Yo! Make STOPS for sharpening knives!!! They're easy and sell to a niche market ... especially if you go on forums and tell us about them. And you know ... once people like your stuff, they'll buy your other stuff.
Loved every pair of jungle boots i had from 1999 until 2008 after retiring from being severely wounded in combat from an IED. I still have every pair I wore. I started in the bdu traditional camo uniform, dessert, acu and all the boots to match. Plus jump boots too. Good memories.. have u covered the jump boots before? Love those too. They spit shine easily. But the spit shine ended with the tan style jungle boots.
Watching some of the clips on your video from British Pathe, seeing images from the Malayan Emergency. If possible, I would like to get your take on the British "jungle boot" .
My dad served in Vietnam from 67-69. He came back with 2 pairs of those boots and I remember once were we went to a Army surplus store in the early 80's and he bought another pair. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and wore those boots all the time. To his work and in the woods. When he died I found a brand new pair and 4 worn out pairs in his closet. The new boots fit my brother so now he uses them as his hunting boots.
they were my favorite during my service (87-07) comfort, style, grip, cleaning, and most of all. Best Shine. No they didnt last as long as rgular boots, but if you cared about inspection, it was a must to replace them every 2 or 3 years
Well whoever the contractor was he'd found a lifetime customer! I was only Air Force, they issued me steel toed because I was in a missile repair shop. They were not particularly comfortable but they lasted 5 years. Uncle Sam does issue a lot of really good footwear, not surprised your dad kept buying them forever, but I am surprised he knew how to find the original good bootmaker and not get taken in by the mail order or surplus store cheap, crappy, fake Chinese knock-offs that looked exactly the same as original government issue, but were garbage quality and disintegrated on your feet!
I also served in Vietnam with the army in 1969 and I remember the soles of my boots being like jungle boot 2. I got wounded by rocket fire and medevacked out of the jungle, so everything was left in my duffel bag. The boots I had on were cut off because of shrapnel wounds so they were gone for good.
@@TRS-80Fanclub i still have my army boots that i got in 2011. the tan no-shine boots were MUCH more durable. dnc in the military is nonsense. nobody gives a shit about military formations. the north koreans, chinese and russians look stupid parading their troops up and down their regions/ cities. drill and ceremony is a waste of time and makes no military matter or impressive
Best combat boot the government ever made. My first pair issued to me in Khe Sanh in January 1967 lasted until the end of August 1967. Wore the boots everyday through sand, mud, streams, rivers, rice paddies, and in the mountains of “I” Corps. The second pair came home with me and I wore them for years after I got out. I went back into the Marine reserves and wore them at the Army Jungle War School in Panama for two weeks without any problems. The boots were 13 years old by that time and held up as if they were brand new. I still own a couple of pairs of jungle boots that I still use to knock around in. Just a great boot!
How well did they drain in your experience? It always seemed to be that the vents were too high above the inner sole to effectively drain in an environment where the entire foot may be submerged.
@@majorhicksusmc I appreciate you sharing your experience, and thank you for your service. I’ve got nothing but respect for the infantry that had to trudge through the muck and jungles of Vietnam on foot.
Thank you for your service sir and insite. I'm a 25 yr veteran fireman. Wouldn't it be great..... if the desk sitters asked the people on the ground what they need😂😂😂😂
@@broke_dongle I don't think I've ever been so tired in my entire life, and I was in my early 20's. "Jungles" were not authorized in Korea in the 1990's, so we had to do swim qual in regular GI LPC's.
I was on a US Army long range surveillance team from ‘91-‘93. Most of the guys on my team modified one pair of jungle boots specifically for road marches (we were required to conduct 12 mile marches with full gear in under 3 hrs. several times a year). We removed the leather footbeds and spike-protective plates, installed insoles of our choice, then had them resoled with either Vibram ripple or 2021 wedge soles. I chose the 2021s. They wore very quickly, but they were super-light and bouncy. It was like marching in sneakers.
Almost every single person I talk to who did a lot of marching has customized their shoes lol. People dont realize how bad your feet can feel if the shoes dont fit well.
I liked those soles... but dame they wear out fast on the gravel roads. It's super comfortable but expensive as hell, considering how short of a life they have.
It’s shocking how heavy modern combat boots are. I wore Korean made jungle boot knockoffs all through the 70’s when I was a motorcycle mechanic. They were light but wore out fast. 6 months was the norm
Did you ever try the shark tooth ripple sole? Incredibly soft - like walking on pillows but they wore out super quick. My go to boot was the V3 jungle boot then was forced to switch to the new desert boot.
I was a delivery driver of building materials in Georgia for about a decade and wore these jungle boots exclusively, and for the very reason they did in Vietnam. It lets the thick Georgia clay fall free relatively easily. I can dispel the "myth" that the soles wear out more quickly, but that's from walking on the concrete of our warehouse, not from carrying heavy sh*t through the mud and clay. I quickly learned to replace the boots when worn out with cheap knockoffs you can still find around for $30-40, rather than the $80 the real deal might cost. I've long since given up such endeavors as delivering windows, doors, siding, and roofing, etc... but still always have a pair of these in my closet all the same. Great vid! Thanks for sharing!
I was an infantryman in Vietnam 1969 to 1970 ,we only had the v2 version ,don't remember seeing the v3. The boot held up fairly well in harsh mountainous conditions.
I wonder if the Viet Nams had a favorite brand of tire they cut their cong flap sandals out of, and did they argue the merits of Michelins over Dunlaps over the rice fire lol
Still my favorite military boot! Recently purchased a new pair manufactured in 1968. Great for almost all weather conditions, except cold and snow…. Thanks for the cool video!
I hope you can test the full leather combat boots from the 1980s. They are called "Combat Boots, Mildew & Water Resistant, Direct Molded Sole (DMS)" . This military boot was paired with BDU in the 1980s.
Ro Search is the name of the company, I believe. Hands down the most comfortable pair of boots I was ever issued. I should have had them resoled 😔. Closest I could find online was a pair from Altama.
@@williamwilliamson1096 in the chilean army during the 2000's we wore a mix of those and the jungle boots, they had the sole of the dms boots and the shaft was in nylon like the jungle onesadn they were sand brown colored , they sucked on sand ngl
Those were terrible on the feet. I have fallen arches from them. No thanks. 28yrs in the Army, infantry. I was happy when the better versions of the desert boots came along. My feet will never be the same.
When I first arrived in Vietnam in 1966, I had been issued standard Marine Corps lace up boots. I think that they were made of horsehide. Anyway, they were totally unsuited for jungle combat. Not only would the leather get wet and not dry but, the soles and heels were relatively smooth. A jungle environment can become a very slippery terrain. Rotting vegetation makes walking quite difficult and I found myself falling quite often on the Deckhouse Three operation - in the IV Corps area. This was inland from Vung Tau in very heavy jungle. We were following V.C. trails which often seemed as slippery as ice. A bit. later on, I was issued the Jungle Combat boot and it was night and day better.
Saran Insole: I expected the hard plastic to be uncomfortable. Instead, they let air circulate under the foot and prove quite comfortable. Panama Lug Sole: Smooth flats gave good grip on pavement and dry metal. Big clearances led to your picking up tons of mud, yet the same clearances let that mud fall off in large slabs. Wear with thick wool socks and these boots worked well to surprisingly cool temperatures. I think the steel spike plate was what limited cold weather performance. Heat transmission led to these boots not working well in Desert Storm.
With a pair of Sealskinz Gore-Tex socks worn under the wool socks they were pretty warm down to around 20F in Germany. IIRC they weren’t authorized for wear from Nov 1 to May 1, but what happens in Graf stays in Graf.
I wonder if they could have rectified the thermal issue by embedding a steel mesh in the rubber instead of a metal plate sandwiched between leather. It would be a little more expensive, due to a multi stage process instead of a straight pour (don't want exposed steel), but it would impart at least some additional puncture resistance while keeping it away from the feet.
This is the first time I learned of the special pumping insoles. (Very interesting, but makes sense, to clearly stamp "DO NOT BOIL".) Hearing your experience for me in a strictly civilian sense it sounds like that type of sole would be great in hot work environments. Wondering if that sort of product is commercially available. I've spent a lot of hours stuck in boiling shoes idly thinking of what could circulate air through the soles, but this would solve it in a very simple, functional manner.
I was stationed in Panama from '91 to '96. Some time around '93 they starts changing from the green upper to the black upper jungle boot. I loved the greens. The black had speed laces which was nice but the inserts changed and felt like you were walking on knife edges. The black uppers also had a tendency to rip along the back.
