boots

Rad on Gear: Altama Jungle Boots

In this edition of Rad on Gear, Rad’s talking footwear. Whether you’re a hiker, an operator, or a traveling adventurer like Rad, one of the most important pieces of kit you can buy are your footwear. The wrong boots can do more than ruin your day; they can ruin your feet. That’s why Rad rocks these Altima Jungle Boots. These are the second set of Altimas Rad has picked up — so you know they’re worth the price.

Here’s Rad to tell you about them:

Get your own pair of Altima Jungle Boots with the deal we found below!

Rad on Gear: Talking Burton’s Moto Boa snowboarding boots

Rad’s still hanging out at the Brighton Ski Resort in Utah, checking out the snow conditions and breaking down the best gear for cold weather hikes, outdoor adventuring, or just a leisurely day on the slopes. This time, it’s the Burton Moto Boa snowboarding boots that have Rad’s attention.

These boots are advertised as feeling “broken in” right out of the box to bring you nothing but comfort from day one. Do they meet Rad’s expectations? We’ll let him tell you.

Check out these deals on Burton Moto Boa boots

A Cascade Experience | La Sportiva Core High GTX

A few weeks back, six companions and I set out to summit the South Sister in central Oregon. Stepping off at 5AM without a cloud in the sky meant the weather was crisp and clear, a perfect day to summit the South Sister. For those who aren’t familiar, South Sister lies in the Cascade Range and has a significant hiking profile (5k feet in just over seven miles).

I was eager to try a new pair of hiking boots but had hesitations. I’d been encouraged to try these new La Sportiva’s out without breaking them in and was even more hesitant because I’d pegged myself as an ultra-light minimalist. Compared to the inov-8’s I’d worn in the past, these seemed like overkill.

Since my time in Ranger Battalion, I’ve followed the mantra that one pound on your feet equals five on your back. After enough miles humping in Danners and Bellevilles, I’d set out to stay light, fast, and avoid boots at all costs. I knew the day would consist of scrambling up lava rock and doing so in any shoe can cause issues, but with the Core High’s coming in at only 441 grams(.97 pounds for you metric opposers), I was more than concerned. How much support could they really give?

However, as soon as I got these boots on my feet I knew that something was different: I was comfortable, I felt supported and, most importantly, I was light. By 6AM we were out of the forest, working on the ascent. The grade increased and the ground turned to scree and sharp rhyolite. Despite this and a pack full of water and pogey bait, my feet felt great. I had numerous opportunities to roll my ankles and was solid – I’d walked through some light streams and yet, my feet were dry.

At the summit, we found a field of packed corn snow that had thawed and refrozen dozens of times through the summer. For the rest of the party, walking across was a challenge. The track was narrow and folks were slipping. Had I been wearing my worn out trail shoes I’d likely have been in the same position but the Sportiva’s kept me on the path with minimal effort.

Everyone knows that the vast majority of hiking/climbing injuries happen on the descent. You’re tired, focused on that warm Gatorade you’ve got waiting in the car, and aren’t placing your feet as carefully as you were on the way up. After five hours of ascent, I was at risk for, at best, a rolled ankle on the way down. However, the high tops of the Sportiva’s kept me in check. Coming off the mountain with Bachelor and Broken Top in view I felt like I was flying. I rarely had to stop and, for once, I wasn’t thinking about my feet. They didn’t ache, they were dry and, despite the fact that these boots were brand new, I had no hot spots.

Looking back at my time in Ranger Battalion I would have killed for a boot like this. Light and sturdy, able to take on the Hindu Kush or the streets of Ramadi. I’d be comfortable wearing these chugging up a 50% grade with the 240B, sprinting from a helicopter, or coming down a high fast rope.

Get your La Sportiva Core High GTX here

Guest Author – Kyle Morris. Kyle served in 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2003 – 2007. Over that time he had four deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantryman and graduated from Ranger School in 2005. In 2010 he earned a Bachelors of Science in Business, Entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon and has spent the past five years working in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boots: From the city to the mountains

I received my pair of Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boots about a year ago and have put plenty of miles on them. The color scheme of the pair I got was the Oxford/Rust which gives the boot more of an old-school hiking boot look.

