Ahh boots, the age old dilemma. I HATE both versions of issued db's. I went through A LOT of boots on 1-06. Expensive yes, but definitely worth it! Soooo here are my points:
1. Magnum Amazon 4 - This was the boot I was originally issued because of a boot chit. It is also the issue boot for the Brits. At first, read while still in Canada, I liked them. Had the speed laces, comfy, good to go. After using them overseas for a month or so my tune changed drastically. The soles have absolutly no support in them, even with SOLE insoles. When walking around KAF you felt every single rock! They also had no ankle support ala the old issue DB's. Got rid of them.
2. When I went home on HLTA I picked up a pair of Desert Swats. I really liked these boots. I bought two pairs and they were great, while they lasted. They were very supportive, as they have a shank, not to hot, decent but not great ankle support, and the same "running shoe feel as the black ones. Myself and 3 other guys in my section had them and all three of ours wore out in about 2months. Seams along the laces blew, the toe cap cam unattached, the interior liner ripped apart. These beat the Magnums and issue Db's hands down but they didnt last.
3. Next I tried the Oakley Desert Assault boots. These are a good deal if you buy them through the military sales program they have, (www.usstandarissue.com) about $90 US. I liked these boots but not as much as the swats. I really liked that they were short. Less pressure on the shins, and less boot coverage so less hot. Also they lasted, I used them for about 7months (I was on a 9 month tour)and they are still in great shape. They were also more comfortable than the Swats, softer more running shoe feeling. The downside to them is I found that the sole's were also to soft. They don't have a shank like the Swats so they are less supportive. They also lacked ankle support. Better than the Magnums, but worse than the swats.
4. Finally I tried the Bates M6 boot. Hands down the best boot I have ever tried, and I'm including black boots in that. They were low, and so again you got the benefits mentioned above. They have an extremely supportive sole, and they are the only kind, out of the boots I tried, that had vibram soles. They have dual lacing, so you can have the uppers and lowers at a different tightness, and they also had the "running shoe" feel. For $89 US they are a steal of a deal. I would highly recommend them and plan on buying two more sets for my next tour (fingers crossed
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As stated by Librarian and others boots are an individual thing, but hopefully this will help someone.