Great video but as a footwear specialist you really need to understand and explain Trench Foot better. Trench Foot is a "Non-freezing cold weather injury". It occurs in cold weather conditions between 32'F and 60.8'F. The damage is mainly caused by prolonged constriction of blood vessels in the feet leading to painful soft tissue, nerve & vascular damage. This occurs from a combination of cold weather, poor circulation, and is typically associated with prolonged immersion or wet footwear. Other contributing factors are tight boots, standing still for long periods & malnutrition . Trench foot is not the skin "rotting" because of moisture and bacteria, although once Trench Foot occurs the skin can become badly macerated, blistered & infected. Jungle boots were not designed to prevent Trench Foot because that's a condition of cold weather. Instead Jungle boots are designed to reduce problems caused by having wet feet in hot humid conditions These conditions are poorly defined but have been variously called "jungle-rot" "paddy-field foot" or "Tropical Foot Immersion", and are characterised by mild to severe fungal infections, skin maceration and painful foot swelling.
I'm a vet. I used to love those boots. Then, my military job shifted to a LOT of UH-1 ("Huey") flying time. I was shown some pictures of what happens when there's a fire and those boots get hit with the heat. The nylon melts! It melts right into your skin and you lose that skin when the surgeons cut the boots off your feet and legs. I only wore leather combat boots and Nomex flight clothing after seeing that.
I wore those with BDUs whilst in the Coast Guard in the mid-1990s. They were super comfortable and those saran insoles were wonderful in hot weather. The only "breaking in" that they needed was for the leather strips used for the eyelets -- the stiffest part of the boot above the ankle. A couple days with thicker socks and those boots were good to go.
I wore the Jungle Boot in the mid-late 1980s and during Desert Shield/Storm. Gotta say, one of the most comfortable, durable, and functionable boots I'd ever worn. I still have a pair that I wear only in the summertime.
I was with XVIII Corps Arty in DS/DS, also wore the jungle boots from 86 on. Still have them and still wear them on snowy, shitty days. Best boots I’ve ever owned. (miss my buddies from Bragg and Saudi so much). Nuff said.
I wore Vapor Barrier (Bunny) boots in extreme cold (Alaska Infantry) for years. Water getting inside the boot doesn't matter. Still warm. Water getting between outer and inner layer, defeats the vapor barrier quickly. They are always warm. In the kind of temperature these boots are intended, there is no water, all ice. I have left them outside my tent, open end up, overnight in the snow. Moisture from foot sweat frozen inside. Put my bare feet in them in the morning . Warm in seconds! Then I took my feet out and quickly dried the inside, which I should have done the night before. These boots kept me alive in subzero weather. Carry two pairs of dry socks. Switch them out to reduce perspiration moisture.
Ft Greeley/Black Rapids alumni here. Deployed there for training with the 101st way back when. First time I ever saw a hot cup of coffee get tossed into the air, turn to powder and blow away!
Awesome boots, I live in one of the wettest places in North America, and there are no other boots that compare to them. The insole’s really do work to pump the water out, I usually wear them without socks on long treks through the rainforest, crossing creeks etc. Having suffered from wearing gumboots, which always seem to pull your socks down to your heels, and just develop leaks, anyway, or leather boots that become un breathable and invariably develop leaks no matter how much you waterproof them…. I started wearing the jungle boots about 15 years ago and have worn out several pairs now. You can cross creeks, have your boots filled completely, and your feet are dry in about 10 minutes of walking.
Used to wear these when I was in the Guard….was still allowed to be worn into the mid 90’s. Wore them with ripstop BDU’s. We could also wear the old OD green hooded raincoats & allowed brown wool button collar sweater under BDU’s…pre-fleece days.
Hey Rose Anvil! Love your channel! I'm a soldier from half a world away and I can affirm the sturdiness, functionality and durability of the V3 boot. Locally we have a licensed manufacturer of the V3 named GIBSONS Philippines Inc, and they have a long history here of making that boot in particular. Got my first pair way back in 2013, I was still a cadet in the ROTC, and now as full pledged soldier, it's still alive and well, ten years and counting, conquering several mud trails and mountain ranges locally through storms and droughts. I can attest that it is indeed the definition of functional reform. It only cost us some $27.00 to buy (converted). The government still procures these boots for new recruits today where we're from. Thanks and More power!
@@williamwilliamson1096 Sure thing! They are located at Marikina City, near the Capital in the Philippines. They have a very traditional business model in a sense, which may explain why we couldn't find a website. Been to their main store/factory just last year to buy my second pair of jungle /combat boots. They do produce a whole lot more models than just the V3, all in line with other military or police functions, including dress shoes.
@@williamwilliamson1096 Sure thing! They are located at Marikina City, near the Capital in the Philippines. They have a very traditional business model in a sense, which may explain why we couldn't find a website. Been to their main store/factory just last year to buy my second pair of jungle /combat boots. They do produce a whole lot more models than just the V3, all in line with other military or police functions, including dress shoes.
I love your channel man, I saw you on Dave's garage page. I'm in the Amsoil cult and a Merchant Marine engineer. Here is the only reason why you should not prime the oil filter it happened to me, my fault. I drained the oil in my 2000 chevy express 6.5 gm diesel. I was working outside and getting dark so I let it drain overnight. I got busy and my van sat for 2 weeks draining every drop. I filled the engine and filter with 15 40. It was winter here in the New York. I started the engine and watched for my oil preasure and it didn't come up immediately like I expected. I shut of the engine and double checked my drain plug and dipstick. All good. Try it again and still no oil preasure. Shut of the engine now I suspected the gauge was bad but started it 1 more time and nothing, now the valve lash is getting loud so I know there is a problem and I'm starting to panic, wondering what I did wrong. The light bulb goes on over my head. I place a oil pan under the filter and unscrew it a couple turns, start the engine and watch. 2 seconds later the oil pours out. I shut of the engine and tighten the filter. All good now. So what happened was I let the oil drain so long that the oil pump lost its prime and with the filter perfectly full it had no where to push out the air. So now I still prefilled my filter but I leave a little room for air in there, and don't drain my oil for 2 weeks! Thanks for the knowledge bros. 😅
interestingly, the platicy meshy insole looks like the same type that the late 1980s British Combat High has but that boot had no holes to pumo the water out - the insole had a very rough side and a smooth side and you were supposed to have the rough side down but I wore it up because it gripped my socks and reduced movement/chafing/foot blisters
I had several pairs of these while in the Army, purchased a couple more pairs since getting out in 1987 & am wearing a pair right now! I've probably owned >7 pairs of these excellent jungle boots over the years. Interesting video! Thanks!
I would really enjoy if you cut in half the modern US Navy “Safety Boot” It has a very similar construction to most modern issue combat boots, however it sports an odd sole design, steel toe, all leather upper and lower, and a fire resistant nomex lining. It would be interesting to see how safe my feet really are when im aboard a ship!
Steel toe is a death sentence in cold weather even a little snow and you will get frost bite and die in a survival situation. A buddy and I hiked six miles to get help in the high Sierra in N Cali in the early 80's it was bad for both of us....freak snow storm in March. FYI all the P-3 Navy ever got were standard steel toes. And yes we were working the Sea's of Alaska. So much for the navy caring...
Oh I know all about it having come from doing a lot of hiking and such to here. Don’t forget to take in account that if a steel gets crushed, theres no getting your toes out, even if you get whatever heavy thing crushed it off, say by to your toes. Composite would be much better but big navy would probably say “something something melt” despite having rubber vibrams…
My platoon sergeant was a Vietnam combat veteran, he always wore jungle boots in the field, and thus, so did we (buying our own). We had a sergeant major that hated them but we only broke them out in the field. After we deployed to the jungle (x2) we were officially issued jungle boots. Best combat boot in the inventory. Even in the cantonement area, we loved them because they were lighter and easier to maintain (half the shining, hehe). Also the cloth upper allowed for some hidden customization. Lastly, they compacted down for travel much better than regular combat or jump boots.
You missed a whole black leather boot issued through the 60's. Army personel not sent to SE Asia still wore the black leather boot until I left the Army in 1970. When I spent the last year of my enlistment in Korea 1969- 1970 we all wore the black leather boot.
Great video. I retired to rural Brazil in 2021 and brought my jungle boots I had when in the 82nd back in 1980 when I trained in Ft. Sherman in Panama. I wore them out in Brazil. They lasted a long time and took a beating. I tried some of the spin offs like Rothco and was not happy. Basically, the other brands were a loose fit and I really liked the snug fit of the original boot. Lucklily after a lot of searching (including in many Army surpus shops) I found an almost new pair my size on eBay.I am so happy to have found them. What makes the original so unique is the very snug fit. Yes, they are a real bitch to get on but worth it as they are so stable. Also, the heel is sharp and hard. Going down a muddy hillside with my dogs I can go heel first, dig the heel in and not fall or slide. Too bad the originals are not manufactured any longer. Thanks for the background to these awesome boots!
I got a pair of these in the 70s as teenager. It was at a Yellowfront, definitely army surplus. the sole was very hard but somewhat flexible. They were pretty uncomfortable to wear.
