Canadian Mk 3 Combat Boots
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- A quick look at a pair of Canadian Mk 3 combat boots.
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Appreciate the Canadian content currently serving and wore these boots with glee as a kid in the cadets. As well as all the 82 pattern gear they could throw at us. Cheers
US Shoe sizing confirmed
They were very comfortable, especially after being broken in. When I released (2003) the tread on one pair was gone, so they let me keep them. I had them re-soled and still have them. The only problem was that they were not waterproof. The Issued Silicone treatment didn't work, so I used commercial Dubbin, which was better. My former reserve unit is on Vancouver Island, where all it does is rain, so my feet were usually wet, until i discovered Dubbin.. The boots were also made by a company called Sunshine, or at least the soles were.
Rfn Moore:
The Greb Mark III. Very good combat boots. I was issued with Mark III combat boots -- 2 pairs -- when I joined up in 1985. I wore these throughout most of my career, until they were replaced with the Combat Boots, Wet Weather in about 2003. The Mark III boots were not waterproof when issued. You had to treat them with black silicone, which came in cans that you got at the same time the boots were issued. The black silicone destroyed the boot leather after some time. I ended up using black Kiwi boot polish to keep my boots serviceable. I still have 2 pairs of Greb Mark III boots which I retained after I retired from the Army..
Regards,
D.A. Stolovitch, CD
Captain
2 Military Police Regiment / Canadian Forces Military Police (Retired)
We treated them with a clear silicone which came in a blue can. The blacking compound came in a separate black tin.
Pte, 'How are we getting there?'
Sgt, 'LPC."
Pte, 'What?'
Sgt, 'Black Cadillacs.'
Pte, 'What?'
Sgt, 'Leather Personnel Carriers.'
Greb was in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario and the big rage in the 70's was Greb Kodiak boots almost exactly the same in tan/ light brown colour. Greb was bought out by another company. I recently picked up a pair of vintage Kodiaks at a thrift store in very good condition.
I have the exact same pair as in this video. I picked them up for $20 from a gentleman in Guelph. The ad says it’s a work boot, brand new, steel toe, just without the CSA triangle tag. Didn’t know these were called army/combat boots until I got it home and did a little bit of research about Greb. Which made it even cooler.
@@peteryeung111 yes my are not steel toe. The Canadian military boots looked almost the same but in black.
I wore that style of boots while in the militia in the late 1980's. They were excellent boots once broken in and were one of the few pieces of kit I regretted having to return when I got out.
Why would any military want used boots back? Probably wouldn't be worth reissuing. At least when I got out of the USAF, they let us keep our boots (including flight boots), socks and Nomex long underwear! From a hygienic standpoint, I wouldn't want someone else's boots, socks or long underwear!
@@mh53j They reissued used boots, at least they did to the reserves (which was what I was in). When I joined I got new boots but not everyone did. The Canadian forces were perpetually underfunded and had to make the most of everything, so if it was not worn out it got reused.
known as Greb soles...and were developed in Canada by Greb manufacturing..From Kitchener ,Ontario Canada.And were used on the MK .II (Later iterations)and MK.III combat boots ( are still issued by request) and were also licensed to a company known as Sorel here in Canada as well..I have 3 pairs i pair i have had since 1985 (were issued)...they will probably out live me ,Excellent boots..
I wore all three, Mark 1 was a copy of the greb tan lumberjack boots but they where black with some updates, it was a bit shorter and had eyelets like the mark 3, it had the front cut in the centre of the lacing’s but much smaller, mark 2 was similar to the mark 3 but still had the plain sole but it had no eyelets, they had a metal triangular lacing for quick lacing, they tended to get caught n the bush and would break. you have the mark 3
I used Sno-Seal on mine. Darn near made them waterproof. I used to have lots. they were leather inside and out and better quality than what came after. We used to use American size which is a size up from British, but now the military only uses the Mondopoint.
Just picked up a pair of these boots for $20 cad, 9.9/10 condition. Loving it so far. Still breaking them in.
I’ve had two pairs of these. Awesome boots.
Got 2 pairs in my closet from my time in the reserves. Resoled one with vibram wedge sole.
I love these boots. Lightweight, sound great on the parade square but are diabolical in ice.
Still have mine and I released in 2006. Issued Mk1 and Mk2 over the years but the Mk 3 was the best
I saw my first pair of mk 3 boots around 1977 9possibly 1978). My Dad had exchanged an old pr of mk 2s for a brand new pr of mk 3s in my brother's size so he could use then for cadet training. I had never seen mk 3s before that. They may have been issued earlier, but I never saw them.
