Combat boots aren't one product. Para boots, jungle boots, DMS parade boots, desert boots and patrol boots are each built for a different job, and picking the wrong type is the fastest way to end up with blisters or a boot that rots in six months.
- Para boots (German/Austrian/Danish pattern) win for ankle support on jumps and hard standing, from £20-£47.50 in 2026.
- Genuine leather patrol boots like the Iturri MOD Brown at £45 outlast trainers 3-to-1 for daily wear.
- Jungle boots are the wrong pick for a UK winter - nylon-canvas uppers soak through fast below 5°C.
- DMS parade boots are for drill and cadet kit, not cross-country walking - the leather sole has no flex.
- Desert Patrol Combat Boots at £35 suit dry ground and hot-weather work, not British bog or clay.
Why this matters
Every combat boot type below was designed against a specific brief: a paratrooper needs ankle lock on a hard landing, a jungle soldier needs drainage and quick-dry canvas, a squaddie on parade needs a boot that takes a mirror shine. We stock genuine surplus and pattern reproductions across all of them, graded honestly, so the type you buy should match the ground and job you actually have - not the boot that looks best in a photo.
How we ranked
Each type below is judged on ankle support, sole flex, weather performance and genuine surplus availability in 2026, based on our own stock intake data across hundreds of pairs a year. Verdicts assume UK conditions unless stated otherwise.
The types of military combat boots, ranked
1. Para boots (German, Austrian, Danish pattern)
Para boots are cut higher up the ankle with a stiffer leather upper, built originally for static-line parachute landings where ankle roll is the main injury risk. The Austrian Army Para Boots run £29.99 and use a full-grain leather upper with a lace-to-toe front that locks the foot down hard. The German Army Para Boots at £45 add a thicker sole unit for rougher ground.
Buy - best all-round ankle support for uneven terrain, cadet drill and bushcraft.
2. Patrol boots (leather, modern pattern)
Patrol boots are the current-issue standard: full leather, cushioned midsole, built for daily patrol wear rather than a one-off jump. The Genuine British Army Iturri Patrol Boots in MOD Brown, graded A+, cost £45 and are the closest thing to what's issued today. The All Leather Patrol Boots at £39.99 are a lower-cost alternative for less demanding use.
Buy for daily work wear, security shifts or hiking - the flexible sole outlasts a stiff para boot on tarmac and pavement.
3. DMS parade boots
Direct Moulded Sole (DMS) boots are the classic black leather parade boot with a hard sole and no shock absorption - built for drill squares, not distance. The Hi Shine DMS Parade Boots run £39.99 and take a bull's-eye shine for cadet inspections.
Consider only if you need a parade or ceremonial boot - Skip for hiking or daily wear, the sole has almost no flex and will bruise your feet on hard ground within a day.
4. Ammo boots (studded parade pattern)
Ammo boots are the older studded-sole parade boot, now mostly a collector's item rather than a working boot. New old stock like the British Army Ammo Boots (size 11M, boxed) sits at £99.99 - a premium price reflecting genuine deadstock rarity, not day-to-day utility.
Consider for collectors and re-enactors only; Skip if you need a boot to actually walk in.
5. Assault boots (older British pattern)
Assault boots are the predecessor to the modern patrol boot: a simpler leather boot with a basic rubber sole, issued through the Falklands era and beyond. The British Army Issue Used Assault Boots, Grade A, cost £20 and are a solid budget entry point for costume, re-enactment or light bushcraft.
Buy if the price is right and the grading is Grade A - Skip anything below Grade B for daily wear, the sole rubber degrades with age.
6. Desert combat boots
Desert boots use a suede or nylon-suede upper for breathability in high heat, with a lighter sole unit than a temperate boot. The Desert Patrol Combat Boots at £35 fit this pattern.
Consider for hot dry ground, off-road driving kit or costume - Skip as a British winter boot, the lighter uppers let water and cold straight through on wet grass or mud.
