Lightweight footwear

[Streamweaver]

Hey up, I just got the latest catalog from Brigade Quartermasters and they have some shoes that look like they could be decent hiking shoes. one is the Bates,Enforcer series Ultralite footwear tactical boots. and the other Is made by Converse and they are similar to the Bates shoes/boots. Weights range from 2lbs1oz-2lbs11ozs and all are priced under 90 bucks. Anybody here familiar with these shoes or have any experience with them?? I might have to give em a try.

Also If you like the Petzal Zipka headlamp ,Brigade Quartermasters has a headlamp that is very similar to the Zipka but half the price.
Its called The Lumatec Ultralife Nomad.It has the retractable cord ,3 LED settings with flashing and steady modes and weighs 2.4 ozs $15.00.

Brigade Quartermasters (www.actiongear.com)

Streamweaver

[Sgathak]

WHOA! Those Converse are SEXY! I just with they came in Olive Drab Nubuck!

[SGT Rock]

They l;ook like a good idea for lightweight winter hiking where you might not want to going in running shoes or trail runners. I would have concern for these things over long term trail use since a lot of these boots are not as durable as they should be in my experiences. They tend to rip at seams or get failures in the glue construction at the sole. I would also try to find something without a zipper - that just looks like something that isn't really needed with an extra chance of failure.

[Sgathak]

Sand/Mud/Water/Whatever in the zipper is bad juju - thats for sure... Unfortunatly it doesnt look like they make any WITHOUT zippers!

The best "combat boot" IVe come across thus far is the Danner Acadias - but at 4lbs and $200 for a pair - they arnt too hot for the trail. HOWEVER, the next best thing is the Wellco TuffCushion ICB which is 88 bucks, light, built on a running shoe last, and recieved rave reviews from alot of people I know who did the Bataan Memorial March a few months back - plus they look almost identical to the Danners - but I still wish they came in OD

[Streamweaver]

Converse (http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/results.tam?rlk=6041950)




These are links to the shoes I was talking about,Im not sure which ones you guys are talking about. the ones in these links dont have zippers Streamweaver

[Streamweaver]

Bates (http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/results.tam?rlk=6042520) Heres the link for the bates shoes. For some reason when I try to put 2 links in the same post ,they worked but the links kept pointing to the same page .Ill never understand these Screwy puters!

[Sgathak]

I was looking at these on the front page of the site:

CONVERSE® MEN’S 8'' DESERT SIDE-ZIP SAFETY-TOE BOOTS
Nubuck non-metallic Desert Boots feature a side zipper for quick donning and a consistent fit. ANSI-rated composite safety toe provides impact resistance and added foot safety. Place pre-orders now for stock available May 15, 2004. Desert Tan only.
http://www.actiongear.com/agcatalog/pics/con16.jpg

I did a more through search, and it looks like they DO have the tall boots w/o zippers... which is good, but the Des boots (which need zippers the LEAST) only come with the zips. Bummer.

For the price, Id rather buy some good G-Tex trail runners and some OR gaiters for winter than either the converse short or long boots.

[SGT Rock]

I would prefer the standard black finish on botts. The Desert boots (all styles I saw) didn't last very well, even in desert conditions. I saw leather ripping, rotting, acting like a sponge, etc. Desert boots suck. But when they give them to you for free and they go with the uniform, you wear them.