I snagged my own set for wear in cadets in the late 70s. This was important as, at the time, army cadets were not issued field kit. Even as late as summer camp in 1980, we were issued the old bush kit and were expected to wear our ankle boots into the field. Luckily I was allowed to wear the contemporary combat uniform and boots that I had brought with me. The next summer, at the leadership and challenge crse in Banff in the Rocky Mountains, we were much better kitted. We received proper combats, boots etc. We even were issued fancy hiking boots for mountaineering etc. Ironically, we were also issued wool battle dress trousers for the glacier phase...
I mention this as my son is in army cadets and they are issued all manner of kit that we never got. He has a complete field uniform that includes a cadet-specific OD uniform that mimics our old pre-2000 combat dress. They call it their field trg uniform (FTUs). With this they get very nice mk 4 combat boots. I never really understood what happened with the mk 4 boot and why it was taken out of svc. More about those below.
I joined the Regular Force infantry in 1983 and my mk 3s served me well for nearly 30 yrs. My last brand new pr were issued in the late 90s and, since they were in good nick for the next 15 yrs, I never exchanged them for the fancy mk 4s. By the time I was ready to exchange them, the mk 4s had been deemed unsuitable for use by the infantry and were withdrawn. In appearance they looked a tot like the the cold, wet weather boots we'd been issued a few yrs earlier but without the insulation. I believe they had a layer of gortex. Maybe I should wear my son's pair for a bit and see what the problem is....
I have an embarrassing number of these in new or near new condition. A few years ago, I discovered thrift stores and I have a couple nearby so I visit them almost every day. I picked up a pair of unworn Mk3s about two weeks ago for $7.49CDN. They weren't even laced...the still "crisp" laces were bundled inside. After doing an inventory a couple of days ago, I realized I have to stop buying boots. I've even picked up unworn Mk2s with the "care tag" still inside. But I'm 64 years old and there is no point in owning three dozen pairs of combat boots....or those 10 pairs of parade boots. :).
I really enjoy your channel. I'm not really knowledgeable about military things so it's educational for me. As a Canadian, my interest is primarily in the real world weather protection offered. The Canadian parkas (watched that video) are mainly produced here in Winnipeg by MWG or Peerless garments. Again, I have more of those than I can wear. (but Winnipeg is a place where -40C is a REAL thing in the winter).
Oh...yes...we use American shoe sizing in Canada.
I have a fetish for USA Jungle Boots, have nearly every variant from Type 3 with Vibram soles to Multicam Cordura Nylon field trial boots tested in Afghanistan.
@@adlerarmory8382 The local thrift places here have been a goldmine of the heavy black leather, Canadian combat and parade boots. Oddly, I've only found ONE pair of the modern "temperate" boots with partial nylon uppers. And I've found only ONE pair of the suede/nylon, hot weather "desert" boots.
There are worse hobbies.
Canada uses American shoe sizing for the most part... except the Mk III boots and other older service footwear, which was done in UK sizing.
Looks like these were almost as long-lived as the Norwegian M77 boots... (Officially issued from 1979, still in use)
They look very similar to my old UK Britton assault boots from the 90s. Excellent boots, lined in kid leather. I used to saturate mine with Neatsfoot oil, it made them 100% waterproof and stopped you ever getting blisters (even on a 90 miles in 30 hours, speed march).
Like most people I loved these boots. I wore them prior to enlisting, then both during and after my service. Fantastic pair of boots. I wore my last pair down to smooth.
It will be a sad day indeed when my Mk3 boots are worn out...
My flying boots were essentially Mk3's, with a non-aggressive tread, and oversized lace holes. Some of the most comfortable boots I every wore. It was a shame when they were replaced.
@@andrewweninger1059 Correct, I was Aircrew so that is what I was issued, the tread was very non-aggressive so they wouldn't track small stones into the aircraft.
They do look mucho comfy...Same grip as BCH.
I have served in the Canadian Forces since '94 in various capacities and I've gone through several pairs of Mk 3s.
Decent boot once broken in, soles turn into hockey pucks in the cold, and we're very hard on the knees and back while in garrison or on any type of hard pack. Very commonly resoled with flat foam padded vibram soles for extended use.
Better boots than the replacement GP boot. I still wear mine occasionally.
