Nothing ridiculous about that ~ I wore U.S. Army surplus boots until they stopped using glossy ones .

A good lace up boot is a joy to your ankles and good leather breathes so your feet don't suffer in the heat too much ~ you have to use good quality socks, many don't and then complain .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Might be worth a try. The boots I had been wearing only extend a few inches above the ankles. There are a couple of good surplus stores in my area. I'll take a look but I might need to go to the interwebs.

This one looks promising:

https://swisslink.com/products/austrian-army-mountain-boots-heavy-weight

The part that worries me, they have whole integer sizes only. I often go 10 1/2 or 11. I'm guessing I should try 11, if it feels off I can always send it back.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

The ones I have are similar but different lace up styles. Re-inforced holes in the lower half with the same kind of quick lace attachments on the upper half. I bought one pair from Swiss-Link before they had their fire. The other pair from Kommandostore.com. Kommandostore still has them in stock.

I also take a 10.5 and have had to go with an 11 in these. They might be marginally to large but if necessary you can always double up on socks. And I made sure I got new in-soles as soon as I bought them. Good insoles and socks makes a world of difference.

I have thought of trying a 10 for a slightly more snug fit. But so far the 11's work ok for me.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Kommandostore.com has the ones I bought in stock. They call them paratrooper boots but I think they are just plain infantry boots. No matter. They still have "good condition" ones in stock in 10.5/11. On sale for 21.99.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Here's everything they have, lots of good choices here, remember to USE THICK SOCKS or you'll suffer .

https://swisslink.com/collections/boots

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

For a comfortable show try Hoka One One's they are a little spendy but, very comfortable. My Neurologist and Ortho surgeon both recommended them. Very thick sole but, lightweight. You can usually get them for a decent price at Holabird sports. I wear a 13 in most gym shoes and, their 13's were just right.

I was a grade-checker when I worked, always on my feet up & down slopes etc. Ultimately, I ended up wearing "Hi-Tec" brand high-top hiking boots from "Big-5" sporting stores. Always waterproof, & two pairs at a time. Took 'em off at lunch & put on second pair after. Prevoiusly, the with work/jump/jungle/combat boots, feet allus hurt at the end of the day.
The hikers made all the difference in the world. IMO, the "Hi-Tec" brand is the best low priced boot of 'em all.

__________________
"I applaud your elaborate system of denial"

It’s really difficult to find good tough work shoes. I had a really well fitting tough pair of American made red wings and went off and left them in a hotel room. After a few failed purchases I ended up with a good pair from the red wing store. She really knew how to fit shoes and had to experiment with arch supports to get them right. I sure don’t wanna lose them. It is refreshing to find someone in a store that is capable of doing more than scanning a bar code and taking your money.

I tried Redwings (2 pairs, same as HT's) one time. They were heavy clunkers (me size 14) Cost 4x the Hi Teks, lasted maybe twice as long. Both RW's, the soles fell off. HTs more comfy & lighter & cheaper in the long run

__________________
"I applaud your elaborate system of denial"

There are redwings and then there are redwings. Some are fabulous and a few of them fall short of average. The ones that I had that were so great were us made.

I loved and wore them for decades, I'm over 200# and on my feet all day so I'd wear them out (size 12 D width) in 18 months or so, I re soled them a few times but beat them up so badly I didn't want to wear scuffed up glossy black wing tips .

When they stopped making them I nearly cried .

I'd cheerfully give $150 for a nice pair of glossy black steel toed wing tips. no one makes them for over ten years now.... .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

best way is order 12.5 to figure out there sizing. if it doesn't work out just send them to me

Indestructible shoes? Inscrutable maybe! Indestructible implies they would never wear out.
I can see where it would be nice to have a pair of mesh shoes for inside or casual walking on paved areas. But, when I check my Oil as bad as it is to have it drip on my Leather Shoes it a least does not soak into my socks.

It is also nice to have the water resistance of fully in closed shoes.

Should be a boon to those who need to keep their feet dry due to sweating or some other medical condition where they don't need to go out doors much.

There has been more then one occasion when I wore Sandals where I tripped because the toe was not enclosed and the toe snagged on something. So the mesh shoe would eliminate that.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel