Rucking/Military boot

[balderdash69]

I am military and can wear any civilian boot within reason. I've worn the Salomon Quest 4d 3s for years and can't find anymore on the market. The Forces versions don't fit the same as the hikers either. I am in the market for a new pair. I will be attending a course that is primarily rucking with heavy weight (70lbs+) for multiple 20 mile rucks on pavement as well as some land navigation. Does anyone have any suggestions for replacement with a wide forefoot and good heel pocket for this type of endeavor?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Welcome. Not sure what you can get away with but take a look at Crispi. They work for my wide feet.

Assuming you don’t need insulation;: Thor Colorado or Idaho

 

[mtnbound]

I am military and can wear any civilian boot within reason. I've worn the Salomon Quest 4d 3s for years and can't find anymore on the market. The Forces versions don't fit the same as the hikers either. I am in the market for a new pair. I will be attending a course that is primarily rucking with heavy weight (70lbs+) for multiple 20 mile rucks on pavement as well as some land navigation. Does anyone have any suggestions for replacement with a wide forefoot and good heel pocket for this type of endeavor?

Crispi Thor is a light weight stiff trainer that might work for you. I prefer the Colorado’s but they are heavier and also stiff. Not sure if you like stiff boots but they fit my wide feet great.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Stiff boots are gonna suck big time on pavement

 

[balderdash69]

I am not a fan of super stiff boots, prefer around 2-2.5. So I am looking at Lapponia 3s and Altitude. Any other suggestions?

 

[2531usmc]

I am military and can wear any civilian boot within reason. I've worn the Salomon Quest 4d 3s for years and can't find anymore on the market. The Forces versions don't fit the same as the hikers either. I am in the market for a new pair. I will be attending a course that is primarily rucking with heavy weight (70lbs+) for multiple 20 mile rucks on pavement as well as some land navigation. Does anyone have any suggestions for replacement with a wide forefoot and good heel pocket for this type of endeavor?

Going to Ranger School?

 

[Dave0317]

Belleville Ultra Light Assault boot (C320) for PT and road ruck runs.

Garmont T8 Bifida for carrying a heavy ruck in mountainous terrain.

 

[Desk Jockey]

1000 years ago I did SFAS and the q-course a camp maccall in modded up jungle boots with Vibram soles. I had a few sets of lug soles I used for mud and sand and a crepe (smooth) sole set I used for pavement. We had to make minimum ruck weight anyway, so among other things I carried was 3 pair of boots and lots of socks and mole skin. Later, I tired a set of pretty flexible boots (hi tec) on a 12 mile march. They were awful. My feet were sore as hell. By the end, I could feel every rock through those soles. YMMV but if I were doing that kind of shit these days, I might stick with a stiffer boot.

 

[balderdash69]

No, this is not a course which requires AR670-1 boots. Also not an Army course so no need to abide by approved boots as stated above.

 

[Watrdawg]

Look at the Goruck Macv-2's. They are basically like the old style jungle boots. Come in a mid height and regular height boot. I have the mid height pair and typically, 3 times a week I am run/hiking 4 miles a day with a 35lb weighted vest on. Boots are very comfortable and breathe very well. Definitely not waterproof and not meant to be. They dry out pretty quick. When running/shuffling in them the cushioning really helps. I have a pair of Lowa Zephyrs that are great for normal hiking but at least for me they were not comfortable to run in with weight on my back. They would be my second choice though.

 

[nobody]

I think you’d like the Crispi Lapponia for the wide forefoot. The Thor mentioned above is crispi’s narrowest boot by a wide margin, no way it would fit you. Love my Lapponias

 

[ThorM465]

From an all around, do it all you're going to be hard pressed to beat the Danner RATS. However, they are heavy bastards. I still have a pair I love for working around the house and in the yard. They're really good for hiking if you want to up the difficulty due to the weight.

