Lightest high-quality jungle boots that won't beak the bank

[hopper333]

Hi all

I am about to go and spend some time birdwatching and hammock camping in the forests of Sri Lanka which are not all wet rainforest but certainly can be and mostly very hot unless right up high.

As someone who appreciates the quality of proper gear to both last the course and be comfortable (often army surplus like my excellent Haix Commander Winter boots) it seems that many would recommend what are usually called Jungle Boots i.e. strong soles (sometimes panama style and with steel insole) but with drainage holes and light cordura or canvas around the ankles for ventilation and good drying. There are clearly lots of rubbish knock-offs around which I will avoid, but also plenty of real army surplus. In the UK this usually means the Wellco UK or various German versions (Haix, Baltes, other). The trouble is that they all seem to weight 1.7-1.8Kg per pair in a UK 9/43 which is not much less than the Haix Commanders that - for all their great qualities - are pretty heavy. The Altbergs are a lot lighter (~1.2Kg) but I'm not sure I can justify £200 on that at the moment.

I wonder if anyone can recommend some army surplus Jungle Boots which are quality but also weigh less than 1.7Kg.

Many thanks

Michael

 

[Macaroon]

My first thought on reading this was that £200 for the quality & spec. that you need is not a lot of money, these days; except of course if one is not in funds. Swallow the cost and get the Altbergs, they've never let me down and I don't hear, ever, of them letting people down.

 

[C_Claycomb]

https://www.edgarbrothers.com/police-military/salomon-xa-forces-jungle/?srsltid=AfmBOoqxR0DDaGnlCQ_f_NSQ9inF16mkhBrCRFqX_2maZW6LXdM3idvk

If you can find any Salomon Men's JUNGLE ULTRA boots, they are good. Maybe not military durability, but comfortable and high performance. I bought mine on ebay for a 2018 trip to Brunei.

 

[hopper333]

https://www.edgarbrothers.com/police-military/salomon-xa-forces-jungle/?srsltid=AfmBOoqxR0DDaGnlCQ_f_NSQ9inF16mkhBrCRFqX_2maZW6LXdM3idvk

If you can find any Salomon Men's JUNGLE ULTRA boots, they are good. Maybe not military durability, but comfortable and high performance. I bought mine on ebay for a 2018 trip to Brunei.

Thanks. Certainly light - quite a bit lighter than the Altberg actually, but still £155 new.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Thanks. Certainly light - quite a bit lighter than the Altberg actually, but still £155 new.

I wish you all the luck in the world for your search, but I am not optimistic that all your criteria can be met. I fear it’s a case of “no free lunch”.

“Cheap. Quick. Good. You can pick any two.”

How long do you have available to spend on the search for the ideal boot? Jungles boots are not a big market and you have already run through the usual suggestions. When I was looking for boots in 2018 I ran into the exact same thing.

• You want army surplus, you take what was issued, which in the UK was the Wellco. You want less that £100, buy the Wellco, maybe used off eBay to help save some of the considerable effort required to break them in, because they are certainly tough.
• You want lighter than the Wellco, there are Altbergs.
• You want cheaper and lighter than the Altbergs, there are the Salomon, if you can find them.
• You need cheaper than Salomon, perhaps you can hang on and keep checking used sale pages.

Perhaps one of the so called desert/jungle boots will work for you? They are mostly desert boots, but sold suggesting also can be used in jungle. It’s a gamble and would benefit from experimenting, which cost time and money.

Bear in mind that just because the boots are cheap, light and good quality does not mean they are automatically a good fit for your feet. That was why I bought a used pair of the Salomon Ultras, new Wellcos pinched my feet hard and I didn’t have time to experiment and see if they would break in and change to a wider fit.

Chris

 

[hopper333]

I wish you all the luck in the world for your search, but I am not optimistic that all your criteria can be met. I fear it’s a case of “no free lunch”.

“Cheap. Quick. Good. You can pick any two.”

How long do you have available to spend on the search for the ideal boot? Jungles boots are not a big market and you have already run through the usual suggestions. When I was looking for boots in 2018 I ran into the exact same thing.

