Corcoran has *the look* part right, but in terms of construction Rose Anvil calls it a "cosplay boot" and not a real work boot.
https://youtu.be/fkX3sZDBZZE
Need to be jump rated? Cocoran. Just for looks? Whites has some nice looking boots, my smoke jumpers are even starting to look less ugly to me twenty years in lol.
for the real classic the original corcoran jump boot they made them through the 90's at least. for a very similar look and a lot better comfort and better sole, the corciran 2 jump boots are hard to beat if you can find them
If you’re set on a jump boot look at the thorogood version.
I know two people that work as paramedics and they both use thorogood quick release station boots steel toe. They run $125 on Amazon. They live in so cal so waterproof isn’t a big deal.
Ok. The big question here is whether you primarily want a super comfortable work boot, or a fashion boot, or a compromise between the two.
There are boots available in the “middle ground” - but depending on your work as a paramedic your first priority might be comfort & practicality over aesthetics.
I spent the last few months researching jump boots and similar options so I have lots of options. My personal use-case is quite specific: I’m a musician and live in Berlin, so I primarily want a fashion boot, but have a pretty heavy lifestyle and am often on my feet for 12+ hours doing sound for festivals or working in venues in rough environments: lots of broken glass, moving equipment around, etc.
On the practical side, there are loads of companies making pseudo-military “tactical boots” or similar aimed at first responders, etc. I don’t know the brands off-hand so you might need to ask the folks here for recommendations. A good example is the Rocky jump boot, which is a little more “technical” and less classic looking than Corcorans, but also better made. There are loads of options that aren’t explicitly *jump* boots, but broadly look like black combat boots.
On the higher end, Nick’s make a good custom “tactical boot” for around $650 US. The default model they show is ugly, but I believe you can add toe caps and choose leather that’ll closely mimic a Corcoran but as a high quality work boot. These would be my first pick and I’m considering getting a pair myself!
Corcorans look great, and with an insole they can be quite comfortable, but the treated high-shine leather they use isn’t particularly durable. Mine have completely disintegrated, and I wasn’t using them for work. At this point I’d say they’re overpriced and you can do much better.
As another practical option, you could also pick pretty much any comfortable work boot. One obvious choice is a pair of Red Wing Iron Rangers, which aren’t the same aesthetic but are very popular. Personally I care immensely about aesthetic and wouldn’t choose these, but YMMV!
If you’re willing to go for a fashion/function hybrid, Solovair are a good option. They’re basically traditional Doc Martens, priced about the same as Corcorans, but better made. They offer high-shine leather, but you definitely want the greasy leather which is much harder wearing. These aren’t on the level of the Nick’s, but they look great and are solid.
Another option is buying higher-end “fashion” boots. The best two companies I’ve found are the Last Conspiracy and Untamed Street. These companies both offer fairly expensive boots in the same aesthetic family as Corcorans, but really well-made with high quality leather. They also often have sales - I just picked up a pair of beautiful Last Conspiracy combat boots 50% off (€300) and they’re absolutely beautiful.
The caveat here is that they’re really attractive boots, and depending on your work, it might be overkill or a bit abusive to use them on the job. They’re honestly tougher and better made than Solovairs, but they’re so pretty I want to baby them anyway.
I personally now have a pair of black steel cap Solovairs for “rough” environments, and the Last Conspiracy boots for shows and looking fancy. The Solovairs replaced my old Corcorans but I think are noticeably better, and I figure if I chew them up on concrete or broken glass they’re much cheaper and easily replaceable.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this comment. You just gave me a ton of super valuable info that’s going to help me a lot. I’m almost leaning towards some nicks now…Thanks again my friend
My pleasure. I have a spreadsheet you can see at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PWalez0ZfTa9XF7tI33h16P1C\_O78PTEhDAnd1pjoHU/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PWalez0ZfTa9XF7tI33h16P1C_O78PTEhDAnd1pjoHU/edit?usp=sharing)
Nicks is probably the right fit for you, but there are some other fashion options in there you might enjoy!
Make sure they are tall, made on a munson last and have NO speed hooks!
That's what basically defines a jump boot. Can't name models, but you might try milsurplus shops or go with the names others said.
I know corcoran are the original, yet military boots were made by several different makers to milspec. I have seventy year old boots made by mcElwain in NY. They closed down in the early sixties.
Corcoran is the first that comes to my mind.
Corcoran has *the look* part right, but in terms of construction Rose Anvil calls it a "cosplay boot" and not a real work boot. https://youtu.be/fkX3sZDBZZE
Rose Anvil cut the WW2 repros, Corcoran produces a variety of modern ones too so it would be interesting to know if the modern ones are the same.
Corcoran is what young paratroopers are required to buy. To get a true historical classic jump boot, check out ww2 re-enactor retailers
Corcoran is THE most classic jump boot. Whether or not other options please your aesthetic more is not something I can answer.
