shred Posted April 9, 2004 Share Posted April 9, 2004 (edited) Check out This Thread for Phil Strader's boot recommendations and discussions of GSG-9 and Oakley pricing. I picked up a pair of the Bates when he mentioned it and like 'em (except for whoever decided tacky rubber was a good idea on the inside of the hightop-- a little silicone fixed that) admin note: I merged the two threads. Edited April 9, 2004 by Flexmoney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Dedmon Posted April 10, 2004 Author Share Posted April 10, 2004 I got a pair if the Bates Scouts from The Sportsmans Guide. Phil is right, they are really good boots and the price is great. After wearing them some I call and got two more pair. Now I have one pair just for shooting, one pair to keep nice to wear with my jeans and one pair put up. Here is photo & link. Sportsmans Guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted April 10, 2004 Share Posted April 10, 2004 The GSG-9 boos look cool, cost lots, are not all that comfortable and don't last. I wore mine for a year only at matches. I actually put them on after set-up and took them off before teardown. The soles seperated. I am not the only one that has had that experiance. I am currently wearing a pair of side-zip "Original Swat" boots that I bought last March, they are just about wornout. I have worn them every day. (Ask people that know me, I wear black boots all the time) The uppers are starting to crack, the soles are a bit worn. I just bought a pair of Bates Spec Ops, we'll see how they hold up. My $0.02, Give the Adidas a wide berth, they aren't worth it unless they are sending them to you free. Jim Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAK Posted April 10, 2004 Share Posted April 10, 2004 I bought a pair of Bates Falcons a couple of months back. They are far more comfortable than any other "duty" type boot I have ever worn. The sole provides good traction on all types of terrain, and as A K-9 officer I have tried all the different terrain! Sportsmans Guide has them cheap!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Johnson Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Can I order the Bates Scouts sized like running shoes or should I order them a half size over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 I got mine at my regular shoe-size and they're about right. I did go by the Bates section at my local Sports-O-Mart and tried on some similar shoes first to check the sizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hey QuicksDraw! Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 I have a pair of Bates and love them. They are light wieght, give good ankle support , they breath and are easy on the wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew_Mink Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 As I read through this thread, I can't help but compare all of these great boot choices to my Wal-Mart hiking boots I got for $19. They are in 'tactical grey', have great soles for gripping in wet or dry elements, and they last for about 2 years of running and gunning. I have never slipped or fell down while wearing them. I don't think I give up anything to the other shooters wearing $250 boots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgrc1 Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Bates look good, I will give them a try. I just bought a pair of Nike ACG shoes, for about $40.00 they are a good deal, traction is excelent, I have tried them in dry/wet conditions, dirt, grass, wood. If someone tell me how to insert a jpg pixs ill post a picture... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Johnson Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 You can add a picture to your post by using the IMG button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Suber Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 I just ordered a pair of the Bates boots from Sportsmans Guide. For $34.97, I couldn't afford not to. Heck, if I don't like them for shooting, I can always wear them in the yard. A friend told me they tend to run large. I wear a 9.5 in Nike and New Balance so I hope the 9.5 I ordered will fit. Thanks for the links and info. I'll let y'all know how I like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Johnson Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Ordered mine a couple hours ago. Can't wait to try 'em out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 The boots I ordered Friday arrived today. They're too narrow in the toe region! And the steel toes made it worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Jack, I would have to agree, they do run larger than Nike. They run pretty true to size for American made footwear though, I think it's the Nike's that run small. I fit into an 11 1/2 most of the time (12 for Nike) and the Bates 11 1/2 fit just right. I hope that yours fit OK. Regards, Todd P.S. See you in SC on Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Suber Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Todd, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Weather looks good for Saturday - 80 degrees and clear with light breeze. Who are you coming with? See you Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 I guess if I don't see you wearing them, then they didn't fit... I'm coming down with Ron and Mike. Phil will be home with Mom and new baby Colt. He should be back in the saddle again for the Area 6 at the end of the month. See you soon, Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasag93 Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 I like my Asolo hikers. Good tread, ankle support, Gore-tex. Wear them everywhere, including the range. $130 TXAG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Suber Posted April 15, 2004 Share Posted April 15, 2004 My boots arrived today. I ordered a 9.5 (what I normally wear). Just like Turtle warned, they are a 1/2 size too big. So, it looks like I am sending them back. What a bummer - I would have liked to have used them this weekend. I like them alot and they feel good, but my foot is moving inside of them. They are nice and light and offer a LOT of support around my ankle. I Tried to find a local dealer but had no luck. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait for the 9's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted April 15, 2004 Share Posted April 15, 2004 (edited) When the Dunhams disappointed me, I ordered a pair of these Propet Peak Walkers from Zappos.com on Monday and received them yesterday (free shipping). Size is 11-5E ... so if you have wide feet, this is a good choice. http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/595534/c/3.html I wore them to the range today. So far, so good, except the laces are almost impossible to pull through the eyelets and get them snug enough to keep from sliding around over time. Anyway, I think they will be a winner as soon as I replace the laces with some 550 cord. Zappos.com is a great place to get shoes too ... free shipping to you, then free return shipping if you don't like them! All you have to do is print the UPS return label from their web site and tape it on the package. They also have a nice selection of the brands with the wider sizes (Dunham, New Balance, Propet, etc.) for people who need something wider than EEE. Edited April 17, 2004 by rhino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Johnson Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 Got my Bates Scouts today. Quality is very good. I wear a 10.5-11 sneaker and ordered 10.5 Scouts. If I was going to use these in cold weather I might want a EE width but for warm weather (only one pair of socks) they feel perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasonub Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 at 34.95 it seems a great deal. i ordered mine yesterday. i got a 10.5, my feet are 10.5 in adidas shoes and 11 on nikes. nikes seem to be off spec. since my rockports are also 10.5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Johnson Posted April 18, 2004 Share Posted April 18, 2004 Wore my Scouts to the range today. Didn't do any shooting but we rebuilt an overhanging backstop above a berm. The boots performed flawlessly. Walking along 70% inclines of loose scrub they dig in as well or better than any boot I've worn. I get the feeling they would do well in sand. Tromping around in the ruts left by trucks during the rainy season they kept my ankles from folding over. The sides give very good support with out feeling stiff or heavy. The insoles are solid but cushion well. The leather was a little stiff at first but after one day (~10 hours) of HEAVY use they are already softening up. They also breathe very well. It was close to 90F on the range and sweating was the order of the day. My feet were hot but not wet. These boots can move a lot of water. I am very impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 The Bates Scout sole does pick up pea-gravel, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdj Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 I discovered today that my new scout boots also do a great job of removing 22 brass from the range! I guess it's necessary to clean your soles as well as your gun after a trip to the range Other than this minor foible, after a day's wear, these boots appear to be the best value for money I've ever found in footwear. Thanks for the pointer ... Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 I learned Saturday why I need to have steel shanks in the soles of my boots. I wore my new Propet Peak Walkers to the IDPA match and I could really feel the bigger, pointier pieces of gravel through the soles. They're great for grass, dirt, and especially pavement, but I'm going to have to find another serious pair of hiking boots with steel shanks and more rigid soles for the gravel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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