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My grandpa told me and I'll never forget. "Son, 2 things in life you dont skimp on. A good pair of boots and a mattress because you'll spend your entire life in one or the other." Didn't make much sense then but boy does it now.
I will check these out. I am 63 and stay in shape best I can, realizing I am no longer mil-spec. Spent most my time in reconnaissance in the early 80's.
I've swore by SWAT Original, year round, 30°C summers to -45°C winters, just wear different socks, for years. However I'm considering trying these boots out. Especially being able to choose between two tread types.
@@KirkHermary I do it too. I've spent this winter in jungle boots. They are still too closed and I'm starting to sweat and stink and it's not even April yet. What I want now is heavy duty sandals or boots made of firm nylon mesh with tiny holes
@trollmcclure1884 I have no idea how many different manufacturers make jungle boots these days. My extremely old pair from a surplus store breathe great and have good drain holes. Another pair I tried for a few years, made by Rothco, were good that way too. But too narrow for my wide feet so I donated those. Jungle boots have been awesome for me. On hikes and adventures where I keep moving I've been able to wear jungle boots in -20°C. Hopefully you can find a good, breathable, and comfortable boot.
Goretex shoes exist only so shoe companies can charge you more for the bells and whistles. I actually read a very interesting article about the evolution of running shoes. Running shoes used to be simple, but when shoe companies like Nike realized that they could charge extra when they added more features, they started adding features for the sake of increasing the cost of the shoe, and not for the benefit of the runner. Same goes for the boot industry. Anyone that's ever spent even a few days outdoors living in boots will tell you how important it is is that they vent and dry quickly. Gore-Tex boots are aimed at the weekend trail hiker that might slosh through a puddle or two during their 3 hour outing.
I also thought the GoRuck bags were silly! I completely agree about waterproof boots! As a Wilderness Ranger in the Cascade Mountains, I came to realize that my feet will get wet, no matter what. The difference is I cannot dry out my Gore Tex boots in the field, which really sucks if they freeze!
A lot of excellent information here! Whether considering something I'm wearing for work, which means they're tied up and not coming off for around 14 hours, or going out on a hike I'm looking for a lot of the same requirements: - ankle support - durability - traction(especially when it's cold outside) Zippers, what a joke. At least with my feet. I've tried a few combat and work boots with a side zipper and I still have to mess with the laces. I've tried every variety of GoreTex and other waterproof junk. Honestly something that drains and lets my feet dry is the only way. Your feet will get wet from snow, rain, sweat, standing water, whatever... being able to get that moisture out and keep your feet intact is paramount. So, what does my novel here mean, what's the point? Get yourself some damn good boots and your work, hike, feet, everything will be better/optimal. Great work here brother. Your honest no bs approach is what sets you apart from the other outdoors guys
@SeriouslyGetinLineyes yes yes its important to do the exercises for such joints / tendons even if it seems useless trust me you will start feeling a lot better/ stable
Honestly I stopped using boots and just use sneakers when I’m in the swamps boots are nothing but a pain in the ass in that shit trust me you gonna need something you can take off quick / lightweight to have a extra pair; pro tip for swamps: DO NOT GO TO THE SWAMPS ESPECIALLY IN THE DEEP SOUTH 😿
Living in SW Florida means wet feet, no matter how "waterproof" boots claim to be. It's much better to have stompers that will drain and dry quickly, especially when running around in the salt marsh or glades where it's wet and muddy most of the year. Gonna check these out!
8:20 I always struggle to keep the suede in good condition. Hard leather is smoother and easier to dry and clean. Any tips that doesn’t involve high end fancy chemicals for good maintenance on suede are more than welcome (grunt in the field style shoe care) love your videos!! Greets from an 🇳🇱veteran
Ive had multiple goruck boots. I absolutely love them on my feet. However, the soles peel away after 6 months. Wore the Mac-v gen 1 a d gen 2, black leather, brown leather, coyote suede, all SO good on my feet but they just kept falling apart on the soles. I have not worn the gen 3. Im not up for another rou d of disappointment. I also have the cross trainer, bulletproof. Ive got a couple of bags as well, my daily bag has been my old faithful for almost 10 years and has been around the world with me several times. Awesome, tough ass bag.
