Footwear Advice

Sock Advice: I got DS Thorlos socks for both boots and athletics for Beast. He really liked them. Since then, he has also tried Gold Toe athletic socks. I think I got him the "performance" line and he said he actually liked them better than the Thorlos. At 3 pairs of Gold Toe for the price of one pair of Thorlos, that made me happy! He took Khyber mountain boots to Beast and said they performed well. They run big, though, so order at least a half size down.
 
Were those 3 boots the only options? Noticed there were no boots listed sized for females. This is usually not a problem unless females have narrow feet/heel area. Male sized boots for these women cause lots of heel friction/problems and Achilles issues. Was told they were going to add boots sized for females in the boot letter.
 
@MomWPgirl - if you contact Deb Dalton, she can give you the female boot models. There is at least one. If you are on the West Point class of 2019 Parents page on Facebook, you'll find a discussion on this very topic.
 
@scoutpilot , I got the Belleville 310s today and I have to thank you for the recommendation. I took them on a 4 mi ruck (40 lbs) wearing one layer of green socks and did not get a single blister, did not lose any skin- they are so comfortable! They are very light, in my opinion. Going on a ruck of the same distance, weight, and socks while wearing other boots has always peeled off several layers of skin on my feet. Sock liners have always been a necessity, but no longer. I don't know if you'll see this, but I'm wondering if you use aftermarket insoles (such as Superfeet) in the Bellevilles or just use the ones that come with the boots?

If any current soldiers heading to USMA this summer are wondering, the Belleville 310s are on the exact same sizing system as the basic training issue boots (the USMA Logistics Officer has told me that they are not authorized). I highly recommend the 310s.
 
Are the Belleville khybers any good?


2019 WestPoint class appointee

Recipient of 4 year army rotc scholarship.
 
Admissible packets- overview tab


2019 WestPoint class appointee

Recipient of 4 year army rotc scholarship.
 
Admissible packets- overview tab


2019 WestPoint class appointee

Recipient of 4 year army rotc scholarship.
 
MomWPgirl said:
Were those 3 boots the only options? Noticed there were no boots listed sized for females. This is usually not a problem unless females have narrow feet/heel area. Male sized boots for these women cause lots of heel friction/problems and Achilles issues. Was told they were going to add boots sized for females in the boot letter.
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DD wore the Khybers during her active duty in the Army (enlisted, not a cadet or officer). Small feet, wore Mens size 3.5, and she loved them. Key is getting a really great fit, highly recommend trying them on first. No idea if they will offer other options -- just saying there might be a viable boot somewhere in the current choices with the right fit even though they are not sized for females, however I agree it would be great to see additional fitments available as needed.
 
I asked because my DD (grad) did not have option of female sized boots and suffered significant Achilles injury. In the last few years, I know that WP has allowed females to opt for female sized boots so I was surprised when the option was not listed on boot letter. Have heard many stories of females with narrow feet having their feet chewed up by poorly sized boots so wanted to make sure there was an option and that females were aware of it. Again, usually not an issue unless they have very narrow feet especially in the heel area...extra socks do not do the trick.
 
FYI...I spoke with Belleville customer service today. I was told the Belleville line are made in the US while the Khyber line is imported.
 
I will be going to the USMA graduation in May. Can my DS be fitted for boots and purchase them at that time? Is buying them at the USMA Exchange a good price?
 
I was just at the cadet store to buy the boots and low quarters. Son got the Khybers (the only boots that they had in the store) and they were $116. THe low quarters were around $80.
You can probably find them cheaper online, but then you lose the option of trying on several sizes/widths for best fit. I have read that 30% of the cadets show up in incorrectly sized boots. When this happens, they issue the cadet new boots (at the cadet's expense). So, get the proper fit the first time.

They will fit the cadet for boots and shoes if they arrive without but then they'll have to break them in during Beast. THe advantage of getting them beforehand is that you arrive at Beast with them already broken in, which is much easier on one's feet.
 
bookreader said:
I was just at the cadet store to buy the boots and low quarters. Son got the Khybers (the only boots that they had in the store) and they were $116. THe low quarters were around $80.
You can probably find them cheaper online, but then you lose the option of trying on several sizes/widths for best fit. I have read that 30% of the cadets show up in incorrectly sized boots. When this happens, they issue the cadet new boots (at the cadet's expense). So, get the proper fit the first time.

They will fit the cadet for boots and shoes if they arrive without but then they'll have to break them in during Beast. THe advantage of getting them beforehand is that you arrive at Beast with them already broken in, which is much easier on one's feet.
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Bookreader, did you go to the Cadet Store or the Post Exchange? From my knowledge, the Cadet Store is strictly available to cadets only, whereas anyone on post can go into the PX (which I was just in yesterday). My cadet escort took me to the Cadet Store when I visited, and yes they have all the cadet gear, but he said it was only for cadets and I only got in because I was with him.

FYI the Cadet Store is located in Bldg. 606 and the PX is close to the Stony Lonesome gate.
 
We went to the Cadet Store. No one questioned our presence and son explained that he needed boots and shoes for Beast. I had heard that others had some challenges so we brought his BFE with us, but ended up never taking it out of my totebag. We did not go to the Post Exchange. My guess is that my son is considered a cadet although strictly speaking, he is a cadet candidate.
 
Okay, just checking. The PX has probably over a dozen men's and women's boot models, and multiple low quarters. I noticed they didn't have the Khybers however. I wasn't planning to make a purchase yesterday, but I may visit both stores during my next visit to try multiple boot models.
 
OBT2018 said:
With that being said, get a boot that fits you and that you like. While West Point likes to limit it to 3 choices, the big Army has many styles of authorized boots. The cadre are not going to necessarily know which boots were on the CBT list. So as long as your boots are Army authorized, you should be fine. (Disclaimer: don't use the Nike boots for beast. While they are authorized, you will probably draw unwanted attention). I went through Beast with rocky S2V's and never had a problem. Do your research, try on different styles and sizes, and find what is best for you. Additionally, don't only focus on the tools, work on the operator as well. High speed boots are nice, but strong legs and tough feet will do you many more favors.
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Quick question: Considering the fact that the entire school went through the whole Nike rebrand, do you think the Nikes would get through beast? I only ask this because I was in ROTC this year and those are the boots I bought. If I can avoid having to buy another pair less than a year after buying my Nikes, that would be great.
 
Hooah96 said:
Quick question: Considering the fact that the entire school went through the whole Nike rebrand, do you think the Nikes would get through beast? I only ask this because I was in ROTC this year and those are the boots I bought. If I can avoid having to buy another pair less than a year after buying my Nikes, that would be great.
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I'd think after a year of ROTC you might've learned something about following orders. Perhaps you should consider starting off on the right foot, pun notwithstanding.
 
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