• You want army surplus, you take what was issued, which in the UK was the Wellco. You want less that £100, buy the Wellco, maybe used off eBay to help save some of the considerable effort required to break them in, because they are certainly tough.
• You want lighter than the Wellco, there are Altbergs.
• You want cheaper and lighter than the Altbergs, there are the Salomon, if you can find them.
• You need cheaper than Salomon, perhaps you can hang on and keep checking used sale pages.

Perhaps one of the so called desert/jungle boots will work for you? They are mostly desert boots, but sold suggesting also can be used in jungle. It’s a gamble and would benefit from experimenting, which cost time and money.

Bear in mind that just because the boots are cheap, light and good quality does not mean they are automatically a good fit for your feet. That was why I bought a used pair of the Salomon Ultras, new Wellcos pinched my feet hard and I didn’t have time to experiment and see if they would break in and change to a wider fit.

Chris

Thanks Chris. As I also prefer a more conventional sole than the 'Panama' I think I may just take a punt on some used Baltes German Jungle Boots and if they don't work for me I haven't lost much. The seller claims they are 1.53Kg for a pair in 9 which sounds a bit lighter than I expected (some are ~1.75Kg) and is OK for me - perhaps a lucky find?

M

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

My reading of history in the Vietnam war was that the jungle was so tough on boots that they were viewed as semi disposable. The Panana soled jungle boot was seen as a best boot for the job but cheap enough to be replaced.

There was actually a lot of thought went into this standard boot design and it is only being looked to being replaced after 50 years.

 

[Keith_Beef]

I'll be following this thread with interest because I'm looking to replace the cheap Rothco jungle boots that I got many years ago. I hadn't worn them in years, but took them to Namibia this summer; they worked really well, they are very light, cool and I didn't find any sand inside them when I took them off in the evening.

The particular model that I have doesn't seem to be available any more. I found a picture of something very similar, but I think a slightly different sole.


But the rubber is beginning to perish; I think I'd get another couple of years out of them, but wouldn't want to be out in the wild with them because I suspect that they could fail at any moment.

 

[hopper333]

I'll be following this thread with interest because I'm looking to replace the cheap Rothco jungle boots that I got many years ago. I hadn't worn them in years, but took them to Namibia this summer; they worked really well, they are very light, cool and I didn't find any sand inside them when I took them off in the evening.

The particular model that I have doesn't seem to be available any more. I found a picture of something very similar, but I think a slightly different sole.
View attachment 99606

But the rubber is beginning to perish; I think I'd get another couple of years out of them, but wouldn't want to be out in the wild with them because I suspect that they could fail at any moment.

Can I ask you what these weigh please? I am asking people selling the UK Wellco and German Baltes boots and they all seem to weigh 800-900g per boot which seems like an awful lot because my very solid, full leather & lined Haix Commanders are only 950g. I would have thought that the nylon top and lack of lining would save more than that.

 

[Buckshot]

Is there much difference in the weight of boots?
And how much of a difference does it make in the real world?
I really have no idea but would imagine most of the weight of any boot will be the sole.
Therefore a leather upper verses a cordora upper (for example) would be 50 grams or whatever difference?
Jungle boot soles are generally thick to allow for the chunky tread.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

I'll be following this thread with interest because I'm looking to replace the cheap Rothco jungle boots that I got many years ago. I hadn't worn them in years, but took them to Namibia this summer; they worked really well, they are very light, cool and I didn't find any sand inside them when I took them off in the evening.

The particular model that I have doesn't seem to be available any more. I found a picture of something very similar, but I think a slightly different sole.
View attachment 99606

But the rubber is beginning to perish; I think I'd get another couple of years out of them, but wouldn't want to be out in the wild with them because I suspect that they could fail at any moment.

Interesting you went for the jungle style boot for Namibia and I went down the Lowa Desert boot route for the same country. On the mind bendingly hot days I was glad of the well thought out British Army Desert boot design.

 

[hopper333]

Is there much difference in the weight of boots?
And how much of a difference does it make in the real world?
I really have no idea but would imagine most of the weight of any boot will be the sole.
Therefore a leather upper verses a cordora upper (for example) would be 50 grams or whatever difference?
Jungle boot soles are generally thick to allow for the chunky tread.

I think you're right about the sole and that is what I am discovering now. I do wonder how Altberg and some other modern designs get their jungle boots down to ~600g though. 200-300g per boot is quite a bit.