My older Brother was Infantry at Fort Campbell KY and he bought me a pair of green Jungle boots for Xmas while I was still in Army AIT in 1996. They didn't sell them at Redstone Arsenal where I was doing my training, they only sold the all black version. I was the only one that had the green ones and I felt cool AF.
@@Plague_Doc22 It was so good that we could/would play soccer and ride skateboards, and our mini bikes 🚲 in these boots. Never wore out a pair just outgrew them... 👍🏻
I bought a Altama PX10.5 jungle boot because of your first video on the jungle boots and I can confirm that these are absolutely amazing boots for hiking, they are very comfortable and feel just solid
As of 10 years ago. These were "required" equipment canoeing around northern Minnesota. Getting in and out of the canoe multiple times a day and wading through ankle deep water. Nothing worked better.
I was in the US Navy from 79 to 1985 and on board destroyers from 81 to 85. When I got out to the fleet I immediately bought a set of these at the Navy Exchange and wore them continuously as footwear while wearing dungarees either in port or underway, my ship ending approving them for use in conjunction with those dreadful US Navy Boondockers! They had nice grippy traction on non-skid and if you got soaked either by rain topside or via a wave coming up on the weather deck they were quick to dry out. I still have a pair that I use when I go out for walking in the local state park.
I was issued the last version of the Jungle Boot stationed in Panama 89-90. I was a Paratrooper in an Airborne battalion, but everyone was issued this boot being stationed there. I loved the boot because even in state side units didn't like the boots because of uniformity. During the Summer the all leather boots suck because the sweat would pool up inside the boot during road marches and field exercises. During a state side rotation at NTC in the Mojave Desert I brought along a couple pairs of G.I. issue jungle boots out to the desert and it worked okay. The black leather absorbed heat and the steel plate sometimes got hot on the bottom. Otherwise my feet could breathe and keep my feet dry as long as I had done my part to bring plenty of socks to change. But in tropical climates It was great, if you were an infantryman it can last you 6 months and trade them in at CIF where it was standard issue. In the 90s the design stayed the same except for the nylon uppers became black in color until phased out by the Infantry Boot in the early 2000s till 2005. The Infantry Boot was an improved design used by the Navy SEALs back then but became Army issue until that time, now it's hard to find and rare. Yes I loved the jungle boot and the Desert Storm Version which was still issued till 2007.
@@reddevilparatrooper I was stationed in Panama from '91 to '96. Some time around '93 they started changing from the green upper to the black upper jungle boot. I loved the greens. The black had speed laces which was nice but the inserts changed and felt like you were walking on knife edges. The black uppers also had a tendency to separate along the back.
@@MN-Hillbilly You are right. I had to replace mines twice in Hawaii humping East Range. I had one pair that the back of my right heel totally rubbed raw and bloody. Lucky I keep my other pair of boots in my ruck. Yes they were pieces of shit for boots.
Great video, lots of info! I had a pair of Rotcho jungle boots a few years ago and they were so uncomfortable that I gave up on military boots. Recently found some original RO Search jungle boots and they're so much better and they barely cost more than the cheaper ones with some searching. The Panama sole is also one of the coolest and most aggressive looking soles on any shoe or boot I've ever seen.
Having just spent an arm and half a leg on a new pair of boots today, I can speak with over a half century of experience that there are few pleasures (NECESSITIES ) in life that are more important to your physical and mental health as a well made pair of boots...Good boots = good ankles,good knees, good hips, good back, good attitude!...Just sayin... Great video. Thank you!
I had a pair of these that were hand me downs from my brother. I asked my drill sergeants in AIT if I could wear them. They said yes and I loved them. They polished up like you wouldn’t believe. Great shoes.
Yeah, I think McRae had the original contract, and they dusted off the old foots molds and started making the originals again around 2016 or '17. Not sure if they still do.
I had a tan pair issued to me when I deployed in 2003 with my DCUs and was still able to wear them with my ACUs when we switched to those. I didn't wear those all the time though seeing as how the newer boots had those sneaker like soles that were more comfortable, but I did wear them from time to time just because I had them.
I lived in the jungle for months at a time during monsoon season. Everyone who ever "upgraded" the saran innersole's with more comfortable types ended up with immersion foot . Those saran innersoles are the best feature of the boot. Us oldtimers would wear the boot without socks. We had some calloused ugly feet but no foot trouble.
Interesting, i figured the ankle suppirt eould be goodn gicen it is a lace up witha higg ankle. I've worn combat boots for years including the old desert boot which is quite similar and had quite the opposite experince.
I was issued 2 pairs of these boots when stationed at Ft. Benning (3/7th Inf.) in 1982 right before we went to the jungle warfare training school in Panama for 3 weeks. My 1st experience with them were long road marches in full gear and pack and the steel plate really did a number on my feet until I got use to them and broke them in. Very good design and functional boot and I wore them constantly even after leaving the Army and used them for work in my civilian jobs.
Definitely high quality, and I'm glad this popped up on my suggested videos after watching through so many hat videos by @HatHistorian Thanks for teaching us about this!
We were issued the od green canvas jungle boots and the slant pocket BDU's while down in Honduras in the early 1980's they had alot of this gear left over from Vietnam and were just trying to use some of it up. the boots were great i liked them. i still have mine.
I wear a similar boot as part of my army uniform, the sole does tend to wear out but the vents and (relatively) lightweight construction are very helpful and comfortable
I still have my pair of V2's I wore in the last 6 months of my tour in Vietnam and I still wear them today. The steel soul would stop the punji sticks but as your foot went down the sides of the trap would spring towards the ankle and cause damage to upper portions of the foot. The enemy was very clever.
The V2 boot had a steel insole as well. I had a pair that split in half at the ball of the foot showing the metal. That was in 1970 0r /71 as I recall.
I used these when I first entered the service prior to Desert Storm, and they (along with the more-modern black fabric upper) were considered the gold standard of boots for the field. Loved 'em and was kind of sad to get rid of them when we moved to the new uniform in the late 2000s. Thanks for doing this video. The mesh insoles were not great, though; they tended to product a lot of friction on the soles, especially on long movements.
I had a pair of these puppies still in 2004 at Ft. Hood. My NCOs hated when i wore them. They couldn't deny, however, how effective they still were after so many years. I miss those boots so much.
Here is a question I don't often ask during amazing history lesson on footwear... Where is the cat? Cool piece, and great storytelling. You knocked out 3 generations of wars and battles by telling the story of footwear. Impressively compelling!
Really like how you do more than your homework with boots and your love for the craft. I appreciate the time you put into this as well. Thank you for destroying this stuff we we all can make an informed decision.
I was in the Army(25th ID Tropic Thunder) Light from 1983-1987. As a Light Fighter we wore both versions and I had at least 25 Pairs of these and had many pairs literally cut off my feet training at Pohakuloa. Wore them on every deployment in the Pacific realm. I loved them and absolutely hated our Jump Boots…..fun that someone would make a video of them. Thank you 😊
As an older teenager in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in the mid to late 80s, I was part of a 2 week trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) near Ely MN. Lots and lots of water, wet portages, rocky mud, and hordes of mosquitos as large as your hand. I learned quickly that I'd made a good choice for my boots, a set of "el cheapo" M1966 boots I got for $15 at the surplus store (everybody wanted the new lug outsoles even at $80, so they were closing out the slow selling M1966 with the old soles). Not sure why or how I made that excellent choice, but my foresight paid off as other guys with expensive all leather boots began developing symptoms of trench foot the first week. I'd always be the guy that went into the deep water and then plopped into the boat at the front, as all I had to do was hold my feet up outside the boat and let all the water run out...then the rest would air out while we were on the water. A great boot, and I beat them up on the rocky shores of the BWCA daily. I think the leather part of the boot finally split apart 20 years later, I had to throw them away. Wish I still had a pair, as I'm still living in a humid subtropical climate in the USA and they would be good footwear for that.
I served as a Scout Dog handler from '69 to '70, and from '70 to '72 as an instructor in country. After the first day of wearing the boots, I discarded the insole because of the way it felt. I later used boot polish to close up the little brass holes on the side. They let in too much water. I never did get boots with the Panama Sole, but I surely wanted a pair. Overall, I really liked my jungle boots. Thanks for posting this video.
I loved Your video as I ran countless miles in Jungle Boots on all surfaces in the Marine Corps and U.S. Navy NAVSPECWAR but I took out the Screen Insole and replaced it with one layer Sorbothane Green Cloth Sided Flat Foam Rubber Insole and One Layer Flat Gel Insole. No Arch Support worked best for Me.
I had a pair of those (surplus) jungle boots and I seem to remember that those portholes had one-way valve not letting water in, only out. I really put the pair through it's paces and I think valve was still working after years or wear. I could be remembering wrong, it was loooooong ago. Also I am absolutely sure there were intermittend versions of the jungle boots. The pair I did have that nylon enforcement start but did not have "panama" sole it has that original sole. I do remember mud sticking to soled like hell, it was like wearing skates, you had slipper mud cushions on bottom of your shoes. Soles wearing out, depends on where you use them. Asphal or concrete or gravel wears them out much faster that dirt. I used to ride a bike with them (yeah ;)) and breaking with my feet on asphal wore the soles quite bad. But the old style sole took a hell of a lot wear and hac grip.
