It’s also this treatment that gives the surface a rich feel and look, despite how thin the actual material is. Om te passen bij de moderne slijtage, hebben we de zool verbeterd door anti-skid klinknagels te verwijderen en zorgvuldig een bepaald waterdichte suede leer als bovenwerk te hebben geselecteerd. Bovendien hebben we veters in drie verschillende kleuren opgenomen om verschillende stijlen te presenteren. Mainly, the soft padding on the middle inner part of the foot combined with that solid footboard, makes for a good balance of support and comfort, for casual wear. The eyelets are well finished and have no sharp edges. Around the eyelets on the inside is tough pigskin to reinforce them and this extends to around the collar. I appreciate this attention to detail and the strengthening at the wear points. The Service Shoes became the official working shoe of the U.S. Army during World War II. We have transformed this iconic boot and given it a modern twist, while retaining the essence of its functionality. Given the appearance of a fascinating boot, how it is constructed is more than you would expect from a mid-century style shoe.

This confusing sizing also poses a problem if you wear a large size shoe, since Golden Fox doesn’t offer half sizes past size 11. Crazy Horse leather was originally used in saddlery and is renowned for its toughness and durability. It is a full grain cowhide and so perfect for this style of boot and a value at this price point. The service boot style remains popular because it is the perfect refinement of a functional practical boot assuming a pleasing form. Plus the 6” height is perfect for fitting with most pants. This boot is fortified where it counts most though. I can immediately tell that the footbed is substantial. It makes a solid sound when tapped, and just the sheer weight of it assures me that Golden Fox delivers on their steel shank promise. If you’re seriously considering Golden Fox service boots, the two main things to think about are budget and what you’ll be using them for.So many of the M-43 boots were made and they were so popular that they became commonly available in military surplus stores as well as popular shoe brands adopting the style.

These boots run a touch big, but they are not particularly wide, so if you have wider feet as I do, you may want to go longer to make up for the narrowness. I did find that they loosened up nicely and shrunk down where I needed them to except at the toe box, but that may be because there is a tremendous amount of room there. Regardless, it isn’t just one of those affordable boots that looks strong and lithe, but will fall apart because of its budget construction. These boots are also slightly bulbous in the toe. I wouldn’t say that they are full-on clown shoes, but these don’t have the tapered toe so common in boots with similar profiles today, like the Thursday President. However, it was bendy enough on day one and is even more flexible now that I’ve worn it for a good week. This also surprised me since I couldn’t even bend the sole with my hand when I took it out of the box.Several years after getting out of the Navy I decided to join the Navy Reserves. Most of my active duty had been with the Marines and I wanted to see more of the Navy. Within minutes after being sworn in I was informed that I would be assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines. Well that didn't work out as planned. Between the solid footbed and the hard gum outsole, I was convinced that I’d need to break this boot in before it would give me any bend. To my surprise, it was comfortable and flexible enough upon first wear. I showed him a picture and he was amazed....I guess I still need to teach the younger generation our Navy history...lol. The leather looks well-oiled and lush right out of the box, and has the organic hyde scent of full-grain leather. It does feel thin, especially at the tongue and at the sides of the upper.