WWII Boots - Service, Jump, etc.

[Matt Deckard]

They are very comfortable on the feet, though they still need to soften up around the ankles. They weigh tonne. I've already been getting stray compliments on them.

 

[android]

I have a pair of the Corcoran jumpboots in black. I wear narrow, so I can't get brown in my size. They are big through the foot, get at least 1/2 size small and you will still need to wear with thick socks. They are made to be worn with thick wool socks in a foxhole, in France in the middle of the winter.

It took a while to break in the ankle, push the leather around different ways until it starts to stay in position that bends comfortably.

 

[indieflmkr]

www.atthefront.com

I think they have GI boots now, too.

Also, be on the look out for Korea era boots.

These look like Jump boots, but they aren't.

However, they are usually cheaper to buy and you can have the "cut" to look like Low-quarter boots.

And lastly -- beware of certain repro-boots as they may actually be cutdown korean boots or patterened after a cutdown korean boot.

There's nothing wrong with any of these things, I just mention it because there are differences.

Also, if I remember correctly - there are more than one type of WWII captoe low quarter boot. A type 1 and 2 two I think. The rough outs were type 3???

 

[scotrace]

Boots

These are very similar to my LL Bean Engineer boots, which I love. I don't think they're offering them this season.
Same boot since the 1920's. I have Bean catalogs from the 20's, 30's, 40's & 50's.

 

[rebelgtp]

WWII Boots - Originals and Reproductions

Hey I figure you might be the guys to ask. A few years ago, ok maybe 15 or so, I found an old pair of brown GI boots at a yard sale and I absolutly loved them. They were the best $5 I had ever spent on a pair of shoes. Anyway these boots had a flap that had 2 buckles and covered the upper laces. Someone told me these were paratrooper boots or somthing like that. I've searched around in the local surplus stores and I have never found another pair like them. The closest I found were all canvas and I beleive Israeli. I have fond memories of wearing these boots until they fell apart and would like to get another pair. Does anyone know what boots I am talking about and where I might find a pair? I would really like to find original boots if I can but if not are there any good (well made) reproductions of these? thanks.

 

[jake431]

Hey I figure you might be the guys to ask. A few years ago, ok maybe 15 or so, I found an old pair of brown GI boots at a yard sale and I absolutly loved them. They were the best $5 I had ever spent on a pair of shoes. Anyway these boots had a flap that had 2 buckles and covered the upper laces. Someone told me these were paratrooper boots or somthing like that. I've searched around in the local surplus stores and I have never found another pair like them. The closest I found were all canvas and I beleive Israeli. I have fond memories of wearing these boots until they fell apart and would like to get another pair. Does anyone know what boots I am talking about and where I might find a pair? I would really like to find original boots if I can but if not are there any good (well made) reproductions of these? thanks.

These them?

You can get them here: http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/
Check the Army Uniforms section - they're called Boots, Service, Combat, Composition Sole.


-Jake

 

[The Wingnut]

If your shoe size is smaller than 9, there are a bunch of original pairs at the shop that I work at.

 

[rebelgtp]

yeah those look almost exactly like them the ones i had were a little darker though and the leather looked smoother, however that could just be age and wear who knows.

Wingnut
unfortunately I have big old boats for feet. 12 or 13 depending on the cut of the boot.

 

[JDCrockett]

ww2 style boots

Check these, they seem to have them in yor size and the price is reasonable!

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97128

Good Luck!

 

[BellyTank]

The original 'buckle boots' were late-war, ETO standard issue and were supplied in 'rough-out' finish, to be treted with dubbing. Some examples I have seen had a brown finish but they may have been later issue.
Paratroopers wore the rough-out buckle boots later in the war when production/issue of the taller, brown para boots ceased. I once had an unissued, military marked pair of the rough-out buckle boots with toe-caps, pretty rare I believe.

The French ones are somewhat heavier and bulkier- larger fitting than the US ones, with a heavier lugged rubber sole.

B
T

 

[jake431]

yeah those look almost exactly like them the ones i had were a little darker though and the leather looked smoother, however that could just be age and wear who knows.

Wingnut
unfortunately I have big old boats for feet. 12 or 13 depending on the cut of the boot.

I have a pair of wwiiimpressions service shoes, and I can vouch for their quality, and also let you know that they run large - I wear 11's, but am wearing a 10 1/2 in their shoes. But the French ones are definitely cheaper and they may fit the bill just fine, it all depends.

-Jake

 

[jake431]

The original 'buckle boots' were late-war, ETO standard issue and were supplied in 'rough-out' finish, to be treted with dubbing. Some examples I have seen had a brown finish but they may have been later issue.
Paratroopers wore the rough-out buckle boots later in the war when production/issue of the taller, brown para boots ceased. I once had an unissued, military marked pair of the rough-out buckle boots with toe-caps, pretty rare I believe.

The French ones are somewhat heavier and bulkier- larger fitting than the US ones, with a heavier lugged rubber sole.

B
T

On a recent vintage shop trolling with Grant and Jerome, I found a pair of Para boots, either WW2 or Korean vintage in really good. I was told, in no uncertain terms by both of them - "BUY THEM! BUY THEM!" They were $28 I believe.

-Jake

 

[BellyTank]

WW2 era Para boots have an angled 'anti-foul' heel and web/canvas reinforcing sewn through the ankle sides, for ankle support of course- and usually a 'heel and tap' sole, rather than the one piece sole. There were later versions which look similar but lack the angled heel and reinforcement and have a one-piece sole- post WW2 and Korean war. I have a pair of repros but I don't think they're anywhere near as good as the originals.

B
T

 

[jake431]

WW2 era Para boots have an angled 'anti-foul' heel and web/canvas reinforcing sewn through the ankle sides, for ankle support of course- and usually a 'heel and tap' sole, rather than the one piece sole. There were later versions which look similar but lack the angled heel and reinforcement and have a one-piece sole- post WW2 and Korean war. I have a pair of repros but I don't think they're anywhere near as good as the originals.

B
T

Most likely mine are Korean era - they have a one piece sole, but the've been re-soled more than once I am sure. But they look cool with an A-2.

-Jake

 

[shamus]

If memory serves me.. the buckle type boot like that was new for 1943 and replaced the lower cut boots and spats... for the regular army.

Paratroopers of course wore the coravan boot in brown and after the war it was changed to the black we know today.

 

[BellyTank]

'Corcoran' and many other WW2 makers of the same style.
The name 'Corcoran' is today owned by Cove Shoe and the boots aren't nearly the same as the originals.

B
T

 

[jake431]

True Martin - Cove made my wwiiimpression russet service shoes, and makes all their footwear. But the quality is good. I've had mine for over two years, and they are beat - look worn and used. But I've never once polished them, so that's no surprise. In the mean time they've survived rainsstorms, blizzards, Chicago's salted road snow/slush soaking into into the soles, breaking shoelaces - and the leather's never cracked, the soles are not cracked. I'll have to get them re-soled soon, but other than that, they're ready to crawl into my P-47.

-Jake

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I think that is going to be...

one of my next investments. Been to the site and can't decide between the service shoes or the boondockers.

 

[jake431]

one of my next investments. Been to the site and can't decide between the service shoes or the boondockers.

Army or USMC?

-Jake

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I'm leaning towards the rubber soled Army service shoes or the USMC Boondockers.