I wore jungle boots through many road marches (humping) and training. One thing I liked about Jungle Boots was how quickly it dried after getting wet. It was fairly comfortable also until Bated Boots came out! The other thing I liked about jungle boots was the matching green color looked great with Cammie pants. Honestly, the new boots are much better, and avoid these. New boots are going to be good for your body imo.
One company still making boots with the Panama sole is Belleville. Have had several of their boots and can honestly say they are the best I've worn. Just ordered some with the Panama sole, and you can immediately feel the quality of movement the design gives.
After your last video I got some new jungle boots that work with the current uniform. Very comfortable with some superfeet insoles, the modern version (at least the McRae ones) don't have the special insole or metal liner.
The Panama Sole is the best traction pattern for muddy conditions by a WIDE margin! The newest version of the Jungle Combat Boot uses a fabric (the same as in anti-stab vests) anti-spike midsole and a Vibram made Panama-ish pattern outsole. It's modernized with thick EVA padding, probably to reduce stress fractures. It's probably not as good in extremely wet conditions and is heavier than the old ones, but is more comfortable.
Got my first pair of jungle boots when I was 13, and I lived in those things. In my unit in the army we could wear jungle boots with our BDUs, as long as they were the all black kind, and they were great for the hot steamy summers at Ft Campbell. Still have all my boots from my service, very cool to learn the history of the jungle boot. Thank you!
We had almost the same type of boots in Yugoslavian and latter in the Serbian army (although they were issued in limited quantities) as of 2004 when I left the service.
I still have a pair of bunny boots, Mickey Mouse boots, the rubber boot you showcased but in black and I used to use them for snowmobiling and my feet were never ever warmer than those boots! I still own them to this day and take extra care of them, the warmest I've ever owned or have worn.
There was a change in the mid 90s to the boots. It went from the canvas upper in OD to an all black nylon. The basic design held on for a few more years as the first of the desert boots that were designed during Desert Storm. Tan/sand nylon and suede and without the metal protective insert. Those were in use until around 2006ish, and the final iteration had a sole with an EVA midsole.
Being from a military family with a grandfather who went to Korea, an uncle who was stationed in Alaska (where "Micky Mouse" boots were also key) and another uncle who did two tours in Vietnam, this was a very good historical telling of not only the "Jungle Boot", but their predecessors. Thank you.
Fascinating topic. I've studied history all of my life from my teens to the present and although trench foot was the enemy of both the allies and Germans there was no other option in WW l and not much of an improvement in WW ll. With RUclips I have enjoyed seeing history from a completely different perspective. Thank you and keep up the good work. I am a vegetarian but I will save your site under gifts so I can give good quality gifts to friends and family.
When I was in Vietnam I wore a size 14 Narrow. The Army didn't have that size. All they had was 14 super wide that was ridiculously big. My feet began to ache since there was no arch support and my foot flailed around inside the boot. I asked my parents to mail me my old black leather boots I had worn stateside. I used those boots for about 7 months until I returned to the USA. For those who could be fit, I imagine they were good boots.
When I sent over a second time to Vietnam and was drawing my tropical uniform and boot issue the civilian clerk recognized me from the first time due to the size, 11xn. "Damn kid, be careful and good luck." Because of my MOS as a vehicle mechanic I preferred the first lug design due to the motorpool, road surfaces, vehicle pedals I normally dealt with. But when your were winching out mud bound vehicles .... or the guard assignments when you had to traverse the muddy soil, the sticky red lateritic soil of the Central Highlands. So so long ago now, the constant helicopter slap, the artillery. Funny how one remembers how the boots and the inserts smelled when seeing the video. Thank you.
I LOVED my JB's when I was on active duty in the USMC. When they were authorized for inspections and daily wear, I bought four pairs. Two with the original tread pattern and two with the modified. God I loved those boots! Damn near indestructible, comfortable, lightweight, sturdy, breathable and to say they looked cool as hell is a gross understatement. I would use these boots to run the 3-mile PFT for training and, at times, for the real deal. First time I wore them for an inspection I got my butt chewed out until I showed them the USMC Order authorizing them. They shined up really well, and the polish (with a bit of saddle soap and wax) were damn near waterproof. Loved those boots more than I loved being in the Corps for 20+ years.
I didn't get trench foot, but I got a case of fungus on my feet that I still suffer with today... we did have a boot shortage and many of our Vietnamese compatriots wore tennis shoes. I was issued two pairs of these boots in the States, but if I had an issue with my boots, they couldn't be replaced. Our supply group only had a few boots and they were size 13 boots.
My last pair of jungle boots wore out in the 1990s. After a decade of civilian boots, I had Plantar Faciitis bad. The VA gave me orthopedics but they didn't last long. The Podiatrist told me to try combat boots again because the pungi plate does help with PF. My local surplus store had them on sale. For 16 years now desert boots have helped my feet. They usually beak at the edge of the pungi plate. Good Luck, Rick
Wasn’t really wild about these at first but learned to love them during monsoon. Couldn’t wear them in the states when I got back in early ‘68, at least not in SAC,But had them for years.
I was in the Marine Corps from 2005-2012 and I remember seeing guys still wearing the desert version of these. Some of them still had the Panama soles but some of them were resoled with the newer Vibram soles. I had a pair when I was a kid playing paintball and airsoft with the Panama soles and the middle tread did wear out, but to be fair I think that mine were a cheaper made pair. Also a few of the eyelets popped out and I had to sew them back into the boot. I did like them at the time but I'd rather have the newer Bellville "Desert Jungle Boots" nowadays, they're much more comfortable and they're padded up top and don't dig into your calves/legs at the top of the boot.
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Loved every pair of jungle boots i had from 1999 until 2008 after retiring from being severely wounded in combat from an IED. I still have every pair I wore. I started in the bdu traditional camo uniform, dessert, acu and all the boots to match. Plus jump boots too. Good memories.. have u covered the jump boots before? Love those too. They spit shine easily. But the spit shine ended with the tan style jungle boots.
Watching some of the clips on your video from British Pathe, seeing images from the Malayan Emergency. If possible, I would like to get your take on the British "jungle boot" .
can you do the rothco jungle boots, please!
Right, having a billion subscriptions is FREE, especially with that IQ-250 YT algorithm :P
My dad served in Vietnam from 67-69. He came back with 2 pairs of those boots and I remember once were we went to a Army surplus store in the early 80's and he bought another pair. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and wore those boots all the time. To his work and in the woods. When he died I found a brand new pair and 4 worn out pairs in his closet. The new boots fit my brother so now he uses them as his hunting boots.
they were my favorite during my service (87-07) comfort, style, grip, cleaning, and most of all. Best Shine. No they didnt last as long as rgular boots, but if you cared about inspection, it was a must to replace them every 2 or 3 years
I kept mine.
Well whoever the contractor was he'd found a lifetime customer! I was only Air Force, they issued me steel toed because I was in a missile repair shop. They were not particularly comfortable but they lasted 5 years. Uncle Sam does issue a lot of really good footwear, not surprised your dad kept buying them forever, but I am surprised he knew how to find the original good bootmaker and not get taken in by the mail order or surplus store cheap, crappy, fake Chinese knock-offs that looked exactly the same as original government issue, but were garbage quality and disintegrated on your feet!
I also served in Vietnam with the army in 1969 and I remember the soles of my boots being like jungle boot 2. I got wounded by rocket fire and medevacked out of the jungle, so everything was left in my duffel bag. The boots I had on were cut off because of shrapnel wounds so they were gone for good.
@@TRS-80Fanclub i still have my army boots that i got in 2011. the tan no-shine boots were MUCH more durable. dnc in the military is nonsense. nobody gives a shit about military formations. the north koreans, chinese and russians look stupid parading their troops up and down their regions/ cities. drill and ceremony is a waste of time and makes no military matter or impressive
Best combat boot the government ever made. My first pair issued to me in Khe Sanh in January 1967 lasted until the end of August 1967. Wore the boots everyday through sand, mud, streams, rivers, rice paddies, and in the mountains of “I” Corps. The second pair came home with me and I wore them for years after I got out. I went back into the Marine reserves and wore them at the Army Jungle War School in Panama for two weeks without any problems. The boots were 13 years old by that time and held up as if they were brand new. I still own a couple of pairs of jungle boots that I still use to knock around in. Just a great boot!
How well did they drain in your experience? It always seemed to be that the vents were too high above the inner sole to effectively drain in an environment where the entire foot may be submerged.
@@cruisinguy6024 I never had a problem with the water draining out.
