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 paratrooper 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 paratrooper 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
|
Amazing
One of the best boots I've worn, amazing price
| 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
|
The Best Surplus Boots I Ever Wore
Interestingly, I wear an extra wide boot, so it was surprising both how comfortable in subtropical, sticky humidity these Austrian boots fit -- perfectly. These were 2014-dated on the tongue in about Grade II condition as described. The original soles were shot, so I replaced them with foam soles. There is a tension system as described by others in the bottom half of the boots which works well to vary from bottom to top. I enamor these boots so much it is time to order a second pair. The leather is thicker than on the 1980s paratrooper model, and is of stellar quality. They took a decent polish as well as responded well to mink oil.
On another note, a relative remarked the exterior design was "very similar" to the boots issued to him in the US National Guard in the 1960s or 1970s, which seems to be a testament to the design. The ankle support is top notch.
| 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
|
Muy bien
Nice sturdy boots, grips rocks and dirt well. Runs true to size, thought they were a bit small at first but after a short break in period they were perfect. Mine came with thin hard insoles, swapped them out for foam.
| 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
|
Boots for the end of the world
I have a fixation on footwear and these are currently my favorite boots. They Have old school boot ethos and quality with the benefit of being relatively new production boots. Quality anything is becoming extinct and its such a joy to have not only a quality pair of boots that will last most people a lifetime but for less than the cost of some shitty made in china sneakers.
The other guy did a lot of work breaking them in and with some time on them myself they are nearly the most comfortable boots I own.
I'm curious to see if these can be resoled when the time comes but that is still a ways off before that happens.
| 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
|
Pretty Solid for the Price
I’ll start by saying this review is written only so the intern is given a "reward fruit snack."
Now the boots themselves - condition was solid and I’d say “at or above” my expectations. The laces on the boots were different so be aware of that if you’ve got major OCD. One had a number written on the toe that came out with just a bit of elbow grease.
My biggest complaint is that the Austrians have the flattest feet. Like flat enough to level a house off of. I’ve had surplus boots before that needed a bit of breaking in, but these things had new inserts put in them just a couple days after getting them.
Overall I’d probably recommend it for work wear. Not sure about extended use for hiking, but solid otherwise.
| 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
|