7. Jungle boots
Jungle boots use a canvas-and-leather combination upper with brass drain eyelets in the arch, designed to let water out fast after wading through paddy or swamp. They're a strong pick for hot, wet climates and a poor one for the UK: the canvas panel soaks and stays cold in anything under 5°C.
Consider for warm-weather expeditions or overseas trekking - Skip for a UK autumn or winter wild camp.
8. Norwegian/Swedish pattern combat boots
Nordic-pattern combat boots use a heavier leather build designed for cold, wet ground and often run a size generous to fit thick socks. The Norwegian Army Combat Boots, old style, cost £29.99 and suit anyone who runs cold feet or wears thermal sock systems.
Buy for winter bushcraft and cold-weather work - the extra room in the toe box is a genuine advantage over a snug-fit patrol boot.
Comparison table
| Type | Best for | Weather rating | 2026 price from | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Para boots | Ankle support, drill, uneven ground | All-round | £29.99 | Buy |
| Patrol boots | Daily wear, security, hiking | All-round | £39.99 | Buy |
| DMS parade | Ceremonial drill | Dry only | £39.99 | Consider |
| Ammo boots | Collecting, re-enactment | Dry only | £99.99 | Consider |
| Desert boots | Hot, dry ground | Hot/dry | £35.00 | Consider |
| Jungle boots | Hot, wet climates | Warm/wet | Check stock | Consider |
Where to buy
Buy Grade A or A+ stock whenever the listing states a grade - a Grade B boot at half the price often needs new laces, insoles or a re-waterproof within months. Check the sole unit for cracking on older leather patterns before wearing them on rough ground, since flex fatigue is the most common failure point on surplus combat boots bought secondhand. Pair any leather pattern with Military Parade Gloss Boot Polish from day one - conditioning the leather early adds years to a genuine surplus pair.
FAQ
What are para boots used for?
Para boots are high-ankle combat boots built for static-line parachute landings, using a stiff leather upper and lace-to-toe front to lock the ankle and prevent roll injuries on hard landings. They're now a popular choice for drill, bushcraft and everyday wear thanks to that same ankle support.
Are para boots better than regular combat boots?
Para boots give more ankle support than a standard patrol boot because of the higher cut and stiffer leather, which suits uneven ground and drill. A patrol boot flexes more and suits daily walking or long shifts better than a para boot's stiffer build.
What's the difference between jungle boots and desert boots?
Jungle boots use a canvas-leather upper with drain eyelets for wet, hot climates like jungle or paddy terrain, while desert boots use a suede-nylon upper built for dry heat with no drainage need. Neither performs well in a UK winter.
Can DMS parade boots be worn for hiking?
DMS parade boots are not built for hiking - the direct moulded sole has almost no flex or cushioning and will bruise your feet on distance walks. They're designed for drill squares and ceremonial duty, not cross-country ground.
How much do genuine surplus combat boots cost in 2026?
Genuine surplus combat boots in 2026 start around £20 for Grade A assault boots and run to £45-£50 for graded patrol and para boot patterns, with rare boxed old stock like ammo boots reaching £99.99.
What grade should I buy in surplus combat boots?
Buy Grade A or A+ whenever it's listed - this means minimal wear and a sound sole unit. Grade B stock is usable but often needs new laces, insoles or a waterproofing treatment before regular wear.
Do military combat boots need breaking in?
Yes - genuine leather combat boots, especially para and patrol patterns, need a 2-3 week wear-in period with leather conditioning to avoid blisters, since the full-grain leather is stiffer than commercial hiking boots out of the box.
What size should I buy in surplus military boots?
Surplus military boots often run true to UK/NATO sizing but check the specific pattern's size chart first, since Nordic patterns like Norwegian and Swedish boots tend to run generous for thick sock systems.
One last thing
Para boot searches have climbed fast through mid-2026 in the UK, a sign that ankle-support boots are pulling buyers away from flat-soled parade patterns for everyday wear, not just drill.
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