Boots/Low-quarters

Oxford22

5-Year Member
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Sep 12, 2010
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59
I've heard several differing opinions and answers on this topic and need this clarified, as I am sure do other CC's experiencing beast this summer.

Are the boots we (optionally) purchase prior to reporting for R-Day used during beast or during the school year? I was told we would be issued two pairs of boots for beast and buy our own for the school year. And then there are those who tell me these boots should be broken in, because they will be put to use during the summer.

Should we shine our low-quarters before we arrive, or is it a plebe duty that we will be expected to incur during the summer? I have seen fellow CC's already going through multiple layers, shining their shoes, while some cadets have recommended not to stand out by arriving on R-day with pre-shined shoes.

Thank you.
 
If you can, you should come with broken-in boots. This way your feet will be used to them during Beast and it'll lessen the chances of feet injuries.

I think that if you arrive with clean shoes that would be fine. I hear you have plenty of time during Beast to shine shoes.
 
DD is in the class of 2015 and she bought a pair of boots prior to beast last year. She broke them in prior to r-day and was issued a second pair upon arrival. She told us she used one pair on days when she knew the training was going to be in the field, and the boots would get trashed, and used the other pair on days when the training was on post and it was more appropriate to have boots which were cleaner and in good condition. She seemed to think that system worked pretty well for her. She continued to use her beast boots during the academic year.
 
I already bought some Bates M8s and am in the process of breaking them in. What model of boots do they issue you?
 
I already bought some Bates M8s and am in the process of breaking them in. What model of boots do they issue you?

I bought the belleville 310's. I think they issue you the Bates on R-day though
 
My DS is Class of 2015, and a good friend's son is 2016, both of them wore the boots ahead of time and had them broken in. Neither of them wore the low quarters enough to get used to them and paid the price. On R-Day you will be in the low quarters for 12-16 hours, carrying a load, marching, standing, everything but sitting. Just sayin'
 
I purchased the Khyber's. They're comfortable as anything, and I'm getting my low quaters early next month. Purchase the NON-SHINEY Oxfords, but THEY DO need to be shined for R-Day.
 
I purchased the Khyber's. They're comfortable as anything, and I'm getting my low quaters early next month. Purchase the NON-SHINEY Oxfords, but THEY DO need to be shined for R-Day.

My cadet did not report to R-Day with shined low quarters. You might want to ask a current cadet about your recommendation to make sure they agree.
 
Buy the optional pair. Your feet will thank you during Beast. These boots are the boots you will probably wear most during beast simply because you will have had the opportunity to break them in. You are issued an additional pair of boots during beast. You CAN wear these issued boots during beast if you choose. It's up to you. You CAN wear both pairs during the academic year. Again, it's up to you.

Unless they gave you specific instructions, your low quarters DO NOT need to be shined. It would be futile to shine them since you will running up and down stairs and streets all day. By the end of the day, they're going to be scuffed.

Friendly advice: Don't worry about stupid stuff like this. It's great you guys want to put the best foot forward but focus on getting all your paperwork in, focus on keeping your grades up, focus on getting in shape, focus on enjoying your last few months of relative freedom. Do not focus on whether or not your low quarters need to be shined when you report.
 
I can think of few things more important than having well fitted, broken in boots for Beast (any training really).

My DD is in ROTC. She was issued Altama 3LCs in the fall. $159 retail. They're fine, but her very small foot (size 6.5 womens) doesn't match well the the thickness and stiffness of most regular issue boots. She's been doing Ranger Challenge, they just did FTX, and I've heard about an 8 mile ruck from I think two weeks ago.

Anyway... she called today from Student Health to report she probably has a stress fracture in her foot she first noticed three weeks ago. Then there was the silver dollar sized blister on the heel she got during FTX that she got chewed out for by some firsties, but that's another story. She's on the way for Xrays now... either stress fracture or bone bruise, but likely fracture b/c it hasn't gotten better even when she failed to work out for five days around Easter.

Funny thing is, her cousin who was at the Naval Academy four years ago bought the Oakley Boots for some Marine training (I believe in the summer after his first year) and swore by them, but they since changed that design b/c they were wearing out too fast and the sole was separating. Then this year I've read the Nike's really are the best, hands down, right now. So I suggested in October that I send her the Nike's http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-179377/pgid-192558 , and she protested "No Dad, I don't want to be different from everyone else in the Battalion". And now, the stress fracture probably due to a boot sole whose thickness/stiffness is designed for an average man's foot (around a size 11 man's foot), and not for her small foot. The Nike's sole is much more flexible than any of the regular issue Army boots. She's also come to understand that lots of people, if not most, in her Battalion do find their own preferred boot and use the Issued boot as backup.

If the Nike Special Field Boot is approved for use in Beast, prospective cadets should consider them as they seem to get rave reviews from just about everyone... cadets and active duty. They probably wear out quicker, but compared to sore or injured feet, that's not a big deal.
 