@@majorhicksusmc I appreciate you sharing your experience, and thank you for your service. I’ve got nothing but respect for the infantry that had to trudge through the muck and jungles of Vietnam on foot.
Thank you for your service sir and insite. I'm a 25 yr veteran fireman. Wouldn't it be great..... if the desk sitters asked the people on the ground what they need😂😂😂😂
Thankyou for your service Major
Having done swim qualifications in New jungles can confirm every time you take a step it pumps the water out. Best design ever made for a combat boot.
Served in Schofield Barracks and agree. During the monsoons the boots pumped water out with every step. Wonderful design.
@@broke_dongle I don't think I've ever been so tired in my entire life, and I was in my early 20's. "Jungles" were not authorized in Korea in the 1990's, so we had to do swim qual in regular GI LPC's.
@@TheCrusher72a²²1
@@TheCrusher720
I had a pair of V3's that I picked up at a surplus store back around 1999 or so. I loved those things. I wish I still had them.
McRae still makes them
I was on a US Army long range surveillance team from ‘91-‘93. Most of the guys on my team modified one pair of jungle boots specifically for road marches (we were required to conduct 12 mile marches with full gear in under 3 hrs. several times a year). We removed the leather footbeds and spike-protective plates, installed insoles of our choice, then had them resoled with either Vibram ripple or 2021 wedge soles. I chose the 2021s. They wore very quickly, but they were super-light and bouncy. It was like marching in sneakers.
Almost every single person I talk to who did a lot of marching has customized their shoes lol. People dont realize how bad your feet can feel if the shoes dont fit well.
I liked those soles... but dame they wear out fast on the gravel roads. It's super comfortable but expensive as hell, considering how short of a life they have.
It’s shocking how heavy modern combat boots are. I wore Korean made jungle boot knockoffs all through the 70’s when I was a motorcycle mechanic. They were light but wore out fast. 6 months was the norm
Wedge soles are incredibly to hump in but virtually useless as a killing implement.
Did you ever try the shark tooth ripple sole? Incredibly soft - like walking on pillows but they wore out super quick. My go to boot was the V3 jungle boot then was forced to switch to the new desert boot.
I was a delivery driver of building materials in Georgia for about a decade and wore these jungle boots exclusively, and for the very reason they did in Vietnam. It lets the thick Georgia clay fall free relatively easily. I can dispel the "myth" that the soles wear out more quickly, but that's from walking on the concrete of our warehouse, not from carrying heavy sh*t through the mud and clay. I quickly learned to replace the boots when worn out with cheap knockoffs you can still find around for $30-40, rather than the $80 the real deal might cost. I've long since given up such endeavors as delivering windows, doors, siding, and roofing, etc... but still always have a pair of these in my closet all the same. Great vid! Thanks for sharing!
I was an infantryman in Vietnam 1969 to 1970 ,we only had the v2 version ,don't remember seeing the v3. The boot held up fairly well in harsh mountainous conditions.
Respect
We got the V3, we called them "wide oval mud mashers", They were great,
Thank you for your service sir ❤
I wonder if the Viet Nams had a favorite brand of tire they cut their cong flap sandals out of, and did they argue the merits of Michelins over Dunlaps over the rice fire lol
Welcome home brother. I was an 11b 68-69 with B Co 3/8 4ID. All we had were the V2. But, since we were 4th ID we always got the leftovers.
Still my favorite military boot! Recently purchased a new pair manufactured in 1968. Great for almost all weather conditions, except cold and snow…. Thanks for the cool video!
Where did u buy them?
I hope you can test the full leather combat boots from the 1980s. They are called "Combat Boots, Mildew & Water Resistant, Direct Molded Sole (DMS)" . This military boot was paired with BDU in the 1980s.
That's a good boot
Ro Search is the name of the company, I believe. Hands down the most comfortable pair of boots I was ever issued. I should have had them resoled 😔. Closest I could find online was a pair from Altama.
@@williamwilliamson1096 in the chilean army during the 2000's we wore a mix of those and the jungle boots, they had the sole of the dms boots and the shaft was in nylon like the jungle onesadn they were sand brown colored , they sucked on sand ngl
Those were terrible on the feet. I have fallen arches from them. No thanks. 28yrs in the Army, infantry. I was happy when the better versions of the desert boots came along. My feet will never be the same.
@@sisleymichael that's unfortunate. Infantry does deserve the best when it comes to gear.
When I first arrived in Vietnam in 1966, I had been issued standard Marine Corps lace up boots. I think that they were made of horsehide. Anyway, they were totally unsuited for jungle combat. Not only would the leather get wet and not dry but, the soles and heels were relatively smooth. A jungle environment can become a very slippery terrain. Rotting vegetation makes walking quite difficult and I found myself falling quite often on the Deckhouse Three operation - in the IV Corps area. This was inland from Vung Tau in very heavy jungle. We were following V.C. trails which often seemed as slippery as ice.
A bit. later on, I was issued the Jungle Combat boot and it was night and day better.
Same here! Semper Fi
Saran Insole: I expected the hard plastic to be uncomfortable. Instead, they let air circulate under the foot and prove quite comfortable.
Panama Lug Sole: Smooth flats gave good grip on pavement and dry metal. Big clearances led to your picking up tons of mud, yet the same clearances let that mud fall off in large slabs.
Wear with thick wool socks and these boots worked well to surprisingly cool temperatures. I think the steel spike plate was what limited cold weather performance. Heat transmission led to these boots not working well in Desert Storm.
not wrong
With a pair of Sealskinz Gore-Tex socks worn under the wool socks they were pretty warm down to around 20F in Germany. IIRC they weren’t authorized for wear from Nov 1 to May 1, but what happens in Graf stays in Graf.
I wonder if they could have rectified the thermal issue by embedding a steel mesh in the rubber instead of a metal plate sandwiched between leather. It would be a little more expensive, due to a multi stage process instead of a straight pour (don't want exposed steel), but it would impart at least some additional puncture resistance while keeping it away from the feet.
This is the first time I learned of the special pumping insoles. (Very interesting, but makes sense, to clearly stamp "DO NOT BOIL".) Hearing your experience for me in a strictly civilian sense it sounds like that type of sole would be great in hot work environments. Wondering if that sort of product is commercially available. I've spent a lot of hours stuck in boiling shoes idly thinking of what could circulate air through the soles, but this would solve it in a very simple, functional manner.
I was stationed in Panama from '91 to '96. Some time around '93 they starts changing from the green upper to the black upper jungle boot. I loved the greens. The black had speed laces which was nice but the inserts changed and felt like you were walking on knife edges. The black uppers also had a tendency to rip along the back.
Great video but as a footwear specialist you really need to understand and explain Trench Foot better. Trench Foot is a "Non-freezing cold weather injury". It occurs in cold weather conditions between 32'F and 60.8'F. The damage is mainly caused by prolonged constriction of blood vessels in the feet leading to painful soft tissue, nerve & vascular damage. This occurs from a combination of cold weather, poor circulation, and is typically associated with prolonged immersion or wet footwear. Other contributing factors are tight boots, standing still for long periods & malnutrition . Trench foot is not the skin "rotting" because of moisture and bacteria, although once Trench Foot occurs the skin can become badly macerated, blistered & infected. Jungle boots were not designed to prevent Trench Foot because that's a condition of cold weather. Instead Jungle boots are designed to reduce problems caused by having wet feet in hot humid conditions These conditions are poorly defined but have been variously called "jungle-rot" "paddy-field foot" or "Tropical Foot Immersion", and are characterised by mild to severe fungal infections, skin maceration and painful foot swelling.
You cut it in half and revealed it but didn't dive very deeply into what was inside. Feel like there was more to learn on this one.
I’m fairly certain he did a previous video on these and went into more detail there
I was hoping for commentary about the waffle insole lol
@@danshakuimothat was in the previous video of jungle bootss
How wide is the steel in the sole? I’ve seen Chinese knockoffs where it was only about one inch wide.
Now we wear cheap suede boots with sneaker outsoles
I'm a vet. I used to love those boots. Then, my military job shifted to a LOT of UH-1 ("Huey") flying time. I was shown some pictures of what happens when there's a fire and those boots get hit with the heat. The nylon melts! It melts right into your skin and you lose that skin when the surgeons cut the boots off your feet and legs. I only wore leather combat boots and Nomex flight clothing after seeing that.
Well yea nylon melts, think alot of people figured that out by being to close to a fire and the outside getting melty
I was a 67n, door gunner. Huey's are the best helicopter ever made.
Australian soldiers had GP boots all leather, I wore them when in the Australian army, they didn't stop tinea 😄
Same for sailors aboard Navy ships. They aren't authorized on US ships. They also aren't steel toed.
The originals were made out of Canvas
I wore those with BDUs whilst in the Coast Guard in the mid-1990s. They were super comfortable and those saran insoles were wonderful in hot weather. The only "breaking in" that they needed was for the leather strips used for the eyelets -- the stiffest part of the boot above the ankle. A couple days with thicker socks and those boots were good to go.
