Boots, insoles, etc....

[jrpowell3]

Ever since spring of '07 I've been rocking Oakleys, just bought my fourth pair, don't know if they are jump authorized, but for general purpose use, rucks and what not, they are great for me, I just have to wear the wide versions. I will say this though, when I ruck with a pack over 100 pounds (haven't done that in a few years though) the bones in my feet would ache afterwards, probably went too heavy too quick, oh well.

According to the backpacking manuals I've read, I don't think you're supposed to carry more than 40% of your own body weight.

[fritztkatt]

Tell that to the 03XX's... then again, I'm sure they hate packing all that stuff. I can't fathom humping a main pack and a mark or 50 reciever... even a tripod.

[jrpowell3]

Dude, I know. The Mk19 receiver is what? 80lbs? Tripod is another 50ish.... I remember the last time I was in Iraq, we had a scale in the CoC. I weighed myself before and after I put my gear on. 155 without gear.....275 with gear. Of course, I had to be the smart *** that actually learned out to use the PRC-119 properly.....so I had to carry it.

[I Swan]

I think in the Falklands some of the Brits went in carrying 140lbs of gear.

[fritztkatt]

Hats off to those guys that have the balls of steel (and backs to match) that can lug a mark all day. I know I can't. I can lift them all day, but damn they're heavy.

They weigh 77lbs btw

[rero360]

According to the backpacking manuals I've read, I don't think you're supposed to carry more than 40% of your own body weight.

Yup, but the big green weenie doesn't care about that, and the VA is happy to say the 15 years I have in so far (11B, 31B, 13F) have nothing to do with the back and hip problems I experience, including the two fractured vertebrae. Everything wrong with me is the result of the very minor case of juvenile scoliosis that I have, and that the military knew about from day one.

[fritztkatt]

Took my uncle over 20 years to get the VA to admit he got screwed up in combat, physically and mentally. The real old timers in my unit are pretty messed up and I think the only thing keeping them from literally falling apart is that they're still active.

So many SNCO'S walking around with double hearing aids, hunched over, shaking without massive amounts of coffee and nicotine, I'm sure constant nightmares, and other mental problems. Most have blown out knees. And we're mounted...

We had a gunny for the longest time, doesn't have fingernails, massive lumps everywhere, that junk, from massive radiation poisoning. He spent about a week, with other guys, working on vehicles that got shot up by a warthog and the DU rounds. They picked up so much radiation it's scary. They slept and ate on these vics too.

[epilepticninja]

I wore Rocky boots when I was in LE, with good socks. I loved them. I wore a multitude of boots in the military from G.I. jungle boots, black Magnums, to Converse desert combat boots. Nowadays my daily wear boot is 5.11 Taclite with side zipper, and good socks I get at the Travis clothing issue.

[fritztkatt]

What actually makes a good sock? All of the expensive ones just seem like they're extra thick and by nature extra hot and sweaty... school me...

It's not like I do 20 mile humps (longest I've done is 12mi), or run in boots all day, any of that junk. It's usually just standing in steel toe or walking around for me.

[purer00r]

Thorlos will be here on wed.... Not bad for a free pair of sock just 4.90 for shipping.

[rero360]

The new green socks with the two upside down Vs logo, guess they are supposed to be mountain peaks, that the Guard has been issuing us are great socks. I don't recall the name brand though. Darn Tough, looked it up.

[mikenewgun87]

+1 for thorlos!

[1911ShooterPhil]

Belleville's are good, but...

Belleville USMC Hot Weather Boots with stock insoles....but! but, THORLO socks.....the socks are just as important as the boot.

I will 2nd that. Decent recommendation. They work. But, I will additionally recommend this:

Danner Desert Acadia

http://www.bootbarn.com/Danner-Unisex-Desert-Acadia-Insulated-Military-Boots/1003908,default,pd.html

Huge price point difference. But, they are worth every penny as is. No new insoles needed or special socks required.

Cheer! --1911ShooterPhil

[purer00r]

Used my thorlos and Belleville all day and my feet feel nothing like they use to, no sore heels from standing all day cleaning guns and helping customers. Thanks for the tip on thorlos jrpowell3, I'm gonna order a few more pairs.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

When I was issued boots in Army reception, I tried to tell the civilian lady worker that they didn't fit right. She wasl like "move on, you're holding up my line."

Thanks.