Winter Boots

[nitesun]

Police ASU looking to get a warm flying boot. At present we are given MOD flying boots (Seconds)but these are very cold during the winter months no matter how thick the socks you wear!
I am trialing Pro Boots which I have found to be excellent as they have an inner insulation & are goretex. I am told that some military wear these boots and am interested in any comments on them. One problem that has been highlighted is that the soles pick up FOD, but if they are worn by military that cannot be a major problem.
Any comments would be helpful

[fobotcso]

Canadian Forces mukluks are terrific, but have limitations where foot protection is important, for instance during ejection/parachuting. (Not a problem for you, I imagine!)

[The Pilgrim]

Are you genuinely asking the military for something that is comfortable, works and does not make you look a complete prat. Try Clarks or Stead and Simpsons.

[Ed Winchester]

Nitesun,

At a rough guess, I would say that 90% of UK military helicopter aircrew got rid of their MOD flying boots (ice skates) as soon as they left Shawbury. They are designed with FJ operationsin mind and are treacherous enough when walking from your sqn lines to your shiny jet, never mind working in the field.

Personally, I have found the CS95 boot warm enough for a UK winter, but I know guys who wear Pro boots or Matterhorns; I have got a pair of Matterhorns inbound as it is a little chillier here than back home!

Hope this is of some use (Cold feet indeed! Next you'll be trialling big woolly scarves.) <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[ 06 January 2002: Message edited by: Ed Winchester ]</p>

[blind pue]

Nitesun
The Pro boots that were issued 95 ish, are excellent,
I stopped wearing flying boots and found that in NI the boots kept my feet dry and in Norway the boots plus a pair of thick socks were all I needed,
If you use foot talc to keep your feet dry in Hot weather they can be used all the year round.
My pair have given up after 7 years of use and I am now trying Matterhorns,
But I can strongly reccomend Pro boots.

[Lowkey]

I was on SAR in Scotland for a number of years and I always flew with Timberland walking boots as they were very warm and comfortable.

[The Gorilla]

Within the last few months I have stopped wearing the flying boot as the present pattern/manufacturers design makes my feet hurt like hell.The medics view?? The price you have to pay for being aircrew!!! Have had no problems for the last 12 years!!

I have taken to wearing CS95 boots which are far more comfy and yes they do present a small FOD problem.But so does my headset/cutter/specs etc etc.

If we don't have the right kit we can only improvise.

To the beanies, what is the better solution??
£1 mill for decent boots for all aircrew or Jet fan blades at £4 mill??

I know... different budgets!!!!!!!!! <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Talking Radalt]

ProBoots...footwear of choice for SH in Norway this year.
Just don't go and ask for a pair on Thursday, it's tailor's parade and we all know ill-fitting No1s have a higher priority than warm tootsies. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Captain Kirk]

Must agree that 65 Pattern boots are useless, poor grip, little support and little or no water repellancy. Some time ago our unit resorted to the Local Purchase of ProBoots and they are excellent, especially for the arctic theatre. I must admit to finding them too hot in temperate conditions and prefer a well worn in pair of Combat Assault boots with a Sorbothane insole - not cleared but exactly the same tread pattern as the ProBoot.

There have always been a lot of ludicrous reasons for not issuing a decent boot. Goretex was unthinkable for a long time because it is flammable - I once pointed out to an 'expert' that if things were so bad in my cockpit that my boots were on FIRE then I would not be there for much longer. FOD is also a favourite but the groundcrew jump in and out of the cockpit all day long wearing - yep, combat assault boots/CS95!

Most of us resort to wearing the issued desert boot or, preferably, the US desert boot in sunnier places as black boots get far too hot.

We are currently trialling a new boot (MK1 Aircrew Boot) which is a substantial improvement but will not cut the mustard in arctic or desert conditions (my opinion) although I suspect that we will be told that it is suitable for ALL climatic conditions - that will save money! It could also do with a decent speed lacing system.

Hope this helps.

[mutleyfour]

I have tried several in my time, i did find the Pro Boot and Matterhorn too warm!

Have to agree with the gorilla and say that the normal combat boot and or Hi-Tec magnums are fine for the Uk.

Can't you just turn the heater up a little! <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

[Danny Boy]

Jag Guys wear pro-boots for ops and are just extra careful when it comes to FOD.

