Belleville Combat Boots

[Merkava_4]

I know we have some veterans on this board; myself included, but when I was in, all we had were plain black boots; nothing of the color assortment that are available to young men today. The boots we had were stiff and had very hard soles. And back then there was no such thing as a padded insole. Have any of you guys ever worn the new Belleville boots? I've been reading their PDF catalog and they look to be some nice comfy boots. I wonder how they feel.

Here's the PDF:

https://www.bellevilleshoe.com/Website PDF/Full Catalog.pdf

 

[Lead Shoes]

My brother just got back from Iraq... he left some of his boots here, the brown combat ones, lets just say they were they least comfortable stompers I have ever worn... no wonder his feet are just one big blister.. that and the winter issue ones suck in snow and ice.. but they are warm...

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
My brother just got back from Iraq... he left some of his boots here, the brown combat ones, lets just say they were they least comfortable stompers I have ever worn...


But do they say "Belleville" on them? It's my understanding that
several different manufacturers supply boots to the military.

 

[Lead Shoes]

They say Wellco on the side, and Vibram on the bottom and have a near identical tread pattern to the ones in that link

 

[RamFan]

Bates and Belleville are the ones I'm familiar with. Haven't seen any other kinds. I've only ever worn the Bates and I didn't have a problem with them, could they have been more comfortable? Yes. At the end the day though they are a military issue boot and aren't built with comfort in mind. The Belleville on the other hand though seems to be a hybrid between military purpose and comfort around the work site, they are also generally more expensive. I'd give the Bellevilles a whirl if you plan on being in them for hours on end.

 

[Astro14]

I have 2 pairs of Bellevilles. Models 800ST (black) and 330 ST (brown - aviator style). They are great boots. Got the 330s several years ago, don't wear them much any more (not wearing a flight suit any more), but they were great while I did and are still in my closet.

I wear the black 800ST with my Navy Working Uniform (NWU - the new blue digital camoflage) nearly every day and they are very, very comfortable. They have held up for nearly 2 years of everyday wear. I can't say enough good things about either pair - they were comfortable right out of the box, they have worn well and the Gore-Tex works in foul weather.

Now, I had a pair of desert boots (durable, well made, Vibram soles, nylon and suede construction, steel toe) that I was issued by the USAF during my tour in Al-Udeid - don't know the company - and they were just awful. After a month of blisters and discomfort, they finally broke in and got better, but they still aren't nearly as good as the Bellevilles....so, not all current boots are great.

The 2 Belleville models that I have worn for the last 6 years have really been great boots. I would recommend them with complete confidence.

 

[Merkava_4]

Astro14, do the Belleville boots run one size larger than what they say?

Thanks so much for your excellent reply.

 

[tom slick]

I've got a pair of USAF issue steel toe tan desert boots made by Belleville, similar to the "600". They are comfortable and well made. Not as comfortable as my USAF issue Bates Tropical boots.

 

[Astro14]

I am in San Diego at the moment - so I can't go look at my boots in the closet...they run a bit big, I think - designed for a boot sock, I presume. My regular size is 11.5, and I think, mind you, think, that my boots are 11.5s...but they are too big with regular cotton socks and just right with a pair of boot socks - the good thick ones. I would have to go down 0.5 size if I wore regular socks.

I would ask Belleville directly, I think they have a good return policy, but since I get mine through the supply system, I can't state that for sure.

I have heard very good things about some Bates, but not others. Depends on the model. My wife (also USN) has the Bates boots for the NWU and while they are solidly made, and durable, they have been very uncomfortable and caused her lots of blisters.

YMMV...