Jungle boots

Chuckman

Chuckman

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I saw @Long_Hunter ad for jungle boots, got me thinking about them. I got in a tad too late for the OD/black, was issued the black/black, but some of our older guys had the old-school OD canvas/black leather. When I was growing up, my cousin's husband, a SP in the AF and who had spent a tour in VN, gave me a pair of his VN-era pattern 2 boots (https://www.mooremilitaria.com/combat-boots.html). I loved those boots but outgrew them.

My black issued jungle boots, I wore those to the point that the leather was super soft and pliable, molded to my foot like a sneaker. Not the best ankle support, but super comfy.


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Who else wore them??
 
The old OD/black ones used to shine up like a mofo & made great dog & pony show boots. Once they got scuffed up, I had the heel block & steel shank removed & re-soled with a running shoe type sole & ribbed tread. They looked beat at that point & became my go-to for rucks & jumps.
 
Crazy Carl said:
The old OD/black ones used to shine up like a mofo & made great dog & pony show boots. Once they got scuffed up, I had the heel block & steel shank removed & re-soled with a running shoe type sole & ribbed tread. They looked beat at that point & became my go-to for rucks & jumps.
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My field boots had almost no black they were so scuffed and scratched. A lot of guys had them resoled. Ever comes a day when I have nothing to do and I am bored maybe I will pullout my jungles and have them resoled that way.

My first pair of Danners I purchased had the thick, chunky Vibram sole, and I did have those resoled smooth for the runs and rucks.
 
Chuckman said:
Black jungles, or black leather combat boots (or both/either)?
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Black jungles.
They had more nylon in the actual cloth part...would melt if a spark landed on them.
The green ones were more cotton, like a GP tent or shelter half. Much better material, IMO.
 
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Slacker said:
Black jungles.
They had more nylon in the actual cloth part... would melt if a spark landed on them.
The green ones were more cotton, like a GP tent or shelter half. Much better material, IMO.
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Yeah, those were what I had, too.... The OD did have more canvas, which I liked better.
 
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Slacker said:
Black jungles.
They had more nylon in the actual cloth part... would melt if a spark landed on them.
The green ones were more cotton, like a GP tent or shelter half. Much better material, IMO.
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Black "jungle" boots sucked ass both ways...that nylon material blew harder than a Bragg Blvd stripper (not really, but good memories typing it out!)
 
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Crazy Carl said:
The old OD/black ones used to shine up like a mofo & made great dog & pony show boots. Once they got scuffed up, I had the heel block & steel shank removed & re-soled with a running shoe type sole & ribbed tread. They looked beat at that point & became my go-to for rucks & jumps.
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Ripple soles were awesome in the sand foot marching, and just generally more comfortable...I went through a couple of pairs that way.
 
I can only speak from my point of view. On Ft Bragg, 1996-2005, OD Green Jungles we allowed in garrison and field use. BUT not allowed for official activities like CQ, Battalion staff duty or parade's. Nor allowed at any U.S. Army School.

But man, we did rock them all the time. I would go go General Jacksons and buy 2 sizes to small, take them to Clarks Boots and have the heal and toe cup taken out. The boots would flatten and be the best.
 
We wore OD jungle boots in Germany back in the ‘80’s during the summer. They dried quicker. During the winter we could wear standard combat boots or Corcoran jump boots, German Army insulated boots, or the original Herman Survivors.
 
I was issued 2 pairs of the OD when I got to Ft. Irwin. First rotation there in winter & I immediately took my PV2 ass to Clothing Sales & ponied up for a pair of Matterhorns. SPENDY on an E2's budget, but worth it & I was sure glad of 'em a couple years later in Grafenwöhr in December.
 
MCQUADE said:
We wore OD jungle boots in Germany back in the ‘80’s during the summer. They dried quicker. During the winter we could wear standard combat boots or Corcoran jump boots, German Army insulated boots, or the original Herman Survivors.
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I also had a pair of the original Herman Survivors...bought them I believe in 87 or 88 at clothing sales on Bragg, and one of the best pair of boots...the only pair of insulated boots I ever found comfortable enough for long range movements.
 
