Tag: black shoes

On our radar: German army combat boots

German Army Combat Boots from Epic Militaria in Aberystwyth

I’ve been through a fair few pairs of walking/work boots in the past few decades. There have been long shifts on my feet working as a chef in kitchens, as well as daily dog walks in the hills of the Pennines and Ceredigion.

I favoured Doc Martens in kitchens and Brashers for outdoor use. A few years ago, Brasher was bought out by another company (Black’s, I think) and the quality dropped. A pair of their boots that once lasted me over 5 years, now wear out in less than 5 months!

I decided to look into army surplus – I don’t need any fancy names or gimmicks – and boots for the armed forces are definitely made for walking!

In my search I came across a local company, Epic Militaria, who are based in Aberystwyth. They’re not a shop as such; they’re a mail-order company based in a nondescript warehouse on an industrial estate. However, they’re willing to have you come to visit via appointment – like I did, to try on the boots before I bought them.

The boots I chose are the ones above; German army combat boots. They’re extremely well-made and very comfortable; the integral tongue keeps your feet completely dry if you step into a deep bog or puddle. They’re surprisingly lightweight and, usefully, they’re available in half sizes.

Recently, when I’ve been out in my new boots, lots of people have commented on them and enquired as to where they were bought. I’ve recommended Epic Militaria to at least half a dozen people in the last few weeks… and I’m not on any kind of commission!

As well as a huge range of shoes & boots, Epic Militaria stock very affordable coats, trousers, bags, hats, socks and other accessories.

Price Points: Old skool sneakers

Black old skool sneakers | H is for Home

My (only) pair of trainers are coming to the end of their life. I’ve had them for at least 15 years and the soles are worn down to the thickness of paper and the fabric is splitting across the vamp where the toe joints bend. They’re a pair of all-black Nikes and I’d like to replace them with something fairly similar.

I don’t like trainers that are too high-tech – you know, those made with colourful space-age material, aerodynamic shape, computer-engineered soles and all that. I just want a pair of old skool sneakers. ‘Sneakers’ must be an old fashioned word – my spell-check tells me it doesn’t exist!

I know exactly what I want from my new pair. I’d prefer if they were low-tech canvas or hemp. They need to be black all over, I don’t like black uppers with thick white sidewalls. This kind of style is so They can be worn with jeans, skirt or dress – really versatile.

I usually prefer the look of Pumas over other brands. However, I’m tempted by the £90 Nikes – they’re completely customisable. You can choose the material; the colour of the base, quarter, swoosh, laces, outsole and sidewalls; style of the tongue… you can even have customised text printed to the underside of the tongue!

  1. Old Skool Lite: £55, Vans
  2. Suede Classic+ trainers: £58, Puma
  3. Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski iD skateboarding shoe: £90, Nike