Proper Fit for Boots

[elecgitarguy]

Q1-
Is there anyone that can dsecribe what the proper fit is for a tactical/duty boot?
How much room at the toes/sides?

I understand that it really is a personal judgement, but surely there are some basic guidelines to go by?

Q2-
What would you prefer if you had the choice-
pair of duty boots like http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/duty/acadia+8%27%27++400+gram+men%27s-women%27s.do
or
pair of tactical boots http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/tactical/acadia+elite+8%27%27+gtx+all+leather.do

Thanks.

 

[armyvern]

Q1-
Is there anyone that can dsecribe what the proper fit is for a tactical/duty boot?
How much room at the toes/sides?

I understand that it really is a personal judgement, but surely there are some basic guidelines to go by?

Q2-
What would you prefer if you had the choice-
pair of duty boots like http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/duty/acadia+8%27%27++400+gram+men%27s-women%27s.do
or
pair of tactical boots http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/tactical/acadia+elite+8%27%27+gtx+all+leather.do

Thanks.

They should fit snugly when you're issued them ... they will stretch as they are broken in.

When broken in, they should:

1) Be comfortable, yet not "loose fitting";

2) They shouldn't cause blisters (if they fit properly and are worn with appropriate socks etc); and

3) You'll have to decide the above on your own.

If, after they are broken in, you find them causing blisters or NOT comfortable, go exchange them for another size.
They're your feet -- look after them.

 

[Armymedic]

Vern, While we are at it...

Whats with all the sizing with the new Mk4 cbt boots? Could they not correspond that sizing chart with "normal" sized shoe charts?

And why are they so big? I don't wear the sock system (I know I am bad), so I had to get the poor young Pte to run back and forth 4 times to get me a proper fitting pair.


As for that fine boot itself, I have Rocky's that are very similar in design, and 1 of the new cbt boot weighs the same as a pair of my Rocky's.

 

[armyvern]

Vern, While we are at it...

Whats with all the sizing with the new Mk4 cbt boots? Could they not correspond that sizing chart with "normal" sized shoe charts?

And why are they so big? I don't wear the sock system (I know I am bad), so I had to get the poor young Pte to run back and forth 4 times to get me a proper fitting pair.


As for that fine boot itself, I have Rocky's that are very similar in design, and 1 of the new cbt boot weighs the same as a pair of my Rocky's.

They run the same as the WWB.

I'm curious as to why they didn't throw you onto the little sizing rig in the socks you normally wear (whether issued or not) to determine the proper fit. That's the best place to start. It measures your length/width etc and they obtain the closest size from that (the sizes go by mms). If that pair then doesn't fit because you find it too wide etc ... they go down from there.

Whenever we've actually used the sizing apparatus -- the most I've seen buddy have to re-try was twice; that's why the darn thing exists.

 

[Eric_911]

Q1-
Is there anyone that can dsecribe what the proper fit is for a tactical/duty boot?
How much room at the toes/sides?

FWIW, this is the what the military looks for when sizing footwear: (IAW A-LM-007-014/AG-001/Vol 3/Chap 13/Sect G/Art 3-13G-003/Para 16)

The following four tests are performed when checking the fit of all types of military boots and shoes:

Test 1 - Snug fit under the arch is determined by grasping both shoes over the instep with the thumbs on the outside and the fingers pressing firmly against the under arch, close to the outer soles on the inner side of the shoes. The leather should lie snugly against the under arch and should be free from excessive wrinkles and fullness.

Test 2 - Proper position of the ball joint is determined by locating the ball joint with the thumb of each hand. The ball joint should lie approximately in the widest portion of the shoe, just ahead of the area where the sole curves into the shank under the arch.

Test 3 - placing a thumb low on either side of the vamp, at the widest part of the shoe, and gradually working each thumb slowly upwards towards the centre until the thumbs nearly meet determine proper width across the ball of the shoe. The foot without apparent tightness or excessive fullness should fill the shoe. Each shoe must be checked separately for width.

Test 4 - Proper length is determined by pressing each shoe at the toe with both thumbs. The proper length of footwear manufactured with hard box toes shall be determined by the position of the ball of the foot in relation to the ball of the shoe and the foot under the arch. Toe room in boots or shoes not having hard box toes may be determined by having the person being fitted move his toes while the fitter feels the upper area of the shoe or boot to determine the amount of free space. There should be a clearance or space of approximately one-half inch between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Each shoe must be tested separately for length.

Saving yourself from all the technical-ese of the official military definition, I would second ArmyVern on her first post above.

Q2-
What would you prefer if you had the choice-
pair of duty boots like http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/duty/acadia+8%27%27++400+gram+men%27s-women%27s.do9the tactical
or
pair of tactical boots http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/tactical/acadia+elite+8%27%27+gtx+all+leather.do

IMO, I'd pick the first model (Item # 22600), mostly because I've worn them before and everyone I've met who wears them, swears by them. I have never seen or spoken to anyone who has worn the latter model, (Item # 26055) although I am sure it is also a superb boot.

 

[Shamrock]

Q2-
What would you prefer if you had the choice-
pair of duty boots like http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/duty/acadia+8%27%27++400+gram+men%27s-women%27s.do

Insulated.

pair of tactical boots http://www.danner.com/product/military+boots/tactical/acadia+elite+8%27%27+gtx+all+leather.do

Uninsulated.

Don't know if that's oversight or a mis-link, but that's a pretty important consideration.

 

[elecgitarguy]

You are always able to get the Danner Acadia in uninsulated as well.

I tend to think id rather go with insulated,thinking its better to be safe than sorry right?

 

[Shamrock]

All depends where and when you're using them and your own personal comfort levels.  My uninsulated Acadians worked fine for Alberta winters but are painful in a southern Ontario summer.

For the most part, I've started to steer myself away from gore-tex lined boots.  They don't breathe as well as one would hope and when they do get inside, they stay wet.  Cordura uppers breathe and dry well but have the water resistence of a kleenex.  Leather uppers have the advantage of sort of looking like issued footwear and better water resistence.