I'm in the market for some combat boots to wear with my kilts on weekends and also to wear when the weather turns lousy, like today.

While I love you all dearly and appreciate your concern for my feet, please save the "Save up and spend $180" responses. I want to buy army surplus, and I want to pay army surplus prices. If I buy another pair in two years, so be it. I'm out $50. I won't be wearing them often enough to justify spending big money.

I'm finding lot of black leather GI-style combat boots for $40-$50. That would fit the bill nicely. Problem is, I'm just 5-8. I'm concerned the classic 10" combat boot will go too far up my leg and my hose will get lost.

The only 8" boots I'm seeing are a combination of leather and canvas/nylon, and I'd really prefer leather. I just think they look cooler.

Questions:

1) Am I wrong about the boots? Should I even be worried about hose?

2) Does anyone know of a website with black leather 8" boots? Google isn't as helpful as I might like.