Austrian KAZ 03 Combat Boots, Surplus

What a treat: Teutonic heavy combat boots with a light price tag! These Austrian boots are closely related to and an improved version of the German Bundeswehr KS2000. Both boots are manufactured by the same contractor, Völkl from Germany.

• Stout full-leather combat boot
• Welt-construction enables resoling
• Rapid lacing and hooks

In the good old times, military boots were rough and virtually indestructible pieces of footwear that inspired street fashion for civilians. The modern world is ruined, civvy-trinkets are copied to army "boots" and their service life is short just like the attention span of the users. Not in Austria, nein! The Kampf Anzug 2003 (KAZ 03) combat boots are made to last and to be repaired. The idiom "don't make them like they used to" comes to mind, except they still make these. Jawohl!

The laces run through D-rings on the instep, then through locking tunnels and hooks on the shaft. These are quick to put on and adjust for a good fit. Some pairs have thicker padding on the shaft and a synthetic loop instead of a tunnel between the D-rings and hooks. These are not sorted apart, they are all great.

We recommend buying new insoles and laces right away. You probably get laces and insoles with the boots and they might be good to go, but it's better to have these consumables for the time you need them.

Size info

Manufactured to European size specs. The lasts are not particularly wide so if you're often between two sizes, consider the larger one in this case. Here's a table to help you compare it to true US sizes.

Conversion table

Materials and construction

Most of the materials are the same as on the Bundeswehr Kampstiefel but the midsole is not crummy and glued rubber foam. These Austrian ones have a proper Welt sole that can be replaced (resoled). The light leather lining feels like a glove and can be rather arousing to the foot without a sock on. The laces pass through proper steel hardware, not some brittle molded trinkets.

• Top: heavy-duty leather
• Sole: Vibram treaded vulcanized rubber
• Insoles: buy new ones
• Sole construction: Welt-sewn
• Weight: 2250 g / pair, size 43 (4.96 lbs)

The stiffness is suitable for general use, the Austrians have mountain boots separately. The shaft offers good support so these will serve you in hard use.

Care and maintenance

Wash with gall soap (aka. bile soap) or just your regular hand soap with lots of water and a brush. Don't dry in sunlight or high heat, do take out for a walk. When the boots are moist, they are most hospitable to leather oil and grease. This gives you a basic level that you can finish as you please.

Warranty info

These are not covered by the manufacturer at this point. However, you should not be disappointed with these. If you run into a lemon, let us know and we'll sort it out.

Austrian military surplus

Used for sure, but in a good condition and serviceable with lots of miles to go with the treads. The manufacturer is most often Völkl, sometimes Holzer.

Some pairs may have a small tag-hole punched through at the top of the shaft or tongue. Most also have a white X made with a crayon to the toe box or heel. It'll come off with use, brushing, and care.

It is worth knowing that military surplus boots don’t usually come with insoles, and even if they do have them, they are often used. So, get a good pair of insoles at the same time. For example, from us.