRea sizing instructions I'm a 12 1/2. My foot measures 11.5" long x 4.125" wide.

What size boot should I order?

Thanks,
 
I have had some Wellco boots that felt small for the size but the Belleville boots I have right now ran a little big. I purchased some military boots off ebay before and found out too late that they were flawed or blems (and often don`t come with insoles)and I wish I had just gotten them from another source. It is really best if you can try one at least one pair from each brand at a store then decide what size you want ,then you can get them from where ever you like and will not have to return anything. Sorry my post was so lang I just wanted to save you the hassle I have dealt with in the past.
 
Is that a bat on batmans chest or is he wearing a bra in that picture? Dammit I'm confused. Yeah I to have been wondering as to what size Military boot I should buy. I also wear a size 11US. I would think though that if I did try on a pear somewhere and they fit I would just buy them on the spot instead of just using the store to try crap out and then buy online.
 
Sizing can always be a problem, especially for heavy duty footwear. If you try on a pair that do fit right, buy them there unless the price is way out of line. You will have to live with bad fit, or junk them and buy others, and there go your savings.

A knife is a knife, a shirt can fit a little snug, but don't mess with your feet.
 
I've bought boots online, you have to be prepared for a lottery; NOTHING beats trying on footwear before buying them. I would be cautious about buying footwear unless you can clearly return them if they don't fit. Sizings between companies seems to vary widely and that includes footwear.
 
A friend of mine had to re sell 2 pair purchased online due to size issues. I did find 2 new pair of new GI issue jungle boots, one tan one black-$5 total!!
 
most military boots stretch so dont buy a pair that fits well, by ones where your toes are just touching then ends of the boots, the leather will stretch a bit, ending up with a well fitting boot
 
I don't know about McRea, but I've been wearing Wellco, Altima, Danners, Matterhorns, Bellevilles, Bates and generic USGI issues for the past 20+years. I've also ordered my regular shoe/boot size (9.5, regular width) and they have worked fine. Only recently did a new pair of OTB Jungles seem a little on the small side...fortunately I don't wear thick socks since they are summer/wet weather boots, but thicker socks would make them a little cramped. As to all the others (minus McRea), I would try at least one pair on and go with the size that fits best and feel pretty confident the others will be pretty close to the same fit.

ROCK6
 
You should always order your size. That's how they're issued. But the problem is that the various manufacturers don't have very good uniform sizing or quality control, and you'll never know what manufacturer is going to make the boot you're issued. That's why I won't wear issue boots, and haven't for over two decades.

For example, I currently have two pair of issue boots. They're new, from the last 6 months. The Welco Temperate Weather boots are too big, the Belleville Hot Weather boots are too wide. Both are marked as the same size (11), but both are different size by fit. I'll be giving them away this coming weekend.

When we got ready to return CONUS after the last deployment (3 months ago) I had over a dozen soldiers give me boots that were not correct for the sizes ordered. They too went off to good homes with others who had the time to sit and make sure they fit. The point being you must try on boots to insure proper fit.

Last, there are NO new issue Jungle Boots. The Army quit issueing them in te early 1980's, and at that time offered them cheap to anyone on active duty to use up the remaining stocks. For a short time they were authorized wear (with ACUs) and then that too changed. Any "jungle boots" you purchase may be made to MILSPEC (or not) but that MILSPEC is over 30 years old and not current with the armed forces. There has never been an issue brown jungle boot.
 
Thanks for the replies. I guess it's too much of a gamble to order without trying them. That was my sense which is why I asked.

Thanks,
 
Typically I wear size 11 US (44Eur) but according Wellco or McRea sizing instructions I'm a 12 1/2. My foot measures 11.5" long x 4.125" wide.
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Where did you find this info? I'm confused. Are people suggesting he order his size (11US) Or the 12 1/2 McRea recommends?
 
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I have to agree with the cautions against buying online. I got a great deal on some Welco's a while back from LAPG ($20!) a complete waste. They're just too big. I've stuffed an insole in, worn big socks, they're like coyote tan clown shoes on me. What a shame. So if you buy, make sure you got a serious guarantee backing fit (returns and refunds.)


God bless,
Adam

PS: "Is that a bat on batmans chest or is he wearing a bra in that picture?" This is hilarious.
 
Sizing is wild especially if you have wide feet like me.

I have issued rocky hot weather boots that are marked 8.5W and fit perfectly. My normal civilian shoe size is closer to 10.5W. Go figure.

I got lucky with a pair of Nike SFBs, they don't have wide sizes so I ordered a half size up and they fit like a glove. I got them in the mail at 4pm on a Thursday and Friday morning at 0800 I stepped off on my EIB ruck march (12 miles) and had not a single blister. They are awesome.
 
eisman said:
There has never been an issue brown jungle boot.
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I think a lot of people consider the light-weight desert boots with similar "jungle" soles as "desert jungles". They don't have the drain holes and have similar looks to the older issue jungles except with the tan suede...although they are far from jungle boots! Wellco makes the best example and my preference for the lighter desert boots. Well, I'll get my fourth RFI issue in a couple of weeks...every issue has been different and this is supposed to be the multicam stuff...just more stuff!

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
I think a lot of people consider the light-weight desert boots with similar "jungle" soles as "desert jungles". They don't have the drain holes and have similar looks to the older issue jungles except with the tan suede...although they are far from jungle boots! Wellco makes the best example and my preference for the lighter desert boots. Well, I'll get my fourth RFI issue in a couple of weeks...every issue has been different and this is supposed to be the multicam stuff...just more stuff!

ROCK6
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You'll get some "Danner" mountain boots. Two pairs. If you're lucky you'll get actual Danners. If not you'll get the copies made by Bates like I got. I don't hate them but they are visually lower quality than the Danners and for our RFI the boot you got was determined by sizes.
 
I just ordered some New Balance 978s from New Balance and a lot of the reviews said that there running about 1/2 a size small. Ordering larger worked. Maybe there are reviews of the type that you’re buying some place?
 
I think a lot of people consider the light-weight desert boots with similar "jungle" soles as "desert jungles".
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Well, that's jut stupid. Anyone who's stood in the desert's 120+ degree weather knows you'd never want a boot with the old "puncture proof" soles. They'd get hotter than hell.

The big problem with those light boots is that in A'stan they're too flexible. You want a stiff boot with a hard sole to beat the rocks.
 
eisman said:
Well, that's jut stupid. Anyone who's stood in the desert's 120+ degree weather knows you'd never want a boot with the old "puncture proof" soles. They'd get hotter than hell.

The big problem with those light boots is that in A'stan they're too flexible. You want a stiff boot with a hard sole to beat the rocks.
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Yeah, those puncture proof soles were a thin piece of sheet metal (not sure if steel alloy or aluminum), but I remember my worn out Jungles had that sheet metal break and every time I walked you could here it "clicking". As you know the look-alike suede jungle boots have a synthetic sole, but looks is where they stop.

ROCK6
 
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