Ankle/low boots

No DMS boots are nothing like them. The only suggestion I have (as per the basic kit guide) would be to get a pair of BCH - Boots Combat High - and cut them down.

The old Boots, Combat High are a good alternative if you cut them down - that's what i've done. No toecap, and the overall pattern is very similar - looks ok under gaiters. Only give away is that the toe is a bit too rounded/high...

Will give that some thought thanks guys.

If i decided to go for a pair of repros, who do the best value?

Also what would it take to get them black quickly, as i see that most low boots start of brown.

Obviously i know used boot polish would work.

Cheers again DW

Black lederfett will do the job. It takes a few applications, but will waterproof them at the same time. As to "value", thats a subjective term. I have both Sturm and the Czech made short boots. The Sturm ones have lasted OK, but they are nowhere near as well made as the Czech ones, which will last a considerably longer length of time than the Sturm ones.

I'm thinking of investing in some low boots. Any opinions on whose are best? as I've read stuff about the soles falling apart, hobnails falling out, the inside of the heels filled with cardboard, etc. The main options seem to be from Epic, Richard Underwood, SOF and militaria.net. From the pictures on the websites Epic and RU seem to be the same ones. Interested if anyone has had good or bad experiences with any particular ones or are they all much the same.

found these on ebay.de - [link]http://www.ebay.de/itm/BW-Bundeswehr-Stiefel-Schuhe-Kampfstiefel-IHRER-WAHL-/330681614270?pt=Militaria&hash=item4cfe28ffbe[/link]

ex Bundeswehr/Police ankle boots - might be worth a look

If you are looking for the very, absolute best......Jan Berger is your man, his boots are as good as they are expensive

I echo that, Rodian. You do get what you pay for. I had a pair of mid-range Chinese-made low boots which lasted about 2 years, despite many hours of applying dubbin, etc. When it came to replace them, I thought it would be more intelligent to pay twice the price and get a pair of boots that would last a lot longer.

if you cant afford a pair, boots are boots. i'm currently running a cheap 20 quid pair from matalan! but because the gaitors cover most of your boot and they are black no-one has ever questioned me on them

Cheers for the info chaps. Herr Berger's handmade boots look the biz but unfortunately I can't afford them. Most likely be a pair of Sturm ones.

if you cant afford a pair, boots are boots. i'm currently running a cheap 20 quid pair from matalan! but because the gaitors cover most of your boot and they are black no-one has ever questioned me on them

Have you thought perhaps people have noticed and are just being polite? Whilst I agree boots aren't the most important part of an impression and we all have our own budgets they are still key to getting your kit just right. If you can afford to get correct ones then I would recommend you do.

I echo that, Rodian. You do get what you pay for. I had a pair of mid-range Chinese-made low boots which lasted about 2 years, despite many hours of applying dubbin, etc. When it came to replace them, I thought it would be more intelligent to pay twice the price and get a pair of boots that would last a lot longer.

Indeed. You can often get away with cheaper uniforms because there wear and tear is limited and they can be repaired. Boots however have to deal with more punishment and are nowhere as easily repaired. A good pair will not only last far longer but normally look better and retain more resale value too.

I've finally resolved my german low boots problem. Due to budget constraints, I had decided to buy a sturm pair for around £80, even though they might only last a couple of years. I thought I'd take one last look on various axis forums and found a good alternative. British naval toecapless drill boots, which are, of course, boots made to military standards.

As luck would have it, there was a pair of 1946 unworn naval boots on ebay which I got for £38. I then bought 100 german hobnails for £8.95 + postage on Ebay De. I took the stuff to my local cobblers and told him I was trying to replicate a pair of WW2 german army boots. He got quite animated after that and said he could do them, but he wasn't sure if the nails would go through into the boot, as they only had a single leather sole. Sure enough the tips just poked through. So he put a new leather sole on (german leather, he informed me) and put in the hobnails from a tracing I made of the pattern. He put an extra layer on the heel to balance it with the new sole and used the british heel irons already on the boots (as german heel irons are not quite the right shape, they have parallel sides and wouldn't fit the slight horseshoe shape of the british heels). I picked them up last Friday and a cracking job he did too.

Result - a very sturdy and passable look-a-like pair of german low boots that will last a good few years. All in cost £89.00.-- attachment is not available --

very nice

They look really good, Nick. Get some leather laces in there, and that'll just finish off the look.

Yes I think the Naval boots look very similar in cut, Ive gone down the same road, the ones below were second hand on ebay already shod by a reenactor for £25, a bit battered but hopefully will last a few games. Wore them at Arhnem much comfier than marching boots -- attachment is not available --

Blimey mate, I reckon you got a bargain there for 25 quid. I'll hopefully get mine looking a bit more bashed up over the summer. Got some leather laces lunchtime to finish them off.