vibram outsoles, tan brown leather upper, canvas fabric tubes; the quintessential US army boot... thirty years ago.
i live in a place that is not the United States to say the least, and, when these little fuckers do make their way here, they're usually sold for an expensive price (for me). so seeing that some of these desert storm boot seem to go for as low as 30-40 dollars (my budget lmao) on Ebay, from high-rated sellers and good conditions, i've been seriously considering them.
how have these things fared with time? do they actually last? are they durable? can you wear them without your feet turning into minced meat? can they be resoled if they wear out?
keep in mind i also don't know jackshit about these things, just some second-hand knowledge and info acquired by osmosis. A vague jerking-off gesture about Vibram, Belleville this, Rocky that. I don't know who makes the durable ones, the comfortable ones, or the bad ones so i'd appreciate any and all info, recommendations or a slap in the face if it's actually a bad idea
Those soles are glued on so they aren’t getting resoled. Depending on the age of the boots the glue could be breaking down already - go for a trek, lift a foot and the sole comes loose from the upper.
They’re surplus so they’re cheap. Nothing ‘military grade’ is quality, usually. Because they’re military they’re probably waterproof. Vibram rubber soles are good. I think They have good energy return, good durability, etc. My old White’s boots had Vibram soles. My current Nicks and Thorogoods have Vibram soles. The gold standard as far as American work boots go, at any rate.