@@brentkimball8866I'm not expert but as a generalisation German footwear tends to be at best medium to slightly narrow width. My Meindl boots have a snug toe box, not over tight but certainly not loose and wiggly. Might want to go up half a size bigger and see if that helps. But i wouldn't risk just purchasing your usual size without trying them on, unless money's no object. As regards sizing they are usually very consistent with regards to the European measurement scale in centimetres or millimetres. But this doesn't always translate across into UK / US sizes quite as expected. You might want to do a deep dive research into the rubber compounds, because I don't like my meindl soles because in the snow and ice they are slippery. Sorry I don't have any definite positive recommendations. I have heard that Finnish Finland companies footwear have more grippy compounds.
I'm a proponent of barefoot as much as reasonable. So every day office and around the house, HIIT, running up to 5 miles. But I've been doing that since 2010. Rucking with more than 20lbs needs some more protection. And of course lifting heavy needs it's own shoes. The one thing about heel lift though. If I have heel lift in a hiking or trail running shoe, I demand a mid top to protect the ankle. The heel lift creates a lever arm, increasing the ease of rolling your ankle.
Love my MACV-2's, great for almost all terrain and most seasons out here in the Midwest. But when the dead of winter comes, there's snow on the ground, and the temps are dropping below zero, a all-leather boot is definitely necessary.
With hard leather boots, fill them up with water first, and then wear them wet. They’ll break-in faster as opposed to wearing them in a dry state. It usually takes about a week to break them in.
I’ve been using Salomon for a while and they’ve been great. More expensive than these but I like them. Also gonna try a pair of lowa boots as well. Good content, thanks
Good afternoon!!! Thanks for sharing this, as I had not heard of those boots! I will be looking into them! Take care and thanks for the great content as always!
I’ve got 1000 of miles on MacV1s from the first iteration to the newer macv2, amazing boot. Not for everyone. As long as you know what the boot is for and what it’s not for you will not be disappointed
I discovered GoRuck several years ago, I’ve got several Mack V I’s and ballistic trainers. Right now they are the only shoes/boots I wear. They held up great in the field and on a JRTC rotation and for everyday wear. I no longer have the issues I was from years of wearing boots bought off the shelf at the PX or the newest cool guy boot that came out.
I grabbed up a pair of the MACV1s when they first popped up. They’re unbelievably good. Light and tough… but by far the most comfortable combat-type boot I’ve worn. That’s saying something. The laces are rinky-dink, but that’s totally fixable as you mentioned.
Ah the gear reviews are coming back! It looks like a nice pair of boots! Unfortunately goruck only sells the mac-v 2 in Europe and for 220 euros I'll stick with my Merrells.. 👍
Another honest video. I also cannot understand (and stand) GoreTex lining in boots. But it’s so hard those days to find winter and mountain shoes without it. As for rucking and every day work / activities / small hikes, the Garmont bifida are some of the best boots I tried in 25 years. Light, breathable, they have vibram sole and they offer way more support than most other boots of the same weight. With good merino socks, I wear them through the whole winter season (expect in the snow).
Good sound boot advise! One thing I cannot bring myself to do though is buy footwear without trying them on. Returns are a hassle, so if they are not brick and mortar, I don't buy! Unfortunately US GI boots have gone to shit since the Wolverine/Bates contract. My original issue (1983) combat boots were the best I ever had.
Funny how I was just thinking about getting rid of these steel toe boots and looking for something else 😂. Thanks for the suggestion I'm going to look into this further. 👍
Great info. I have replaced my Montainboots with Paracord-Lace. For Stalking and Tracking (without heavy load on me) I use a kind of Chucks-Style-High-Shoes. Similar to those the Rhodesian Trackers had. Light and Silent.