Regarding how much it matters, there have been a number of studies on this which suggest that for every 200g on footwear it's equivalent to 1Kg in the rucksack, in terms of fatigue. So it is worth considering.

 

[Keith_Beef]

Interesting you went for the jungle style boot for Namibia and I went down the Lowa Desert boot route for the same country. On the mind bendingly hot days I was glad of the well thought out British Army Desert boot design.

The Rothco boots are mostly canvas, very light. I'll try to weigh them when I get home tonight.

I chose those over my Hanwag boots that I bought in Iceland mostly because of the weight and the height, to stop sand from getting in. I don't remember what model the Hanwags are, but from taking a quick look at the manufacturer's website I think that they might be the Alaska GTX, at 1640 g for a pair.

 

[lou1661]

@hopper333 Firstly it sounds like a really interesting trip, is it self organised or with a company?
Out of curiosity I weighed my boots, UK 10 W (marked as 10 1/2 W in US Size) a single boot (left) weighed in at 869g including a superfeet insole which was broadly the same as same boot in Danner, about 100g less than my Jim Greens. to be honest I have not noticed any difference in fatigue levels with differing boots. but as I wear that style of footwear all the time I would expect to be fairly used to it.

Louis

 

[hopper333]

@hopper333 Firstly it sounds like a really interesting trip, is it self organised or with a company?
Out of curiosity I weighed my boots, UK 10 W (marked as 10 1/2 W in US Size) a single boot (left) weighed in at 869g including a superfeet insole which was broadly the same as same boot in Danner, about 100g less than my Jim Greens. to be honest I have not noticed any difference in fatigue levels with differing boots. but as I wear that style of footwear all the time I would expect to be fairly used to it.

Louis

Self-organised but also hoping to meet up with fellow birdwatchers once out there. Planning to hammock camp in a few places deep in the forest so taking tarp, bug net and water filter with me too. I may contact organised tours at some point to get in touch with more detailed local knowledge. Background here for those that are interested:

Coming to Sri Lanka in early 2026, with birding one of the main priorities

Hi to all living in SL or having spent time there observing nature. I have visited several times and fallen in love with the country. My previous visits were to get to know the place and - in particular - for developing Bhavana at various retreats and temples around the country. I should say...

www.birdforum.net

I have been surprised that most of the army spec jungle boots aren't lighter in general but it is what it is.

 

[Buckshot]

I have been surprised that most of the army spec jungle boots aren't lighter in general but it is what it is.

Not much military kit is light weight!
It's designed to be used by young, strong and fit individuals.
It's also designed to hold up to squady use/ abuse and to allow the owner to keep doing their job.
That normally means weight is lower down the priority list.
It does mean however, it will generally do the job.

As Chris said there's no such thing as a free lunch.
You will either pay in terms of weight with cheaper options or in your pocket with expensive ones, or the worst case of quality, they fall to pieces on the trip!
Personally, I would suggest if you are going to use them just for this trip, go down the military, used grade 1 option. (that's what we had and they were great).
If you are going to use them on your return as well and can afford it, go down the more expensive route.

 

[hopper333]

Yes my plan is to avoid the cheap/falling apart scenario! There seems to be a lot of rubbish posing as quality in the market. Your advice is solid, although I am finding that 'grade 1' means different things to different people.

I think I'm going to go with some of the UK army Wellco jungle boots with Panama soles as these seem to be a high-quality version of the classic/final US jungle boot, only all in Brown. Now I just need to decide if 9R or 9L for the wider fit. I read different advice about this. My Haix Commanders in EU 43 are a perfect fit.

As you say, if I find that I like that style of boot and will be using them a lot more then I may be able to justify some Altbergs for the weight savings and modern improvements.

 

[hopper333]

For those that know the UK army Wellco boot, would I be best advised to get 9M or 9L (<- which I assume is wider)? I have heard differing advice on jungle boots about whether to go wider.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

In the olden times with the M and L fittings I found that M was normal with socks and the L was for wide feet or double winter socks.

 

[Aristotle]

I wouldn't worry too much about the weight.

Practice/train in them, or similar boots, for a few weeks if you are only conditioned to wearing lighter footwear.