East German Professional Soldier and Conscript Boots

A comparative look at East German boots as issued to professional soldiers and conscripts in the NVA.

[@connorkilpatrick6283]

I can confirm the early post war professional boots were all leather definitively during the late forties as I own a pair.

[@davidbrennan660]

The code number in the Professional Soldier holds the size in several dimensions as it is worn with Breeches as part of Dienstuniform, so it fits better if you have thick legs, the Soldier Boot is cut wider as they wear trousers.

[@mic-ho1wt]

The NVA pilot/paratrooper boots I find to be quite impressive if you haven't come across them already, really comfortable to wear in day to day life

[@nicholasferguson6499]

I’m trying to buy a pair of these (professional or conscript) where is the best place to search for them? I’ve been trying ebay, but there’s not much

[@SilvercreekAnimations]

I have a pair of unlined conscript boots with professional soldier soles, is this unusual?

[@RMmilitarymiscellany]

I've not come across them before.

[@davidbrennan660]

It is a variant that tuns up and is rarer.

[@CarolusR3x]

One notable drawback I've noticed with the professional soldiers boots is that its hard to break them in quickly. If you try to break them in like you would the combat boot, high DMS, (with the warm water inside the boot method) you end up actually unbinding the adhesive between the upper and lowers and your soles fall off. Speaking of lower soles, for the officer boots, they're pretty low quality. There's no shank and there's an abundance of voids within the construction that can lead to some irritations when walking for a while.

[@Rokaize]

Are these designed to be worn with socks? Soviet jackboots basically require footwraps instead of socks. Great snag on those professional soldiers boots. They are hard to find in that good of condition at a reasonable price

[@RMmilitarymiscellany]

The NVA issued both socks and footwraps at different times. I have worn both boots with thick socks and they seem to be fine.

[@davidbrennan660]

NVA field socks were a Matt Grey, the socks for Service dress were a shiner grey... Foot cloths were issued and available in some Sealed Clothing underwear Packs

[@CarolusR3x]

Yes. Footwraps are meant to be worn in combination with socks for these boots. You might be able to get away with a double layer of socks, but even if your size is right, any slippage of your foot inside them will probably result in some nasty blisters after a while of walking.

[@robertcuny934]

​@@CarolusR3xdon't use double Sox as slippage is guaranteed.

[@CarolusR3x]

@@robertcuny934 yeah, with cotton absolutely. But you'd be surprised with wool.

[@sharp2684]

It would have been great to hear what the height of each boot is?

[@elijahcunningham]

Conscript is 12", Professional is 14"

[@davidbrennan660]

I hope your scale of issue is conforming to State laid down norms ......hello old friend, may you serve Genosse Moore satisfactorily.