Coming from a Marine Veteran who's worn this boot, you did an outstanding job with this presentation! Well done! 👍
Used my dad's boots for at least 15 years after he retired for hunting and work! My favorite boots!
I wore the Jungle Boot in the mid-late 1980s and during Desert Shield/Storm. Gotta say, one of the most comfortable, durable, and functionable boots I'd ever worn. I still have a pair that I wear only in the summertime.
I was with XVIII Corps Arty in DS/DS, also wore the jungle boots from 86 on. Still have them and still wear them on snowy, shitty days. Best boots I’ve ever owned.
(miss my buddies from Bragg and Saudi so much). Nuff said.
@@dr.OgataSerizawa Don't your feet get cold in those? They are a tropical weather jungle boot. But to each his own
Hope you taped up or blocked the eyelets---otherwise, they'd have packed a lot of sand into those boots.
@@matthewgabbard6415 Yes, they weren't good in colder weather.
"they saw the writing on the wall even if they wrote it themselves" goes so hard
Spot on
Soinds cool, not accurate. But don't let facts get in the way of the rule of cool, amiright?
@@sinisterthoughts2896 I’ll never forget the day Vietnam bombed Las Vegas to start that war man, never forget
Yeah man we were totally forced to go into that war lol @@sinisterthoughts2896
@@sinisterthoughts2896 The Gulf of Tonkin was a false flag. Everybody knows that now. That's real history.
I wore Vapor Barrier (Bunny) boots in extreme cold (Alaska Infantry) for years. Water getting inside the boot doesn't matter. Still warm. Water getting between outer and inner layer, defeats the vapor barrier quickly. They are always warm. In the kind of temperature these boots are intended, there is no water, all ice. I have left them outside my tent, open end up, overnight in the snow. Moisture from foot sweat frozen inside. Put my bare feet in them in the morning . Warm in seconds! Then I took my feet out and quickly dried the inside, which I should have done the night before. These boots kept me alive in subzero weather. Carry two pairs of dry socks. Switch them out to reduce perspiration moisture.
Ft Greeley/Black Rapids alumni here. Deployed there for training with the 101st way back when. First time I ever saw a hot cup of coffee get tossed into the air, turn to powder and blow away!
Your feet smell like death when you take them out. I also liked the five buckle boots.
Related on 8:02 it was known that Australian troops were willing to trade their slouch hats for American boots as theirs were mainly still leather.
I traded a picture frame for a pair of German Army field boots once
loved the show! Great concept of cutting the boot in half, excellent dialogue and history lesson. Never saw your show before, I'm a fan now
Awesome boots, I live in one of the wettest places in North America, and there are no other boots that compare to them. The insole’s really do work to pump the water out, I usually wear them without socks on long treks through the rainforest, crossing creeks etc. Having suffered from wearing gumboots, which always seem to pull your socks down to your heels, and just develop leaks, anyway, or leather boots that become un breathable and invariably develop leaks no matter how much you waterproof them…. I started wearing the jungle boots about 15 years ago and have worn out several pairs now. You can cross creeks, have your boots filled completely, and your feet are dry in about 10 minutes of walking.
Used to wear these when I was in the Guard….was still allowed to be worn into the mid 90’s. Wore them with ripstop BDU’s. We could also wear the old OD green hooded raincoats & allowed brown wool button collar sweater under BDU’s…pre-fleece days.
Hey Rose Anvil! Love your channel!
I'm a soldier from half a world away and I can affirm the sturdiness, functionality and durability of the V3 boot. Locally we have a licensed manufacturer of the V3 named GIBSONS Philippines Inc, and they have a long history here of making that boot in particular.
Got my first pair way back in 2013, I was still a cadet in the ROTC, and now as full pledged soldier, it's still alive and well, ten years and counting, conquering several mud trails and mountain ranges locally through storms and droughts. I can attest that it is indeed the definition of functional reform. It only cost us some $27.00 to buy (converted).
The government still procures these boots for new recruits today where we're from.
Thanks and More power!
@@williamwilliamson1096 Sure thing! They are located at Marikina City, near the Capital in the Philippines.
They have a very traditional business model in a sense, which may explain why we couldn't find a website.
Been to their main store/factory just last year to buy my second pair of jungle /combat boots. They do produce a whole lot more models than just the V3, all in line with other military or police functions, including dress shoes.
@@williamwilliamson1096 Sure thing! They are located at Marikina City, near the Capital in the Philippines.
They have a very traditional business model in a sense, which may explain why we couldn't find a website.
Been to their main store/factory just last year to buy my second pair of jungle /combat boots. They do produce a whole lot more models than just the V3, all in line with other military or police functions, including dress shoes.
I love your channel man, I saw you on Dave's garage page. I'm in the Amsoil cult and a Merchant Marine engineer. Here is the only reason why you should not prime the oil filter it happened to me, my fault.
I drained the oil in my 2000 chevy express 6.5 gm diesel. I was working outside and getting dark so I let it drain overnight. I got busy and my van sat for 2 weeks draining every drop. I filled the engine and filter with 15 40. It was winter here in the New York. I started the engine and watched for my oil preasure and it didn't come up immediately like I expected. I shut of the engine and double checked my drain plug and dipstick. All good. Try it again and still no oil preasure. Shut of the engine now I suspected the gauge was bad but started it 1 more time and nothing, now the valve lash is getting loud so I know there is a problem and I'm starting to panic, wondering what I did wrong. The light bulb goes on over my head. I place a oil pan under the filter and unscrew it a couple turns, start the engine and watch. 2 seconds later the oil pours out. I shut of the engine and tighten the filter. All good now. So what happened was I let the oil drain so long that the oil pump lost its prime and with the filter perfectly full it had no where to push out the air. So now I still prefilled my filter but I leave a little room for air in there, and don't drain my oil for 2 weeks!
Thanks for the knowledge bros.
😅
interestingly, the platicy meshy insole looks like the same type that the late 1980s British Combat High has but that boot had no holes to pumo the water out - the insole had a very rough side and a smooth side and you were supposed to have the rough side down but I wore it up because it gripped my socks and reduced movement/chafing/foot blisters
I had several pairs of these while in the Army, purchased a couple more pairs since getting out in 1987 & am wearing a pair right now! I've probably owned >7 pairs of these excellent jungle boots over the years.
Interesting video! Thanks!
I would really enjoy if you cut in half the modern US Navy “Safety Boot” It has a very similar construction to most modern issue combat boots, however it sports an odd sole design, steel toe, all leather upper and lower, and a fire resistant nomex lining. It would be interesting to see how safe my feet really are when im aboard a ship!
Steel toe is a death sentence in cold weather even a little snow and you will get frost bite and die in a survival situation. A buddy and I hiked six miles to get help in the high Sierra in N Cali in the early 80's it was bad for both of us....freak snow storm in March. FYI all the P-3 Navy ever got were standard steel toes. And yes we were working the Sea's of Alaska. So much for the navy caring...
Oh I know all about it having come from doing a lot of hiking and such to here. Don’t forget to take in account that if a steel gets crushed, theres no getting your toes out, even if you get whatever heavy thing crushed it off, say by to your toes. Composite would be much better but big navy would probably say “something something melt” despite having rubber vibrams…
My platoon sergeant was a Vietnam combat veteran, he always wore jungle boots in the field, and thus, so did we (buying our own). We had a sergeant major that hated them but we only broke them out in the field. After we deployed to the jungle (x2) we were officially issued jungle boots. Best combat boot in the inventory. Even in the cantonement area, we loved them because they were lighter and easier to maintain (half the shining, hehe). Also the cloth upper allowed for some hidden customization. Lastly, they compacted down for travel much better than regular combat or jump boots.
You missed a whole black leather boot issued through the 60's. Army personel not sent to SE Asia still wore the black leather boot until I left the Army in 1970. When I spent the last year of my enlistment in Korea 1969- 1970 we all wore the black leather boot.
Thanks...i'm 65 and still have a pair...also have worn out a lot of them...Keep up the good work.
I still have my last pair of black ones that have the reinforced nylon upper, excellent boots for hot wet weather.
Great video. I retired to rural Brazil in 2021 and brought my jungle boots I had when in the 82nd back in 1980 when I trained in Ft. Sherman in Panama. I wore them out in Brazil. They lasted a long time and took a beating. I tried some of the spin offs like Rothco and was not happy. Basically, the other brands were a loose fit and I really liked the snug fit of the original boot. Lucklily after a lot of searching (including in many Army surpus shops) I found an almost new pair my size on eBay.I am so happy to have found them. What makes the original so unique is the very snug fit. Yes, they are a real bitch to get on but worth it as they are so stable. Also, the heel is sharp and hard. Going down a muddy hillside with my dogs I can go heel first, dig the heel in and not fall or slide. Too bad the originals are not manufactured any longer. Thanks for the background to these awesome boots!
