At the Front Militaria

[Doublegun]

Hoping anyone with personal knowlege of At the Front Militaria
please share their experience with me. I am intersted in their shoes and boots, specifically.

http://www.atthefront.com/us_main.htm

Thanks,

Doublegun

 

[RudyN]

I have a pair of USMC Boondockers. So far no problems with them at all. I also have bought other items from them and they have all been good quality.

 

[Doublegun]

I am thinking about getting a pair of the US Service shoe for general wear. Wearing around town, walking the dog, just the usual stuff. Are the comfortable enough for that kind of wear?

Thanks

 

[MrBern]

beating around

I wear the service shoes fairly often, they are comfortable. You might be best served putting a good insole into them.

Keep in mind ATF boots are built on a wide last & are a half size off. This worked exceptionally well for me as a size ten service shoe fits me as a 10.5 wide.

Someone with a narrow foot might have objections.

For a better quality boot, Ive been considering WWII Impressions.

 

[StraightEight]

I bought a pair of the roughout service shoes for Normandy next month and have been wearing them around to break them in. I usually wear an 11.5 wide with an orthopedic insert for flat feet. Got the 11 per their recommendation, which is to go small on half sizes, and they fit very comfortably right out of the box. The first extended wearing I forgot I had them on after a half hour. I have no doubt they will serve well for our two and half weeks hiking the battlefields of Europe. However, I wouldn't wear them around on a regular basis. You're paying for the authenticity of an accurate replica. It's a very old design, and the sole has the sponginess of a wood block. I would take advantage of modern sole technology on boots that otherwise look more or less the same.

 

[Doublegun]

However, I wouldn't wear them around on a regular basis. You're paying for the authenticity of an accurate replica. It's a very old design, and the sole has the sponginess of a wood block. I would take advantage of modern sole technology on boots that otherwise look more or less the same.

Interesting thought - I have considered that but really have not given it that much weight. I figured it a WWII footsoldier could wear them day in/out, so could I, regardless of technology.

If there are modern boots similar in appearance I would certainly appreciate being pointed in that direction.

 

[Doublegun]

I did some digging last night and found a pair of Redwings that are fairly similar: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7546200/c/281.html

I actually talked with a rep from Redwing who told me that these were actually not real comfortable to wear, primarily because they are not bult like shoes today. As he phrased it: not built for a generation raised on wearing tennis shoes.

 

[Doug C]

I have a pair of those in a different color (black cherry turned russet) and to me they're very comfortable as far as boots go. I mean that sincerely too, I go hours without thinking about them in the least. If you get them, size down a half and save yourself some money by getting them here: http://www.bakershoe.com/red-wing-catalog/redwing-9013-beckman.html , btw the popularity of these boots have apparently driven the price up, mine were $10 cheaper 6 month ago. I've been wanting this color version of the boots since before we could get them in the US, I hope I can afford a pair before they're gone.

Doug C

 

[StraightEight]

Interesting thought - I have considered that but really have not given it that much weight. I figured it a WWII footsoldier could wear them day in/out, so could I, regardless of technology.

True, but those guys were 19 years old, generally weighed much less than your typical contemporary American corn-fed male (even with their equipment on), and didn't know any better. And they suffered terribly for their footwear.

 

[MrBern]

I've worn modern corcoran paratrooper boots & found them very comfortable, moreso than the ATF boots. But I believe the ATF boots dont incorporate the steel spring shank in the sole. That shank adds a littl zip to your step.

But I also found the ATF boots had much softer soles, so they felt almost like sneakers in comparison.

Then again walking on concrete is differs from trudging thru the woods.

 

[parachutage]

ATF, great bunch of guys [ and gals, esp the dame who answers the phone and is absolutely a JOY to talk to; hey I thought buying WWII surplus was supposed to be HARD? ]

Great prices and they carry just about any type of militaria for U.S. WWII reenactors.

 

[JennyLou]

I need to buy a pair of WWII service boots and I think I'll get them from At the Front.

 

[FinalVestige79]

I need to buy a pair of WWII service boots and I think I'll get them from At the Front.

Get either the Type 2 Russets or the Rough outs with leggings first... the doubel buckels are Mid-late War only and the boots and leggings combo as a pain in the butt as they are were used throughout the war. And remember to buy a pair smaller than what you would get because they are a 1/2 bigger. Gina (the lady who answers the phones) will help you with it all.