The Bates Lites are the only authorized lightweight boot for the Marine Corps. They were originally intended as a garrison boot but have become very popular as a training boot for the Combat Fitness Test as well as for use on O-courses.
It features an oil resistant Durashock sole and Bates’ water repellant and stain resistant Warrior leather. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizing in Olive Mojave.
Tags: Bates Footwear
“The Bates Lites are the only authorized lightweight boot for the Marine Corps.”
You want to explain how I’m wearing Danners and I’m seeing Bellevilles left and right?
They are talking about lightweight. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a pair of lightweight Danners, those things are pretty heavy. Plus the lightweights are horrible unless you are using them for boots and utes runs. I own all the boots you listed and Danners are definitely the best.
God forbid if you you get caught wearing Oakley boots or lowas
Yeah ridiculous boots, dress uniform Fridays, a 100 year old side arm, the marine corps is stupid. The progressive innovative days of the 90s are over. Pretty soon we will be back in dress blues standing around at a post some place like a beef eater in England and the only thing the corps has to do is drill.
Funny, I remember standing Inspector General inspections wearing a “C” uniform, complete with a H harness, mag pouches, mags, canteens, poncho liner and bayonet. THAT, Marines, was ridiculous…
Great boots, I wear them for PT all the time. Not the best for humping a pack (weak ankle support), and the tread doesn’t provide good traction in mud (especially when worn down). But IMO the best boots for straight PT, and you can run in them right out of the box. Good for summer day hiking also, I did Mt. Washington in them a few years back.
Speaking of old school Marine uniform nonsense. I once stood gate guard (25 degree, snowing winter day in Yorktown, Va.) in dress alphas, “horse blanket” wool over coat on top of that, complete with polished black .45 holster and mag pouch, and spit shined black boots. My ears about froze off as I had only a piss cutter for my head, while the rest of me was sweating like a raped ape. about 8 hours on the gate 1, ahh the good old days. Haha.
I think those are pretty much the exact boots that were issued at BUD/s for years. They do work well for PT (due to the soft padded sole) and seem to hold up OK. My only complaint is the soles, at least on the older black version of this boot(looks the same as above) melts like a mofo when exposed to relatively low temps…like walking over metal scraps of something you just demo’ed(the guy next to me was wearing Danners and had no problems).