I got a pair of these in the 70s as teenager. It was at a Yellowfront, definitely army surplus. the sole was very hard but somewhat flexible. They were pretty uncomfortable to wear.
Just watched this for the second time. It may be one of your best videos. Thank you.
I love videos like this. Watching Tour of Duty as a kid, me and my friends always wanted these boots and some tiger stripe fatigues.
My older Brother was Infantry at Fort Campbell KY and he bought me a pair of green Jungle boots for Xmas while I was still in Army AIT in 1996. They didn't sell them at Redstone Arsenal where I was doing my training, they only sold the all black version. I was the only one that had the green ones and I felt cool AF.
I wore those boots in 1974 and 75, we would get them from this guy at the Orange Swap Meet in Orange Ca, as surplus...I was a teenager...😮🎉
How was the comfort?
@@Plague_Doc22 It was so good that we could/would play soccer and ride skateboards, and our mini bikes 🚲 in these boots. Never wore out a pair just outgrew them... 👍🏻
I bought a Altama PX10.5 jungle boot because of your first video on the jungle boots
and I can confirm that these are absolutely amazing boots for hiking, they are very comfortable and feel just solid
As of 10 years ago. These were "required" equipment canoeing around northern Minnesota. Getting in and out of the canoe multiple times a day and wading through ankle deep water. Nothing worked better.
Great comment. My days in the BWCA are behind me now but I always wore my jungle boots when canoeing there. They worked great.
I was in the US Navy from 79 to 1985 and on board destroyers from 81 to 85. When I got out to the fleet I immediately bought a set of these at the Navy Exchange and wore them continuously as footwear while wearing dungarees either in port or underway, my ship ending approving them for use in conjunction with those dreadful US Navy Boondockers! They had nice grippy traction on non-skid and if you got soaked either by rain topside or via a wave coming up on the weather deck they were quick to dry out. I still have a pair that I use when I go out for walking in the local state park.
I was issued the last version of the Jungle Boot stationed in Panama 89-90. I was a Paratrooper in an Airborne battalion, but everyone was issued this boot being stationed there. I loved the boot because even in state side units didn't like the boots because of uniformity. During the Summer the all leather boots suck because the sweat would pool up inside the boot during road marches and field exercises. During a state side rotation at NTC in the Mojave Desert I brought along a couple pairs of G.I. issue jungle boots out to the desert and it worked okay. The black leather absorbed heat and the steel plate sometimes got hot on the bottom. Otherwise my feet could breathe and keep my feet dry as long as I had done my part to bring plenty of socks to change. But in tropical climates It was great, if you were an infantryman it can last you 6 months and trade them in at CIF where it was standard issue. In the 90s the design stayed the same except for the nylon uppers became black in color until phased out by the Infantry Boot in the early 2000s till 2005. The Infantry Boot was an improved design used by the Navy SEALs back then but became Army issue until that time, now it's hard to find and rare. Yes I loved the jungle boot and the Desert Storm Version which was still issued till 2007.
1/508th Airborne infantry, fort Kobe Panama. Red Devils
I went to JOTC (Jungle Operations Training Center) at Camp Sherman, Panama in '84 (IIRC The 80s was a busy decade for me) LOL
@@clintonwalls3642 A co. Moatengators. 👍💪
@@reddevilparatrooper I was stationed in Panama from '91 to '96. Some time around '93 they started changing from the green upper to the black upper jungle boot. I loved the greens. The black had speed laces which was nice but the inserts changed and felt like you were walking on knife edges. The black uppers also had a tendency to separate along the back.
@@MN-Hillbilly You are right. I had to replace mines twice in Hawaii humping East Range. I had one pair that the back of my right heel totally rubbed raw and bloody. Lucky I keep my other pair of boots in my ruck. Yes they were pieces of shit for boots.
Great video, lots of info! I had a pair of Rotcho jungle boots a few years ago and they were so uncomfortable that I gave up on military boots. Recently found some original RO Search jungle boots and they're so much better and they barely cost more than the cheaper ones with some searching. The Panama sole is also one of the coolest and most aggressive looking soles on any shoe or boot I've ever seen.
Having just spent an arm and half a leg on a new pair of boots today, I can speak with over a half century of experience that there are few pleasures (NECESSITIES ) in life that are more important to your physical and mental health as a well made pair of boots...Good boots = good ankles,good knees, good hips, good back, good attitude!...Just sayin... Great video. Thank you!
I had a pair of these that were hand me downs from my brother. I asked my drill sergeants in AIT if I could wear them. They said yes and I loved them. They polished up like you wouldn’t believe. Great shoes.
2005? We still can get them issued today and I have but in brown.
Yeah, I think McRae had the original contract, and they dusted off the old foots molds and started making the originals again around 2016 or '17. Not sure if they still do.
@@CaptainJacksIsland mine are wellco. Must be a British military thing with contracts and that.
Yes - U.K. - I’ve been issued in brown. They are Wellco. Not sure if any such differences to model in this video ? Doesn’t look it.
Different model from my understanding. This particular model has been replaced I believe, with a simular one.
I had a tan pair issued to me when I deployed in 2003 with my DCUs and was still able to wear them with my ACUs when we switched to those. I didn't wear those all the time though seeing as how the newer boots had those sneaker like soles that were more comfortable, but I did wear them from time to time just because I had them.
This channel is such a rare, hidden gem that no one would ever expect to find.
Keep rocking it, dudes.
I lived in the jungle for months at a time during monsoon season. Everyone who ever "upgraded" the saran innersole's with more comfortable types ended up with immersion foot . Those saran innersoles are the best feature of the boot. Us oldtimers would wear the boot without socks. We had some calloused ugly feet but no foot trouble.
I forgot you could wear socks with them.....😁
I truly appreciate the great RESPECT & SKILL you bring to your topics.
Jungle boots were light but incredibly unstable for your ankle. I stopped wearing them because of rolling my ankles so many times.
Interesting, i figured the ankle suppirt eould be goodn gicen it is a lace up witha higg ankle. I've worn combat boots for years including the old desert boot which is quite similar and had quite the opposite experince.
@@sinisterthoughts2896 totally different boot than later boots.
I was issued 2 pairs of these boots when stationed at Ft. Benning (3/7th Inf.) in 1982 right before we went to the jungle warfare training school in Panama for 3 weeks. My 1st experience with them were long road marches in full gear and pack and the steel plate really did a number on my feet until I got use to them and broke them in. Very good design and functional boot and I wore them constantly even after leaving the Army and used them for work in my civilian jobs.
I love your videos. You immortalize the engineering of all of these boots forever on video, and I learn so much. Thank you.
Definitely high quality, and I'm glad this popped up on my suggested videos after watching through so many hat videos by @HatHistorian
Thanks for teaching us about this!
I love these jungle boots, but i just saw how good your leather wallets look and im definitely going to check 'em out.
We were issued the od green canvas jungle boots and the slant pocket BDU's while down in Honduras in the early 1980's they had alot of this gear left over from Vietnam and were just trying to use some of it up. the boots were great i liked them. i still have mine.
Well, bugger me. A video which is actually hugely informative, concise and well presented.
Well done.
I wear a similar boot as part of my army uniform, the sole does tend to wear out but the vents and (relatively) lightweight construction are very helpful and comfortable
Shame RUclips messed with the video, great work Rose!
I still have my pair of V2's I wore in the last 6 months of my tour in Vietnam and I still wear them today. The steel soul would stop the punji sticks but as your foot went down the sides of the trap would spring towards the ankle and cause damage to upper portions of the foot. The enemy was very clever.
Good analysis. When you analyze the 'Bunny Boot' please highlight the unique 'BITE' they effect when traversing hard-packed snow.
The V2 boot had a steel insole as well. I had a pair that split in half at the ball of the foot showing the metal. That was in 1970 0r /71 as I recall.
I used these when I first entered the service prior to Desert Storm, and they (along with the more-modern black fabric upper) were considered the gold standard of boots for the field. Loved 'em and was kind of sad to get rid of them when we moved to the new uniform in the late 2000s. Thanks for doing this video.
The mesh insoles were not great, though; they tended to product a lot of friction on the soles, especially on long movements.
I had a pair of these puppies still in 2004 at Ft. Hood. My NCOs hated when i wore them. They couldn't deny, however, how effective they still were after so many years. I miss those boots so much.
Here is a question I don't often ask during amazing history lesson on footwear... Where is the cat? Cool piece, and great storytelling. You knocked out 3 generations of wars and battles by telling the story of footwear. Impressively compelling!
this episode is so nerdy, and informative; I love it!
You do admirable great work
Great video. Loved my Junle boots. I'm getting rage bated by yout video footage of wearing boots with laces un-tucked. Tuck em in
Really like how you do more than your homework with boots and your love for the craft. I appreciate the time you put into this as well. Thank you for destroying this stuff we we all can make an informed decision.
