Boots for Beast and Garrison
- Thread starter ACMoodz
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845something
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Turn - your stipend is your monthly paycheck once you get to West Point. If you don't have boots on R-Day, they'll give you a pair. You can show up on R-Day with basically the clothes on your back and make it through. You don't "pay" for it then, everything they issue you is billed to your account and then money is taken out monthly from your paycheck to pay that off.
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Info accurate as of 2015 R-day, probably still accurate, but YMMV:
You are told to bring one pair of boots in the boot letter. If you do not, they will issue you two pairs.
You are charged for the boots you are issued on R-day. Comes out of the deposit or something like that. The published budget assumes you bring a pair, and are issued a 2nd pair.
If you chose to bring two pairs, you are not issued a 2nd pair, and do not get charged.
General consensus prior to R-day 2015 and confirmed to be accurate by our cadet and some others since:
- It's probably not worth the hassle of lugging around two pairs of boots on R-day.
- It's probably not worth being different. You may or may not catch grief for that. But you will be catching grief for something anyway.
- The boots you will be issued are not as nice as the ones on the boot list
- The issue boots make ideal inspection boots if left unworn
- If you need a second pair of "work boots", your parents can bring them on A-day. Or you can buy the oh-so-cool Nike's or Oakleys at the C-store after CBT and be like cadre
- Many of the parent club and unofficial groups have lists that were accurate at one point, may be good ideas, but are not gospel. And in some cases not accurate anymore
- The uniform factory is a place of bad memories (much smokage)
- Appointees worry too much about boots and the kit to bring.
- Pretty much all the points above also apply to low quarters
To quote an (infamous) grad on this site: "appointees can/should show up in ranger panties with a light coating of CLP.... anything they really need will be issued"
It's worth finding boots that fit well. Breaking in low quarters are key. Good black uniform socks (thorlo's, etc) are a huge win over issue. You'll need/want more white T's, preferably underarmor type. Same for compression shorts, etc. A good multi-tool will come in handy, as will some khaki or foilage duck tape. Pre-addressed/stamped envelopes and form letters are handy. It's worth having your kit packed in zip locks that allow inspection but easy transfer to your new bag. Don't be "Box Boy".... IE: a small non-descript duffle or gym bag will serve you well. Go beyond that and you invite "stuff". Need more than that and you are probably carrying too much!
Oh, and anything you forget can be mailed even during CBT if not contraband. Beyond that, its easy to worry too much.
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Are there any female cadets that could share advice on which boots to get for Beast?
MDMOM2017,
If you PM me I can get you in touch with some female cadets here who would be happy to give advice on getting boots.
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Are there any female cadets that could share advice on which boots to get for Beast?
I love the Khyber boots but they do tend to not be as durable as some of the other boots.
As a female cadet, I'd say definitely make sure you take the time to try them on and see what fits your foot best. Guys' feet tend to be a bit wider, and their sizes, particularly, in boots will not match up well with our's unless you take the time to try them on and find what works best for you.
Thanks for the advice. The word I was looking for was "voucher" not stipend. Forgive me. Regardless, what if we do not have the voucher when we go get our boots on our over night? Or will they manage to take it from our accounts anyway?
I don't know what you are talking about. The boot "letter" can be used to get you onto a military base to buy boots at a PX if you would otherwise would not have access to one, but I do not remember there being any "voucher." If you buy boots before Beast, it comes out of your own pocket, but you do not get charged for them during beast. If you wait until beast, you never "pay" for boots, but the money comes out of your cadet account (money you can't see/access).
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While it's probably worth checking the Cadet store while on overnight, recognize they will not have as wide of a size selection as AAFES does.
Knowing what we now know....
- Hit local bases to see what they have if they are convenient and have an exchange
- Try the specified (Usually bates) low quarters for size even if all they have is "shiny". Most will not have the one listed in the letter, but the Bates "shiny" are very close in fit to the specified ones, just don't quite stretch as much. But length & width are the same.
- If you can't find a base, then hit your Army-Navy surplus stores. Most will have the Bates low quarter in some form, it's a common uniform shoe for civvies as well. We founds 2-3 that had the various boots. When we explained the situation they either offered to get close to boot letter price, or were happy to let us try on for size.
- For the time we spent chasing bases, in retrospect we should have just ordered via AAFES. Prompt, polite, worked out perfectly.
Low quarters DS ordered via Cadet Store (another option for you), but they shipped a generic low quarter, and they were not as comfortable. So those were returned.
Back to AAFES, had exactly what he wanted very quickly.
If the fit is not right, you can return at your local base. (Or exchange if they have the right size). Or ship back, they'll send the new size and return authorization and cover the shipping.
Knowing what we now know....
- Hit local bases to see what they have if they are convenient and have an exchange
- Try the specified (Usually bates) low quarters for size even if all they have is "shiny". Most will not have the one listed in the letter, but the Bates "shiny" are very close in fit to the specified ones, just don't quite stretch as much. But length & width are the same.
- If you can't find a base, then hit your Army-Navy surplus stores. Most will have the Bates low quarter in some form, it's a common uniform shoe for civvies as well. We founds 2-3 that had the various boots. When we explained the situation they either offered to get close to boot letter price, or were happy to let us try on for size.
- For the time we spent chasing bases, in retrospect we should have just ordered via AAFES. Prompt, polite, worked out perfectly.
