I have been, for a while, very much in love with my Danner boots, Desert Acadias which I purchased for Africa and which have stood me in good stead since.

I keep them carefully separate from any oil or solvents or fluids that can be scented, and I have been careful to only use them afield and in hunting environments.

Each day I mow the lawn, or dig in the garden, or do anything that requires me to be outdoors mucking about, I look at the perfect fit and supreme comfort of those boots, and I wish I could, but I don’t.

I have good, comfortable, supportive work boots for work, and i often wear them, but the soles and shape of them don’t suit them well to outside work.

And then I stopped at the Army Surplus store on my way home. And they had a pair of the issue fleshout boots very similar, but with no Danner brand on the side, only a .mil number. Looks like theyre either Danner or Corcoran, and I don’t know if they’re used surplus or new surplus, but they were $30. And they feel like wearing a tailored kid glove.

So I can continue to reserve my “good” boots for hunting, and have another almost identical pair for yardwork, etc. that I don’t have to fear getting oil stained.

Now I understand why the British army paid so much attention to the condition of their soldier’s feet.