Every one on this site who encouraged me to pick up a pair of these when i inquired a few months back - thanks. I recall being a bit concerned about the "rough-out" finish, ( although it is the current optional field gear for the mil ) ---
I have not had a chance to try these in field conditions, unless you count tromping around people's yards in Baltimore after the blizzard, but i wore these for a recent visit to the Wash DC National Mall as well , and put them through a forced march pace for a couple of hours . As well, my feet were hurting yesterday in running shoes, so i slipped (well, slip is not the term, this is a huge boot) into these and i can honestly say they were more comfortable with better support for my feet than the running shoes. The rough out leather is much softer than smooth leather and these required no break in at all --- plus , when worn under jeans -- they just look like a pair of "Timbalands" rather than a 10" field boot --- great kit
Next up is a pair of issue intermediate weather boots (made under contract by rocky, Bellwether , and a couple others -- these are Rockys) -- picked these up in a shop in Columbia Missouri on my way East, ---- I wore a pair of these for a year overseas in the late 90's and was familiar with their cold weather capabilities --- but since the switch to the new uniforms , and the tan boots (like the Danners) supply of these in popular sizes has about dried up
I have worn both an equal amount of time roughly (still dont want to tromp around in mud with those pretty tan Danners yet
)There is no comparison in terms of comfort and break in time - the Danners win hands down. Fit of both boots is close though, as they are both 11xw's . After many hours of continuous wear -- i still cant say they are broken-in yet, but they are definitely waterproof and mudproof--- They will probably last forever for my uses too -- they just don't have that feeling of putting your foot in a nice , secure glove the Danners have
However , there was a price difference -- the Danners were 240, and the mil-surplus Rockys were --- $45
I think price no object for a hard use military style field boot that is warm, and waterproof -- the Dans win, but i was pleasantly surprised that the $45 surplus boots i bought for mud use are not that far off the back and would really do somebody a good job if they were on a budget too and just needed a nice sturdy and warm pair of hunting boots -- (i just dont remember them ever taking this long to break in -- although i am not doing 8 hour patrols anymore either
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