Low quarters DS ordered via Cadet Store (another option for you), but they shipped a generic low quarter, and they were not as comfortable. So those were returned.
Back to AAFES, had exactly what he wanted very quickly.
If the fit is not right, you can return at your local base. (Or exchange if they have the right size). Or ship back, they'll send the new size and return authorization and cover the shipping.
Sorry, I don't see how to PM (don't post much), but I don't know what would be private. If a female would like to share what boots were good for them during CBT, I/we would appreciate it!
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Female cadet here 
Personally, I would reccommend the khybers for females.
Bates makes a female version of the M8 boot, but even still, these boots are heavier duty, and weigh more.
During beast, you will be out in the woods, but having this heavy of a boot is not necessary. The khybers function like a sturdy tennis shoe, comfort, lighter, and they have good support.
When you are rucking those 14 miles back to west point, every ounce on your legs matters. (at least it did for me)
The nike boots I wear around campus during the school week, but I would never wear those for anything heavier duty than that.
Personally, I would reccommend the khybers for females.
Bates makes a female version of the M8 boot, but even still, these boots are heavier duty, and weigh more.
During beast, you will be out in the woods, but having this heavy of a boot is not necessary. The khybers function like a sturdy tennis shoe, comfort, lighter, and they have good support.
When you are rucking those 14 miles back to west point, every ounce on your legs matters. (at least it did for me)
The nike boots I wear around campus during the school week, but I would never wear those for anything heavier duty than that.
Female cadet here
Personally, I would reccommend the khybers for females.
Bates makes a female version of the M8 boot, but even still, these boots are heavier duty, and weigh more.
During beast, you will be out in the woods, but having this heavy of a boot is not necessary. The khybers function like a sturdy tennis shoe, comfort, lighter, and they have good support.
When you are rucking those 14 miles back to west point, every ounce on your legs matters. (at least it did for me)
The nike boots I wear around campus during the school week, but I would never wear those for anything heavier duty than that.
Thanks for the info from a female perspective! I was leaning towards the Khybers after reading the male perspectives, but definitely now...I really appreciate all the current and former cadets posting information. The more information, the better!
scoutpilot
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For the love of god, they're just boots. Every year we have to have a 30-page thread about boots. Let's all pole-vault over mouse droppings!
Your children are intelligent. They have worn shoes before. Boots fit like all other footwear. Boots now are nothing but hi-top sneakers with Vibram soles. None are "better" than others. Just get ones that fit.
Your children are intelligent. They have worn shoes before. Boots fit like all other footwear. Boots now are nothing but hi-top sneakers with Vibram soles. None are "better" than others. Just get ones that fit.
LOL!
I agree even though I am one of the guilty over analyzing the perfect boot for my DS! 
Helicopter mom here!
I agree even though I am one of the guilty over analyzing the perfect boot for my DS! Helicopter mom here!
Dixieland
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I love this! Thought I was the only one who felt this way.
Scoutpilot:You don't know everyone's situation. Some kids have grown up in flip flops, maybe never worn boots. Have bad feet, wide feet, narrow feet. You can always read another thread if you are tired of this one. Personally, I don't intend to read this thread next year when my DD is a Yearling!
Boot Letter
I am a little confused about some posts about 2017 cadets purchasing shoes and boots from the WP cadet store but there is not official boot letter out yet. Have I missed something? I am hearing all the variations of shoes and boots to buy but I don't want to get boots or shoes for my daughter to break in and then find out they are not on the official list. Any suggestions or information on the official womans boots and shoe list?
Thanks!
I am a little confused about some posts about 2017 cadets purchasing shoes and boots from the WP cadet store but there is not official boot letter out yet. Have I missed something? I am hearing all the variations of shoes and boots to buy but I don't want to get boots or shoes for my daughter to break in and then find out they are not on the official list. Any suggestions or information on the official womans boots and shoe list?
Thanks!
Hi! The Official Boot Letter has not been published. The moderator of the Facebook official West Parents of 2017 Moms and Dads page posted the types of boots and low quarters to buy. If you have a military ID, you can go ahead and get the shoes. If you don't, the boot letter will give your cadet the authorization to enter a military post and purchase. I ordered my DD low quarters from Amazon for roughly $96. They have free shipping (with Amazon Prime) and free returns on shoes. I paid a little more for a better cushioned heel (Bates, Durashock).
We are leaning towards getting the Khybers (from the Cadet Store at WP when we go for the overnight visit) for Beast based on all the good info provided by former and current cadets.
We found the low quarters to be very narrow and purchased the shoe in wide and it ran pretty true to her size foot. P.S. If you haven't joined the West Point Class of 2017 Moms and Dads facebook page, please consider it. It is the only official FB group (i.e. the Mom's page is helpful, but not official) and it is moderated by a very knowledgeable person from the WP Public Affairs Office.
scoutpilot
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So what you're saying is that kids have feet, and those feet come in different shapes and sizes. Fortunately, so do boots.
These endless annual threads only serve to propagate the myth that one boot is the key to successful ruck marching and one is the sure path to failure. Neither could be farther from the truth.
Only one thing matters: buy a boot that fits. Period. Further discussion only seems to obfuscate the issue. Khybers are not "better" than Bellevilles, nor vice versa.
They're big sneakers. Get ones that fit well. Then forget about it.
I PM'd you.......