Class of 2024 boots and low quarters

Congratulations to your CC and your family. Please take time to enjoy the next few months because after that he belongs to USMA😁.
Enjoying every minute with him....every single minute...reason I get these minor things done while hes at school....thank you...
 
I was told that Nike's were a no-go. Idk if that's true.

I saw at least a few New Cadets with them on this summer. I don't recommend them but you won't get dropped from CBT. Risk assessment for twisted ankles is up to you.

If I were to do it again I would bring the Garmont NFS. This is what I wear now and will be wearing this summer.
 
First off congratulations. Good call on the T8s. I have been buying wearing Garmont since 2012 or so. I have bought a pair in the morning and been on a land navigation course that afternoon in them with no issues. If he has never done much hiking before, buy him several pairs (I took 50 to beast in 2010) of knee high panty hose to go under his socks. I wore them once and tossed them out. I also handed a few pair out to those getting blisters.
 
Good Morning, Y'all. So, are cadets authorized to wear any boot they want as long as they meet the US Army AR 670-1 requirements? And in Coyote Brown in color?
 
Most cadets wear the Garmonts (T8 Bifida or NFS--T8's are recommended on the boot order form). Get a pair that fit your feet right. The memorandum is meant so you don't show up in a pair of boots that are bad for rucking. Cadre will not check and do not know the authorized boots themselves. I'm not encouraging you to go against the memo but there were plenty of New Cadets with varying boots and it does not matter at all. I wish I had gotten a brand that had fit my feet better to start as it caused me a lot of pain during CBT.

Low quarters do matter, however. Don't get shiny ones. You can't wear those until you're a Yuk. It really doesn't matter if you shine them ahead of time.

Would you say that the NFS version better suits female feet? Or just all around more comfortable?
 
I was told that Nike's were a no-go. Idk if that's true.
Just follow the Boot Memo. Get used to just doing what they say. Nike’s aren’t great for the field either way. I personally got the Garmont T8s for Beast, and they held up great. After Beast, I bought a pair of the Garmont NFS that I wear everyday because they are lighter weight and a bit more comfortable.
 
Tldr: Garmont is the way to go.

This is going to be a little lengthy so buckle up. I've had all three brands of boots.

My Beast boots were Belleville back in the day when you showed up with what basic training Soldiers were issued. Those boots finally gave up at CLDT between my Cow and Firstie year when I basically walked through the sole. In Beast my squad was issued the first Khyber for testing and had to review them at the end. Mine failed before Beast was over and I hope they have fixed them in the last ten years.

I have had Reebok and they were okay. Not great but not horrible. I got them on sale as Coyote boots and Tan was being phased out by manufacturers.

As I have said previously I've had several pairs of boots from Garmont since 2012 or so. Right now I wear the NFS because they didn't have my size in the T8s when I bought them but I like them equally. I like the T8s in the field because they provide better traction. The NFS are great in Garrison and in dry weather.

If you can swing it get your CCs the T8 for Beast and a pair of NFS for the academic year. As dumb as I think it is to have garrison boots to wear in a combat uniform, it makes a good impression to show up to class (or to their first unit) with boots that don't look like they've been worn training all summer.

Back to what's available, take a peek at each company's website and see what they make. Belleville is all about duty issue. Reebok makes shoes/cleats. Garmont makes boots for rugged environments.
 
Last year my DS plebe ordered and returned multiple sized low quarters and boots until he found a good fit. I asked him, in retrospect, what was the most important items for beast and he said plenty of good cushioned socks, dri fit (no cotton)compression shorts/underwear, well fitting boots and low quarters. He said the issued boot socks aren’t bad but the underwear and dress socks are not good. Per packing list underwear and socks cannot have logos. Hard to find no logo compression shorts/underwear. He ended up using laundry proof marker to black out logo.

These are the socks he took to beast.

Hanes Men's ComfortBlend Max Cushion Crew Socks 6-Pack, Black Shoe Size: 6-12 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FRBTPHK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zVXsEb3N8AC7B

Gold Toe Men's Multi-Pack Cotton Crew 656s Athletic Sock (6 & 12 Packs), Shoe Size: 6-12.5, White (12 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HNYQ8Q3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_b5XsEbC367HPM

Fox River Men's Wick Dry Maximum Mid Calf Military Sock, 3 Pack (Coyote Brown, Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPM61P6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_17XsEbH0GDQPN
 
I was able to find some compression underwear at Walmart last year, very reasonably priced. You might be able to order them online if you don’t wait until the last minute to buy them (what I did). There is a memo on acceptable socks and underwear, best to follow the instructions. Again no visible logos on both socks and underwear. I sent 10 pairs of compression underwear with my son last year and they worked out great, especially when laundry Didn’t come back at a timely manner and he had to hand wash his underwear 😂.
 
Would you say that the NFS version better suits female feet? Or just all around more comfortable?

They fit identically. Same body with a different sole. NFS ones are just a bit lighter and more sneaker-like, though sacrificing some grip.

Definitely get a clean pair of boots for the academic year. Presentation is important!
 
I’m looking at boots (and panicking). We need to have T8 Bifida for Beast and I’m reading the advice of others to get a new pair for class, the T8 NFS. The NFS is not on the 2024 boot list. The difference I see is the rubber molding at the toe. As not to STAND OUT AT ALL, am I just sweating the small stuff?
Just don’t want to mess up before I even start!!!!
 
I’m looking at boots (and panicking). We need to have T8 Bifida for Beast and I’m reading the advice of others to get a new pair for class, the T8 NFS. The NFS is not on the 2024 boot list. The difference I see is the rubber molding at the toe. As not to STAND OUT AT ALL, am I just sweating the small stuff?
Just don’t want to mess up before I even start!!!!

You don't need to have a boot on the list for the academic year. That is just for CBT. Any AR 670-1 boot is fine after Beast.

Quite frankly no one cares during Beast, either. Your cadre don't get the boot list.
 
I’m looking at boots (and panicking). We need to have T8 Bifida for Beast and I’m reading the advice of others to get a new pair for class, the T8 NFS. The NFS is not on the 2024 boot list. The difference I see is the rubber molding at the toe. As not to STAND OUT AT ALL, am I just sweating the small stuff?
Just don’t want to mess up before I even start!!!!
This year's boot memo from the portal says you can have any ar670-1 boot for cbt.
 
Back
Top