NO prior military service. I started wearing Belleville boots about 12 years ago. first pair i bought were the 550ST i bought at a flea market in SWFL since then I was hooked. each pair lasted 2 years in landscaping. it was 6 years ago I bought my first pair of 500's like this pairI've been wanted a pair again ever since my first ones cracked on the sides lasted me a good 3half years at the cemetery wore them through mud, water, edging, treearborist work you name it. my feet stayed Cool on hot summer days walking on hot asphalt, stayed warm on cold days100% dryclean every dayevery Belleville fit like a glove, molds to your feet with great comfortankle stability. I am here again buying another pair working for a golf course its a lot lighter work than the cemetery so I will probably get 5 years out of these, I hope! I've never been gentle on Belleville boots.

Boots were super comfortable out of the box. I ordered an 11.5 W I usually take a 12 Wthese boots are still a bit big. They have a great grip even on ice. They seem very well built. I was concerned about a lack of insulation but we have already had a few days in the negativesmy feet were still warm. If there is any negative at all I am a bit upset that the EGA on one of the boots has disappeared after about two weeks but I would hardly count that. Overall most comfortable boots I've ever worn & that includes anything I wore when in the Marines.

Made in America by Americans using American materials that is important to me even if I have to pay more for the product. Got a pair of these after my old boots were not cutting it anymore. Out of the box I noticed a few areas of scuffed leather but these are boots not formal wear so not an issue. I laced them up & put them onthey were the most comfortable boots I've ever had on. As an old Marine I really love the EGA on the side, childish as it may seem having the EGA on the boots was the reason I picked these over similarly priced insulated boots from Danner without the insignia. I wore them to work & they just got more comfortable as the day went on. They were a little big but I'd rather have too big than too small. I put a thin insideproblem solved. The temperature was about 3? when I went outmy feet were warm as I could ask & they never got overheated. I went & stood in snow for a while & still warm & dry. I spent about 20 hours in them without a hitch, zero break in time nee