Who makes the best Jackboots?

[cruff]

Hey out there in reenacting land! Do you guys know who makes the best reproduction jackboots?
Thanks for your help! Chris

[Dare Furor]

cruff,

From what I've monitored (and experienced) the best places are Richard A Underwood in England ($305?), Lost Battalions ($462), and Grigsby ($275-300). Stay away from At The Front for these.

Search "At the Front M1939 Jackboots" in Reenactment section (search topic "M1939")

You want the "shark-nosed" toe section, and a narrow ankle.

Cheers,

Dare Furor

<uuuUkuuu>

[soldat18]

If you are going for the shark nose, stay away from Grigsby's. I bought a pair a long time ago and they were modern round toes. At the Front's would be great if their calves weren't built for an elephant! Best would be SSroom (they look big around calves though) or LB's from what I've seen.

[nihil]

I would say Underwood, they are made in the Czech republic (original country of manufacture) on an original last.

[Nelz]

Got a couple of pairs from Underpants,...... excellent boots,..well pleased !!

[prgeyer]

I got a pair of LB's boots, and had original nails and toe caps installed by an old Wehrmacht veteran German cobbler down in southern Virginia a couple of years ago. Absolutely beautiful pair of footwear. Comfortable, and extremely durable. If you can afford them, I'd certainly recommend them.

[WolfgangKessler]

I have a pair of the SS Room ones. Excellent.

[cruff]

Thanks for the good info! I'll check them out!
Chris

[Leibstandarte_reenactor]

Tom Mattimore

http://www.civilwarboots.com

[Dare Furor]

Mattimore's has a round toe and a fat ankle. A fat calf can be stuffed with grenades. The fat ankle means your heel keeps slipping up and making a suction sound when you walk. Wool foot pads just raise your foot up; they don't make the ankle tighter.

I'd trust Mattimore for ACW, but not 2WW. They have pebble-grained uppers and don't even have hobnails for that price. (Take a look at the 1WW boots and see what you think). You want a smooth upper with a rough-out vamp (toe section).

Do you have a time limit? Do you need them for the Gap? If not, I'd seriously consider Underwood. Underwood's is in GBP (£165), then there is the shipping, based on how much the boots weigh(£12 for <2Kg, £20 for >2Kg), and for the Yanks, there is a 17.5% reimbursement for Value Added Tax. That was how I calculated $305 USD. Depending on the time for shipment, I'd go with Underwood. It's hard to get a decent pair of riding boots for under $300.

For $200 you can get something decent. For about $300 US, you can rest assured and not wonder, "was this a good purchase?"

Cheers,

Dare Furor
<uuuUkuuu>

P.S. as of 2007-XII-31 RAU's boots are out of stock.

[FJdrewb]

Tom, does a good FJ boot. My unit leader has a pair and he loves them.

[txlssah]

There is a pair of sized 10 LB jacks on eBay. EBay ID # 300185659400
These look to be brand new.

Dewel Ralls
1.LSSAH

[cruff]

Don't need them any time soon. I wanted to know who makes the most accurate reproductions out there. There are many boot makers out there and all different types of reproduction boot available. Some look good and some don't. I don't want them to fall apart in the field like my old ones did! I got them from Inter Ordinance here in North Carolina, they were cheap ones for $80.00. They looked good, they had the rough out vamp and the right dimensions. The toe even had the shark-nose look that everyone seems to think is right. The soles fell off and the heel was easily mis-shapen because it had no support. Thats what happens when one settles on cheap junk! Oh well!
Chris

[Dare Furor]

Thee best pair of footwear I've ever had made were $200 HiLos by a Cordwain in Farmington, Pa, Joe Catalano. He took about sixteen different measurements of each foot. Each shoe was made of two pieces that attached to the sole. He also made a pair for my wife's brother, and he has one 7 1/2 and one 4 1/2 foot (he was never supposed to walk). So, $200 for a custom-made pair is a good investment. I doubt the average Other Ranker had his boots custom made, but if you can find someone to construct them for you one-on-one, that may make all the difference in the world. Cordwaining is a valuable, vanishing art.

Cheers,

Dare Furor
<uuuUkuuu>

P.S.
Who's "Tom?"

[FJdrewb]

Tom Mattimore.