Bates Wolverine Warrior Leather

[thpethalK]

I'm looking for a new pair of combat boots, but they need to meet certain requirements.

ASTM F2413-05 Safety Toe Rating (Either Alloy or Composite)
8" Height
Waterproof (Gore-Tex type liner)
Tan Color (I don't count the Danner USAF TFX as tan, it's green)
Absolutely NO SIDE ZIPPER

I've been looking around and I see several boots made by Danner, Belleville and Bates that meet some of the requirements, but not all of them. One thing that I did notice is that Bates has a USMC contract to provide issued boots that are available in 8" height with ASTM F2413-05 toes, however, they are not made with a Gore-Tex liner. Instead, the Bates boots are made with this Wolverine Warrior Leather, which I have never heard of. Bates advertises that this material is "Dirt, Oil and Water resistant", which sounds like the same properties that Gore-Tex has. Does anyone know if this Wolverine Warrior Leather would hold up to submersion in water the same way Gore-Tex would?

[thpethalK]

I'm surprised no one has any info on this...

If nobody knows about this material, what boots are you guys wearing for work or play?

[lupo]

Gortex dosent hold up when you submerge it in water , it eventually leaks and then takes forever to dry out.

[Drake]

I have a few pairs of Bates boots. Bates does make Goretex boots for the USMC but it doesn't have the steel toe.

"Wolverine Warrior Leather" is not the same as Goretex (the Goretex -lined one also have WWL exterior); it's a reference to their suede-like exterior material (see pic). It's easy to clean with a soft brush and has a certain amount of water repellency, but it definitely is not waterproof. I'd compare it to untreated nylon.

It's hydrofuge properties are sufficient that light rain, or even brief submersion, will have water simply bead/roll off the boot. But prolonged exposure to water will definitely get it wet. I've seen the WWL on my Goretex boots get completely soaked (the Goretex kept my foot dry, even though it kinda feels wet/cool because of cooling from the water evaporation).



^^^ And I've never had trouble with any Goretex leaking. (boots, jacket, etc)

[FOX_111]

My goretex boots leaked after a couple of years of use. Unlike my old CF combat boots (pre-gortext one) that took over 10 years of abuse on my part to start taking water in.

I've come to a love/hate relation with Goretex. Depending on how it's used, it's either perfect or a pain in the ass.

As for footware, for me, it's on the hate side. Too hot, not waterproof enough, not breathable at all even if they say it is and make my feet stink.

Only my HAIX combat boots that are lined with goretex have worked for me. But they are not the typical goretex boot. It's german stuff, so it's better hehe.

[Chingyul]

So if you had the choice, and the field you played in involved some swamp land, would you take Gore-Tex boots, or just regular boots treated with a water repellent?

[thpethalK]

I would take Gore-Tex any day...

I've been able to walk across sections of swamp higher than ankle deep in my current Terra boots without getting any part of myself or my kit wet, and the smell was washed off the boots with a hose, little bit of laundry detergent and a dollar store brush.

My only issue is that I need the ASTM rating. The 8" just makes sense for both support, comfort and keeping my feet dry. The color is mostly for the summertime and airsoft; I have 2 pairs of black Gore-Tex boots with the ASTM rating, but they look ridiculous with my airsoft kit and the outer leather has started to get sun faded with a greenish tinge.

Looks like I'll be going with Belleville 790STs. Although it's an ACU approved boot as opposed to USMC, I can't really complain much since it's the only boot I could find that meets my requirements.

Has anyone had any experience with this boot in particular or any Bellevilles for that matter. Also, does anyone know of a store in the GTA area that might sell these so that I could try them on?