Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown

Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Sole Type Guide


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.

Ivan Says: double check your sizing!

Waxi boots run larger than most boots, especially in width.

Made in South Africa

Free Sizing Exchanges & 30 Day Returns

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

When a product is marked "Pre-Order", it means that while the design is complete, production has not yet begun.

For a limited time, any size or variant will be available. After production has begun, there will only be a limited stock of each size available.

Naturally, these products take longer than our standard shipping estimate to get to you — the product will note approximately how long it will be before it ships.

In the case of some of our longer, more ambitious projects, we may post information on our project tracker for transparency.

For questions regarding address changes or more specific information about the project's progress, email our customer support line help@kommandostore.com and we'll be happy to answer.

All pre-orders can be canceled at any time for a full refund prior to them being shipped to you, no questions asked. 
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A Walk Through Waxi History

Before you take a deep dive, watch our video on YouTube instead...

Learn More

More Than a Pair of Boots.

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.

Improvise, Adapt...

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.

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.

The Waxi Is Born.

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.

What Makes Our Waxi

Choice Footwear of 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.

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The Anti-Track Sole

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.

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average rating 4.8 out of 5
Based on 561 reviews
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99% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
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
Quality
Rated 4 out of 5
Customer photos and videos
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561 Reviews
Reviewed by Nicholas T., 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
8.5
Foot Width
Regular
US Size Purchased
7.5
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Good for Urban wear.

Quite the breakin period, but if you use certain lacing methods, it can fit quite nicely. But remember, to size one down, as it runs a little big. (at least for me it did.) Good, breathable, high quality boot though, worth a buy.

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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 4 out of 5
Quality
Rated 4 out of 5
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Reviewed by Ethan, from United States
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
10.5
Foot Width
Regular
US Size Purchased
9.5
How It FIts
A Little Big
Rated 4 out of 5
Review posted

Amazing for the Brush (Eastern Oregon) War (hunting Mule deer)

Always wanted a pair of these boots! Saw them get rid of the last of their inventory and had to snag a pair. Amazingly made boots. If I could have I would have went 1 and half sizes down but what’s a blister on a 4 day hunt?

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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 5 out of 5
Image by Ethan View more (2)
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Reviewed by Jackson B., from United States
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
10
Foot Width
Regular
US Size Purchased
9
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

New Boot Goofin

Great boots. Very comfortable compared to other combat style boots I’ve owned and are fashionable enough I can wear them day to day and no one will suspect I’m an eco-terrorist! I have also taken them on short hikes/trail walks and no chafing on my heels.

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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
Image by Jackson B.
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Stephen C., from United Kingdom
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Tan
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Tan
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
11
Foot Width
Wide
US Size Purchased
10.5
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Over thirty years in the waiting ... and I was not disappointed

I first saw these boots pictured in an edition of the 1980s/1990s monthly magazine 'Combat & Survival', even since when I have longed for a pair with the non-attributable soles. I was overjoyed to discover that Kommandostore was commissioning these from ZA and after watching a couple of YouTube reviews had no hesitation in ordering a pair. After the very well communicated wait for production and despatch from Kommandostore, they arrived swiftly, safe and sound here in the Merrie Olde England for what seemed like a pittance in shipping and postage costs. The leather (unsurprisingly) is stiff at first but very very quickly has softened and moulded to my feet. They look and feel wonderful. I ordered a size 44 (EU) which I worried might be snug as I am a barefoot boot man and my feet and toes have spread. However, I ordered the wide toe box and with the forgivingly softening leather of the waxi boots, they fit just right. The flat sole in the UK's grim autumnal/winter weather will be of course problematic, but they were my choice and these will become my summer bushcraft boots going forward. I can't wait. My only observation at this point is that the metal buckle feels a bit light and flimsy, but I have not yet tested it in the field on multi-day wear, so it remains an unknown quantity.

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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?
Reviewed by Lachlan V. E., from Australia
Verified Buyer
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
Reviewing
Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown
I recommend this product
US Foot Size
10.5
Foot Width
Wide
US Size Purchased
9.5
How It FIts
Perfect
Rated 4 out of 5
Review posted

Solid Boots

These boots ran true with the recommend sizing down, I’m normally a 10 and a half but ordering one size down was perfect for these. Vibey and classic they look great and so far have performed well.

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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
Image by Lachlan V. E.
Was this helpful?