There was a break in time with these boots; around 1 week of wearing them on a regular basis. Once broken in though, they were super comfortable to wear. After they were broken in, I wore them off and on for several weeks in the snow, slush and rain. I can attest to their waterproof claim as my feet stayed dry as a bone every time I wore them.

Last year I had an opportunity to spend 7 days in Germany. I only wanted to take a single pair of footwear to minimize what I was packing. After looking at the weather forecast for the dates I was going to be there (cool and rainy) I decided on the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boot. Not only were they waterproof and kept my feet dry, but they blended in well with the European populace. I wore these boots every day of the trip and put several miles on them each day for seven days straight. Not once did I develop any hot spots on my feet. The boots were extremely comfortable, kept my feet dry and were casual enough to walk into a nice restaurant. Although I haven’t done any running in these boots, I have no doubt that if I had to they would get the job done.

Pair these boots with a good quality pair of Darn Tough boot socks and you have yourself a bomber combination that will keep you mobile for a long long time.

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Here is what Ridgemont Outfitters has to say about their Heritage boots.

The Heritage is a great looking, lightweight waterproof boot that is comfortable to wear from city sidewalks to mountain trails, and everywhere in between. Crafted from premium waxed & oiled leathers with a waxed cotton canvas collar and a 100% waterproof Hydroguard lining. There’s also heavy-duty metal d-rings and speed hooks for secure lacing and a gusseted tongue to keep out dust and debris. The outsole is made in conjunction with a super comfortable EVA midsole sitting on our real rubber mildly lugged tread pattern, so it provides excellent grip on loose and slippery surfaces without looking too aggressive. The Heritage also comes with two pairs of laces, one solid colored pair and one more subtle flecked colored pair. The choice is yours!

Upon return from my 7 day trip to Germany, I decided it was time to give these boots some TLC with Obenauf’s Leather Preservative.

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AmeriTac Strikers: Between you and the ground

The satisfaction of a great piece of footwear is only second to the touch of a beautiful woman. At least to me, it is. I’d love to say I’ve humped as many women as I have miles in boots, but that’s just not possible. I live by a few mantras, and one of them is: be picky about what you put between the ground and you. This includes your mattress, your tires, and of course your boots. The AmeriTac Strike Elite Boots and I became good friends the moment I put them on. I wear boots daily and have a closet full of boots from brands like Bates, Danner, Propper, and more. You won’t find Sperrys on my shoe rack, but you will find boots that have crisscrossed the world a time or two. The AmeriTac Strikers have certainly earned their place on the shoe rack.

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The Lowdown on the AmeriTac Strikers

These are six-inch tall boots that come in black and my first black boots. Until now I’ve been an FDE type of guy. The AmeriTac Strikers have a padded tongue and collar that never dig in. I lace my boots tight, so I like the extra padding. In the past, I’ve had boots that have gnarly imprints and causes severe irritation where the top of the boot met the skin. CoughBatesRATscough.

They feature speed lacing aglets which again are a manner of convenience. As much as I love wearing these boots after a long day, I want them off. The Speed lacing aglets make them quick and easy to put on and take off. Since I like my boots laced tightly this is a significant advantage to me. I don’t have to start pulling the laces at the bottom to loosen the top. I unwrap them from the speed aglets and pull them off

The internal mesh lining is also lovely and soft, which aids in hotspot resistants. Less hot spots mean fewer blisters.

Puttin’ in Work

The AmeriTac Strikers are extremely supportive. This was evident from the first day I put them on. You can the feel it, and it feels nice. I never really had to break the boots in. I didn’t go on any hikes the first week of wear, but I also never got foot cramps wearing these. In fact, they felt positively amazing through my average day. After about a week I hit the trails.

My first hike was after a fresh inch of rain and living on a dirt road meant mud. I figured it was a good time to give these a good road march test. A simple three-mile hump at a moderate pace with a light pack was comfortable. My feet felt fine, I splashed through puddles at the end and didn’t have any moisture meet my socks. I didn’t submerge the boots or go out of the way to be miserable, but they beat the splash test.

