2nd Bat
Master sergeant 
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 18, 2014 22:36:36 GMT -5
i know many troops wore rough out low quarter boots similar to boondockers and of course the classic high pull on boots. What are keys to look for here? I saw some made in Germany pull over boots in a size 28 that intrigued me. The sole was a composition herringbone sole which obviously is not period. The outer leather was a slightly textured rather than smooth leather. Totally wrong? just curious? They were in a thrift shop and quite cheap.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 18, 2014 22:59:09 GMT -5
With a little google research reviewing images and then perusing assorted sites these are Knoblenecker (sp) East German Jack boots roughly size 9 USA. They are apparently not especially expensive or valuable. They look fine for my purposes although it is obvious that on any given week, boots become available in assorted sizes and for very very cheap that would look very much like the assortment of footwear worn by members of the Wehrmacht. Under gaiters, and some mud footgear should be the leat of my challenges when putting together pseudo costumes for my OPFOR. These jackboots will mix things up a bit. They do not look especially comfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Apr 18, 2014 23:47:25 GMT -5
I love my jackboots. Theyre the nicest boots I've ever worn
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 18, 2014 23:54:04 GMT -5
I may be surprised. I know at Battle of the Bulge and the Remagen event there were lots and lots of Jackboots being worn under tough tough conditions with the deep snow and bitter cold with no complaints about them. My feet, even with frequent changes of socks were blocks of ice and thoroughly numb by days end. I am going to buy these as they are super cheap and while clearly not perfect they look quite good to my untrained eye. At thrift shop prices how wrong can they be?
|
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Apr 19, 2014 19:16:57 GMT -5
I think they'll be fine. Better for your loaner kits, but I actually plan on getting rubber soled jackboots and converting them to hobnails at a cobbler.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
|
|
|
|
Post by masterchef on Apr 22, 2014 23:39:32 GMT -5
I have ample experience with the East German jacks from Eastwind, as well as Bundeswehr Maschstiefel and Czech jackboots. If you purchase them I'd suggest wearing them around the house a couple of days to get a feel for any problems and to begin breaking them in to your feet. It is entirely possible to live out of them for an extended period but you have to be on top of your foot care, Ie foot powder, duct tape on rubbing points and blisters, fresh socks at least once daily. A cobbler might be able to help adjust the boots some, I know it helped several of our guys (I had to use a calf stretcher to get mine just right).
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 23, 2014 0:15:06 GMT -5
Wow.
These aren't horrible to wear at all and i am surprised they are as comfortable as they are. Multiple days in the field might tell a different tail. Appearance wise to my untrained eye, aside from the soles they look right on to me. A nice find at a Thrift shop for next to nothing. There are almost always some sort of footwear t these thrift shops that under gaiters would look quite good for US or German (airsoft) impressions and not detract from the events at all. For the money you save you could resole them and have hob nails put in.
typically the footwear I'm talking about ranges from $3.00 to 15.00 !
|
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Apr 23, 2014 4:48:17 GMT -5
You'll be needing to spend a bit more than 15 in many cases.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 23, 2014 10:52:44 GMT -5
I obviously lucked out on these. My next question is by 1944 what would be the approximate percentage mix of the low quarters with gaitors and jack boots? Was there some order to this, or random due to supply, replacements or shifts in uniform requirements? Was there a difference among fallsimjagers, heer and SS? I plan to go mostly with the gaitors as they can be handed out to go over whatever approximate footgear people show up with but I would like to have an assortment of "Jackboots" to issue out.
