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.
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 me 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 Recce
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.Outsoles
We offer two sole types on all Waxi Boots.
Widely used in the Border War to conceal troop movements, it has no tread.
This results in footprints which appear washed-out, older,
or too light to be visible, confusing would-be trackers.
Specs
- Cowhide leather
- Sturdy Goodyear welted rubber soles
- 12 metal eyelets
- Half-gusseted tongue
- Iconic Angle belt
- Double stitching
- Flexible, built-in airflow, for heat dissipation and breathability
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.
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 me 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 Recce
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.Outsoles
We offer two sole types on all Waxi Boots.
Widely used in the Border War to conceal troop movements, it has no tread.
This results in footprints which appear washed-out, older,
or too light to be visible, confusing would-be trackers.
Specs
- Cowhide leather
- Sturdy Goodyear welted rubber soles
- 12 metal eyelets
- Half-gusseted tongue
- Iconic Angle belt
- Double stitching
- Flexible, built-in airflow, for heat dissipation and breathability
| 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
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| Performance |
Rated 4 out of 5
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| Quality |
Rated 4 out of 5
|
Its fakken wicked hawt bud
These are the real deal, soft and supple leather with tough gummy soles. These fit large so order accordingly and get a good insole to replace the very minimalist ones it comes with. The tan is slightly darker in person and is very handsome when worn appropriately.
| 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
|
Very pleased
I've been wearing these for about a month and I'm quite happy with them. I normally wear size 10.5 or 11 US or size 10 UK, and the size 10's fit well with a pair of wool socks. The leather is of a very good quality and the break-in was minimal, with the only mild discomfort to speak of being located along my left heel. This didn't last long at all and I'm sure the wool socks helped with that. I read a previous review on here that mentioned the bumpy salt-marks that these will develop when they get wet. This issue is temporary. I too live in a climate that is often damp and rainy. I own a few other pairs of South African-made boots/shoes (some vellies and other types) and it's been my experience that these unsightly bumps and salt marks that occurred with my other South African footwear will go away with time as long as I occasionally apply Huberds or Obenoufs to them (wait until they've dried overnight before doing thid) and keeping them polished. Very comfortable boots. The contour of the toe-box on these naturally follows the shape of the human foot which is always a nice feature. Eyelets and other hardware are good quality, and the stitching is all done right. They're lightweight but not at all flimsy. I think that if one takes proper care of these that they could easily be re-soled down the line. The Vibram raptor sole seems like a good choice for a replacement sole. I opted for the anti-track soles which have been working out well for me so far (though I've not yet worn…
| 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
|
Lekker footwear.
Soft and comfortable (with modern inserts - the seem under the arch from the inner boot wall is bloody uncomfortable until covered by something in my opinion). The anti-track sole is definitely somewhat slick on wet surfaces, but not so bad as ice and one figures it out quickly. With a thick coat of Huberd's boot grease the light ones now match the medium brown ones with some water resistance. Definitely less impression on sandy soil than lug treads, but still a fairly distinctively human print outline. The softness is surprising- much more like glove leather than boot. Great in shorts with rolled socks.
| 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
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|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 4 out of 5
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| Quality |
Rated 5 out of 5
|
Runs full sixe too big
Spewin.
The anti track sole is also anti-dogshit.
| 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
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|---|---|
| Performance |
Rated 5 out of 5
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| Quality |
Rated 5 out of 5
|
Great Looking, Comfortable, but not meant for wet conditions
I ordered one full size down of my standard size and they fit perfectly. They looked great right out of the box, and as the description suggests the break-in time was nearly nonexistant due to the supple leather. The overall quality is definitely great and easily worth the price, the stitching is heavy duty where it counts. All this said, they are still leather boots, and thin ones at that, and there's a reason why we invented synthetics for boots some time ago, mainly, moisture/wet conditions. I made the mistake of wearing these in snow a few times, and on top of being quite chilly (totally expected, they're just uninsulated leather), the moisture seeped into the book around the flex point in the toe, and as they dried the salt stains became evident. Even with some careful application of dubbin and other boot products this area that was soaked is a little crusty and I expect it to be the point of failure in a few years time, but we will see.
This misuse of these leather boots was my own doing of course, which is why I don't detract a star. not every product is supposed to be for every situation. Just keep it in mind if you live in a particularly wet environment and are hoping to have these be your everyday boot, rain or shine. If These are a great Spring/Summer/Fall boot for sure, but for things like hiking/camping I would opt for something more suited to getting drenched.
| 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
|