They were tough boots. Very durable and easy to maintain. Comfort is relative though lol. I loved mine and even did the 4 day walk in Nijmegen in Mk3s but the soles were often reffered to as hockey pucks because they were hard AF and slid on ice. It was hilarious when it happened to the Sergent Major or any officer but less funny walking to Tim's for coffee lol. Again, it's relative. :) Cheers for the Canadian start to the month.
It is in fact US sizing. They had poor traction in very wet ground or snow. Took forever to dry
Actually inaccurate. The Mk IIIs (and previous Mks) were in UK sizing and of course mondo (mm) NATO sizing. Strangely clothing sizing was all in inches.
I’m fresh in to the forces, and I’m wearing them, still the best boots ever made, and I have friends that are still getting issued new old stock of them, mark III’s are simple but extremely effective
extremely slippery in the winter. the grebb soles harden in the cold. good drill boots though.
i remember the british DMS boots issued well enough utter shite ok for base useless in the field water ingress means your feet are sloshing in water because the boot can't drain the water away due to the d m s sole and the puttees that's another story from what i have read about the lads during the falklands war the DMS boot were bad a lot of the lads went down with trench foot due to the nature of the conditions over there wet boggy land the current squaddies looks like they get issued propper kit Altberg boots a uk company is the official british army boot decent boot i bought a pair couple years ago still good on par with the Lowa boots used to wear
I joined the army in 2005 and this isn't the first piece of kit you've covered on your channel that I was issued, I feel old and I don't like it one bit
Hi, if that makes you feel old wait until you see a new recruit join your unit whose DOB is the same as your attestation date! Cheers mate. Harera
I wore them for the 1st 10 years of my service. I'm sad to say the follow on boots have been progressively worse, to the point the Army specifically gives a boot allowance to Soldiers to buy their own.
Many would have them resoled with a vibram sole to give better absorb shock otherwise the sole felt like a hockey puck.
Mark Is had "D"-rings for "speed lacing." The Mark II dropped that. The Mark III went from 10 to to nine pairs of lace holes. All three marks were lined and too heavy for warm weather in Canada. (I had to borrow Russian army boots and found they were surprisingly crappy in comparison, but not as hot in warm climates.)
I sold my pair in the 90's at this army surplus store for 20 bucks.
They were excellent for field boots but the hard soles did make them a poor choice for garrison as, on concrete, they could cause knee problems over time.
I wore a pair in the Canadian army reserves from 2004-2007. In 2010 I went to the reg force and was issues the mk4's which were garbage...
In the reserves we would only ever get used boots. We were instructed to soak them in hot water, then wear them all weekend. They would reform to our feet and were amazing boots after that. It's a shame newer boots aren't of this design with a new style sole.
Where would I find some of these?
The ones made by Greb were the better ones
Протектор башмаков похож на английский...
They were a fine pair of boots compared to other NATO countries, wore them for almost 30 years
Norwegian M77 is still in use (unless they've been very recently replaced), first issued in 1979...
@@TheNorwegian Hi, I have had very warm feelings for my Norwegian boots that I acquired on a Artic exercise in the fifties from a captured Norwegian soldier. Not as good as my modern hunting boots, but a treasure compared to WO stock issue Amo Boots! Cheers mate. Harera.
If you're aware of or have a pair, the Royal Marines High Leg combat boots with screw on Itshide soles were unique in the British military. Got issued 2 pairs in basic training in the mid 80's but once worn out were replaced with the lighter combat high boot with DMS soles.
Some times I wonder if I'm biding against you. Especially when I suspect to get something at a good price or where I know there's only few people who'd find value in this random item.
Awesome video. I love these old military boots. Modern military boots suck.
Very comfortable boots. Only problem was that sergeants insisted on us polishing them, so they had no waterproof properties at all. They soaked up water like sponges.
What? Since when did putting wax on anything make it soak up water? If your boots were leaking, you weren't polishing them properly.
@@ktgiffin8147 Try it some time. The label that came with them instructed you to use silicone water proofer, but if you did they turned an unsightly grey colour which offended sergeants, so they insisted on boot polish. It didn't take long before walking through dewey grass was enough to totally soak your socks.
@@minuteman4199 Again, since when did wax have hygroscopic properties? If your boots leaked, you weren't polishing them properly. I responded to a flood at work a few weeks ago and walked through water 3" deep on the floor, but my boots didn't leak. And my boots are 360 Goodyear welted, which will definitely leak from the welts if they're not polished properly - unlike the cemented Mk.IIIs. So why didn't my boots leak? Because I polished them properly.