|
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Apr 23, 2014 11:15:25 GMT -5
I personally think too many guys wear low boots. If you look at pictures in 1944, jack boots were still the majority. There was definitely a large low boot presence, but I usually see jackboots. But I am one of those guys with low boots....wish I got jackboots. But I'll get hobnailed jackboots for my Finnish kit and I'll use it with my German kit more. But when it comes to leather soles (at least mine) your feet will hurt with prolonged use (I took mine backpacking 20 miles last weekend). They take getting used to. But if its a day game, it's not that bad. But you definitely need to break them in if they're leather or get some foot pads that go inside the shoe.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
|
|
|
|
Post by shiftsup on Apr 27, 2014 22:54:38 GMT -5
I take it that you are buying boots as loaners for op-fors in your wwii airsoft games. Buying affordable East German jackboots and a mix of ankle boots seems perfectly acceptable. With low boots facsimiles you have lots of choices for $30 or less. Low boots came in a variety of looks. Black and brown. 6 eyelets, 7 eyelets, 5 eyelets and 4 hooks, rough in lowers, rough out lowers, felt bands. You get the picture. There really is no standard. Lots to choose from and mud / dirt with gamaschen / gaiters help in hiding any distractions. 12SS HJ didn't even bother with gamaschen / gaiters with lowboots. Germann lowboots started showing up on the continent in noticeable numbers around 1942. Not everyone can wear jackboots. Those blessed with huge calves or high insteps won't have fun trying to put them on.
|
|
|
|
Post by aldrich on Apr 27, 2014 23:43:22 GMT -5
Since this thread is about German footgear I thought I would slightly hijack it. For those with reproduction lowboots, where did you get them and what are your experiences with them? Is there anywhere you would recommend buying lowboots? I am looking, foremost, for a pair that will be durable, as many reproductions on the market are renowned for blowing out or cracking after mild use. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Apr 28, 2014 7:54:39 GMT -5
My MTL low boots survived a backpacking trip. Although my feet almost didn't, but they are sturdy boots. At least mine are. I don't know other people's experiences. I hear the best route to go is to resole ATF low boots.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
|
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Apr 28, 2014 10:32:09 GMT -5
Why resole boots when you can just get proper ones???
|
|
Jerry-ADK
Private 1st Class
Unteroffizier, Heeresgruppe Nord-Ost
Posts: 418 
|
Post by Jerry-ADK on Apr 28, 2014 17:04:13 GMT -5
Since this thread is about German footgear I thought I would slightly hijack it. For those with reproduction lowboots, where did you get them and what are your experiences with them? Is there anywhere you would recommend buying lowboots? I am looking, foremost, for a pair that will be durable, as many reproductions on the market are renowned for blowing out or cracking after mild use. Thanks! Aldrich, I recently bought some post war low quarter boots from Bulgaria off of eBay. They are almost exactly the same as the German black five eyelet type but with a rubber heel pad. The rest of the boot is all leather construction with hob nails, steal toe plate and even wooden pegs holding sole on. I guess if I wanted I could have a cobbler change the heel pad to leather but I'm not going to go that far. The condition was unissued and they need breaking in but for 60 year old boots they are in great shape. I paid $65 plus $35 shipping. Took about 4 weeks to get them. It's a good option for a well made boot and I think there are more for sale on eBay. And they are not repros. Just have to figure your size out for European. Someone must have found an old stock pile of them in a warehouse cause there was a bunch offered. |
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Apr 28, 2014 17:19:46 GMT -5
Why resole boots when you can just get proper ones??? Cause a lot of the hobnailed ones apparently aren't proper for the main build of them. Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk |
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Apr 28, 2014 17:20:10 GMT -5
My MTL ones are great. But I don't know other people's experiences with them
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
|
|
|
|
Post by aldrich on Apr 28, 2014 19:43:48 GMT -5
Has anyone else had any experience with man the line boots? I cannot find any review of them anywhere. If they are consistently reliable I would very much consider getting a pair as they look pretty decent. I feel like the problem with the Sturm ones was that some were good and some were terrible depending on the luck of the draw. I have also had my eye on the Bulgarian boots for quite some time. But the only pair I have found in my size had considerable damage to the heel. Hopefully a good one will pop up.
|
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Apr 28, 2014 22:06:39 GMT -5
While my experiences with Man the Line low boots are good, I did hear a story where a pair of them did fall apart during the first afternoon. But that's 1 out of 2, so I'll let other people take it from here. But I have also heard people say that their MTL boots are great too.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
|
|
