I got about a year of hard use out of each pair working at the marina before they needed replacement due to the tread wearing off the bottom. Otherwise the stitching and body of the shoe holds up fine. I'm up to pair number four. They're great for not busting your ass on flat wet surfaces in addition to use in sand etc.
Agree - the tread seems much lower profile than other shoes/boots, and like it will be the first thing to cause a 'decommission' of the boot. I'd say these won't last as long as other boots built for land use, but will last longer in amphibious use than regularly taking your hiking boots for a swim.
If you are thinking about these shoes go ahead and get them. Had mine a year now and still going. Wear em 3 or 4 days a week.Ive been hard on them. Best combat shoe/boot for the money period
@@captaincullencombatsports yes, jumped into a few creeks in GC and they held up nicely especially with the drain ports. Everyone thought I was crazy hiking in “converse shoes” haha
IME, yes and no. No because the shoe can get quite hot when worn dry, yes because you can just dunk them in a water source to cool them off. If you don't have puddles/pools/streams/water bottles available on your particular hike, I'd recommend swapping out the insole for a more traditional one (that takes up less space) and wearing your favourite hiking socks. The insole included is designed to be worn without socks, and can leave the shoe feeling a bit cramped if you try to wear socks with it - unless they are quite thin.
Hi Farnz! Perhaps I ought to clarify: The *insole* insert does not absorb water. The 'sole' as a multi-component part of the shoe/boot will hold a small amount of water for a very short time, and as the video and your comment mention, said water is pushed out of the footwear through the 'vent' via a walking/stepping motion.
These are solid but a little narrow. The "insole" is a blister magnet so I found a tight sock is needed. My feet are pretty beat from 31 years combined Military and Commercial Nuclear Security work.
@@captaincullencombatsports just walking around and hiking type stuff. I'm old n broken, about to retire after 31 years in the Military. No amphibious stuff for me😉
A few clumsy gopro moments during low surf at sundown, yes. My camera mount was a ‘bite guard’ style mount and so when the surf was really up I didn’t ‘wear’ it.
This depends on your intended use. I’d say they are true to size, and if you intend to wear thicker socks or to add a thicker insole then consider going up a size. If you are using them in the water with no socks, then stick with true to size. There is also a ‘wide’ variant if that is what you need.
They’ll do better than most solutions for wading in a shallow river, and you’ll move faster than barefoot. The issue with mossy rock is the moss layer tends to separate from the rock with any shearing force applied - but you probably already know that. Try some form of trekking pole in combination with these for the conditions you’ve described. Having four ‘feet’ will give you more stability - especially if you’re carrying a pack. Good luck!
Thanks for the review! I’ve been looking for a review that used them for their designed purposes.
I appreciate that! I struggled to find the same when I was looking into the purchase. So I decided to fill that knowledge gap with this overview 😎
I got about a year of hard use out of each pair working at the marina before they needed replacement due to the tread wearing off the bottom. Otherwise the stitching and body of the shoe holds up fine. I'm up to pair number four. They're great for not busting your ass on flat wet surfaces in addition to use in sand etc.
Agree - the tread seems much lower profile than other shoes/boots, and like it will be the first thing to cause a 'decommission' of the boot. I'd say these won't last as long as other boots built for land use, but will last longer in amphibious use than regularly taking your hiking boots for a swim.
If you are thinking about these shoes go ahead and get them. Had mine a year now and still going. Wear em 3 or 4 days a week.Ive been hard on them. Best combat shoe/boot for the money period
Just ordered these today!! Didn't realize military surplus had such cool shoes.
Thanks for the no nonsense review.
You are most welcome! Wasn’t able to find this info when I was researching the shoes myself, so wanted to share for anyone doing their own research.
Thanks man I needed this video before buying
Most welcome@! Glad I could help.
Great review! Simple as that!
Great summary
Awesome review!
Thanks! Glad it helped!
I’ve used these bad boys on a few Grand Canyon rim to rim hikes. They’re amazing!
I've worn them on more than a few rucks and they seem to hold up well! Did you get any water time with them in the GC?
@@captaincullencombatsports yes, jumped into a few creeks in GC and they held up nicely especially with the drain ports. Everyone thought I was crazy hiking in “converse shoes” haha
Very cool-looking boot. I'm considering buying these. Do the vent and non-soaking materials help with sweat?
IME, yes and no. No because the shoe can get quite hot when worn dry, yes because you can just dunk them in a water source to cool them off.
If you don't have puddles/pools/streams/water bottles available on your particular hike, I'd recommend swapping out the insole for a more traditional one (that takes up less space) and wearing your favourite hiking socks. The insole included is designed to be worn without socks, and can leave the shoe feeling a bit cramped if you try to wear socks with it - unless they are quite thin.
The sole does absorbe water: You can push it out throug little holes in the material. It is not that much of a deal but it isn't like rubber.
Hi Farnz! Perhaps I ought to clarify: The *insole* insert does not absorb water. The 'sole' as a multi-component part of the shoe/boot will hold a small amount of water for a very short time, and as the video and your comment mention, said water is pushed out of the footwear through the 'vent' via a walking/stepping motion.
These are solid but a little narrow. The "insole" is a blister magnet so I found a tight sock is needed. My feet are pretty beat from 31 years combined Military and Commercial Nuclear Security work.
have you tried the ‘wide’ variants? and were you using the stock insole for amphibious work?
@@captaincullencombatsports just walking around and hiking type stuff. I'm old n broken, about to retire after 31 years in the Military. No amphibious stuff for me😉
Dude.
Do you have any footage of yourself surfing with those ?
A few clumsy gopro moments during low surf at sundown, yes. My camera mount was a ‘bite guard’ style mount and so when the surf was really up I didn’t ‘wear’ it.
WOW, a whole 14 days! A year of military maritime use would be worthwhile.
Not sure what you mean by this comment. Are you looking for an overview after a year of military use?
Wide toe box for natural toe spread?
Altama has a ‘wide’ size variant for this. So yes!
@@captaincullencombatsports GTG! Thanks for the quick response.
RLTW!
Most welcome!
ROGER THAT
SUA SPONTE
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY
@@duncanidaho0175 ATW! 🫡
How are the sizing for these? Picking up soon but not really sure as some told me they are true to size or best to up a size. Im a Size 8.5us
This depends on your intended use. I’d say they are true to size, and if you intend to wear thicker socks or to add a thicker insole then consider going up a size.
If you are using them in the water with no socks, then stick with true to size.
There is also a ‘wide’ variant if that is what you need.
@@captaincullencombatsports haha got them already. Went a size up and it fits well so far. Changed insoles and with thick socks
@@akaikenji518 what size best my size 10 so what size to buy 10 or 10.5?
Does it matter what kind of socks you wear?
For amphibious use, go with merino wool of course.
@@captaincullencombatsports
Rgr thanks!
Would these be good for walking upstream in a shallow river on uneven smooth riverbed rock, and not busting my ass? Will it grip mossy slippery rock?
They’ll do better than most solutions for wading in a shallow river, and you’ll move faster than barefoot. The issue with mossy rock is the moss layer tends to separate from the rock with any shearing force applied - but you probably already know that.
Try some form of trekking pole in combination with these for the conditions you’ve described. Having four ‘feet’ will give you more stability - especially if you’re carrying a pack.
Good luck!
Do they require protection
What do you mean?