Which PARA boots?

[malley]

After missing out on a lovely new pair in the classifieds here( I don't have a paypal account), I have been looking at getting a pair of German Para boots, preferably new, but any considered. However, there seems to be be quite a few different mark/models out there? Do people recommend the older, stitch down sole model? Are the newest model the best? I prefer the idea of an easily repaired/replaced sole but very interested to hear from actual owners. Always like to learn from the experience of others?!?!!!

Cheers,
Steve.

P.S. also happy to be recommended any good stockists?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

German para boots are, in my opinion the best. The older model, MK 4 in the U.K. (or model 2000 in Germany) are the padded ones with sewn on soles. They stopped making these boots,( army issue) in 2005 when the German army changed design & manufacturer.( they changed a few things again in 2007 which is the boot the army uses today)......I mention this because these boots were/are very popular & the market was/is flooded with copies, some ok, but most are crap. If you see a pair of these boots for sale, new, they are without doubt fakes......so beware.
There are still some genuine army issue boots for sale here & there,used of course,( beware too, if described as grade 1, in my experience they are more like grade 2 & worse) but are becoming as rare as hen's teeth to buy.
It's true they can be resoled in theory. I've had several pairs that I expected to resole when the time came but I found the uppers didn't last long enough. Usually after about 3 years of good & loyal service ( note that these boots were made to last a year, an army year that is) the leather around the toe, where it is stiched, rots away,( the lining is fine) I don't know if this is has happened to other people,, but the 2 good pairs I have left ( knowing I can't replace them) are recieving particular attention in this area.
I have heard only good things about the newer model, though I have not tried any yet. They have glued on soles, with a sort of rand, but have the same sole pattern as the mk 4's. They are supposedly more water proof, the soles more hardwearing,& are every bit as comfortable as the mk 4's. Personally I don't like their design, I much prefer the older type.
The new model can be picked up, used, from between £40- £50 in very good condition. There arn't any copies of this boot around yet ( probably because it isn't as popular) so you have every chance of getting a good pair of boots.
In conclusion, my preference is for the MK4's, but because you have little chance of finding a decent pair I can only advise you to check out the newer type, see if you like them. They are a good boot, tough, reliable & technically more advanced than the MK4's.& made by a excellent footwear manufacturer; Haix.

 

[Magentus]

I'd echo the last post - I have always worn the second hand 'old style' sewn on sole type, but find that the sole comes off and I've not found a sucessful way of glueing them back on.

This year I bought a pair of the new ones from 'Surplus and Outdoors' in Kidderminster for £47.00 They are brand new, have the glued on sole and I have worn them all day every day since the beginning of the year, They're the best boots I've ever had.

 

[woof]

£47 new ? that sounds a good price. I to am currently wearing the older style, and was wondering about a re-sole. I have always worn altbergs, but we were told we would be issued with boots, so did'nt want to buy another pair & not be able to wear them, so got a used pair of the German boots to tide me over until issued some, an excelent buy.

Rob

 

[blacktimberwolf]

While we're talking para boots, the soles on a pair of mine started to unstick in places ( the lower sole coming away from the middle spongy layer) as both the uppers & soles still had a lot of wear left in them I wanted to repair them myself. Having heard a lot of good things about a product called SHOE GOO, thought I would give it a go. It has worked very well & shows no sign of giving way despite a few vigorous walks, I also built up the worn heels on another pair,..... I haven't worn them yet but it looks pretty solid in that I can't pry away the added bit from the heels........It may be a little premature, but I give a big thumbs up to SHOE GOO.


I took the boots with the repaired heels out for a walk today & that Shoe goo didn't budge, looks like it's going to hold.
I mention this just in case others are having problems with their boots & are looking for some ideas to repair them.

 

[Aristotle]

I find that my 285/107 size ones have far too much internal volume for my average/slightly narrow feet and have to use 2 thick insoles to take up some of the space.

 

[spikefxr]

cheers mate,i have a new pair & the soles did the same thing and need to sort it

 

[comeonbabylightmyfire]

I wish I'd known about this shoe goo stuff. When my soles went home I took them to a cobbler and he told me that a new sole is possible, just expensive: twice as much as I originally paid for the boots. I lodged them and bought another pair of German para boots for £20.

 

[melv]

Can anyone suggest a good place to get hold of a pair of the mk7 version of the para boot?

 

[melv]

Scratch previous. Endicotts to the rescue.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

I mention this just in case others are having problems with their boots & are looking for some ideas to repair them.

I discovered the other day i have exactly that problem- thanks- you have indeed helped!

 

[troyka]

i had some para boots a few years back never again.. they were surplus german mk4 fine for a few hours but always left me dying to take them off, so wi got a decent pair of hiking boots and have never looked back..

i do miss my really old KSBs they were my fave alltime boot.