German WWII Schnurshue (Low Boots) 

Grading of the suppliers listed here is based solely on the personal judgment of Doug Strong. No insult is intended, nor does it reflect the opinions of any reenactment organization. The boots have been placed in three tiers. The list is made with US buyers in mind. All prices have been converted into US dollars at a mid August 2015 exchange rate. 

 

This evaluation does not take into account makers that have changed their designs multiple times and only accounts for the newest version as pictured on their website. Some makers may also have old stock from earlier runs with which they are still filling orders. It may also be possible that companies have changed their designs and not changed the photos on their websites. 

Updated 9/14/16

 

Tier 1 boots are made by the company, seller or individual selling them and are high in both quality and authenticity. 

Maker/Dealer Country of dealer  Authenticity rank Quality rank Positive features Negative features Grade Price
Vlastislav Koutný 

This is the boot maker I personally chose for my custom boots. I think he is the best. 

Czech 1 1
  • Made to order
  • High standard authenticity 
  • Excellent materials and workmanship
  • A wide variety of low boot styles. 
  • Shipping costs included
  • Custom construction takes time 
  • Long shipping time 
A+ $323
Lederarsenal  Germany 1 1
  • Made to order
  • High standard authenticity 
  • Excellent materials and workmanship
  • High Shipping costs 
  • Long shipping time 
  • Custom construction takes time 
A+ $285
Wehrmacht  Shoes Czech 1 1
  • Made to order
  • High standard authenticity 
  • Excellent materials and workmanship
 
  • High Shipping costs 
  • Long shipping time 
  • Custom construction takes time 
A $263
Mattimore Harness USA 3 1
  • Made to order
  • Excellent materials and workmanship
  • USA made

 

  • Toe shape is very blocky. 
  • Custom construction takes time 
  • No Hobnails available
A- $240

Tier 2 boots are primarily made by someone other than the company selling them and and are moderate in either quality, or authenticity, or both. 

Maker/Dealer Country of dealer  Authenticity rank Quality rank Positive features Negative features Grade Price
Nestof.pl

I personally purchased a pair for my own use and think they are very good.  I believe this is the best option for most people. 

Poland 1 1
  • grain quarter and flesh vamps.
  • Correct steel hobnails
  • pegged soles
  • Natural dye able leather
  • Excellent construction

Also available form Man the Line and on ebay if you don't want to order from Poland. 

  • possibility of  of shipping delays due to international shipping. (My pair only took 6 days which is as fast as most US sellers!)
  • Website is in Polish (Use Google Translate)
A $209
SM Wholesale USA 2 2
  • grain quarter and flesh vamps
  • Can be ordered in black or natural
  • Can be ordered without the Zamak hobnails. 
  • typically delivered blackened
  • Soles are pegged. 
  • Has half soles
  • Zamak (Zinc Aluminum alloy) hobnails will fall out. 
  • Toe shape is very blocky. 
  • top hook is an eyelet

 

(If you order without the hobnails)

$245
At The Front (New batch) USA 2 3
  • Grain quarter and flesh vamps
  • Has half soles
  • toe plate incorrect style and held on with screws. 
  • Aluminum hooks
  • Zamak (Zinc Aluminum alloy) hobnails will fall out. 
  • Soles not pegged
B- $200
Nicholas Sekela USA 3 3
  • Pegged and sewn soles
  • Correct toe plate
  • Leather appears to be oiled in photograph
  • Most expensive boots on the list
  • Zamak (Zinc Aluminum alloy) hobnails will fall out.
  • Boots entirely flesh side out construction
  • No half sole
  • No hooks
B- $299

Tier 3 boots are primarily made by someone other than the company selling them and and are poor in either quality, or authenticity, or both. 

Maker/Dealer Country of dealer  Authenticity rank Quality rank Positive features Negative features Grade Price
Militaria.net England 1 1
  • Lowest price of any listed.
  • Pegged soles
  • Decent steel hobnails

 

  • Shipping costs and delivery time may be high
  • Incorrect two piece steel hobnails
  • Old Batch--chrome tanned leather quarters seems to be poor quality.
  • New batch--entirely flesh side out construction
  • Toe shape is very blocky. 
  • No half soles
  • Strange loops on back of boot cuff
C $98
Man the Line

Standard line. 

They also carry high quality Nestof boots. See above

USA 2 2
  • steel hobnails
  • free shipping
  • Soles sewn on
  • Incorrect two piece hobnails
  • Chrome tanned leather quarters seems to be poor quality.
  • Toe shape is very blocky. 
  • No half soles
  • Soles not pegged
C- $155
ZIB-Militaria 

 

Germany 3 3
  • Price is relatively low. 
  • Same as old-run At the Front boots which were very prone to failure
  • Shipping costs and delivery time may be high
  • Zamak (Zinc Aluminum alloy) hobnails will fall out.
  • Boots entirely flesh side out construction
  • No half sole
  • No hooks
  • Soles not pegged
D $150
Soldier of Fortune Military England 3 3
  • Price is relatively low. 
  • Shipping costs and delivery time may be high
  • Same as old-run At the Front boots which were very prone to failure
  • Shipping costs and delivery time may be high
  • Zamak (Zinc Aluminum alloy) hobnails will fall out.
  • Boots entirely flesh side out construction
  • No half sole
  • No hooks
  • Soles not pegged
D $110
Epic Military England 3 3
  • Price is relatively low. 
 
  • Shipping costs and delivery time may be high
  • Same as old-run At the Front boots which were very prone to failure
  • Shipping costs and delivery time may be high
  • Zamak (Zinc Aluminum alloy) hobnails will fall out.
  • Boots entirely flesh side out construction
  • No half sole
  • No hooks
  • Soles not pegged
D $140

 

My recommendation is as follows. 

1 Buy from a top tier maker. Their price is VERY similar to a tier two dealer and their quality and authenticity is far superior. I Personally recommend Vlastislav Koutný 

NEW 5/11/16-- 2. I you do not want to wait for custom boots I strongly recommend you do what I did.  I bought a pair from Nestof.pl and am extremely pleased. They are nearly as good as the custom pair I ordered but they were significantly faster and cheaper than them. You can also buy them on ebay and you can order them form Man The Line though you will pay more for the same boots. 

3. If budget is the biggest concern then consider Militaria.net and have a skilled cobbler such as myself  fix them and make them wearable for you. You may save a little bit of money this way but they will not be as nice or as authentic as either of the previous options.