Desert boots??

[tonyper]

Any one have them? I remember them from when I was a kid and they were ultra comfortable. I see alot of vendors are carrying them now. What do you guys and gals think ??

thanks Tony

 

[Mike K.]

Tony, can you be more specific? I assume you mean the ol' suede ones, but there are a lot of "desert" boots out there today. Are you talking about the suede leather boots, the canvas Palladium-style boots, or something else?

There has been discussion over on the Adventurer's Gear Thread about several of these. Might be worth checking out.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

As a kid I lived in "desert boots". I really enjoyed them and thought they were 'cool'. I don't think though that I would wear them again as an adult; my tastes have changed and they just don't fit in with the look I like.

-dixon cannon

 

[Duck]

I really like the look of these!!!!!!!!!! Anybody have a pair to give a report on?

 

[tonyper]

Old

yes the Old Suede ones. Upper lhey might be a good left pic. I think they might make a nice casual shoe nowadays..?

Thanks Tony

 

[SGB]

I still wear Clarks Desert Boots, I have the original Sand suede and the beeswax style for driving my truck. Recently just bought a pair in low top, called the 'Original', a little dressier. Real comfortable, and I still like the timeless style.

SGB

 

[tonyper]

Clarkes

yeah, Clarks ar the ones ! Comfy I bet....... I have to get out and try some on for size...

Thanks Tony

 

[Alan Eardley]

Clarks still sell them, but not made in Somerset any more.

Alan

 

[Mike K.]

I really like the look of these!!!!!!!!!! Anybody have a pair to give a report on?

They're really no different than your average pair of Corcoran (now Cove) boots, made with a traditional Munson last. The only difference is that these use flesh-out leather of a different color. They are quite comfortable.

 

[PADDY]

Desert ankle boots.

Certainly in my time with the Forces, most of us wore ankle desert boots as an 'off duty' wear. Almost became a uniform in itself which isn't a good idea in some parts of the world when you don't want to be noticed [huh]

But some lovely pictures of alternatives posted above there ^

 

[Alan Eardley]

I love the Altberg desert boot. The British issue item has improved recently but still doesn't come close.

The 60s and 70s British issue item is good - like the WW2 version but with a DMS.

Alan

 

[Mojave Jack]

I really like the look of these!!!!!!!!!! Anybody have a pair to give a report on?

Duck, Mike is right on the Corcorans; they are identical to the same boot in black that have been around for years. And they are incredibly comfortable. I actually wear the Maruaders, and have for about 6 years now. They are about the most comfortable boots I've ever had. The Maruaders have cordura nylon sides, and much more of a tread than do the rough out jump boots, but they run about the same price ($150).

Funny thing, when I was overseas they had issued us the usual Swartzkopf type desert boot, and I really missed my Maruaders. When I got back I sent a letter to Corcoran, telling them of the need for a rough out version of the Maruaders. I'm not saying they made them because of my letter, but I am sure that many, many folks wished they had their Maruaders in the desert, and told Corcoran so.

In other words, I highly recommend this boot! Especially when compared to the sloppy moon boots that are currently issued. Hate 'em.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I wear Clarks desert boots almost daily. Very comfortable. The only issue with them is the lack of arch support. If you're carrying extra weight this could be an issue. If you're not, it's not. Crepe soles make for a comfortable shoe, but terrible in the rain. Slipping, sliding all over the place!

bk

 

[Alan Eardley]

That's why the MOD added the DMS in the 1960s. Not a problem in the desert, I guess...

Alan

I wear Clarks desert boots almost daily. Very comfortable. The only issue with them is the lack of arch support. If you're carrying extra weight this could be an issue. If you're not, it's not. Crepe soles make for a comfortable shoe, but terrible in the rain. Slipping, sliding all over the place!

bk

 

[Duck]

Duck, Mike is right on the Corcorans; they are identical to the same boot in black that have been around for years. And they are incredibly comfortable. I actually wear the Maruaders, and have for about 6 years now. They are about the most comfortable boots I've ever had. The Maruaders have cordura nylon sides, and much more of a tread than do the rough out jump boots, but they run about the same price ($150).

Funny thing, when I was overseas they had issued us the usual Swartzkopf type desert boot, and I really missed my Maruaders. When I got back I sent a letter to Corcoran, telling them of the need for a rough out version of the Maruaders. I'm not saying they made them because of my letter, but I am sure that many, many folks wished they had their Maruaders in the desert, and told Corcoran so.

In other words, I highly recommend this boot! Especially when compared to the sloppy moon boots that are currently issued. Hate 'em.

Thank Mike and Jack. Yes, the Maruaders are very nice boots. I have a pair of Corcoran Field Boots that I like very much, but I really like the classic lines and lacing of the jump boot. Plus I found a guy selling 2nds for $39

 

[RockBottom]

Clarks still sell them, but not made in Somerset any more.

Alan

Sadly true. I went into a Clark's store over Christmas to buy a pair and walked away when I found they were all made in China.

 

[Alan Eardley]

The Clarks factory is now a highly profitable 'designer outlet village' and a show museum.

Alan

 

[SamMarlowPI]

MacGyver wears rough-outs...here's a good site to check out all of Cocorans desert selection: http://www.camo-store.com/corcoran_mach_desert_boots.htm
i'd get some for fishing and whatnot but they run a little high...even have the original brown airborne jump boots...

 

[Mojave Jack]

Thank Mike and Jack. Yes, the Maruaders are very nice boots. I have a pair of Corcoran Field Boots that I like very much, but I really like the classic lines and lacing of the jump boot. Plus I found a guy selling 2nds for $39

$39?! Where ?! Spill it, man!

 

[NonEntity]

Yes, I had several pair of Clark's desert boots in the 1970s. They only came in one width, and I have narrow feet, so that's when I first got into thick socks to make them fit. And I still have to do that with only-medium-width casual shoes. I prefer Smartwool Trekking, which are its thickest, or, in a white athletic sock, Thorlo's thickest.

Anyhow, desert boots. Yes, those plantation crepe soles (why do they call them "plantation," anyway?) are like walking on ice on wet pavement or floors.

It was one of the first times I ever drove my dad's car by myself when I had on my brand new--first time I'd worn them--Clark's desert boots and was gassing up the Pontiac. That was also a first, and I was having trouble getting the nozzle into the fill-up tube, which was located behind the rear license plate. Gas spilled out everywhere, and I stood in it until the 30-gallon tank was full, so I was there for a few minutes.

When I turned to hang up the nozzle, my feet flew out from under me, and I fell hard into the pool of gasoline. Every time I'd try to get up, down I'd go again. I felt like the three stooges all wrapped up into one! When I finally extricated myself and got on my feet, I discovered that the gas had literally melted most of the soles off my new desert boots!

Dad took them back to the ritzy store where they were purchased and haggled and haggled with the store manager until he finally caved and made an exchange for another pair.

So, I learned a valuable lesson: Do not walk in gas or oil in shoes having plantation crepe. Or, let dad fill up the tank!

Interestingly, my next pair came with a tag that said to not walk in petroleum distillates. Apparently, I was not the only customer who'd had such a problem.

I found that old English-made pair up in the attic recently and compared them to a new pair made in China. The quality is exactly the same as it always was, and they look virtually identical.