You don’t need black boots, you can still wear your old ones if you’ve got them, but if you want to get some brown Altberg Defenders seem to be the common agreement. Though I’m a rebel and always pick something a bit different.
Barracks shirts are here to stay and so much better than PCS. They ain’t taking mine off me.
Black is fine if you want to get black. Anything cheap and basic in “MOD Brown”? Something like the originally issued YDS Kestrel is simple yet good enough for just around the office/Sqn/range. Available cheaply second hand.
No. They were only fairly recently (officially) added and a slightly more pragmatic approach is being taken these days.
No idea about Kent, but check eBay for kit as well.
Frankly, there are probably no “equivalents” to the old issue boots - In that virtually anything you buy now will be vastly superior. The days of nipping down to the local Army Surplus and picking up a £15 pair of assault boots are gone. The prices can still be very good but you get a lot more for your money these days. There seems to be no end of issue brown boots on eBay for not a lot of cash.
It may always be worth chatting with your friendly storeman too… I’ve seen brand new Altberg given out from stores and I’ve also seen as-new boots in the disposal bins which can be had for the asking if you’ve got the right person on the other side of the counter.
I managed to snag a pair of the Haix “Boots Cold Wet Weather” and they’re quite comfy. To be honest even in the summer I’ve not found them to be too hot (though, I’ve never really been bothered by ‘hot feet’) personally.)
The following brands are decent quality - Haix, Alt-berg, Lowa, Aku, Meindl, Iturri - how suitable any pair of particular boots are will depend on whether they fit you and what you want to do in them.
I have a pair of these. A little weighty, but waterproof and sturdy. Decent pair of insoles and you’re ready for almost anything, but long distance on tarmac… Wouldn’t recommend it.
Akus are the best “light” boot IMO. You could also consider the Altberg sneeker or whatever the Lowa equivalent is. Haix are good boots, but definitely more of a hardworking field boot than something to lounge around in at the unit. Altberg defenders / combat high liability are a good all rounder.