I hiked over lime rock mostly, and the outsole offered solid tread. I never slipped, rolled my ankle, or met my usual clumsy fate. After the hike, I dropped my pack, ate my Lunchable and decided to do a few sprints.

I hate running, and I hate running in boots more. The AmeriTac Strikers were still comfortable when running, and sprinting. I also found stopping quickly, or make sudden directional changes easy. Sometimes it’s not how fast you can run, but how soon you can stop that matters. The tread digs in, even on wet ground, and allows for stable footing. I still hate running though.

Kicking them Off

I’ve been wearing these boots daily for over a month and have found no serious flaws. As it’s warmed up, I like the 6 inch tops over the standard 8 inch Propper’s I’ve been wearing. I can wear shorter, and lighter socks, and have a little more ventilation down there. From the field to the grocery store they are comfortable and supportive.

Looking cool with my 80% lower receiver Glock.

One feature I adore is the placement of hard nylon on the rear of the boot. It’s ribber and allows me to use one boot to kick off the other without damaging the boot. Sometimes the little things can make me seriously giddy.

The AmerTiac Strikers are solid boots for hiking, hunting, working, and tactical use. They also look slick, which isn’t the biggest concern, but it’s still one to consider.

*Photos by author

Having the proper boots and socks at selection is essential

About 8-9 months ago we posted a piece on boots and not only having ones that fit properly but having at least one backup, broken-in pair when you start Selection. With new classes starting up, we’ve gotten some questions about the different gates and events at Selection and we’ve posted on those and will revisit many of them again.

Most of the questions we get regarding the Selection process center around rucking and land navigation and today’s topic, boots, and boot fit are an integral part of passing anything to do with either. Because you’re going to be doing a ton of walking during the rucksack marches and Land Nav and if your boots are giving you problems, you’ll be in a world of hurt.

So, it is a good time to revisit the care of your feet and the proper boot fit that we touched earlier this year. For you younger guys getting ready to attempt Selection, this may seem like a trivial matter, but it is not.

As I’ve said many times… Your feet along with your brain are the two most indispensable parts of your body in Special Operations Forces. I’ve repeated ad nauseam many times what the men who trained me have said over and over. Your feet are your lifeline in Special Operations. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you. Having spent many years in the Special Forces Regiment, care for your feet became second nature and will be a very necessary function.

If anyone in your class or is a training partner has been in a light infantry or an airborne unit. they will know these tips already. If you don’t have that background but have senior NCOs or officers that served in these type of units, seek out their advice on the subject before beginning your prep for Selection.

Proper Fitting Boots: Unless some things have changed at Camp Mackall, and I doubt they have, you won’t be allowed to wear any of the high-speed boots in Selection, only what the military issued you. So, wearing the various boots from Merrell, Asolo, Lowa, Vasque, etc. will have to wait until you graduate and go operational.

The key for proper fitting boots is ensuring that the boot’s heel sits tightly to the rear of the foot while giving the toes some wiggle room up front. If your foot is sliding around too much, either front to back or side to side, you’ll have friction, which leads to blisters. If your boots are too tight, your toes will be curled up inside and that is a blister waiting to happen. Some people advise buying boots a half-size too large because your feet will swell on a long-range ruck march. I wouldn’t recommend that but if your feet swell that much it may be an option.

Have at least two pairs of boots ready for your Selection class and break both in like you would a baseball glove. Walk everywhere in them until they feel like an extension of your leg. It is a good idea to get boots that have good ventilation and water drainage as they’ll allow your feet to breathe and dry out when wet which will cut down on blisters

I know I’ve beaten this horse to death in our PT Preparation articles but having a second pair of broken in boots is essential. Without that, you are setting yourself up for failure. You are going to get wet a lot during Selection, even on days when it isn’t raining or snowing. During the events of that day, you just drive on and do what you must.

But that night, allow the boots to dry out and stuff them with paper towels or newspaper and allow them to dry out properly. Wear the second pair the next day and the first pair will be ready after that. And if your boots blow out on you during an event, you will have a second pair of well broken in ones to take their place. Having to use a new pair of non-broken boots in Selection is not the way to get thru the course with your feet intact.