I've got a pair of Crispi Altitudes within the last year. They'd be a great option for mountainous / rocky terrain with a combat load. The problem with these are that they are horrible on pavement. In Lejeune, the majority of our humping was on pavement or dirt trails that might as well have been pavement for the purposes of this conversation. As others have pointed out above if carrying an extra set of boots is an option, the Altitudes would be a good candidate if paired with an ultra flexible pair of junglsh boots. That being said multiple pairs of boots sounds like it would work in training. However, I don't think I would have ever carried extra boots in my pack outside of training.

This is really going to come down to your AO and MOS. I doubt you want to share anymore than you already have. FWIW, I was Marine Infantry 81mm Mortars, so that's where my perspective is coming from.

Semper Fi

 

[Moccasin]

I also used jungle boots with insoles for most of my training courses. The lug sole was the best for traction in mud and general field use. Since you’re mostly on pavement, the gorucks might be a good option. They are light weight, breathe well, and break-in is very minimal. Traction and durability are their weak points.

 

[Watrdawg]

I also used jungle boots with insoles for most of my training courses. The lug sole was the best for traction in mud and general field use. Since you’re mostly on pavement, the gorucks might be a good option. They are light weight, breathe well, and break-in is very minimal. Traction and durability are their weak points.

I can see what you are saying about durability. I've put at least 60-70 miles on my Gorucks, mostly on pavement, and the soles are seeing definite wear. The soles on the regular jungle boots are definitely a lot harder and more durable.

 

[oldskool67]

I found these great for rucking. They are stiffer than the Zephyr that a lot of guys use. They served me well over seas as a grunt. But again everyone’s feet are different. This is full retail. It’s been a few years but you can get them discounted, especially if have an APO. Pic cut off but 5hey are Lowa Z8 GTX

 

[bpitcher]

I am not a fan of super stiff boots, prefer around 2-2.5. So I am looking at Lapponia 3s and Altitude. Any other suggestions?

I've got a pair of the Lapponia Lites. I would have loved to have them for the field. Lightweight, narrower heel and fairly wide toe box.

The soles are a little stiff and hard in my opinion for road marches and ruck runs, but YMMV. A good insole would probably fix the cushioning issue.

 

[balderdash69]

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From an all around, do it all you're going to be hard pressed to beat the Danner RATS. However, they are heavy bastards. I still have a pair I love for working around the house and in the yard. They're really good for hiking if you want to up the difficulty due to the weight.

I've got a pair of Crispi Altitudes within the last year. They'd be a great option for mountainous / rocky terrain with a combat load. The problem with these are that they are horrible on pavement. In Lejeune, the majority of our humping was on pavement or dirt trails that might as well have been pavement for the purposes of this conversation. As others have pointed out above if carrying an extra set of boots is an option, the Altitudes would be a good candidate if paired with an ultra flexible pair of junglsh boots. That being said multiple pairs of boots sounds like it would work in training. However, I don't think I would have ever carried extra boots in my pack outside of training.

This is really going to come down to your AO and MOS. I doubt you want to share anymore than you already have. FWIW, I was Marine Infantry 81mm Mortars, so that's where my perspective is coming from.

Semper Fi

Thanks for the feedback. Would the altitude destroy my feet on blacktop? I used Salewa Mtn Trainer 2s last Saturday on loose gravel/stone. My peroneal tendons were sore for days on my right foot only in that boot. Great rocker board but afraid to try out Altitudes because of return policy.

 

[ThorM465]

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Thanks for the feedback. Would the altitude destroy my feet on blacktop? I used Salewa Mtn Trainer 2s last Saturday on loose gravel/stone. My peroneal tendons were sore for days on my right foot only in that boot. Great rocker board but afraid to try out Altitudes because of return policy.

It's probably going to be the same as your experience with the Salewas. I didn't have any problems with being destroyed with blisters. However, like you said my tendons would get extremely sore walking on blacktops. That being said I recently replaced the inserts in my altitudes with ones that force some arch in my flat feet that has improved the boots overall, but I haven't had a chance to use them on a black top with the inserts.

 

[balderdash69]

I tried putting in an insole on the Altitudes and didn't fit my foot well. The salewa land navigation was rough on my bad ankle with how stiff that boot is. The only thing is that the base of my feet don't hurt after. I'm going to try lapponias. Also found some quest 4d 3s on e bay gently used.