Long_Hunter said:
I also had a pair of the original Herman Survivors...bought them I believe in 87 or 88 at clothing sales on Bragg, and one of the best pair of boots...the only pair of insulated boots I ever found comfortable enough for long range movements.
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We're doing some joint training with SF, cold weather exercises / mountain warfare training. They were wearing Chippewa boots, they had sheep skin lining. I think they were called subarctics or arctics or something like that. I ended up doing some horse trading after the training and getting a pair. They were the warmest boots I've ever had in my life. I ended up selling them because I could only wear them a month out of the year, whenever we were training in cold weather or altitude. They're great for long range movements, but only if the ambient temperature was cold enough. Otherwise your feet would get too hot and those things and your feet would sweat.
 
MCQUADE said:
We wore OD jungle boots in Germany back in the ‘80’s during the summer. They dried quicker. During the winter we could wear standard combat boots or Corcoran jump boots, German Army insulated boots, or the original Herman Survivors.
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OD jungle boots were not allowed when I was there unless SF but tanker boots were. Issue black boots with zippers sewn on the side was a thing until 7th corps put out an edict against them but they were still worn in the field with green overboots so no one knew you had them on.
 
rufrdr said:
OD jungle boots were not allowed when I was there unless SF but tanker boots were. Issue black boots with zippers sewn on the side was a thing until 7th corps put out an edict against them but they were still worn in the field with green overboots so no one knew you had them on.
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Surprisingly, tanker boots are still authorized for wear, IF the commander authorizes them.



Extract from DA PAM 670-1 (26 January 2021)

e) Optional boots are not authorized for wear when the commander issues and prescribes standard organizational footwear for safety or environmental reasons, such as insulated boots or safety shoes. Personnel may wear specialty boots authorized for wear by specific groups of Soldiers, such as the tanker boot, only if the commander authorizes such wear. Soldiers may not wear optional boots in formation when uniformity in appearance is required.
 
Never got into the tanker boots. Thought they were a bit of an affectation as a mechanized grunt & once I re-classed into the medical world & later PSYOP, I had zero use for them.

I did really like the desert boots, though. Comfortable & no polishing. The later "high tech" type boots, even more so.

Gave one of my kid cousins a pair of the circa '07 Belleville insulated/waterproof boots that I'd been issued, but never worn. He loves 'em & they've become his go-to cold weather boot. Even wore 'em on a 3 day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon.
 
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here is a CFF thread about jungle boots for sale:

NC/SC - Original Jungle Boots

Manufactured 3-85, RoSearch Panama sole. Like new condition, never worn…still have nipples on the soles. size 9W. $50 located in Fayetteville Trade value is equal to 1 box federal or hornady 45-70, 2 boxes of .450 BM or 2 boxes of 180-200 gr 10mm…no other trade interest
carolinafirearmsforum.com carolinafirearmsforum.com
 
We were issued mickey mouse boots but then were not allowed to wear them due to being too warm in the winter. Makes lots of sense eh?
 
Crazy Carl said:
Once upon a time, everyone in USASOC were issued these lovely black Polartec 300 fleece jackets. Warm. Super nice. Not allowed to wear them, cuz not authorized by AR 670-1. Seriously?
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Those were very nice. I think the initial intent was as a liner under the Gore-Tex parka, but they made a nice external jacket when it was cold but not windy. Fortunately the NCARNG was a little more lax than USASOC or Big Army.

Cabela's sold their own version of those jackets for a while and I bought one in a color they described as 'loden' about the same time ACUs came out. It was a perfect match for foliage green, and I wore it in uniform during cold weather pretty much until I retired in 2010.
 
Jim C. said:
Those were very nice. I think the initial intent was as a liner under the Gore-Tex parka, but they made a nice external jacket when it was cold but not windy. Fortunately the NCARNG was a little more lax than USASOC or Big Army.

Cabela's sold their own version of those jackets for a while and I bought one in a color they described as 'loden' about the same time ACUs came out. It was a perfect match for foliage green, and I wore it in uniform during cold weather pretty much until I retired in 2010.
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Don't remember if it was a USASOC-wide thing, but in PSYOP, it was due to a a cadre of former armor officers who loathed the trappings of Little Army & a Grp CSM who couldn't stand for soldiers to have anything nice.
 
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