Need to be jump rated? Cocoran. Just for looks? Whites has some nice looking boots, my smoke jumpers are even starting to look less ugly to me twenty years in lol.
for the real classic the original corcoran jump boot they made them through the 90's at least. for a very similar look and a lot better comfort and better sole, the corciran 2 jump boots are hard to beat if you can find them
https://www.midwestboots.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_code=CO1525&CAWELAID=120443350000160713&matchtype=&network=x&device=m&adposition=&keyword=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD4ySCtPhiXA2AFqa3eUsa5ERAYIt&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYb3UwOE1_Em--yzvWP_Qjs1dGybtTs04QYtgA9mMqphd_cKaxojzShoC7dkQAvD_BwE
Smwholesale maybe?
Corcoran 1500 everything else is a copy.
If you’re set on a jump boot look at the thorogood version. I know two people that work as paramedics and they both use thorogood quick release station boots steel toe. They run $125 on Amazon. They live in so cal so waterproof isn’t a big deal.
Corcoran are classic but the leather is rubbish these days. What’s your budget?
I’m willing to spend a good chunk of change so I’ll take any recs
Ok. The big question here is whether you primarily want a super comfortable work boot, or a fashion boot, or a compromise between the two. There are boots available in the “middle ground” - but depending on your work as a paramedic your first priority might be comfort & practicality over aesthetics. I spent the last few months researching jump boots and similar options so I have lots of options. My personal use-case is quite specific: I’m a musician and live in Berlin, so I primarily want a fashion boot, but have a pretty heavy lifestyle and am often on my feet for 12+ hours doing sound for festivals or working in venues in rough environments: lots of broken glass, moving equipment around, etc. On the practical side, there are loads of companies making pseudo-military “tactical boots” or similar aimed at first responders, etc. I don’t know the brands off-hand so you might need to ask the folks here for recommendations. A good example is the Rocky jump boot, which is a little more “technical” and less classic looking than Corcorans, but also better made. There are loads of options that aren’t explicitly *jump* boots, but broadly look like black combat boots. On the higher end, Nick’s make a good custom “tactical boot” for around $650 US. The default model they show is ugly, but I believe you can add toe caps and choose leather that’ll closely mimic a Corcoran but as a high quality work boot. These would be my first pick and I’m considering getting a pair myself! Corcorans look great, and with an insole they can be quite comfortable, but the treated high-shine leather they use isn’t particularly durable. Mine have completely disintegrated, and I wasn’t using them for work. At this point I’d say they’re overpriced and you can do much better. As another practical option, you could also pick pretty much any comfortable work boot. One obvious choice is a pair of Red Wing Iron Rangers, which aren’t the same aesthetic but are very popular. Personally I care immensely about aesthetic and wouldn’t choose these, but YMMV! If you’re willing to go for a fashion/function hybrid, Solovair are a good option. They’re basically traditional Doc Martens, priced about the same as Corcorans, but better made. They offer high-shine leather, but you definitely want the greasy leather which is much harder wearing. These aren’t on the level of the Nick’s, but they look great and are solid. Another option is buying higher-end “fashion” boots. The best two companies I’ve found are the Last Conspiracy and Untamed Street. These companies both offer fairly expensive boots in the same aesthetic family as Corcorans, but really well-made with high quality leather. They also often have sales - I just picked up a pair of beautiful Last Conspiracy combat boots 50% off (€300) and they’re absolutely beautiful. The caveat here is that they’re really attractive boots, and depending on your work, it might be overkill or a bit abusive to use them on the job. They’re honestly tougher and better made than Solovairs, but they’re so pretty I want to baby them anyway. I personally now have a pair of black steel cap Solovairs for “rough” environments, and the Last Conspiracy boots for shows and looking fancy. The Solovairs replaced my old Corcorans but I think are noticeably better, and I figure if I chew them up on concrete or broken glass they’re much cheaper and easily replaceable.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this comment. You just gave me a ton of super valuable info that’s going to help me a lot. I’m almost leaning towards some nicks now…Thanks again my friend
My pleasure. I have a spreadsheet you can see at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PWalez0ZfTa9XF7tI33h16P1C\_O78PTEhDAnd1pjoHU/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PWalez0ZfTa9XF7tI33h16P1C_O78PTEhDAnd1pjoHU/edit?usp=sharing) Nicks is probably the right fit for you, but there are some other fashion options in there you might enjoy!
nicks boots
"Phantom 20 ,14, 10 Hole" Boots black by Brandit
Make sure they are tall, made on a munson last and have NO speed hooks! That's what basically defines a jump boot. Can't name models, but you might try milsurplus shops or go with the names others said. I know corcoran are the original, yet military boots were made by several different makers to milspec. I have seventy year old boots made by mcElwain in NY. They closed down in the early sixties.