Current issue for the Austiran "Gebirgsjäger" mountain troops, this boot is alpining luxury class.
Specs
- Hook Grommets
- 2mm thick leather construction, full grain cowhide
- Insulated tan leather lining along the entire throat
- Full gusseted tongue
- Partially perforated ankle vents lets perspiration though but keeps the environment out
- 10”-11” tall covering and supporting the entire ankle
- Reinforced toe cap
- 4 rows D-ring and 5 rows of hook style speed lacing grommets
Recommended Aesthetic and Functional Practices
Breaking In Your Boots
Generally, these Austrian boots have already seen some use. This does mean that the leather is not as stiff as new boots, but a breaking-in period is still recommended.
To break in your boots, wear them as often as possible over a one-to-two-week period of regular activity (think grocery store trips, not hiking trips or guerrilla warfare). Use good, full-length wool socks, and take note if you feel any "hot spots" while walking around. Friction between your foot and the boot causes blisters. Breaking in your boots should help with this.
If hot spots persist, silk or synthetic "liner socks" (worn under your wool ones) are a cheap and easy way to protect your feet. They are freely available at most outdoors stores.
Speed Lacing
It is of Ivan's opinion that tying your boots with a speed lacing method is superior to that of any external bow or knot.
It not only looks cleaner, but also minimizes the chance that you will trip, get your boots stuck, or have them untie because you used a granny knot like a child.
There is an assortment of different speed lacing methods that will have these three attributes in common.
- Very long laces (The excess in lace is necessary. If your boots come with normal-size laces, consider investing in longer laces)
- At least one full wrap of lace around the ankle
- Tucking all excess lace deep inside the boot
Here are video guides for two different styles of speed lacing. [Style 1] [Style 2]
Most of the boots comes with laces that are a little too short for most conventional speed lacing (it is still very possible if you copy the way it is laced in the photos, but it is not as sturdy or easy as it could be). Luckily good laces are inexpensive. Warehouse Ivan recommends you pick up some 87" or 92" laces (regardless of shoe size, it doesn't affect the lace length like you think it would)
Blousing and Tucking Your Trousers
If you are not going to tuck in your trousers when you tie your boots and you are wearing baggy pants, we recommend investing in elastic blousing garters / "boot bands."
It will look cleaner and keep your trouser cuffs out of the way.
Sizing
The Austrian Ranger runs true to size. If you plan to wear your boots with a thick insole and medium/thick socks, buy one size bigger.
For those with wide feet, you should follow your general style of fitting into normal shoes.
Exchanges & Warranty
If your size doesn't fit you correctly, please contact us within 30 days. The entire cost of your first exchange will be covered by KommandoStore, including postage to and from your CONUS address.
Condition Guide
Great
- Perfect functional condition with only minor cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use---lightly used and well cared for.
- The item may show more noticeable internal/external writing, such as rank, serial numbers, etc.
Good
- Clear cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use that have not compromised functionality. Essentially, normal equipment used within normal parameters.
- The item may exhibit clear internal/external writing. This may include rank, serial numbers, etc.
Current issue for the Austiran "Gebirgsjäger" mountain troops, this boot is alpining luxury class.
Specs
- Hook Grommets
- 2mm thick leather construction, full grain cowhide
- Insulated tan leather lining along the entire throat
- Full gusseted tongue
- Partially perforated ankle vents lets perspiration though but keeps the environment out
- 10”-11” tall covering and supporting the entire ankle
- Reinforced toe cap
- 4 rows D-ring and 5 rows of hook style speed lacing grommets
Recommended Aesthetic and Functional Practices
Breaking In Your Boots
Generally, these Austrian boots have already seen some use. This does mean that the leather is not as stiff as new boots, but a breaking-in period is still recommended.
To break in your boots, wear them as often as possible over a one-to-two-week period of regular activity (think grocery store trips, not hiking trips or guerrilla warfare). Use good, full-length wool socks, and take note if you feel any "hot spots" while walking around. Friction between your foot and the boot causes blisters. Breaking in your boots should help with this.
If hot spots persist, silk or synthetic "liner socks" (worn under your wool ones) are a cheap and easy way to protect your feet. They are freely available at most outdoors stores.
Speed Lacing
It is of Ivan's opinion that tying your boots with a speed lacing method is superior to that of any external bow or knot.
It not only looks cleaner, but also minimizes the chance that you will trip, get your boots stuck, or have them untie because you used a granny knot like a child.
There is an assortment of different speed lacing methods that will have these three attributes in common.
