Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post

SERPENT5XX · 11-04-2005, 09:02

Gentlemen,

My experience with Oakley Boots was a bit disappointing.

I bought a pair for my second Iraq rotation. I found them very hot and extremely slippery on the wet marble floors that are so prevalent in the Iraqi palaces, homes ect. Also the squeaky noise they make when walking on dry marble was a problem. The collar of the boot began to wear through from the boot tongue rubbing on it from walking. By the time I left 7 months later they were pretty well shot. I do not know if I just have weird feet or what but I was really disappointed. The cool-guy factor is high but I was not impressed with performance at all. These boots now sit in my basement and I use them for mowing the grass until I can find someone who wants a pair of free, fairly worn-out grass stained size 14 Oakley desert boots.

I also had a pair of Thorogood SEB boots that I wore on an every other day rotation with the Oakleys. I found the boots comfortable and durable. Much better traction under the above conditions and much cooler. I still wear the boots now. In fact I bought another pair. They are an unusual OD color but once they have a coat of dust on them they will pass a casual SGM uniform inspection.

My first Iraq rotation I wore Raichle and LOWA boots during the initial invasion as it was somewhat cool at that point. Once it started to heat up these boots were a bit hot. I then changed to an issue desert boot that had been modified by Bootmasters and they worked well. Bottom line, come August in Iraq- all boots are HOT! Change your socks often.

If someone has experince with a better and cooler summer boot for Iraq please let me know!

I would have to say my new favorite desert boot is now the Thorogood SEB boots. For cooler weather I love the Raichle and LOWA boots. If you want a great non-military looking boot, the Montrail Torre GTX are top notch. They take a little longer to break in than I thought they would but once they are broken in they are super comfortable. I have three pairs that I use for different purposes based on how much wear they have on them (My wife claims they do not qualify as dress shoes but I disagree).

Thanks,

SERPENT5XX

11-04-2005, 09:02	#88
SERPENT5XX Quiet Professional Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: On the road Posts: 105	Gentlemen, My experience with Oakley Boots was a bit disappointing. I bought a pair for my second Iraq rotation. I found them very hot and extremely slippery on the wet marble floors that are so prevalent in the Iraqi palaces, homes ect. Also the squeaky noise they make when walking on dry marble was a problem. The collar of the boot began to wear through from the boot tongue rubbing on it from walking. By the time I left 7 months later they were pretty well shot. I do not know if I just have weird feet or what but I was really disappointed. The cool-guy factor is high but I was not impressed with performance at all. These boots now sit in my basement and I use them for mowing the grass until I can find someone who wants a pair of free, fairly worn-out grass stained size 14 Oakley desert boots. I also had a pair of Thorogood SEB boots that I wore on an every other day rotation with the Oakleys. I found the boots comfortable and durable. Much better traction under the above conditions and much cooler. I still wear the boots now. In fact I bought another pair. They are an unusual OD color but once they have a coat of dust on them they will pass a casual SGM uniform inspection. My first Iraq rotation I wore Raichle and LOWA boots during the initial invasion as it was somewhat cool at that point. Once it started to heat up these boots were a bit hot. I then changed to an issue desert boot that had been modified by Bootmasters and they worked well. Bottom line, come August in Iraq- all boots are HOT! Change your socks often. If someone has experince with a better and cooler summer boot for Iraq please let me know! I would have to say my new favorite desert boot is now the Thorogood SEB boots. For cooler weather I love the Raichle and LOWA boots. If you want a great non-military looking boot, the Montrail Torre GTX are top notch. They take a little longer to break in than I thought they would but once they are broken in they are super comfortable. I have three pairs that I use for different purposes based on how much wear they have on them (My wife claims they do not qualify as dress shoes but I disagree). Thanks, SERPENT5XX
SERPENT5XX is offline