These outstanding boots were developed with HondoTread, a venture formed in 2025 by Hank and a pal of his up in Canada. HondoTread is dedicated exclusively to resurrecting old Cold War pattern footwear, and developing other military inspired casual footwear. These boots in particular are a cut above all other reproductions on the market, and re-created with the support of BSAP veteran and longtime friend of Fireforce Ventures, Alan McKenzie.
Alan McKenzie was born in Dublin, Ireland, and hailed from a long line of servicemen, with his grandfather serving in the First World War, and a father serving in the Second World War. After college, he wanted to see Africa, as his dad had regularly discussed his own wartime experiences there. When his construction company in Ireland offered a position in Southern Rhodesia, he quickly took the opportunity to go, arriving as the Rhodesian Bush War was intensifying. In 1972, he volunteered service in the BSAP, serving extensively throughout rural Rhodesia. He specialized in night patrolling over the course of the war, and stayed on as the BSAP transitioned to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. However, after his neighbors were killed by a landmine, and with the security situation deteriorating in an independent Zimbabwe, Alan opted to leave and move to San Francisco, USA. He took up another job opportunity in Canada, where he still lives now after three decades. He maintained a pretty extensive record documentary and photographic record of the kit he used during his time serving in Rhodesia, and helped us extensively by providing an original pair of heavyweight double-buckle boots. Alan's example was heavily blackened with a dubbin application, as was the standard among the BSAP's elite PATU. He recalled being issued it upon induction in the BSAP, but eventually swapping them out later in the war for a pair of lighter weight double-buckle boots.
For most new servicemen in Rhodesia, these would have been the first pair of boots, and perhaps one of the most common operational footwear for the tens of thousands of young servicemen who went to the "sharp end". Designed to fit the role of both the ammunition boot and ankle gaiters of Commonwealth servicemen from the 1930s, the design was still somewhat antiquated by the beginning of the Rhodesian Bush War. However, these boots were by no means flimsy, designed for long durations in the field, and the unforgiving thorny bush of Africa, they still did the job for the Rhodesian Security Forces. Though many servicemen opted to swap out this initial issue footwear for non-standard shoes, hockey boots, chukkas, vellies and all other manner of footwear, these original heavyweight pattern boots still remained in active use right up until the end of the Rhodesian state.
If you're looking for something high speed and low drag, these boots aren't for you. However, if you're lookin' to wear something truly "Rhodie" in every sense - you need these boots. They're bulky, thick, and intended to take a beating - whether it be buffalo thorns, or ZANLA.
Features:
- Extremely close copy of original Rhodesian Army issue heavyweight boot pair, courtesy of our friend Alan McKenzie (former BSAP)
- Heavy duty leather construction
- Unique Rhodesian pattern reinforcement stitch at toe cap
- 8-eyelet lacing under integral anklet, as per original example
- Double-buckle secured integral anklet with correct Rhodesian pattern "butterfly" buckle
- Commando style sole, inspired by the "asterix" sole of the original - excellent tread and comfort
- Distributed and designed by our friends at HondoTread Consulting
Reproduction Note: The only two aesthetic differences are the lack of "asterix" on the soles, and the lack of a rivet on the outside of the double buckle straps. We opted to not custom develop the sole as it would significantly increase the price point of this boot, for little discernable benefit to the wearer, and a worse tread overall. The "asterix" distinctive to the originals is instead replaced with similarly shaped "pentagon" treads at the front and back, approximately 2/3rd the size of the original "asterix" on the original sole. Additionally, we opted not to include the rivet on the double buckle boots as it seemed to severally compromised the actual durability of the buckle system itself. Given that the original 10mm rivet dug into the buckle, and left less than 2-3mm of actual material on the back end of the buckle strap, this was too big of a possible failure point to include. That being said, it is something we may consider in future iterations if a 10mm rivet can be included without compromising durable - but it is not something we were prepared to do on this first run. With all this in mind, the boot itself remains the most authentic reproduction of the heavyweight pattern Rhodesian Army boot in the market!
Important Sizing Note: Sizes are available in standard US foot sizes - please note, that due to the nature of the original construction we were inspired by, the connected tongue and double buckles may be tight - please order a size up if you require a wider size, have larger ankles and/or require larger sizes for anklets/gaiters. If you have any doubt or need more clarification, please email us at
[email protected] All prices are in United States Dollars (USD). We ship internationally!