@@ktgiffin8147 Don't know. all I know is we used to polish our boots with black Kiwi boot polish in the normal manner of polishing boots and they soaked up water like sponges. Five minutes of walking through wet morning grass was enough for your feet to be soaked. My assumption
was that it was because we used polish - against the manufacturers instructions that caused it. Maybe it was something else. Maybe water in New Brunswick and the Ottawa Valley is different that in other parts of the world.
@@minuteman4199 While I don't doubt that your Mk III's soaked up water, I can assure you that polishing them with Kiwi polish had nothing to do with it. What you're suggesting is physically/scientifically untrue. The two main things in Kiwi polish are carnuba wax and black pigment...carnuba wax like you would wax your car with. Yes, I do agree that the liquid silicone in the can was totally useless; were you ever also issued the equally stupid and useless liquid blackener that came in a similar can? That would solve the problem of the silicon turning your boots grey...for a few days until the blacking flaked/peeled off.
The British equivalent boots combat high are utter garbage, they must be one of the worst military boots I have ever worn.
I wore these at basic,battleschool and at my infantry battalion they are garbage.The sole is too hard like walking on hockey pucks too many 18 year old kids would end up in physio with shin splints from all the running we did.Run 10k on a road 3 times a week you'll find out in a hurry.They slow down your kicks as they are too heavy to fight effectively in.Army forces men to wear wool socks and even with insoles It's not enough cushioning then you have the perfect breeding area for foot fungus too.They are well made and last for years but they are really suited for REMFs and chairborne commandos.They wrecked my feet so i got a chit from the doc I switched over to US jungle boots but the best pair I ever had were Danner Fort Lewis boots.10" high vibram sole you could run,ruck and stand in cold water all day didn't matter.The spongy sole is a godsend and the gortex sock liner kept your feet dry they are $500 bucks a pair but worth it.Feet are your life in the infantry.Today elite units wear adidas style boots that look like high top runners.I seen US Rangers wearing actual runners in the field with combats,it looks stupid but their feet are just fine after carrying 100lbs of gear all day long.To this day the CF still hasn't issued a good pair of combat boots guys are given a voucher to buy their own.This is a mistake as FNGs buy swat boots that fall apart in less then a year.Combat boots should not be leather,to heavy,once wet take 2 days to dry out,you'd waste time polishing them,waste money on shoe polish etc they should be nylon then they could be in camo,quick dry,light weight,padded sole,no laces quick on and off velcro maby,,10' high,aggressive tread.Maby someday.
Cap', let me break down your rant. Your feet hurt, so you blame the boots. You got permission from the doc' to wear what you want, but you slag everyone else for buying what they want. You don't like leather boots, wool socks, insoles, hard soles, polishing leather, black leather, laces, support trades who aren't high-speed low-drag, and just about every piece of kit every issued to the infantry. Did I get all that right?
@@terrywarner8657 nope you were wrong on all.No one bought mk 3s its what was issued at clothing stores.If the boots were so great why aren't they still being issued? I liked the combats,webbing,parka and snow shoes.The robin hood field cap,82 pattern ruck,mukluks,rain gear and shelter half all sucked.The army actually got it right on the C7 ,C6,C9,Carl G and cadpat.The 77 set,9mm high power and eltis are junk.The army is slowly figuring it out.Nothing against support trades,funny how my feet were fine after different boots,if you want 1970s technology,polishing boots,laces,boot soles like plywood etc be my guest.
@@snakeplissken571 The Greb factory in Kitchener closed several years ago. The subsequent contractors never quite got the secret sauce right. The Wet Weather Boot and the GP Boot (might have those names wrong) were lessons learned from Bosnia. Goretex lined boots with a bit of insulation are great, except the soles turned out to be too stiff. AFG and other campaigns obliged the supply system to come up with Temperate and Desert boots. I wore issue boots for a long time, then suffered with really badly made brown boots because stores didn't have my size. Finished up in my Mk 3s bought at a surplus store. BTW, I liked the Jungle boots, especially in the Gulf, but found the heels were a little high for my knees. Felt like I was walking down a slope. If I had a nickle for every pair of issue footwear in the bottom of my closet and barracks box at the end of my career, I'd have enough for a coffee.
@@terrywarner8657 I still have a pair of black Cadillacs I wear for civvie camping but that's it.Danner fort lewis or Canadians are the cats ass for old ground pounders like me.
"Let's make a 10" high Chelsea boot of camouflage nylon and put some Velcro straps on it," said no bootmaker ever. Manifestly, you don't know much about footwear...