Very comfy and warm in the winter. Can get a bit hot in the summer though. From our point of view a good boot. Certainly better than the new one they have bought in to replace the old '65.

[ 08 January 2002: Message edited by: Danny Boy ]

[ 08 January 2002: Message edited by: Danny Boy ]</p>

[animo et fide]

Nite, as we all know the wokka is well known for being the biggest airborne fridge, so I wear proboots during the winter with one pair of thick socks and they do just fine. Have also used them with success on a January survival course on Bodmin(kept my feet dry),in Norway and a Bosnian winter so I suggest you either get hold of someone with connections or pay through the nose for a pair

[Flypro]

I know this won't help Nitesun, but can you still get electric socks and gloves wired up to goon suits with your own personal temp controller hanging under the seat?. They were wonderful. I even penned a little verse in chinagraph on the windscreen of my trusty SeaKing many years ago:-
The sun has riz,
How cold it is,
But still I'm warm as rocks.
My heart goes to the girls back home
who knitted my electric socks!!!

Just thought I would share that with y'all

[fobotcso]

Oh, so that was you Flypro!

Nitesun, assume you are wearing protective helmets? If not, remember the old survival aphorism: "If your feet are cold, put your hat on."

[Sloppy Link]

Problem I think you would find with Pro boots/Matterhorns is that whilst waiting in your Ops Room for the call, your feet will get too warm and sweat thereby making your feet damp. When the shout comes and you leap in to the ether, after about an hour or so your feet will become blocks of ice because of the damp sweat. I would suggest a pair of CS95 boots that are not too hot in an Ops Room but do have heat retention qualities outside. Further, socks can make all the difference, a thin pair of the "Cool-max" variety that wick away moisture and a pair of the Arctic issue white socks (available from Silvermans at a reasonable price) are a pretty unbeatable combination. Pro boots/Matterhorns are OK only if you put them on, go straight outside and stay in the cold for a period of two hours or more. You could always wear carpet slippers and fit zips to your Pro boots and do a quick change when there is a shout. I am sure your colleagues wouldn't mind......much!

[MightyGem]

Nitesun, wore your boots before I left the Army. It was the only time that my feet were warm and dry out on exercise. With regards to FOD, do you a particularly muddy HLS at your ASU? We don't here at Merseyside.
:)

[jonahUK]

Hello nitesun. As you know I've already got a nice pair of Pro-boots and they are very warm. You should have asked me what they are like. If you moved about a bit more, instead of sitting around, your feet would keep warm.I might just have to put in for a new pair cos these are getting dirty !!

[MightyGem]

Nitesun, have you posed your question on the National Air Support Forum (http://www.oscar99.org.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi)?
I assume that you and jonah are both registered.
:) :)

[Helmut Visorcover]

Nitesun, I have a pair of Lowas and swear by them, a bit pricy but they manage to keep you cool when hot and vice versa, they look the dogs gonads too. Alternatley you could try Karrimor KSB's as they are a good boot too.

[blind pue]

Nitesun,
I still stick by my view, that if you use foot powder you will be able to wear the boots all the year round.
The comment that your feet will sweat indoors and freeze once you are outside is possibly correct for Norway but not for the UK and can be controlled with Talc.
I have worn the boots in all conditions operating in all weathers with no heater or air-con and still believe they are the best footwear we were ever issued.

[Rude C'man]

Nitesun , I swear by the hi tec magnums for summer and Pro boot for winter , Both are the choice of many a trooper. Used them in both extremes and they are fantastic. magnums now come in 100% leather or 50/50 leather/cordura (they also do waterproof model ) But to be honest the pro boot is the best and widely available on civvy market ! i'm taking mine to see bIN lADEN !

[nitesun]

Thanks for all the comments - I am using Pro Boots at the moment and I totally agree with the fact that they are very warm. On the down side they can get too warm when inside etc. The MOD flying boots that we are issued with are very thin and offer no warmth in the winter, but I would want to retain them for summer use. The comments regarding FOD arose from diehard members of my unit who swear by the MOD boots and are resistant to changing them. I totally agree that FOD should not be an issue, but I was seeking some ammo to throw back at them. At the end of the day what is more important?? Comfort or a stone in your boot!!!