Going really off topic, but.... Has anyone got experience with wellco and belleville tactical boots and their sizing? I think they were issue at some point. Looking for good boots online, preferring desert style and some of them are in my price range but I don't know if to order a size/half size up or down. I'm US 10 or 11 depending on how narrow the shoe is for street shoes. My feet aren't wide so I should be able to get a regular or if a size down is the right length I can try and get a wide maybe. I prefer a little bit of space in the end for my toes as I wear insoles and have had ingrown toenails so I can't be cramped or I'll have problems. Any help is appreciated and I thought someone here might have personal experience that could help me in my decision.
I thought magnums were british issue maybe? They are available in Ireland though. Belleville would be american issue, because US made and good quality too. With a little bit more reading I think Wellco haven't been issue since their jungle boots in the 70s. Belleville seem to get a slight nudge ahead in quality of issue boot compared to others. Right now looking for something that will last long as I am using a pair of fostex right now and they are alright but I wouldn't expect too much use out of them, showing wear outside after a few months of good use at weekends. If something can make daily use in tough terrain for a good time then that's a good idea of how well they will last for less occasional wear in outdoor terrain. I have friends who use bates and although they are comfortable they don't have the longest lifespans.
I think right now Danner and Under armor are the U.S military issue boots if that's what your looking for. I have no experience with Wellco or Bellville actually never heard of them. I have a pair of Danner boots but their not tactical boots or anything. MY GOD! I just came to the realization I'm talking about boots the way women talk about their latest designer shoes.
When I researched about some boots I think I saw that issue boots could be danner, bates or belleville and in those cases most preferred the belleville boot. Danner has a good rep but it more expensive than the price I was looking at for a belleville or wellco boot. The belleville history shows that they did make boots and dealt with the department of defense. At least in the 90s. Designer shoes don't come with optional steel toe :P They also are in a competition for new boots
I got sidetracked by some of the other stories in that link about the competition. So going back to your original question, I looked online. Bellville states on their website that they tend to run 1/2 to 1 size larger than your normal shoe fit. Here's a link I'm not sure about Wellco.. but in my experience all boots I have ever worn run 1/2 to a full size larger. Just wear them around the house for a few hours to see if they fit right and return them if they don't.
To buy them I need them shipped across the atlantic and probably from ebay so returning would be a bit of a problem. I was hoping for some first hand experience to verify how big they run as most boots do.