Solid review, was wondering how the boots were. But don't dismiss the GoRuck bags, they're quality. Living out of my GR3 for six years now backpacking around the world... they're tough as hell. The GR3 been through 10-day mountain hikes, rucking 50-125lb a few times a week, salt water swims, long motorcycle trips in southeast asian monsoon season, dragged along the road, run over by a car, served as a portable gym filled with sandbags - it's survived everything without a scratch. Home on your back. Add the tough bag, a couple molle pouches, and some side bags that strap to the buckles, and you can easily add 20-30L of collapsible modular space to the 45L (airline carry-on max dimensions) capacity in 30 seconds. Great when you need something that adapts to all situations without looking too tacticool (not a good thing in some parts of the world). Downside is they're heavy. Ounces become pounds...
I’ve got a pair of Corcoran marauder boots. Very light and breathable. But if you walk in grad that has few on it your feet will be soaked and they would make a good winter boot as well. I’ll definitely be looking into the Mac v boots
I use the Rocky S2V Boots in Coyote Tan, and these things are outstanding. I had no break-in period, and they look so similar to these MACV-1 and 2 Boots. Like you Randall, I love the Merrell Moab 3s.
“ Are you ready to invest in your feet? “ lol. Being a West Coaster, one pair of White Smokejumpers, a back up pair of smokejumpers, so one pair can be cycled for rebuilding. Then, a pair of Nick Anvils to wear to town, Baffins for winter work, Stegars for winter play, Muck for the season transitions and ice pack overflow, ice fishing and cleaning the barn, waders, chest waders, XtraTuf ankle fit for the water, it’s ridiculous, Keen Detroits for the fuel terminal and pulling tankers.
I agree with the zero drop points you made, there needs to be some arch support for hiking/rucking, I can wear my flat vans and slides casually, but for rucking and working you’re gonna need some damn arch support! Lol great info!
I am glad you did a video on these boots!! I have the Mac-v sneaker boot those are really light comfortable and pretty durable. I plan to buy more. They work
A boot that's not waterproof is fine in a drier and warmer climate. For those who operate in the PacNW or snow country, you want waterproof, and extra wool socks.
I usually switch out my laces for some kevlar welding ones, they are expensive but that's the last I have to worry about them. I was caught up for a bit wearing some high top moccasins I made while rucking out in the mountain. Got done being a dumb ass awhile back. Those are efficient looking boots. Appreciate all the info. Gonna go check them out.
I’ve never had an issue with goretex lined boots. I served 86-92 and had jump boots. (Uncomfortable) jungle boots (uncomfortable) Vietnam style all leather , vulcanized sole (comfortable!) Matterhorns (very comfortable!)
Thanks for the info, will have to check these out! I'm having a good experience with Kommando Store's half Waxi Boots: good toe room, good leather, short break-in.
This was a great video an topic I remember going thru bootcamp and they kept telling us how important it was 1 guy found out the hard way by not listening
Looks pretty solid, im looking for a replacement for my Oliver AT work boots, had to do a competitor rescue out of an off road buggy where i had to run across about 500m of bush and I could feel the weight of the boots every step, have my eye on the Garmont t8 but now i want to try a set on these on, good info mate no BS as always
I have worn nothing but Danner boots. I’ve spent well over 1k testing other brands with no luck. If it is not Danner, they hurt my feet. Currently I’m using USMC RAT boots for work and they are super comfortable. Heavy, but comfortable.
I still run surplus desert boots and jungle boots. The macv boots look great but new surplus boots are cheap. I prefer breathable for every season but winter. I do have some gortex surplus boots for that.
