Brown boots to black boots

[toadinakilt]

I have a pair of these.

Since I have black kilts currently, methinks black would be a better color (unless for casual wear you lot think I can get away with brown boots). Any ideas on dying or coloring them? Shoe polish for the leather bits, what about for the canvas?

[YoungMan]

I wouldn't take polish to those. I've never worn Wellco's so I don't know from experience, but I've worn similar Bates and Bellvilles. The "leather" pieces are rough suede-esque, will just look a mess. I never did anything other than give them a healthy brushing. And while those vibram soles will stop a nail from going through your foot, I don't think they'll take color well. You'd be better off hunting down some of the old black boots they wore with the BDUs. There's some old salt with a pair or two of well polished ones out there. Check eBay.

[artificer]

I personally wouldn't recommend it, but if you were DYING to try it, I'd suggest something like a leather dye - Eco Flo's Cova Color (which is really more of an acrylic 'paint' than anything. YoungMan's right about the soles though, I don't think anything will cover those permanently.

[weeknee]

yep, youll wreck them boots with polish. They arent made to take it.

[Highlander31]

If you like the feel of those, then pick up a pair of jungle boots. When I joined the Army in '71, jungle boots were not authorized for stateside wear (we also had to wear starched fatigues.) It was common to dye the canvas sides black (using Ritt dye) and polish the leather pieces. You couldn't use them for inspection, but they worked fine in the field. If you are going to be wearing them on hard surfaces (i.e., concrete, etc.) I would recommend the soles used in Vietnam. The larger Panama tread is great for mud, but I found it uncomfortable for walking on concrete. Years ago, somebody was selling jungle style boots in black. You might try U.S. Calvary, or Brigade Quartermasters.

http://www.uscav.com/

http://www.brigadeqm.com/cgi-bin/tam...tore/index.tam

[Tobus]

Years ago, somebody was selling jungle style boots in black.

They're virtually everywhere now. I almost bought a pair a few weeks ago.

I agree on your statement that the large Panama tread is uncomfortable if you're not walking on soft ground all day. But I've seen several variants with smaller patterns to the tread. They don't achieve quite the same look as the original jungle boots, but I suppose that doesn't really matter for this purpose.

You might also want to look at police supply sites. Lots of SWAT guys and other paramilitary-style law enforcement officers favor boots in this style. They're made much like a jungle boot, but with a tread meant for urban environments. And they make 'em with comfort in mind.