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If the Nike Special Field Boot is approved for use in Beast, prospective cadets should consider them as they seem to get rave reviews from just about everyone... cadets and active duty. They probably wear out quicker, but compared to sore or injured feet, that's not a big deal.

Unfortunately, the only allowed boots for '16 BEAST are specific models from Bates, Khyber and Belleville.
 
Oh well, I was afraid the Nike SFB wouldn't be included in the "Boot letter". However, it does look like the Kyber by Belleville is not that stiffer or heavier than the Nike.

I guess since the Nike isn't approved, it is all the more critical then to spend considerable care getting the proper fitment.

Is it allowed to good special insoles (they cost about $40-$50 if I recall) to fit inside the boot when you're buying them? I've read quite a number of commentaries from active duty soldiers that inserting a good after market insole is good to do. Is that true?
 
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I can think of few things more important than having well fitted, broken in boots for Beast (any training really).

Having well broken in boots is absolutely important but that wasn't what I was referring to. I was referring to worrying about shined low quarters vs. non-shined low quarters.

Definitely break in your boots for beast:thumb:
 
shining low quarters

Just some advice on whether or not to shine the low quarters. I understand the urge and need to keep a very low profile during Beast. However, as it was pointed out in an earlier post, your shoes will get scuffed on R-Day. The difference between well shined shoes and those that are not is whether you want to scuff the polish or the leather. The practical purpose of shining shoes is to protect the leather. If you don't want to go with "pretty" shoes buff them down. However, I would still get several coats of polish on your shoes before you go for protection.

The shoe shining is a low item priority. Get the shoes/boot broken in. Stay in shape. Hydrate. It's going to be a hot summer.
 
There are no specific brands of low-quarters, right?

Any Oxford style, black leather, non-shiny, mildew resistant shoes will suffice, right?
 
There are no specific brands of low-quarters, right?

Any Oxford style, black leather, non-shiny, mildew resistant shoes will suffice, right?

From the Boot Letter--

"The only acceptable brands of low-quarters are listed below:

a. Men's Shoes: Oxford, black leather, mildew resistant; non-shiny (DSCP – key item# M206H, $46.70); authorized one pair.

b. Women's Shoes: Oxford, black leather, moccasin toe; non-shiny (DSCP – style 90100, key item # M210P, $47.80); authorized one pair."

By the way, my DS had a difficult time finding non-shiny shoes. He checked with several local Army installations without success. He even struck out at the Cadet Store following his overnight visit. He finally tracked down a pair in his size at Andrews Air Force Base.
 
From the Boot Letter--

"The only acceptable brands of low-quarters are listed below:

a. Men's Shoes: Oxford, black leather, mildew resistant; non-shiny (DSCP – key item# M206H, $46.70); authorized one pair.

b. Women's Shoes: Oxford, black leather, moccasin toe; non-shiny (DSCP – style 90100, key item # M210P, $47.80); authorized one pair."

Thank you for the reply, MD Dad.

My confusion stems from this: DSCP – key item# M206H, $46.70

Does that imply a specific brand? Do I HAVE to acquire it at a military installation (WP, etc.)? Or any other brand that fulfills the description: Oxford, black leather, mildew resistant; non-shiny will suffice?
 
I
If the Nike Special Field Boot is approved for use in Beast, prospective cadets should consider them as they seem to get rave reviews from just about everyone... cadets and active duty. They probably wear out quicker, but compared to sore or injured feet, that's not a big deal.

ROTC Cadet Delahanty is a ruck march maniac. He favors the Nike Special Field Boots over anything else he's used. Having blisterfully learned my own lesson, I recommend breaking any boots in before you use them in an official capacity.
 
Just some advice on whether or not to shine the low quarters. I understand the urge and need to keep a very low profile during Beast. However, as it was pointed out in an earlier post, your shoes will get scuffed on R-Day. The difference between well shined shoes and those that are not is whether you want to scuff the polish or the leather. The practical purpose of shining shoes is to protect the leather. If you don't want to go with "pretty" shoes buff them down. However, I would still get several coats of polish on your shoes before you go for protection.

The shoe shining is a low item priority. Get the shoes/boot broken in. Stay in shape. Hydrate. It's going to be a hot summer.

What year is your cadet, wrestlingmom?
 
Thank you for the reply, MD Dad.

My confusion stems from this: DSCP – key item# M206H, $46.70

Does that imply a specific brand? Do I HAVE to acquire it at a military installation (WP, etc.)? Or any other brand that fulfills the description: Oxford, black leather, mildew resistant; non-shiny will suffice?

Orderd these for DS on AAFES web site:

Item #M206H
Item sold as described, not as shown.

DLA Troop Support
Leather with plain toe and rubber sole. Non-marking rubber heel. Mildew resistant.
$45.07​
However, we received Wellco shoes, near as I can tell item #B301. They seem to match the requirements specified in the boot letter (except the item#). Will these boots be acceptable for him or should we roll the dice and order another pair from AAFES and see if we get another brand that matches the item # (Bates I assume). Our local base (Dobbins ARB) does not carry anything close and the Army-Navy stores around the base are triple the price.
 
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