- Very long laces (The excess in lace is necessary. If your boots come with normal-size laces, consider investing in longer laces)
- At least one full wrap of lace around the ankle
- Tucking all excess lace deep inside the boot
Here are video guides for two different styles of speed lacing. [Style 1] [Style 2]
Most of the boots comes with laces that are a little too short for most conventional speed lacing (it is still very possible if you copy the way it is laced in the photos, but it is not as sturdy or easy as it could be). Luckily good laces are inexpensive. Warehouse Ivan recommends you pick up some 87" or 92" laces (regardless of shoe size, it doesn't affect the lace length like you think it would)
Blousing and Tucking Your Trousers
If you are not going to tuck in your trousers when you tie your boots and you are wearing baggy pants, we recommend investing in elastic blousing garters / "boot bands."
It will look cleaner and keep your trouser cuffs out of the way.
Sizing
The Austrian Ranger runs true to size. If you plan to wear your boots with a thick insole and medium/thick socks, buy one size bigger.
For those with wide feet, you should follow your general style of fitting into normal shoes.
Exchanges & Warranty
If your size doesn't fit you correctly, please contact us within 30 days. The entire cost of your first exchange will be covered by KommandoStore, including postage to and from your CONUS address.
Condition Guide
Great
- Perfect functional condition with only minor cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use---lightly used and well cared for.
- The item may show more noticeable internal/external writing, such as rank, serial numbers, etc.
Good
- Clear cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use that have not compromised functionality. Essentially, normal equipment used within normal parameters.
- The item may exhibit clear internal/external writing. This may include rank, serial numbers, etc.
| 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 4 out of 5
|
Great boot
Well broken in, leather took a shine easy, tread was like new.
| 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
|
Middle Ground boot for middle ground needs
When I began replacing all of my heinous Ariat work boots with surplus, I came to notice two specific sizes of boot. Either there was the sensible Paratrooper style, sturdy but slim that let your feet breathe a bit at a cost of not being entirely stab proof. Then there were the other Alpines. The size of refrigerators that made me feel like I was the tank class for the goth guild. So naturally, wanting to middle ground it, I went with these.
PRO: Comfy big. Nice padding around the boot from the tongue to the ankle protection so you're not going to get anything breaking your bones. They're fairly comfortable all-around and do have a bit of breathing room. Not perfect but it's better than most.
CON: The big issue I had was these being "clunky" which is down to the original soles. They suck, but you know that for a surplus boot. Swapped them in with some Dr. Scholes types and they work like a charm now. I'm prepared for winter, and I'll keep the BIG BOYS for Super Winter 2: Championship edition.
| 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 4 out of 5
|
Solid Stomping Boots
Solid boot. Fits well. Still breaking in, not expecting to do any jogging soon.
Made my closet smell like a well stocked armory. This is good.
Came with writing "Bob Har" on the inside. Bob thanks for keeping your boots in good shape.
Also they came with a small stone stubbornly embedded in the tread. Who knows where this stone has come from or how many magical places it has been? The Danube? The Alps? Or as humble as Ivan's driveway? After prying him out (no damage to the boot) I have named him "Ivan the Terrible" and he shall live up to his name after I put him inside the shoe of my enemy to gnaw on his psyche from the foot up as they flee in disarray.
| 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
|
Perfect fit
I did not expect European boots to fit my American feet perfectly. They’re nice and snug but don’t squeeze the heck out of my legs and feet. I really like the fully-gusseted tongue as the tongue on other boots tend to slip off towards either direction.
| 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 4 out of 5
|
Nice Boots!
I bought these for the coming hunting season. In a favorite spot, I have to cross a stream, then climb a very steep bluff. Typical rubber hunting boots wouldn't work climbing the bluff, so last year I just walked the stream with hi-top hiking boots and gaiters and sat with wet feet. Luckily I shot a buck before my feet froze. I bought these boots because they are comfortable and waterproof leather that (with gaiters), will keep me dry across a calf-deep stream and are rugged and supportive enough to climb up the steep stream bank.
The soles are beefy without being too high (which would make it easier to roll an ankle), and the leather is really supple for surplus boots. The tongue and the rest of the upper are a continuous leather tube, which is what makes these so waterproof. Did I mention that they are quieter than rubber hunting boots? No creaky leather on these. Also, there is a thin layer of padding to the upper, so they are very forgiving, and unlikely to cause blisters if proper socks are used. There is even a stretch point in the Achilles tendon, so that the boots flex well for steeper angles.
The soles are a durable, firmer rubber, so they're less grippy on slick surfaces like wet rocks than knobby soles would be, and the tread is not very aggressive. But I made it fine across wet rocks in a stream and up the rocks on the other side without slipping. If you need soles that provide additional grip, that may be something to consider.
These are definitely…
| 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
|
