Which boots should I buy for Airborne School?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 13:54:19 -0400

About to ship for airborne. Looking to buy some good boots for running. Advice on a particular brand? I bought Nikes but wasn’t satisfied. Additional tips about airborne are more than welcome.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 1:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 13:59:23 -0400

Garmont’s Bro you will never go wrong I had the Nike’s and Rocky’s but them Garmonts I will never buy another brand besides then

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Jun 16 at 2018 2:33 PM

CSM Michael Chavaree — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 14:33:12 -0400

I have never bought boots. I have had the standard issue boots since my green jungles back in the day. I would save your money and just wear the free stuff.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 2:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 14:46:20 -0400

Instead of buying new boots, get your standard-issue boots re-soled. You change out the sole your boots will last forever.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 3:05 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 15:05:59 -0400

I'm not airborne. I'm air assault. But I'd recommend Belleville Alpha C9 QRf series or the Saber model. They both feel like I'm standing on a cloud. They're both super-light with a nice running sole, perfect for ruck runs and my Alpha C-9s took just an afternoon to break in.

I've been wearing the Sabers for almost a year and they haven't worn out yet. Those did take a couple weeks to break in though

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 3:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 15:38:13 -0400

Garmonts are the best boots so far I’ve had but I also had no issues running in and jumping in the old schwartzchoff desert sole boots. So it’s not really the boot in my opinion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 3:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 15:43:06 -0400

I'm personally a fan of the Belleville C320's at Clothing Sales, but I also seem to have the most blister-resistant feet in the Army, compared to those I've worked with; so I might not be the best gauge.

TIPS: Airborne training is "easy", its a matter of following instructions, not spraining your ankle(s), and not being a jump refusal in the paratroop door on the Tower/Plane; gravity and wind does the rest of the work. That being said, becoming/being a Paratrooper is not necessarily about being naturally fearless, but also being able to recognize your fear and push it out the doorway with you as you exit the aircraft in spite of.

How do you honestly feel about heights?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jun 17 at 2018 11:28 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 11:28:10 -0400

Standard issued boots. You worn them and are already broken in; cannot go wrong with them!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 17 at 2018 11:35 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 11:35:17 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member - If you have new boots then they will leave blisters - go with what you already broken in as long as they're serviceable.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2018 12:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 12:29:19 -0400

Garmonts served me well there

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Jun 17 at 2018 3:10 PM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 15:10:28 -0400

Whatever happened to Corcorans?

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Oct 28 at 2020 2:11 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 02:11:17 -0400

Don't get anything that looks like a sneaker boot. The NCOs at Airborne School probably have strong opinions about what boots are appropriate.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Mar 22 at 2021 3:21 PM

LTC John Wilson — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:21:59 -0400

The best boots I've found are Garmont T8 Bifidas (https://www.patriotoutfitters.com/garmont-t8-bifida-boot-ocp-coyote-?PMOPV1=COY&PMOPV2=9&PMOPV3=R&PMSRCE=POPLA&gclid=CjwKCAjwgOGCBhAlEiwA7FUXkoK7cMiGBcHCYURhR9gKOXzK-hM1fd-_z2j57eTdjuDYe3TUafbEEhoCGGUQAvD_BwE)

They are super comfortable, good quality, and decently priced.

I've not run in them extensively, but they are my "go-to" boots for long ruck marches.

They are the best I've found for the price since ALTIMA stopped making their $100 Desert Boots.

Garmont T8 Bifida Boot | OCP Coyote Military Boots

Garmont T8 Bifida Boot are made of 1.6 mm suede leather & offer superior features including: Vibram sole, PP insoles & Texon reinforcements at discounted prices