[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown

[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown

$179.99 USD $169.99 USD Save 6%
/
Rated 5.0 out of 5
Based on 11 reviews
View Size Guide

 Finding Your Size

To size your boots, please use the sizing chart we have provided below. Waxi boots are a size larger than regular boots so please order one size down from your regular boot size. For example, if you are normally a size 9, we recommend you order a size 8.

Being leather boots, expect them to need a little bit of breaking in. After a few days of wearing them around, the heat of your feet will cause the leather to expand and fit the shape of your foot a lot better. 

If you find your boots still aren't a perfect fit after receiving them, you can use our Returns & Exchanges form to send them back for another pair. Please note that on-hand color and sizes may be limited. 


UK

US

EU

4

4.5

37

4.5

5

37

5

5.5

38

5.5

6

39

6

6.5

39

6.5

7

40

7

7.5

40.5

7.5

8

41

8

8.5

42

8.5

9

42.5

9

9.5

43

9.5

10

43

10

10.5

44

10.5

11

44

11

11.5

45

11.5

12

46

12

12.5

46.5

12.5

13

47

13

13.5

48

13.5

14

48

14

14.5

49

14.5

15

49

Ivan says: Double check your sizing!
Waxi boots run larger than most boots.

  • Available
  • Backordered, shipping soon
  • Free Sizing Exchanges
  • Backed By Our 30 Day Return Policy
  • Ships June 2025


The Standard Lug Sole, reminiscent of a lineman's or logger's sole.
Great all-weather, all-terrain performance.

The Anti-Track Sole, a completely flat sole and South African military legend. Widely used in the Border War to conceal troop movement, it has no tread.
This results in footprints which appear washed-out, older, or too light to be visible, confusing would-be trackers.

• Made by original South African manufacturer
• Thin, breathable cowhide leather
• Wide toe box accommodates foot swelling during long hours of use
• Sturdy, easily replaceable Goodyear-Welted soles
• Half-gusseted tongue
• Double stitching and metal eyelets for durability

More Colors & Styles Available

View All Boots

The Background

The Waxi boot is an enduring icon of the Border and Bush Wars — Conflicts which dominated South Africa and present day Zimbabwe during the Cold War. Outside of Africa and certain military circles both of these wars have faded into obscurity. Don’t get the wrong idea though, they were anything but boring.

At the height of the Border and Bush wars, both South Africa and Rhodesia found themselves geographically, economically, and diplomatically isolated. They would be facing off against the best efforts of the USSR, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, and several members of the Soviet Bloc. All of whom would be providing training, arms, logistics and advisory support to a rainbow of communist terrorists, militant groups, and Sub-Saharan nation states. The resulting violence was characterized by its fast pace and indiscriminate brutality — with frequent attacks on public infrastructure and civilian populations.

This period of counter-insurgency combat in the African savanna and wildlands forced tactical and material improvisation. Scrambling to stay competitive, South Africa and Rhodesia would develop doctrines and equipment that would stay relevant for decades to come.

The Boots

Like many South African designs, the Waxi Boot is essentially a standardized field improvisation. Fighting in the bush necessitated two things, long term endurance, and bursts of high mobility during close contact. Traditional combat boots provided neither — especially when you consider the sweltering heat of Africa. With this in mind, many South African and Rhodesian soldiers opted to wear their physical training footwear instead of their issued combat boots. The most popular choices were takkies (hockey shoes) or commercial high tops from Converse and others.

This philosophy would eventually give birth to the Waxi or “Half Combat” boot. Sitting halfway between a high-top sneaker and a combat boot, the Waxi runs, jumps and flexes like a tennis shoe while delivering the protection and durability of a boot. The "Full Combat" variant has a taller profile with an extra buckle but sharing the same design as the rest of the Waxi.

Our Waxis are manufactured by hand, by the same family owned company who has supplied them to the SADF for decades. They are lightweight and strong, with a full Goodyear welt and double stitching on all load-bearing seams.

For the uninitiated westerner several things about the Waxi will come as a surprise. The first and most noticeable is the fit. The Waxi is built with an extra wide toe box. A feature which increases airflow and accommodates swelling from extended marches. We suggest you wear yours the African way: thick wool socks, regardless of the weather.


Which brings us to the second thing most people will not expect; the thickness of the leather. Without a doubt the Waxi is a durable boot, however it does this without the weight and stiffness you might be used to out of a pair of Red Wings. This makes sense when you consider the Waxi’s parentage; it is a desert boot, not a logging boot for North American forests.

