So after researching here and the Google box I had decided to buy a pair of Jungle boots off of Amazon for $35 and a pair of original Vietnam era jungle boots.
Here’s a review/comparison for those trying to decide which one is the best and most affordable in our hobby. First up is the Fox Outdoor Vietnam Jungle Boot found on Amazon. I purchased a size 12 regular. When they arrived they look very close to what the hero wore in 1978 but these have the Panama sole which I don’t believe would be accurate to the ones he wore on screen. The fit is pretty comfortable but the soles feel cheaply made with a low quality rubber. So they will wear out quickly. Some reviewers say the sole separated after a month of use.
If you’re looking for something practical and cheap just for the look for a few times of wear these could be good for you. Now the original Vietnam era boots are not cheap and sizes are hard to come by. I bought mine from Omahas Supplies.
They are Vietnam Jungle Boots, 3rd Pattern with Vibram Sole size 12 Narrow for $99.50. With shipping and taxes it came to about $130. When they arrived they had a little bit of mold on the outside of the ankles on both. This was easily removed with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel with gentle rubbing. They’re stamped with the size and manufacturer date of March 1967. They’ve never been worn and I feel bad at the idea of wearing them. I have a regular width foot so I was worried I wouldn’t fit into them but I was able to slip right in and although they are tight in the heels (I plan to stretch the heels) they were a little more comfortable than the Fox boots off Amazon.
I’ve included pics with the first two of the amazons and the second two of the originals. I would say in my honest opinion if you’re just looking for the look, the amazon fox jungle boots get the look for cheap but nothing beats the build, the look and soles of the original Vietnam era boots. Here’s links to them so you can read and see them for yourself. If anybody has more detailed info on the original 78 hero footwear please chime in.
Thanks for the reviews! Are you able to give a overall length measurement of the sole from to back so we can get an idea of what a size 12 measures to?
Sure, Amazon Fox jungle boot measures 12 1/2 inches and the original Vietnam era jungle boot is 12 3/4. I measured from the middle of sole from the front to back. The height of the boots are exactly the same.
Also to add the Amazon Fox does not have the spike protection plate in the sole but the original Vietnam era boots do. You would think you’d feel the difference in the weight but once they’re on your feet you don’t even notice. So if I piss off my wife I’ll be walking around in the originals in the event she digs pits in the backyard with spikes.
I didn’t know what they went for these days. I actually bought mine a few years back off of eBay for under $50.
Really I was just looking for a correct era boot that had Vibram soles. Mine I think are 1966 if I recall, I forget atm but I did a video on my YouTube channel back then. I also bought a size 12, but they are narrow. Seems every pair that I looked for back then was always narrow and I was a little worried but they fit alright. They’re a little snug and they were stiff as hell at first but after taking the advice of some other members and some other people in the military that actually wore boots very similar I just stood in some really hot water for a while and wore them around while they were soft and wet and stretched them out, then let them dry and they were very comfortable this past Halloween.
I actually remember watching your video a few weeks and thought “he did such a great job”. I did the same with my civil war reproduction brogans. I put them on and soaked them down with 165 degree water and wore them around for a bit to conform to my feet. I just feel terrible wearing the 1967 boots. It’s like a sin to wear something that old. Perhaps if they were used prior to me buying them I’d have no issue. Even though they’re a little tight, I will agree with you on how comfortable they really are.
Thank you, glad to hear you saw my video. I don’t mind wearing the boots at all. They were very reasonably priced, and I really only wear them for the cosplay. Thanks again for the compliment.