That'll be my next purchase! Currently rocking some Walmart "Infiltrator" tan boots that were suggested to me by a reservist. They do Boot Things, but for sure not for anything more than a weekend warrior like me 😁
One of the first videos of yours that I saw was about the Garmont boots. I bought a pair and they beat all the other boots I've ever tried. I now own two pair of the NFSs (needed a pair of nice clean ones for date night). I would be hesitant to try anything else. But I would have to say these are tempting me.
I smoked the MacV-1's in a few months of rucking (Bought July, put on about 500 miles by October). Sole is now fully smooth after the occasional wear since. It was disappointing compared to several other boots I run. Looking to try the MacV-2's though since I do like the brand and the tread look great. Here's hoping. Thanks for the video.
If i could get a leather/tougher sole croc that be almost perfect. I thought they were dumb but they dry out super quick and they have some padding. Probably not great for the cold climates but the Indians had moccasins and they ran in those.
Goruck makes excellent gear and their bags are not “silly rucking bags” they are some of the best bags you can buy. You might want to pony up and get one before commenting on it.
Look if the shtf I'm not lacing up. I know cowboy/western boots aren't the most considered combat boot but I wear them everyday 12+ hrs a day if it comes down to it that's what I'll be wearing I can run in them and hike in them they are what I train in.
In my AO the biggest concern are ticks and lyme disease. Pants legs get sprayed with insecticide and then tucked down into the boot. The boot then gets sprayed on the outside surface with insecticides. Boots that cant handle chemical spray on their inner and outer surfaces get tossed. Boots with drain holes, which are doorways for ticks, also get tossed. It doesnt sound like these boots are "capable" of the needs of living in the deep south
Inwas lage to the game, but finally snagged a set of the ankle height Origins, and the heal drop is what i always tried to get in resoled jungle boots when i was in....I wish they still offered had the Jedburgs, and it looks like they may do away with all the bokts looking at thier offerings.
The best boots I ever had were USMC issued jungles circa 2007. I had them resoled seceral times over about 15 years. It was like walking in bunny slippers until they got a rip in the leather. I am curious on your thoughts about cowboy style work boots. Durable, light weight, breathable and as far as I can tell great for most terrains in Texas.
I wear 13-14, and usually widest available. Often widest are not wide enough. Thankyou barefoot lifestyle. No shoes fit me entire adulthood. Tevas and custom leather shoes/boots are my jam now.
not sure if this is a paid video or not but, piece of advice, they are very good at backpacks, shoes, boots I am not sure about it. It can be hit or miss, I have two of their shoes, different models (MACV-2, Jedburgh), I dont use the shoes as often as the backpacks. I think I even gave away the Jedburgh pair. Again goruck is good at rucksacks not shoes, at least in my experience for boots, garmont.
I have black leather and tan suede Oakley boots and I’m hoping it works because I have bilateral posterior bone spurs on my heels beneath my Achilles tendons.
Ik you say nylon is nylon but iv blown out the standard issue cordura backpacks in little as 2 years, my GR1 from goruck is going on 5 now with only the zipper pulls needing TLC
You weren't wrong with rucking techniques and I'm betting you aren't wrong with the GoRuck boots. Gonna check em out. Any chance we can use a code so you can get some kick back?
I was just wonder what could be an option. I have a heavy (70 oz) set of Danner Quarry (USA) boots and they're pretty stiff for doing a ruck. I also have a set up under armour charged assert shoes. I have a STOMP bag gen 1 from Refuge Medical that I used as a ruck with my rifle yesterday for 2 miles through our farm fields. Hardest part was tight calves and sore feet from wore out shoes. I have an ILBE coming in 3 days to become a new pack and it will be part of my operation get un obese (6' 295lbs). I did play football so I'm not just a marshmallow. To me right now I could likely 2x my weight carrying if i had a good supportive shoe.
I like the boot but I do not like the wide toe box. I have a very narrow foot and when I used them on one of my road marches I ended up with some very bad blisters. I will road march 20 to 40 miles a week and I can't use the boots. I'll just stick to my Nike SFP's. Great boot otherwise.
