Best Boots for basic??

Many of my classmates and I agreed waterproof boots may have been a bad move during BCT. You'll only be by water for a fraction of the time (mostly just the A-course and the O-course in Jack's Valley) and it's just not worth the lack of ventilation that you get with non-waterproof boots. Also, just remember that if water gets in, it stays in and takes forever to dry.
 
Do they hold up against water well? (The Oakley SI Light Assault 2)
They do fairly well. I applied some waterproofing and that also helped alot. Lightweight boots are designed to be breathable, so being waterproof is not usually one of their strong suits. In regular rain and similar conditions they do well.
 
They should be, as the type that I got were specifically recommended in the handbook, I believe.
Interesting.... the NIKE SFB Field 2, 8" boots (COYOTE) were suggested in the 2024 Appointee Handbook, but they were taken out of the 2025 Appointee Handbook. I wonder if it's the waterproof issue. And I wonder if it matters since many of the recommended boots on this forum are not waterproof.
 
Coming from FL, I have never really owned boots, lol. I just ordered the Rocky RKC 050s in 2 sizes. They should arrive Sunday
 
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Are we allowed to have non waterproof boots for basic? I’ve seen so much advice that says to get a pair of boots that are not waterproof but the handbook says to get waterproof ones.
I went with nom-waterproof ones, just to keep weight down and to be able to have something that’s breathable, plus you’ll only need the waterproofing a couple times during jacks valley, worth the trade off IMO
 
The ones they issued us back in the day (we're talking 2008 - this forum makes me feel old even though I'm definitely not...) were decidedly not waterproof. I don't see any good reason to get waterproof ones. When they get wet, waterproof or not you are going to have soaked feet. Something about crawling/wading/falling in water has that effect...
 
Are we allowed to have non waterproof boots for basic? I’ve seen so much advice that says to get a pair of boots that are not waterproof but the handbook says to get waterproof ones.
This. I appreciate the non-waterproof recommendations but will we get in trouble for bringing boots that aren’t what the appointee booklet said?
 
This. I appreciate the non-waterproof recommendations but will we get in trouble for bringing boots that aren’t what the appointee booklet said?
I don’t think so because I checked the appointee booklet from class of 2023 and 2024 and it said to get waterproof boots as well. I think that some of the people with these posts are from class of 24 and 23 and non waterproof boots worked out for them, but honestly it does get me a little worried.
 
My DD ending up getting the Oakley’s. They are super light weight & seem to run a little more narrow which is good for her. Also, as an FYI, we got them at an actual Oakley store in the mall, and apparently when purchasing in store they will give you a 40% military discount! But not online.
 
Well back in day, Nike wasn't even a sneaker company. Nike was a missile. Those missiles were placed in different areas known as Nike Missile Sites. Catchy name from the US Army I tell you. My first issued boots from the Marines were made of hard leather sewn onto old tire rubber with industrial strength thread. The left boot still had the Goodyear logo stamped on it for heavens sake. They broke in about a week after my course was over. The bottom of my feet were one solid blister. That was 41 years ago. My feet have finally healed.
 
If you are concerned about the waterproofing and you found boots that you like that are not waterproof, just buy some waterproofing spray and apply yourself.
Yes this - but really I doubt anyone will care, I know I certainly wouldn't have as cadre. It's odd that they even say to get waterproof ones when they historically have issued non-waterproof boots (or if those were supposed to be waterproof...someone should lose their job ;) )
 
Do you guys recommend buying the leather Nike SFB Gen 2, or the synthetic leather?
 
Do you guys recommend buying the leather Nike SFB Gen 2, or the synthetic leather?
I personally couldn’t find the difference between the Nike Field 2 and Nike Gen 2 and the synthetic leather one. A Nike rep told me the first OCP boot they made was the synthetic leather one. Next the Field 2 model dropped and the Gen 2 model is their most recent one. So I bought the most recent model hoping they’ve worked out some flaws with the previous 2 models even though they still sell all 3.
 
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