>We get questions all the time about where we are, who we are and what it is like working at Patriot Surplus. I thought I would take some time to show you what it has been like the last week here at Patriot! Our “helpers” have been spending time with us as school is out for the week here in Pennsylvania.

We had Jacob manning the telephones and the live chat service.

He’s such a deep thinker when he’s helping customers use our Brannock sizing chart for ordering boots!

Addy worked the production line like an old pro making sure the orders got out the door to our customers around the world on schedule and in perfect shape! You’ll notice she is wearing the latest in Patriot Surplus fashion. Her sunglasses would make any aviator jealous. Her uncle would be proud of the Navy sailors hat she’s wearing. Of course she is waving the flag for our veteran brothers still at large as POW’s and MIA’s.

Every day at Patriot Surplus is a new and exciting adventure! We receive calls daily from all across the world. Our employees are especially honored to take calls and orders from our soldiers and Marines stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We do our best to accommodate their special shipment needs and orders.

Shipping to APO and FPO military base addresses is our specialty. If you have a service member in need of assistance, please feel free to contact us using any one of the numerous contact methods we employ:

Our website: http://www.patriotsurplus.com/
Our blog: http://blog.patriotsurplus.com/
Twitter: @patriotsurplus
Facebook: http://facebook.com/pages/Carlisle-PA/Patriot-Surplus/55265000854

717-323-1104 Voice
717-718-6154 Fax
888-608-2266 Toll Free

15 N Hanover St
Carlisle, PA 17013

var addthis_pub=”patriotsurplus”;

>In our last post, we discussed how boots are sized in the United States. In this post, we will discuss boot lasts and the effect they have on the fit of a boot.

A last is the form on which a boot is constructed. It forms the shape of the inside of a boot. The boot last can be straight, curved or even semi-curved. It represents the anatomical form of a foot during the boot’s construction. Each boot last has a particular heel height, toe shape and volume. Many different styles of boots can be made on the same shoe last, but the toe box shape and the heel height will be the same for all styles made on the same boot last. Consequently, the fir of a boot depends on the design, shape and volume of the boot last.

There are several types of lasts and each one is better suited to a certain type of foot shape. A straight last is symmetrical relative to a line on the bottom of a boot from the middle of the heel to the middle of the toe box. A boot built on this type of last is best for neutral walkers who do not overpronate. A curved last curves inward at the insole. A boot built on this type of last would be best for those with a high rigid arch. Lastly, there is a semi curved last which has a slight curve inward at the insole. It is good for those with normal arches and a neutral gait.

Most manufacturers have several last types that they build boots on. Danner for example, has several last types that they build their boots on. They design their military boots around the performance needs of the modern day Marine or soldier. They do not build their fashion and hunting boots on the same last as their military boots. Danner also builds their lasts to half size, not just whole sizes like many manufacturers. This attention to detail is what ensures that all Danner boots built on the same last will fit the same every time.

Understanding that each manufacturer has proprietary last types will assist the consumer in selecting a military boot that best fits their needs. A Belleville boot will not fit the same as an Altama or Corcoran boot. A foreign made boot will not fit the same as a US made boot because the measuring standards overseas are not the same as in the United States. When ordering boots, keep in mind that each manufacturer has slight differences in sizing and fit due to the variety of last types they use in manufacturing. While most of the boots that Patriot Surplus sells are built on the Brannock sizing system, there are a sufficient number of differences in each manufacturers lasts to make how a boot fits slightly different.

In our next post, we will discuss how to measure your feet and order the best size boot for your needs.

>At Patriot Surplus, we get calls on a daily basis asking what size boots to order and how to measure your foot for a boot. With this in mind, we are going to put up a series of posts on the blog on boot sizing and what things to consider when measuring your feet for boots. After all, one of the worst things you can do as a soldier or law enforcement officer is mistreat your feet!

Part one of this series will be on how military boots are actually sized. There are many different sizing systems throughout the world. In the United States, sizing is indicated in numbers for the length and letters for the width. For example, 12D indicates a size 12 boot in standard width. Most boot manufacturers in the US such as Belleville, Danner, Corcoran and Matterhorn use the Brannock sizing system.

The Brannock sizing system is linear and sizing starts at size 1. A size 1 on the Brannock system measures 7 2/3 inches long. Each additional size is 1/3″ longer, so a size 2 boot is 8 inches long. There are nine widths in the Brannock system, AAAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE and EEEE. The “D” width is considered to be a medium or standard width. The widths are linear and separated by 3/16 of an inch. The actual width of a “D” boot varies by the size of the boot.

So how do you know what size to order? The best thing you can do is use our printable Brannock sizing chart and actually measure both of your feet. Make sure you measure both of your feet and order the size that best matches the larger of the two.

In the next post, we will discuss boot lasts and how they impact the fit of a boot.

var addthis_pub=”patriotsurplus”;

>Patriot Surplus is now on Twitter and Facebook!

Our Twitter id is: @patriotsurplus

Our Fan Page on facebook is: https://www.facebook.com/patriotsurplus

Tune in for exclusive fan updates and insider information!

Thanks!