This thin flexible leather performs two important tasks. It significantly reduces the time required to break in your boots and it increases comfort in hot weather. Spend a few days outside and will find that your pair readily shapes, creases and forms to match your feet. It’s also great for moisture transfer. You will find that you sweat straight through the leather of your boots instead of swimming in them.

The Recces

The Waxi boot was the brainchild of South Africa’s elite Recce units (short for “Reconnaissance”). The cream of the SADF, Recce were experts in both long-range combat reconnaissance and counter-insurgency. In truth though, they did far more. Recce quickly became the “go-to” fighting force for nearly everything, from airborne raids to underwater demolitions.

Limited by attrition and embargos, Recce frequently purchased their own kit on the private market. This included the first Waxi boots, which were made to order for individual soldiers. Among these first purchases were many of the now famous “anti-tracking” boots — variants of the Waxi featuring a completely flat sole.

The anti-track Waxi replaced the Recce footwear of choice — black high top sneakers with the soles sanded flat. In the dusty conditions of the bush, the flat soles left faded prints, disguising fresh tracks as weeks old.

Where The Waxis Have Walked

See what hundreds have said about the South African Legend
Write a Review
average rating 4.9 out of 5
Based on 445 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    386 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    55 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    4 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    0 Reviews
99% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
Customer photos and videos
Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal
445 Reviews
Reviewed by Cole H., from United States
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Tan
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Tan
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
10.5
Foot Width
Regular
US Size Purchased
9.5
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Great boots

I've worn expensive top shelf boots in production work forever and these take the cake for comfort right out of the box. Basically high top moccasins. New favorite boots. Thanks for making it happen.

Loading...
Sizing
Rated 1 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Quality
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Cameron B., from United States
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
10
Foot Width
Regular
US Size Purchased
11
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Get them while you can.

You definitely want to go a size down to half a size down. I usually wear 11s and the 10s in these fit right. If you want a bit more room, you could remove the insoles. Leather is of excellent quality, and I love that these boots don’t have any lining in them that would soak up sweat and slow the boot from drying. This also makes the boot more flexible which is a major plus. Would recommend

P.s. I have the flat soles and I really like them. Haven’t lost traction yet and are a breeze to clean.

It does make you significantly harder to tract if that’s what you’re into… I know I am…

Loading...
Sizing
Rated 1 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Quality
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Damian L., from Australia
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
12
Foot Width
Wide
US Size Purchased
11
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Comfort!

I sized down one full size and I still have about a thumbs width from the end of my foot to end of the boot; this is exactly how a boot should fit to allow for heat expansion in use. They fit fine with thin or thick wool socks.

I’m a US 11.5 - 12W, depending on make. I ordered US 11W (marked 10w on the tongue).

Quality is good enough for the price, it could be a little bit better in workmanship- but it’s acceptable (I compare the quality to my Bundeswehr pilot boots).

They are very comfortable from the moment I put them on. The last is fairly similar, especially around the toe box, to my Bundeswehr boots actually…very little difference overall.

Overall I’m quite pleased with the boots and providing they last long enough to be resoled at least twice I would get them again.

Loading...
Sizing
Rated 2 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Quality
Rated 4 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by D.
Verified Reviewer
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
Reviewing
[PRE ORDER] Full Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Perfect Fit

One size down from true size fit perfect. I’m a US 11 W.

These boots are comfortable from the moment I put them on.

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Tony T., from United Kingdom
Verified Buyer
[PRE-ORDER] Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
Reviewing
[PRE-ORDER] Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
11
Foot Width
Extra Wide
US Size Purchased
10
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

I bless the lanes.

I have waited in quiet anticipation of this boot since my pre order in July, and I can tell you this with dead certainty: I am IMPRESSED. I've been wearing boots since my legs were big enough to lift them, and these are by far some of the best feeling boots I have ever encountered, light, flexible, hugging my feet like an old lover. They also smell absolutely incredible. I've been sniffing them like a friendly dog to a backside. They're not as loose on me as with some folks, but I've got boat paddles for feet, so I'm hardly surprised, still accommodated a recently broken toe without pressing on it, so not too bad any way you look at it. Looking forward the heat coming back so I can put some proper miles down in these beauties!

Loading...
Sizing
Rated 0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2, where minus 2 is Runs Small, 0 is True to Size and 2 is Runs Big
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Quality
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?

Recently viewed

Back to Waxi Boots