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#).
DS received some wellco's in an early order, and his were not as well made or comfortable as the Bates. We returned for the Bates, and DS liked them much better. The Cadet store also has wellco, so if you order from there specify the Bates if that's what you want.
No one we've talked to (DS, friends, and cadets of friends) had any hassle over boot brand/make during 2015 BEAST. But that could be squad, platoon, or company specific. Your mileage may vary.
One thing, if you get blisters, you'll get increased "help" from your CoC, and if you went with non-spec it could get some grief. But outside of that, it did not seem to be an area of focus.
All the discussion about bringing blister treatment, moleskins, etc, may be for naught... lately instructions seem to have mandatory reporting of blisters to your squad leader, who then will either tell you how to treat or refer. Don't know how well that was enforced last year, but some squads did for sure.
Re: boot brands- you have to understand that Belleville and Bates both make roughly a dozen boots that are ACU authorized, and most "meet the spec".
But meeting the spec does not make them the lightest, or most comfortable. And what you prefer others may not like based on fit or how used you are to wearing hard soled boots.
So you need to try both the newer high speed boots along with the more traditional (310/390) to see which approach works for you.
The Belleville Khyber and the Bates M8 are both fairly new boots, and are very close to the Nike & Oakely's in design. Most I know who wear both say they are as comfortable. They are a bit sturdier than the Nike's and Oakleys, which can make a difference in the field. The Khybers are a bit milder and less "rad" looking than the M8's, but other wise very similar.
The older Belleville 310 and 390DES's are good boots, but are less padded, harder soled, and a step toward the older mil boots. And the 390's a bit more traditional than the 310's.
Your 2nd set of boots issued on R-day will likely be a contract boot very similar to the 390's. Some cadets received 390's for sure, others a no-name boot with just an NSN number or similar on it. (Altama was one brand) I've only known one cadet who liked their issue boot more than the boot letter options, but I'm sure there are others. But it's running about 20:1 in favor of the boot letter boot options!
The 310's have their advocates, but the tread is very mild. I'm aware of multiple reports of this being an issue during beast obstacle course, land nav, etc. They got through, but DS and friends indicate that the M8's and Khybers simply worked better. DS and squaddies got tired of helping one person up everything, you don't want to be that squaddie. Remember you are buying boots to use in temperate wooded NY state, not the desert. Traction does appear to be an issue based on reports last year, and some activities are graded based on time. But for garrison use the 310's seem to be fine, and may be preferable for desk or urban work.
We never found the Khyber's locally, but the M8's & 310's are fairly available. Try them on side by side, there is a difference. I still occasionally wear traditional mil boots by choice, but I'm sold on the M8/Khyber type design now after trying them with DS last spring. They are the closest thing I've found to a quality hiking boot (Montrail, Merril, etc) in construction & fit in a mil boot. If the Sage or Tan were available with goretex I'd have a pair already. I may still get some for warm weather wear when I want a full height boot.
But you need to find boots that fit you and your foot! There are several tests you should do to prevent blisters and toenail problems. REI is one of the best places for this type of thing as they are trained on how to fit correctly for length, heel, and width.
The most common fit error is buying to loose. You need room in the toe, but the width and heel cup need to be snug. If your heel "lifts" when doing an exaggerated walk, you will get blisters. Same for sliding fore and aft, when properly laced there should be no sliding even when walking downhill or scuffing your feet to a stop on carpet. This is critical to avoid blisters and toe nail damage. The toe box should loose enough that your toes are not touching the front.
There are lacing tricks to deal with certain fit issues that REI can help with.
Having done and still doing quite a bit of hiking with load, I'm not a fan of the "wear dress socks as liners" and other old remedies. If you are stuck somewhere with no other options, it may work.
But properly fit, the modern boots with a decent boot sock (Thorlo, Smartwool, etc) will work better than cobbled up combinations.
This holds true with the low quarters as well. You can get black thorlo uniform socks or similar, and they really help. No one I know wears the issue dress socks for anything.
Lastly, regarding shining low quarters. A light coat of polish to reduce scuffing helps prior to R-day. Beyond that, let your squad leader lead you down the polish path. They may have you strip them and start from ground zero, or just do the minimum.
DS's squad leader never really worked with them on shoes, and now DS regrets it. Luckily he had a prepster roommate who helped him learn the basics, but he's still not as good at it as others. Some did the full strip down to bare leather and repolish routine.
Most cadets we know keep "work shoes" and "inspection shoes". And some (DS included) do similar with the boots, but you are rarely inspected in ACU's once past BEAST. And if so, it's a TA50 type functionality inspection, not a spit and polish. So the less liked issue boots stay nice and clean in the cabinet.
In general, it seemed like there was less hassle about specific shoes, socks, shorts & T's at 2015 beast than what you traditionally hear. Just avoid visible logo's, stick with the right colors, etc. There were new cadets wearing Nike's purchased at the cadet store due to poor initial boot fit, blisters, etc.
But forget to tuck your laces in, or similar, and you may get to learn special squat thrust/toe touch hybrid exercises in front of the platoon saying "Bad boots, Bad Boots" on each rep while the platoon waits!
(not uncommon last year, apparently)
You'll get lot's of input on this, some of it contradictory. The good news is that most cadets survive independent of boot choice!
Some have more comfortable journeys than others!