For that price I can get a pair of Belleville’s like we deployed with off Amazon. Mine gave up a the ghost a couple years ago when the soles split, I glued them back together and they pulled apart and off again. So how do these Mac B’s compare to the good ol Belleville’s we were issued during OIF?
Not waterproof = water in your boots anyway, just more of it. If your boots are waterproof, the only thing you have to worry about is sweat. Stepping in a puddle is worse than sweat.
@@edza118 Pretty much all I’ve worn for the past 20-30 years are dress shoes when needed, gym shoes for working out, and waterproof boots the rest of the time. I don’t skimp on price, as a great pair of boots may last me a decade, and I normally have an extra pair of boots so I can rotate out a pair of boots that isn’t quite dry by morning. The only “water” in them is sweat, and the only time they get so soaked is in very hot, humid weather. Boots (like jungle boots) that intentionally let in water (in the guise of letting out water) just leave your feet soaked all day, and aren’t likely to dry by the next day either. They also let in bacteria, pathogens & other things that can cause your feet to become infected and make it difficult if not impossible to walk. You can change your socks 50 times a day with leaky boots and your feet will never be dry. An extra pair of GOOD waterproof boots, and a few extra pairs of wool socks are a game changer. There’s a good reason why I pay so much for my boots. I’ve lived & learned. Would you wear non waterproof, non breathable clothing in a wet, cold environment? The only fabric that could even be considered permissible in that type of environment is wool, and that’s if you have a change of clothes. Wear what you want, it’s your body & it won’t hurt my feelings, I gave those up as they aren’t practical. I know what I’ll be wearing, you do you boo.
I want to like goruck. I mean i do like them but they just don’t fit me. 13 is a fuzz too small but 14 is too big. Their sizing is like garmont in that way. Salomon is what I wear. They fit the best of all I’ve found. They aren’t perfect though. They lack drains and they’re the only shoes I wear that start to smell bad eventually.
I wore them as a uniform shoe on my high school basketball team. We got a team discount at a local retail store. Low cut, white with maroon trim. $9.95 in 1976. We added maroon laces and thought we were bad ass! God I miss those days. Young, dumb and the whole world just waiting to be discovered.
@@steveturner3999 I work in the same county that chuck Taylor grew up in. I guess every year he goes around all the schools and gives out pairs of chucks to all the students.
Those are Very Purpose driven Boots for Tactical Sporting events, running on well worn trails or roads. Perfect. But for Long Term All Terrain, all weather boots for SHTF, especially if you aren't going to be able to carry 3 pairs or buy a pair a year for 24/7/365 wearing, there's No Way. I'll take my tried and true Combat proven Salomen GTX Goretex for Temperate or 4 season regions or areas with long Cold winters. Now if I'm going to regularly be in, Florida, Louisiana, Etc; Swamps, Marshes and generally warm or Tropical weather, where I need them to drain and dry daily, No, Jungle Boots or The newer with vent holes, or maybe those MACV will work great. Just because they built the Boots based on Vietnam Jungle experience doesn't mean jack for Temperate or colder climates. Folks definitely need to determine what the purpose of their Boots are? Spartan, GoRuck races, fitness training on toads and trails? SHTF Boots to last years? Northern Cold winter SHTF regions? Swampy, marshy wetlands for SHTF? Will the Boots be replaceable? Resoleable? Are you planning on buying backups? As Grunt mentioned, invest in some Kevlar reinforced laces, they bend and tie just like regular. If too $$$ 550 cord works too. Research your Use Intent, Environment, and how long you will need them to last. Good luck! Keep Prepping!
@GruntProof I have a pair of Merrels MOABs that are 16 years old whose soles JUST started separating. Inhavemt been wearing them near as much the last 10 since got my Salomens in Afgh, but I shoo Gooed them l, and maybe get a few more years of yard work out of em. Lol.
