Särmä TST Alpina Recon Boots

We collaborated with Alpina to create these modern, agile leather boots for scouts and other bush ninjas that move a lot. These tall black boots are designed for rough and tough conditions. They are more agile, nicer to walk in, and have better traction than regular army boots, yet sturdy as hell. For military stuff, hiking, hunting, and even everyday use for those who appreciate the timeless military look.

• Upper: 2.18 mm black hydrophpbic Box leather
• Lining: 1 mm hydrophobic Napa leather
• Midsole: Injected PU
• Outsole: Wear-resistant rubber
• Sole attachment: molded, not glued
• Insole: anatomic, w. antibacterial treatment
• Weight: 830g/boot / 1.83 lbs (Size 42/UK8/US9)

Features and materials

We wanted our own full leather army boots to complement our Gore-Tex boots, so we designed these with Alpina. Weighing c. 830 g (1.83 lbs) per piece, they are quite lightweight and agile for military footwear of this support level. The soles aren’t super stiff but offer very good traction and are quite pleasant for your feet on long distances. Thick and wear-resistant but supple leather, very breathable just like leather boots should be.

The upper is made from black hydrophobic Box leather with a reinforcement piece on the toes and the heel. The lining is hydrophobic Napa leather. The outsole is rubber and the midsole injected polyurethane. The exchangeable anatomic insole has antibacterial treatment. The round black shoelaces are made from polyester/polyamide.

Use

As the name indicates, these boots are made for walking. They are designed with the tough Northern conditions in mind but they also work quite well in a hot climate, too. Many folks think that a leather boot without a Gore-Tex membrane is only good for dry weather. However, with proper care, it is a very versatile boot for all sorts of weather conditions. The world was built and all major wars fought in leather boots, so they are good for you too, gawdammit! We recommend wearing two socks on top of each other with these. The comfort lover’s choice is a Merino wool sock next to your skin and a waterproof sock on top of that but other combos work nicely, too.

Size information

Manufactured in true UK sizes. The last is fairly regular, not narrow nor wide. The boots have clearance for double socks.

The sizes UK 3.0 and EU 35.5 are actually the same size to the millimeter. Other sizes from UK to EU are converted about half a size up; for example, UK 8.5 is actually EU 42 but labeled 42.5 by Alpina. This makes about 3 mm of a difference (1/8") but the boots have proper toe clearance - long story short, you can safely choose the boots in either size system.

The US-size? Simple: UK-size +1, e.g. UK 8.5 is US 9.5. Note! The labels on the boots and box indicate only a half-size difference between UK and US sizes. That's not how shoe sizes work, pay no attention to that. The difference between UK and US shoe sizes is one full size.

Alpina size table

Care of leather boots

Traditional leather boots still have their advantages over Gore-Tex. Because of the simple construction, these will probably outlast most "hi-tech" boots and stand up to rough abuse. Grease these up once in a while to keep them waterproof and the leather supple. You can find more information on shoe and boot care and our selection of shoe care products here.

An important thing to keep in mind is that leather boots take some time to shape nicely around your foot, so it is important to break in your new boots before the epic march from here to the seventh circle of Hell. Use them often but first walk shorter distances and increase the distance gradually.