activation email

[Davin Kee]

I'm in the military and I have an old pair of Belleville black combat boots. I was wondering if these would be good for my armor. And if not what do I need to do to make it work. I enclosed a link to show ner vod what the boots look like. Let me know what you think. If you want to see my armor just check out my picture. Vor'e!

http://www.lapolicegear.com/be700stwabls.html

[No'saj Huune]

Nice choice of boots, I have a pair myself

Just about any boot will do, though Tac-Boots are the best IMHO, but you'll have to cover up the laces somehow.  There's a tutorial by Tahl Taab that can be found at the following link on how to make your boots look like Clone Trooper boots which would work out best for your costume:

http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=9862.0

[Canderous Falco]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Use the old black Basic Training boots I was issued back in the BDU days (all gortex and leather. Clunky, but sturdy). Was just contemplating the laces...

I was thinking of basically using some black sintra to create "gaiters" that would just wrap around the upper portion, and stick to itself with velcro...

[Tahl Taab]

Yeah those are comfy boots,  I have the desert issue gor-tex ones and swear by them.
But for my next set I'm planning on using my summer DCU issue boots and just some simple sheet aluminum cut out and shaped to form some plates and a toe cup similar to a galactic marines, but with a separate Boba styled toe spike set up of some sort. Luckily uncle Sam helped me to weather my boots for a while so I just need to take care of the aluminum stuff. If you follow what I'll be posting later and want a template I'll work it out on a 9X11 piece of paper and post it or email it to ya. I gotta do some painting and make another gauntlet first but I'll be starting these boots with in the week sometime.

[Davin Kee]

Vor'e ner vod!

Your responses are exactly what I was looking for. I'm just trying to plan ahead. I have my bucket and rifle almost done. Next is the soft kits then my armor. Vor'e!

[Canderous Falco]

Sweet! Although... I feel obligated to add that those boots werent all THAT comfy when I was first issued them years ago... However, now that they're really really broken in... You said you're using the Desert version (I presume the All Weather ones, not the summers)? Hm. I thought of that, too, but then again, they dont really match my armor, so... But the black does! Dont suppose you could pm or email me that stuff too, Tahl?

[Davin Kee]

Mine are worn in very nicely, I've only had them for 4 years.

[No'saj Huune]

...so... But the black does! Dont suppose you could pm or email me that stuff too, Tahl?

Me too please?  Boots are the last part of my kit and would appreciate it 

[Tahl Taab]

No problem borthers, I'll have a working template in a few days and I'll check back here to see if anyone else needs a temp before  I get a master email list ready to deedee out.

FYI, my boots are a 10.5 so if you print out a few different scaled prints and do a cardboard mock up before you commit to metal, plastic or whatever you're using, it'll make it much easier and less of a hassle realizing they are to big or to small.

I'll even play around with different attaching methods to see what holds in the sole of these boots, I'm gonna give rivets a shot first though, so hopefully that'll work for the look I want but we'll see...

[Canderous Falco]

Kandosii

[Davin Kee]

The rivets would work the best. I'm not sure if you've seen them but there is a zipper sold at clothing issue that I used to have. You just thread the boot strings threw the rivets on the boots and zipper, you could do the same on the cover. I wear the same size boots so it'll be easy for me to use the temp.

[Canderous Falco]

Mine are 10... I think... Been so long, I cant really remember, and the size is faded to where I cant read it anymore. Mine are usually around that. No smaller than 9.5, no bigger than 10.5 (different makers have different sizing scales)... I should be good, though. The template will give me a baseline, at least.

[Praetor Ordo]

I'm using a good set of black jungles for my boot.  I'm planning on using the zipper to close it and probably a set of snaps to hook the boot armor on.  The sole will be thick enough for the toe spikes and I also plan to put my gold spurs on it (bes'uliik war droid rider[/i]).

And don't worry, my fellow veterans, I have earned my spurs.

[Canderous Falco]

Mandalorian Cav? Do we even have a word for that??

Congrats on getting Gold, at any rate

[Praetor Ordo]

Yeah...

bes'uliik ramikad

[Canderous Falco]

That's not cavalry... I dont think... idk... it seems to me like calling a Claymore a knife....

Basilisk War Droid vs Horse....

Besides, those mandos actually RIDE their mounts.... You guys just put them on patches and things.

Silly cavalry.... I suppose I should be thankful we're not from Great Britain (shaking fist in air); you'd probably try to pull out something like that one general in Iraq had: "Household Parachute Horse Artillery Guard." WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!

That's like, 4 things in one. How do you do that? I've never seen a horse para-dropped into a warzone, let alone with a cannon behind it and a couple of those guys with the big funny bearskins on their heads.... I'm just sayin....

[Cye Falco]

thank you for this thread... I now know how to cover the laces on MY basic training boots. I was going to try and plate it up, but this seems soooooo much easier and sensable. Thanks again!

[Tahl Taab]

Ok I'm caught up on my new gaunts and a few other V2 things shy of some paint. For the DCU boot plate up I'm planning on using I think it's something like 22 - 18 ga aluminum (not sure of the gauge but it's a hair or two over 1/16th of an inch) anyway, I'm planing on a toe piece, a heel piece, some sole strips, and something to cover the laces. If you guys like what I come up with you're more than welcome to follow in suit.

[Davin Kee]

All I really need is something to cover the laces. My boots have enough weathering to look good without any other plates.

[Canderous Falco]

Kinda what I was thinking.... Plate for the ankle/upper foot area... Toes aren't important- heck, I got 10 of 'em...

[Squirrelly]

Is it really neccessary to cover the laces?
They seem the most practical way to do up a boot, that's why we use 'em.  And Mandos are rather practical people....  it'd seem to fit, no?

[Tahl Taab]

I'll be getting an update of those plates for the combat boot cover up soon. I tried a few things and it didn't look right and flopped around so I had to start over. I do have what I think will be a good solid method but I have to make the plate for it, should still be able to tie and untie the boots no problem by the way. Keep your fingers crossed 

[Canderous Falco]

Is it really neccessary to cover the laces?
They seem the most practical way to do up a boot, that's why we use 'em.  And Mandos are rather practical people....  it'd seem to fit, no?

Unfortunately, yes- they just put it out (yesterday, I think) in the new guidelines for costumes here.

"The bootlaces must be covered..." :-/

[Dar'manda]

Look at any in-universe picture of a mandalorian, boba, jango, jaster, jodo, etc...none of their boots have laces.  Keep in mind we're looking at "a galaxay far, far away".  They don't use such "earthly" things to do up their boots.

[Squirrelly]

Got it, just read the updated standards...

I guess I'm just a few months too late to the boot-laces showing party.  And here I've got a dozen pairs of nicely weathered combat boots... all of which would look somewhat ridiculous with spats.

Ah well, time to go shopping!