German Navy Sea Boots - Used

Awesome! Great purchase.

These have been barely worn and are in excellent condition. I ordered a half size up because it seemed like people were saying that they ran small, but these were definitely true to size. Nothing some insoles and thick socks won’t fix though!

These are fantastic boots in incredible condition. But I am a US size 10 wide and that's a problem. I have a hard time finding European surplus boots that work for me as I find European sizing to be generally too small. Specifically too narrow. I first bought US 11 as I have other 11's which work ok but these are so big they fall off my feet. The size on the sole is 195. They are perfect in width, ie, they don't pinch me at all but so huge that I can only really get them to fit by wearing two insoles and three pairs of socks (thick ones). And even then they feel like they might fall off as I lift my foot up. And these are almost brand new. Only the slightest wear on the very back edge of the soles to suggest they were ever worn. So I ordered a second pair. One size down, US 10. These are marked 185 on the bottom of the sole, which is the older type, ie, not the one pictured on the website but the brown rubber compoiund as found on the Combat Boots from the 1950's to 2000. These ones were definately unissued. Literally brand new. The first pair were fully lined inside, this pair was unlined. Unfortunately these are way to small. It's almost impossible for me to get my feet in them the instep is so tight. When I finally do get them on the length is ok but the real problem is how tight they are. They are extremely tight in width. I don't know what to do now. I know the problem is me and my unusual sizing and these are an incredible quality item at a good price. In fact Hessens service has been excellent. But I don't know what I'm going to do now as while I really like them unless I can find a way to significantly widen the size 10's I don't know that these are or any use to me. It's a pity that Hessen doesn't offer them by the German sizing as I feel that a size 190 might do the trick for me.

Supposedly used but the only hint of that on my pair was the slightest suggestion of wear on the very back of the heels and a "tiny" amount of sand in the tread. Only problem I have is with the fit. I am as US size 10 wide. I can never find European boots wide enough so I always go up a size to 10.5 or 11. I decided to go with 11. Well, these fit me perfectly in terms of width so I'm delighted with that. But the instep is so far from my foot that when I lift my foot up the boot just drops away from my heel. I have about an inch in front of my toes. They are definitely too big for me in that respect. So what to do? Clearly they are meat for multiple layers of socks and garmets while braving the North Sea but that doesn't help me in my situation. I guess I'll have to get a thick insole with a beefy heel to try and compensate. This is not a criticism of the boot. The problem is me. I might pick up another pair in size 10 just for comparrison, and Hessen did a fantastic job with shipping. Much quicker than I thought it would be. Excellent service.

These boots were in incredible almost new condition; the only evidence of use was wear to the soles which were quite superb shape. The sizing was accurate. Bootstraps are also included.

The boots I got were in unissued condition and very nice. I couldn’t be more pleased and would definitely recommend to a friend.

Being surplus and listed as used, I expected them to really be ‘used’ but they’re not. No scuffing on the bottom of the soles, no wrinkling in the leather and they still smell new. I think they may be a high quality 2nds from the factory but they are nice. I’d definitely recommend to a friend and if you’re thinking about purchasing a pair, believe them when they say the sizes are a bit bigger than the US sizes. With that in mind, it’s nothing that a new set of DrScholls & thick socks can’t remedy. Can’t beat the price, either!

At first I was disappointed since the boots were really stiff and tight, and I couldn't get my feet in past the instep. I watched a few video's online and they recommend using an alcohol and water spray solution to loosen up the leather. I repeated this a few times and in less than an hour, my bare feet slipped into the boots. You may wish to take them to a cobbler or boot repair shop to have the instep stretched if they are tight. Overall, outstanding quality, the two pairs I bought are in pristine condition. If you don't mind the possibility of doing a little work, these boots are a super deal.

I have two identical pairs that I purchased used in Germany and spent over $100 for each pair. The ones ones from Hessen for $45. were perhaps issued, but never worn? These are great boots. Be aware they take time to break and are heavy but never the less very comfortable. Nice full leather lining. Fully waterproof. You must maintain these boots to keep them so. I'm a US 12 and Hessen's sizing 11 fits me correctly. Ausgezeichnet Hessen!