Opinions on Possible ARVN Boots

[VPEP]

Hello Everyone,
A friend of mine picked these boots up at a recent show thinking they were ARVN Bata boots, knowing I am interested in Vietnam militaria. Im not that familiar with these types of boots, so I would definitely appreciate some opinions from the more knowledgeable members of the forum. The only markings on the inside are what I believe is the size (7R). Thanks for looking and I look forward to hearing your responses.
Thanks Vic

[kammo man]

Real.

[VPEP]

Thanks for the reply. The tread on the soles didn't look like anything I could find during my research. I really appreciate the help.

[Beezman]

Is there a contract number inside?

[603dasc]

They look a lot like the NVA shoes but in black. I'll have to dig mine out to compare.

[VPEP]

Other than a size number (7R) there was no contract number I could find. The boots are a few inches taller than the chicom sneakers the NVA wore, but the pattern on the sole is very similar. I just picked up the boots last night, when I get home this evening, I’ll post a side by side with my NVA boots.

[VPEP]

Here is a comparison of the boots.

[MikeP]

Look similar to the BATA Boots we issued our CIDG guys. I never looked real close, though.

[Beezman]

Very intriguing example. With the US size it was clearly made under a US contract, probably awarded abroad.
The similarity in sole design may indicate that your boots were reverse engineered from captured NVA boots, before newer designs were developed. Just in case, they are a keeper!

[earlymb]

I think these NVA shoes themselves are copied from - or at least heavily influenced by - the French 'chaussures de brousse' (AKA 'pataugas') jungle boots from the late 1940's that were issued in great numbers to French troops in Indochina. These were developed by Palladium and are still being sold as unisex sneakers in various colours.

[pete]

.

I'm an advisor working directly with the current day forces, they've got pretty much the same design of boots even today in the field as well only in green!

P

[VPEP]

Thanks for the replies. The soles definitely look as if they were poorly molded compared to the chicom boots. I compared them to the palladium boots, and they do not have anything on them that would indicate that they were for the commercial market such as company tags or logos or even production markings other than the size.

[bolo]

These could be made in China for another country, they make / contract all kinds of military gear / clothing for other countries, possibly from some third world African police force or something?

[VPEP]

You make a good point, but would they be marked with a western size stamp. They are marked 7R and I compared them to a my sons friends size 7 and they are the same size.

[MikeP]

Just happened to see this on the net.
Shows the soles for those interested in them.
No idea of location or time period of the pic.

We issued "Bata" boots to the guys in the CIDG program. I have no knowledge of makers or any details.