I can recall one February class when I was a cadre member at SFAS. It was cold and damp and it rained/sleeted and even snowed hard on the candidates nearly every day. The dirt back roads and trails in North Carolina were soupy and underwater in many places. The candidates’ feet were wet nearly all the time, and because training doesn’t stop, their feet suffered.

Nearly all had multiple blister problems and our cadre’s medics were working overtime. Many of candidates had feet that resembled raw hamburger by the end of team week. They were forced into switching out their boots daily and those who didn’t have a second broken in pair suffered the worst of all.

Prepping and Caring for Your Feet: Having been a cadre at SFAS as I mentioned above, I’ve seen all different kinds of foot preparation and care. Another cadre member Doug P. and I when we had the night duty used to walk around the candidate’s barracks incognito at night to see how they were caring for themselves and their teammates. (Foot stomp… take note. You’re always being evaluated)

You should have a good set of nail clippers with you when attending Selection and ensure that you take good care of those as needed.

Here is where you must know your own body and what works for you. Everyone is different and what works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. That’s where the proper preparation and training BEFORE you get to Selection is invaluable.

Some guys spray their feet or use a roll-on antiperspirant which is supposed to stop the sweating which is the cause of blisters. While I was never a big believer in this, if your feet sweat profusely as mine do, then by all means, try it during your prep phase to see if it works for you.

Other guys, I’ve seen use Vaseline or some type of oil or cream to reduce friction. Again, it isn’t something I’d recommend but it does work for some people.

What worked for me (and again everyone is different) was to use just a small amount of Gold Bond powder on your feet and in your socks before going on a ruck march. Not too much, it is like anything else, if you put half a tin in your socks, it will clump up and create just as many problems. It cuts down on friction which creates blisters. I’d recommend putting some around your crotch as well. If you get rubbed raw “down south” it isn’t pleasant walking for miles that way.

Proper Socks and Fit: Socks are your feet’s last line of defense. Just as proper socks will protect them from blisters, poorly fitted ones will cause even more problems.

So first, what causes blisters? Heat, friction, and moisture. We’ve already covered getting a couple of pairs of boots that fit well, don’t rub, and are ventilated so your feet can dry out quickly and allow some air flow inside.

Initially, get a good pair of tightly fit synthetic or polypro socks that will wick the moisture away from your feet. Rub your feet down with a light coat of powder or whatever you choose and then turn them inside out. Why? So that the stitching inside won’t rub your toes and create hot spots. That stitching can and will cause blisters.

The thick military issued wool socks go over the inner layer of socks and once again inside out to prevent the stitching from rubbing and creating hot spots. The second sock reduces the friction and will absorb the moisture from the inner sock while cushioning your foot inside the boot.

Why do we do this? Good question; the two-sock system is used so that the friction will occur between the layers of socks rather than between the socks and your feet.

Crawl, Walk, Run Approach to Preparatory Training: Like anything else, these are the things that you’ll need to work on in your prep for Selection and all of these issues should be second nature long before you show up to begin your course.

Once you get the proper boots and socks, then begin your rucking prep work. Don’t start off by trying to do a 20-miler or the equivalent of the Brecon Beacons on Day 1. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed and distance. As you get more comfortable rucking, the speed and distance will become second nature.

If you notice hot spots or blisters forming during prep work, stop right away and deal with those. Waiting until completion may result in a much more serious blister which will set your training prep work back. Once the hotspots and blisters are no longer an issue your rucksack training can begin in earnest.

One more thing about your boots and that has to do with the way they are laced. Again, this is a personal preference type of thing but something to just keep in mind. I used to ruck most of the time in my favorite jungle boots. The way the boots were constructed as was the way my foot is constructed, there was a bend in my foot that always rubbed during a long-distance ruck march right at the crease of the boot at the ankle.

I’d always skip the eyelet right smack in the middle of my boots right there as it was always a sore spot that would rub. And after many 20-milers under my belt, it didn’t take long to figure out what needed to be changed. You will find certain things that will or won’t work for you. That’s where the prep work is invaluable.

As always, I appreciate the many questions that you have and will always be here to help in any way I can. Any questions or comments can be emailed to me [email protected] or at my Twitter account @SteveB7SFG

Happy Rucking! DOL

Photos: US Army

*Originally published on Special Operations.com