I'm going to Borneo this summer with World Challenge and after reading the material I am given I realised I needed a new boot. I was advised something leather without any waterproof lining because when the boots inevitably get wet I'll need something that doesn't retain water. After finding a store in Town yesterday which sold such boots I ended up walking out with a pair of Magnum Elite Spiders. They are very light boots, mostly made out of leather and give fairly good ankle support. It's got this mesh padding stuff on it (best look at the picture to see what i mean) which covers holes in the boot. The guy in the shop said they'd dry quicker than most because that's how the boots are designed and that he'd sold lots to Army lads going to the jungle with no complaints. Are these boots going to do me for the jungle? I haven't started breaking them in yet and I'd just like a second opinion before i start wearing them outside. I'd like to keep them but after searching these forums i discovered the Meindl Borneo, which seems kind of ideal for Borneo. As I say, it's not too late to change.
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 I'd say that Magnum boots are crap. Take them back & get a refund. Altberg used to make a good jungle boot - like the issue boot but with a better sole. You could try them. I'd prefer a pussers issue boot over bloody Magnums though
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I agree with the last poster (who is clearly a Royal - so has no doubt used his feet a few times). Magnums have no sole support and fall to pieces. I've had quite a few pairs of Altberg Jungle Boots, a couple of pairs of their Field and Fell (temperate climate orientated) boots and two pairs of their desert boots and they have all been excellent. If you are only taking one pair of boots with you, you would be crazy to risk having them fall to pieces. Altberg do different width fittings as well which can make a huge difference in comfort. Ring them up and expect to pay about £115.
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| Edited: 11/04/08 16:29 |
 > Are these boots going to do me for the jungle? I'm not sure that the Meindl Borneo is eponymously named for being suited for use in Borneo; I think it's just a name they've used... The Borneo is a fairly sturdy, traditional mountain boot, and doesn't have the features you'd expect of a genuine jungle boot (which usually involve the ability to drain water quickly, as you're sploshing around in it for a long time, and puncture-resistant soles). I'm sure Ray Mears recommends US Army issue Jungle boots for jungle use. It depends how 'jungly' your trip is going to be...
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> It depends how 'jungly' your trip is going to be... Fairly 'jungly'. We'll be spending most of our time in rural environments and around 8-10 days trekking through forest, and a few more climbing Kinabalu. Not what I wanted to hear about the Magnum boots. They look like they'd be quite good at expelling water (although I'm not boot expert), but I certainly don't want to risk taking a boot that can fall to pieces. I'll check out the Altberg boots and other Army Issue boots that I can find.. *EDIT*
Might these be the sort of things I should be looking at as alternatives? Altama Jungle Boot US Military jungle Boot Oh, and Thanks for the advice so far 
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| Edited: 11/04/08 18:23 |
That looks the sort of thing
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 I own a pair of Meindl Borneo's and although there a great boot I don't think they are the best for the jungle, they are quite heavy and the thick leather takes some time to dry out when soaked. As said it does depend how 'jungly' your trip is going to be. If your definitely going to have soaked feet from say crossing rivers or deep pools/puddles then I think the leather fabric boots your looking at are best as they will dry quickly. If however getting water flowing into your boot is less likely then a light leather boot might be fine. I'm not a jungle expert here's some tips I think are useful. Make sure you have walked around for a bit before you try the boots on as your feet will swell in the heat and if the boots are tight to start with it will become much worse. If your feet get very hot and sweaty the skin more easily damages and prone to infection. Takes some talc for your feet and put some on at the end of each day, its Ray Mears does and it works well. Also if your feet are very wet pat then dry don’t rub them with a towel, rubbing can break the skin. Hope this helps.
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 The older pattern US Army canvas jungle boots are very good indeed but beware of cheap import far east copies-as they are not even as good as the not improved more recent times US issue jungle boots! But only because the original boots had a non-clogging sole pattern tread which was magic! The modern issue jungle boots I have seen since have a vibram sole unit instead, and that just wears away like butter, and sadly does not as easily deal with the mud quagmires you might well meet! I have a pair of the older pattern US jungle canvas type boots-and they're still available to be had today new too, but quite pricey from Silverman's in London. Lots of good modern type design of boots available though from places in the States like 7th Cavalry. USMC Pro over in Europe is a good cheaper source of military type boots for that purpose too!
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| Edited: 11/04/08 23:53 |
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http://www.altberg.co.uk/Web/military.jsp Here in this site is the Rolls Royce of Jungle Boots at just under £125! Good if one can afford it-or can club together with others for a bulk purchase to bring the price down a little!
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_boot Here is a very interesting to current times history of the US Jungle issue boot-still issued to US Army elite-forces troops like the Rangers and Special Forces guys actually, even if this bit there does not actually say it! 
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http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/catalog/browse/footwear/jungle-boots Nomad Travel in the UK actually sells on used A1 grade seconds of jungle boots from US Army stores sources-and yes they are still very servicable and they are the real deal versions! nb I mention them, as they do really bloody good Anti-Leech socks too there-at the bottom of that very page listed! They are a damn useful bit of jungle kit, believe you me!
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| Edited: 12/04/08 00:45 |
http://www.jungleboots.net/ This lot are a real outfit belive me, and this is but one of the websites run by this new and surplus military kit supply company, that is one of the biggest online ones in America now due to its cheaper prices than all else! This outfit do still sell both versions of the US jungle boots-the original outstandingly good tougher construction Vietnam War issue version pattern from the seventies, and the much cheaper badly soled issue jungle US Armed Forces lightweight copy ones of the eighties and nineties too! Better if you want new boots to buy them from them really in the USA; Or, as I say it is Silvermans here, and paying three to four times as much for the same real new US Original pattern jungle boots over here in London! You might have guessed that I was there in my search for these items oftentimes before, for myself and for others for expeditioning!
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| Edited: 12/04/08 00:55 |
 Stephen Sorry to interupt Trevor's thread but a couple of thoughts from me.. Altberg are great (I hope to be at the factory next week) but funds are likely tight for you at present and only stump up £125 if you can really afford it, your feet have stopped growing - ie you can get years of use, and you anticipate making the most of them. I am familiar with World Challenge but not in Borneo but your trip will be more of a moderate introduction to jungle living than a 6 week patrol that some others here have experience of. I have used jungle boots and modern army issue style ones are fine (even if they have a vibram sole and not some vietnam special) and it is for 4 weeks...
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Sorry to interupt Trevor's thread ...
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If I might interupt Trever too, I have used genuine US jungle boots, and think they are pretty good. the non clogging sole is very good too, with the boots main drawback being it's narrow width fitting (to suit American feet!). As for the magnums, steer well clear. Magnums look good on the street, but are far to flimsy for hard wear. Not to mention they take forever to dry out, and can be very hot to wear! Whichever boot you go for, just remember that if you go for American boots, their sizing is different to ours, and all boots will need to be one size bigger than your normal size, to accomodate swelling in the heat.
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 No personal experience of jungle boots, but I seem to recall being told that the American issue ones have metal plates in the soles to avoid spike traps. Is this still true - and if so does it matter in terms of comfort? - or just a relic of Vietnam?
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| Edited: 13/04/08 19:27 |
Puncture-resistant soles are still a good idea in jungle, because there's a good chance you'll find natural, sharp, pointy things on the jungle floor. And if your sole punctures and you get stabbed, infection is very likely...
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I have used the Altbergs and the US boot prefer the Altbergs. Only magnums I want are the ones covered in chocolate
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