Boots for Beast and Garrison

scoutpilot said:
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.
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As an Infantry Officer with a few thousand miles carrying 80 lbs packs, I disagree. But perhaps you have a different perspective from the air.

I suggest a high quality boot, with excellent soles. Yes, they must fit properly, but quality does matter.
 
Rebel91 said:
As an Infantry Officer with a few thousand miles carrying 80 lbs packs, I disagree. But perhaps you have a different perspective from the air.

I suggest a high quality boot, with excellent soles. Yes, they must fit properly, but quality does matter.
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And all three offerings are high quality boots of almost indistinguishable design. If we were talking about the old black GI boots vs. modern boots, sure. But in this case we're comparing Ferrari to Porsche. You literally can't go wrong.

I'm no stranger to rucking.
 
I screwed up! This is an out of date boot letter emailed to me that I mistakenly thought was the official letter. I'm sure it will come soon. Sorry for this error, although the boots listed are the same as have been mentioned on this thread.
 
Simply stated:

Buy one pair of the boots and shoes on the West Point provided list (all are good quality) - try them on with the socks you are going to use to make sure they fit perfectly - break them in before Beast. Depending on the brand - the book size you need is probably not the size you think is your size - you MUST try them on.

Every Cadet I have talked to says that the issued book that you will get when you report to Beast is not very good. My son (a Yearling) told me tonight on the phone that if he had it to do over he would have bought two pair of boots and never worn the issued boot in the field - but that is his preference.


In my view this is all you need to know about boots and shoes.
 
Socks

Are socks issued by the USMA? If so, is there anything unique that should be considered when trying on boots and running shoes? Are they unusually thick or thin?
 
You'll get socks, underwear, everything. Literally, you could show up on R-Day with the clothes on your back. Best for socks to try on the boots with is a thick cotton hiking sock - not an athletic sock as they tend to be thinner and wear out when rucking. If your in the PX to buy your boots, you'll be able to pick them up as well.
 
Authorized Boots in female sizes

I have found all of the authorized boots in men's sizes, but none in women's sizes. Because the boots are in men's sizes the heel width tends to be too wide for women. One poster (Stephanie 12) wrote that Bates makes a women's boot comparable to the Men's M-8, but I have not found that boot. I am wondering how other female cadets are purchasing their boots. Are you purchasing men's sizes or are you finding comparable women's boots. There does seem to be plenty of military boots out there that come in women's sizes, but not the boots on the authorized list
 
If the TR Khybers are on the list this year (I can’t see the list) they can fit a small (5'2") female very well. DD is active duty and wears a 3.5 (!) and loves them (tons better than the bricks with laces they get issued for basic, too). Agreed though you are highly encouraged to get a personal physical fit and not a guess based on another shoe.
 
my dd wears a women's 7/ men's 5 and has a narrow foot - we have purchased the approved Khyber's for her and she said they're fine and better than the belleville's. After Beast, we will look for a women's specific boot. Kind of humorous that 37 years later, they haven't quite figured out that women's anatomy might be a bit different :)
 
Does anyone know when they will send out the boot letter? Or if they already have, I only recently accepted my appointment. Thanks!
 
Danner boots for Women

Hello. I was wondering if my daughter should buy pair of Danner Desert TFX Roughout GTX boots, they are 'approved', I assume meet military spec but maybe not one of 'the' approved boots for USMA/USMAPS. These are the only womens boots that fit her and are of only two pairs she can try on in the state (Lewis-McChord, WA, joint military base). Other pair are the only mens pair that go down to size 4M which is a 6W (all I got from teh staff at store is that they are Rockys.
 
Belleville 390

Does anybody know if a basic issue style boot, such as the Belleville 390 would be allowed at BCT as opposed to any of the "high-speed" boot options that have been discussed earlier?
 
supreme1 said:
Hello. I was wondering if my daughter should buy pair of Danner Desert TFX Roughout GTX boots, they are 'approved', I assume meet military spec but maybe not one of 'the' approved boots for USMA/USMAPS. These are the only womens boots that fit her and are of only two pairs she can try on in the state (Lewis-McChord, WA, joint military base). Other pair are the only mens pair that go down to size 4M which is a 6W (all I got from teh staff at store is that they are Rockys.
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Normally, the "Official" boot letter instructs the candidates to buy one of the specified boots.

If the boots they bring do not fit correctly, or are not valid they will be issued 2 pairs instead of the one pair normally issued.

The Danner is a good boot, but it may be called out.

You have to watch the "Approved" stuff even for regular Army stuff if it's vendor specified. If it's on the Army page (would have to find it again) as approved for ACU wear it should be allowed for academic year wear.

All that said, if you just cannot find a correct fit in one of the USMA specified boots I'd ask admissions what to do. No one here can really answer with authority. Just past results & recommendations.
 
slmart24 said:
Does anybody know if a basic issue style boot, such as the Belleville 390 would be allowed at BCT as opposed to any of the "high-speed" boot options that have been discussed earlier?
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DS (2015) was issued 390's for his 2nd pair on R-day, so there is a chance that no one would notice.

No idea if you'd get fussed at for a low tech boot, you mainly hear it for Nike's & Oakley's from Cadre. But in some aspects, you will be fussed at anyway during issue stations, so it may not be a big deal.

But general input from recent cadets is to not stand out.

Worst case they issue you 2 pairs instead of one and maybe get smoked a bit by cadre. (If they still do that)

Any reason for the love of the 390? It's considered a bit old school, any of the USMA specified boots are considered more comfortable. DS just uses his issue 390's as inspection boots for the closet, they almost never get worn.
 
Not finding any of the prescribed boots at Ft Dix

No Bates M-8 -- only Delta 8's -- no khybers at all - no Belleville 310s only 320's -- help!
 
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