Men's Bates Tora Bora Alpine

The boots are some of the best I've ever seen! Made right, fit right, comfortable as all get out, keeps bad things away from your feet! When you use walking as your only means of travel after the six or twelve of you are dropped off, the boots on your feet MUST be among the best or you are looking at ruined feet, not being able to walk, much less run, if the "Bad Boys" get on your six can be very bad for your health!! Has anyone seen the NSN number on/for these? Anything at all that lets you know for sure that these are REAL US MILITARY ISSUE?? We go with Real Military issue for the most part but when something is needed & has a really good proven track record, we go there!! Bates is one firm that has proven itself to fill that requirement time & time again!! I'm still looking for that NSN & it is still hiding from me!! Take care all!

Combat boots for ALL terrain and climates...except maybe when it gets over 100 degrees F for longer than part of the day. These boots are Alpine level combat boots and the only one of its kind. Quality is on par with the best military boots made but the design and function is much much more than a basic combat boot. Its a complex boot in terms of technology integration, overall design, construction and capability. You get what you pay for and Bates shows that it can turn a combat boot into a piece of military hardware that can take on the most difficult of terrain and climates. In extreme situations your feet and ankles will feel like its in your own living room, nice and safe. It's an investment in your health, no doubt.

this boot is made for icy mountains, on the ground other softer boots are better. a stiff boot gives more stability,control and are safer to use up and down steep climbs.

I just ordered these and tried them on and when I pulled up on the laces, the shoddy mechanism them held the laces in the eyes fell apart. The mechanism is made of a thin piece of plastic and is the same thing you see on $5 watch bands. I've worn a lot of different hiking boots and prefer military boots. I've never come across anything that was made so poorly.

The feeling you get when you first fit Bates “Alpine” boots is of a very warm and sturdy shoes, even if we have found some difficulty in closing them properly due to the rigidity of the upper. The “abundant” size of the flap promote the comfort of the ankle. Very good the Vibram sole, and the drainage of mud and snow is always excellent. The black color of the sole is good for military use. Uphill, the shoe is comfortable and precise despite the stiffness. The heel is firmly and tightly closed. Lacing wraps the foot without creating uncomfortable pressure points. The shoe is very comfortable even on rough terrains and the absorption of bumps is optimal. After using them in wet environments, the shoes takes about 24 hours at 20 degrees centigrade to dry completely.

I love these boots, except for one thing, that stupid plastic board they put in the there to make it stiff, now I understand that they need that for use with crampons and scaling rock walls and such, but I would use this boot to do regular walking and hiking so I would want it to be very flexible and comfortable.