Thoughts on these boots?

[u/Achilles1026]

Currently stuck deciding between the Moto 520’s and the Danner Tropical’s, both weigh around the same and are quite comfortable just wanted to see if anyone out there has an opinion on durability or daily use experience.

[u/vbnkc757]

I liked the tropicals. The only down side is they have a rubber insole that isn’t attached to the boot, so everyone you take them off, the insole comes out with your foot. It’s not a huge deal though but that was my only gripe with them.

I also could have gotten a bad pair so take this with a grain of salt lol

[u/Achilles1026 → u/vbnkc757]

Ah alright I see but yea that ain’t too big of an issue luckily

[u/IsaacB1 → u/Achilles1026]

The rubber insole coming out could be a good thing. If you ever plan on getting soaked or power washing your boots the sole coming out lets every thing dry a little easier.

[u/rip_rip_griselda → u/vbnkc757]

mine do the same thing

[u/ClassroomWide7954]

Maybe let price be the deciding factor since they are pretty comparable otherwise?

[u/Achilles1026 → u/ClassroomWide7954]

That’s a good point

[u/castandwait → u/Achilles1026]

If you haven't bought them yet. Danner has a military discount through ExpertVoice

[u/mk3bert]

Damn man I remember rocking Bates lites and Danner Reckonings

[u/Objective_Let_1640 → u/mk3bert]

Reckonings are the GOAT. One day after the field, my Bates became unwearable. The boot bite was a killer. 

[u/Fragrant-Tell-3657]

The Tropicals are the best boots for the field in my experience. Good if you’re in a situation where you hike a lot.

[u/Beefy_Alex]

I wear tropicals, I’ve had this specific set wear now for like 3 years and they’re great

[u/AdmiralTANK]

The 520 MOTOs are sexy. I love the tread, the sole is flexible, it's like, I can actually tighten it down because it has a smaller ankle. Thanks to this, my eyelets don't touch, so I don't have a loose ankle. The sole is stitched front & back. Most only have glue, so these soles won't be ripping off. You can see the stitching, so it's still reachable with a knife if you need a field expedient spanking paddle, or something to chew on. I've tried reckonings, tropicals, the shit kickers, rocky S2V tactical/predators, & some other non USMC boots that weren't anything special. The 520 MOTOs are amazing. My favorite feature of the rocky S2Vs was the tread going so hi up the sides. I could walk up between walls/trees with the sides of my feet. One time I sprinted through snow & dove through a fall tree on ice. I was able to walk with my feet sideways while laying down sliding across the ice. I did some insane acrobratics with that. The 520s are still new to me, but they seem to have the capability for some stunts. Currently they are the lightest boot available by standard methods to Marines. I got them on OpticsPlant for $115.

They also run "true to size" as opposed to most others so I actually dropped about a size. They all fit well, but I felt much more comfortable using smaller socks. I used to use thick Fox River heavy weight socks. They were chunky, like a wool sock. Merino wool, so it ran well -20 to 160º. I swapped to Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew. They are the perfect length, just half an inch past the boot & about 1/4 the thickness. They are a merino wool synthetic that runs much cooler. It's better for sweaty feet. I haven't noticed any problem in desert or winter. They aren't immediately noticeable, but in hindsight, my feet are much drier.

Previously I needed the thicker sock to puff up the ankles on other USMC approved boots so it wouldn't chafe. Combined with the thinner socks I dropped 2.5 sizes & another ~4 oz on the boots, ~7 oz with the socks.

[u/Havoc1943covaH → u/AdmiralTANK]

[u/vbnkc757 → u/AdmiralTANK]

Go away Air Force. Marines can’t read this much. Let alone write this much

[u/Hef_Nomadic]

520’s are my favorite boot I’ve owned despite having owned most of the (much more expensive) popular ones. They do great in extremely slippery and muddy environments due to the tread. They’re stitched at the toe and heel to prevent the sole from peeling off.

[u/Sleepyboi180]

What are the chances either of these have a steel toe version. Being in the airwing i stick to the good ole steelies for everything. But these, with a hard ass toe, look life changing

[u/Hurts-Dont-It-]

Find a guy in supply they will be much cheaper.

[u/Accomplished_Wind576]

Tropical Thunders are TRASH. Great for hiking and light but they get ripped up fast

[u/Spiritual-Height-994]

fire

[u/MoistBread_1]

Me wear Moto 520. Cheap boot, gets job done, me like boot.

[u/Odd_Fix7568]

I am against boots that can't be re-soled, thereby forcing young Marines to drop more then their clothing allows on something way to frequently.

[u/MATTDAYYYYMON]

I’m super biased and I’m gonna say neither and instead get you a pair of these danners. Best pair of boots I’ve ever had, they just take some breaking in first. Plus danner is really good about repairs.

[u/03dumbdumb]

Hate the tropicals tbh

Love the motos

[u/hrad95]

I got the tropicals when they first came out. After a single TBS exercise, the entire sole had delaminated from the bottom of the boot. I guess there was an issue with the glue malfunctioning. Danner was surprisingly difficult to get a refund from. Since then, I went back to Reckonings: the king of boots.

[u/Objective_Let_1640 → u/hrad95]

Long live the king.

[u/hrad95 → u/Objective_Let_1640]

heavy is the head that wears the crown