WWII Boots - Service, Jump, etc.

[Matt Deckard]

I see alot of guys at these WWII events wearing ankle boots with the big fat Popeye toe style. I keep forgetting to ask them where they get 'em... anybody here know?

 

[Feraud]

Mickey Boots.

You can get them through military surplus and The Sportsman's Guide.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=66036

 

[Matt Deckard]

Nice, though those aren't the boots I am talking about.

The ones they wear are brown captoes. They look like the old jump boots yet are shoes, and go to the ankle with close lacing. Same as was worn by the US forces in WWII.

 

[Matt Deckard]

That's them.
Thanks. Those shoes are the gichiest.
They have that Kick but look to 'em, and they scream 40's G.I.

I need to get a pair.

 

[up196]

Glad to help.

They're pretty nice boots, made in the USA by Corcoran. On the WWII Impressions website they have more info, and they carry the russets as well as the 6" rough-outs, the paratrooper styles and the later rough-outs with the taller buckle collar. Click on US Army Uniforms and scroll dorn to "Quality footwear" . . . Tom

www.wwiiimpressions.com

 

[PADDY]

Best foot forward..!

Thanks for that 'heads up' Tom, as I've had a hankering after a good pair of RoughOuts too, to go with the AAF gear.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Cool beans... They have the Marine Corps version too. This one hasn't the rubber tap on the front of the sole... just straight leather.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

Man, I would buy a pair of those Rough-outs today if they had a size 15!

 

[BrianPettit]

Size 15s you say?

What Price Glory has them. I have a pair from Juan (WWII Impressions). But Jerry at What Price Glory carries the same boots. I think Jerry's might be cheaper...

http://whatpriceglory.com/usboot.htm

Your looking for the "garrison shoes". That is the cap toe ankle boot. I have a pair for my MP imrpession and they are great.

All you have to do is when you get them soak them in warm/hot water for a hour or two. Put them on when they are still wet and wear them as long as you can stand them.

Remember to put in any insoles that you would wear normally after you soak them.Take them off and let them dry out. Repeat if needed. This will make the boots form to your feet and be nice and soft. Shine them up and there you go. I have broken in about 30 pairs of boots this way and they won't beat up your feet in the break-in period.

Hope this helps...Enjoy.
Brian

 

[Nathan Flowers]

YES!

Thanks, Mr. Pettit. I have wanted a pair of these for a very long time. I have a pair on order now.

 

[Chamorro]

Originally posted by Zohar
Man, I would buy a pair of those Rough-outs today if they had a size 15!

Roughouts are suede ... thus the moniker "Roughouts" with the rough part of the leather on the outside. Those ankle boots (and eventually the two buckle variation) were worn later in the war. The garrison boots pictured above were worn earlier.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

That's cool info. I wonder what made them switch from smooth side out to rough out.
I just like the way roughouts wear. After a year of wear, that inside part of the leather will be slick and smooth looking.

 

[BrianPettit]

Roughouts are better in the field. Plain and simple. I dont think that there is a science to it.

The boots were coated by the soldiers with dubbing. Its a sort of cream/wax that was made to protect the boots and waterproof them.

We use a oil like Precards and then brown shoe polish. Don't shine um just rub it in. This gives the boots a finish like when you apply dubbing on them. The "hair" like finish will be replaced with a smother finish. Not gloss smooth like you can get on jumpboots or garrison boots but more finished like the dubbing makes.

You can tell a new guy because he will have "fresh" boots on.

Hope this also helps.

Brian

 

[PrettyBigGuy]

Originally posted by BrianPettit


All you have to do is when you get them soak them in warm/hot water for a hour or two. Put them on when they are still wet and wear them as long as you can stand them.

Brian [/B]

If you watch the "Video Diary" made by Ron Livingston on the Band of Brothers DVD, he does the same thing with his jump boots the night before begining boot camp with Dale Dye!
I've been kicking around the idea of buying a pair of brown Corcoran jump boots for awhile but I haven't decided if I want to be bothered with having to lace them up all the time! I have had a few pairs of black jump boots that not only lace up but also have zippers up the sides. Maybe I'll compromise and just get a pair of the cap toe ankles boots instead!

 

[Matt Deckard]

Some originals

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/usmc-collectors/fichiers listes et divers/shoes.htm

and more info on the shoes
http://www.2ndarmored.com/footwear.htm

 

[dutch101st]

Aw, give me a good pair of jump boots ANYTIME...

Besides, who wants to go around lookin like a dirty leg anyhow?!?

 

[Cienfuegos]

Hello to all!!
You might help me!!
confused:
I would like to buy a few boots of these and I have been in the web of wwiiimpressions and not for which to decide I am between.
SHOE,SERVICIE RUSSSET COMPOSITION SOLE and SHOE SHERVICE CORDOVAN USMC.

I would like to hear your opinion.

A greeting.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Really up to you. I went with the Russets.

The USMC I think is more of a dress shoe than a boot. just depends on what you want. the USMC also looks to have less of a big toe.

 

[Cienfuegos]

Thank you for the clarification.
I will go for SHOE SERVICE RUSSET COMPOSITION SOLE



Regards

 

[Matt Deckard]

Comfy