I was in the Army(25th ID Tropic Thunder) Light from 1983-1987. As a Light Fighter we wore both versions and I had at least 25 Pairs of these and had many pairs literally cut off my feet training at Pohakuloa. Wore them on every deployment in the Pacific realm. I loved them and absolutely hated our Jump Boots…..fun that someone would make a video of them. Thank you 😊
As an older teenager in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in the mid to late 80s, I was part of a 2 week trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) near Ely MN. Lots and lots of water, wet portages, rocky mud, and hordes of mosquitos as large as your hand. I learned quickly that I'd made a good choice for my boots, a set of "el cheapo" M1966 boots I got for $15 at the surplus store (everybody wanted the new lug outsoles even at $80, so they were closing out the slow selling M1966 with the old soles). Not sure why or how I made that excellent choice, but my foresight paid off as other guys with expensive all leather boots began developing symptoms of trench foot the first week. I'd always be the guy that went into the deep water and then plopped into the boat at the front, as all I had to do was hold my feet up outside the boat and let all the water run out...then the rest would air out while we were on the water. A great boot, and I beat them up on the rocky shores of the BWCA daily. I think the leather part of the boot finally split apart 20 years later, I had to throw them away. Wish I still had a pair, as I'm still living in a humid subtropical climate in the USA and they would be good footwear for that.
I served as a Scout Dog handler from '69 to '70, and from '70 to '72 as an instructor in country. After the first day of wearing the boots, I discarded the insole because of the way it felt. I later used boot polish to close up the little brass holes on the side. They let in too much water. I never did get boots with the Panama Sole, but I surely wanted a pair. Overall, I really liked my jungle boots. Thanks for posting this video.
I loved Your video as I ran countless miles in Jungle Boots on all surfaces in the Marine Corps and U.S. Navy NAVSPECWAR but I took out the Screen Insole and replaced it with one layer Sorbothane Green Cloth Sided Flat Foam Rubber Insole and One Layer Flat Gel Insole. No Arch Support worked best for Me.
I had a pair of those (surplus) jungle boots and I seem to remember that those portholes had one-way valve not letting water in, only out. I really put the pair through it's paces and I think valve was still working after years or wear. I could be remembering wrong, it was loooooong ago.
Also I am absolutely sure there were intermittend versions of the jungle boots. The pair I did have that nylon enforcement start but did not have "panama" sole it has that original sole. I do remember mud sticking to soled like hell, it was like wearing skates, you had slipper mud cushions on bottom of your shoes.
Soles wearing out, depends on where you use them. Asphal or concrete or gravel wears them out much faster that dirt. I used to ride a bike with them (yeah ;)) and breaking with my feet on asphal wore the soles quite bad. But the old style sole took a hell of a lot wear and hac grip.
I love this channel and the content. I've learned so much about boots/shoes!
I wore jungle boots through many road marches (humping) and training. One thing I liked about Jungle Boots was how quickly it dried after getting wet. It was fairly comfortable also until Bated Boots came out! The other thing I liked about jungle boots was the matching green color looked great with Cammie pants. Honestly, the new boots are much better, and avoid these. New boots are going to be good for your body imo.
One company still making boots with the Panama sole is Belleville. Have had several of their boots and can honestly say they are the best I've worn. Just ordered some with the Panama sole, and you can immediately feel the quality of movement the design gives.
After your last video I got some new jungle boots that work with the current uniform. Very comfortable with some superfeet insoles, the modern version (at least the McRae ones) don't have the special insole or metal liner.
The Panama Sole is the best traction pattern for muddy conditions by a WIDE margin! The newest version of the Jungle Combat Boot uses a fabric (the same as in anti-stab vests) anti-spike midsole and a Vibram made Panama-ish pattern outsole. It's modernized with thick EVA padding, probably to reduce stress fractures. It's probably not as good in extremely wet conditions and is heavier than the old ones, but is more comfortable.
Got my first pair of jungle boots when I was 13, and I lived in those things. In my unit in the army we could wear jungle boots with our BDUs, as long as they were the all black kind, and they were great for the hot steamy summers at Ft Campbell. Still have all my boots from my service, very cool to learn the history of the jungle boot. Thank you!
We had almost the same type of boots in Yugoslavian and latter in the Serbian army (although they were issued in limited quantities) as of 2004 when I left the service.
I still have a pair of bunny boots, Mickey Mouse boots, the rubber boot you showcased but in black and I used to use them for snowmobiling and my feet were never ever warmer than those boots! I still own them to this day and take extra care of them, the warmest I've ever owned or have worn.
my unit was issued these boots at one point on a deployment in the mid 80's, and I still love them to this day
What an incredibly well made and informative video!
There was a change in the mid 90s to the boots. It went from the canvas upper in OD to an all black nylon.
The basic design held on for a few more years as the first of the desert boots that were designed during Desert Storm. Tan/sand nylon and suede and without the metal protective insert. Those were in use until around 2006ish, and the final iteration had a sole with an EVA midsole.
Being from a military family with a grandfather who went to Korea, an uncle who was stationed in Alaska (where "Micky Mouse" boots were also key) and another uncle who did two tours in Vietnam, this was a very good historical telling of not only the "Jungle Boot", but their predecessors. Thank you.
Fascinating topic. I've studied history all of my life from my teens to the present and although trench foot was the enemy of both the allies and Germans there was no other option in WW l and not much of an improvement in WW ll. With RUclips I have enjoyed seeing history from a completely different perspective. Thank you and keep up the good work. I am a vegetarian but I will save your site under gifts so I can give good quality gifts to friends and family.
When I was in Vietnam I wore a size 14 Narrow. The Army didn't have that size. All they had was 14 super wide that was ridiculously big. My feet began to ache since there was no arch support and my foot flailed around inside the boot. I asked my parents to mail me my old black leather boots I had worn stateside. I used those boots for about 7 months until I returned to the USA. For those who could be fit, I imagine they were good boots.
When I sent over a second time to Vietnam and was drawing my tropical uniform and boot issue the civilian clerk recognized me from the first time due to the size,
11xn. "Damn kid, be careful and good luck."
Because of my MOS as a vehicle mechanic I preferred the first lug design due to the motorpool, road surfaces, vehicle pedals I normally dealt with. But when your were winching out mud bound vehicles .... or the guard assignments when you had to traverse the muddy soil, the sticky red lateritic soil of the Central Highlands.
So so long ago now, the constant helicopter slap, the artillery. Funny how one remembers how the boots and the inserts smelled when seeing the video.
Thank you.
As a Paramedic in Florida, I wore the "Namer" boot for most of my thirty-year career. Loved them beyond any then else on the market at that time.
You make really great videos, Sir!
I LOVED my JB's when I was on active duty in the USMC. When they were authorized for inspections and daily wear, I bought four pairs. Two with the original tread pattern and two with the modified. God I loved those boots! Damn near indestructible, comfortable, lightweight, sturdy, breathable and to say they looked cool as hell is a gross understatement. I would use these boots to run the 3-mile PFT for training and, at times, for the real deal. First time I wore them for an inspection I got my butt chewed out until I showed them the USMC Order authorizing them. They shined up really well, and the polish (with a bit of saddle soap and wax) were damn near waterproof. Loved those boots more than I loved being in the Corps for 20+ years.
I didn't get trench foot, but I got a case of fungus on my feet that I still suffer with today... we did have a boot shortage and many of our Vietnamese compatriots wore tennis shoes. I was issued two pairs of these boots in the States, but if I had an issue with my boots, they couldn't be replaced. Our supply group only had a few boots and they were size 13 boots.
We used these in the late 90s when we were playing paintball. That aggressive tread was great for traction when sprinting.
My last pair of jungle boots wore out in the 1990s. After a decade of civilian boots, I had Plantar Faciitis bad. The VA gave me orthopedics but they didn't last long. The Podiatrist told me to try combat boots again because the pungi plate does help with PF. My local surplus store had them on sale. For 16 years now desert boots have helped my feet. They usually beak at the edge of the pungi plate. Good Luck, Rick
Wasn’t really wild about these at first but learned to love them during monsoon. Couldn’t wear them in the states when I got back in early ‘68, at least not in SAC,But had them for years.
I was in the Marine Corps from 2005-2012 and I remember seeing guys still wearing the desert version of these. Some of them still had the Panama soles but some of them were resoled with the newer Vibram soles. I had a pair when I was a kid playing paintball and airsoft with the Panama soles and the middle tread did wear out, but to be fair I think that mine were a cheaper made pair. Also a few of the eyelets popped out and I had to sew them back into the boot. I did like them at the time but I'd rather have the newer Bellville "Desert Jungle Boots" nowadays, they're much more comfortable and they're padded up top and don't dig into your calves/legs at the top of the boot.
I remember being issued V3s in high school in the 80s as part of the ROTC Ranger kit. I loved them and would wear them today when in the outdoors.
Got my dad's old jungle boots. Loved them. And wore them out!