I usually wear Austrian boots as well, I got an American pair of these made by wellco found in a local army surplus shop, just love how lightweight and breathable they are now the weather is warming up
Looks like you made a good purchase with those boots ! I always enjoy seeing Barton Spring, it really is a magical sort of place. And I can imagine people throughout history going there and no doubt thanking the gods for their gift of good clean water to drink ( maybe my imagination is going a bit too far lol ).
I agree zed, I reckon that with no understanding of aquifers or the water cycle who wouldn't see a spring like that as a gift from the gods? I sometimes think it's kind of a shame that we have all the answers of science these days!
There is another significant difference between this and the US issued jungle boots : Panama sole which is also adopted by Altburg for their jungle boots.
Yes, these boots are made for a tropical climate (i think during KFOR), not for heavy jungles like in southeast asia. So the profile is less agressive and comparable to the early Vietnam war jungle boots that is a bit less effective in proper jungles but is more usable when you have a mixed terrain of wet, muddy but also sandy & stoney european rural places, the Panama sole is much more effective in a jungle but has little use outside of it (both have hard polyethylen soles that get very slippery on hard surfaces like asphalt & concrete)
Have you seen the other 2 springs/mini waterfalls over the fence nearby. There is also another spring in the vicarage near the church. I agree Barton hills is a magical place.
There is a small stream coming out under the fence which joins the stream from the main springs close by you can also see it from the fence by the path that leads up the hill close by you will spot it easily now you know it's there. I called it the enchanted forest spring.
Jim M - how much they weight? And do you wear these boots in the city (on concrete sidewalks). How do they work in a city environment (i asking about comfort)?
If you get them for a good price (50€ or less) give them a try, however they do struggle on hard surfaces because of the hard sole, so they might get slippery and in moderate climates they get wet all the time(especially in the morning) but without the tropical heat they tend to stay wet almost all day. Its a non issue if you use them for work or light hiking and go home to change & let them dry, but if you wear them for an extended period it better be summer as they are designed to dry fast in a tropical climate.
Im curious what the width is like on these german versions as I tend to come up quite wide in sizing. US jungle boots I own have always found the wide versions more comfortable, the German version doesn't seem to have a wide foot option.
These ones are a wide size, I chose them deliberately for extra 'airyness' and they certainly are! I think I've worn them to work for two weeks now and they have made a huge difference, very cool and comfy indeed.
I just bought a pair which was advertised EE which was claimed to be wide. They are. I have a US size 10 wide foot and these are a perfect fit for me. Though I bought the size 11 and wear thick wollen socks.
