More and more people are looking for Samelin boots after coming across the brand on social media, combat boot forums, or through friends who have been walking on their M77 combat boots for years. Still, for Dutch, Belgian and German buyers it is often hard to find out where you can order these boots reliably, what the right size is, and which model suits you. In this article we set it out clearly.
What exactly is Samelin?
Samelin is a shoe manufacturer from Tartu, Estonia, that has been producing boots for military and civilian markets since 1945. Under NATO AQAP 2110 and ISO 9001 certification the company supplies several NATO armies, including Germany, Norway, Finland and Estonia. In 2017 Samelin was named “Estonia's Defense Industry Company of the Year”.
The M77: the best-known model
The M77 aka Norwegian Combat Boots is the best-known model in the Samelin range. Originally developed for the Norwegian army, and ten years in development before the first version was delivered, the M77 is nowadays recognizable by its thick full-grain leather (2.8–3 mm), steel reinforcement and direct PU sole injection. The boot is even mentioned on the Wikipedia page about combat boots.
Important to know before you order: the M77 runs large. If you normally wear size 42, we recommend half to a full size smaller, especially if you plan to wear them with thicker socks in winter.
Which model suits you?
- Military look, daily use: the M77 or the lighter 2077 (M77 2.0) with a double-layer sole
- Hiking and outdoor: the 553P and 5531 series, with waterproof nubuck leather and a 4-layer Topaz membrane
- Urban and versatile: the 517 Aviator Boots, a light ankle boot of water-repellent leather
- Women's model/casual: the 511 series, a punk-inspired boot that can be worn all year round
Why order via a Dutch/Belgian/German shop?
Samelin does not sell directly to consumers, but works with a network of webshops that offer the range. Many of those shops are international and English-only. For buyers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany that often means: English size charts, no local-language customer service, and uncertainty about shipping costs and return policy under European rules.
At Noreline you get product information in your own language, a clear size chart, shipping from Europe, and the statutory 14-day right of withdrawal that applies to EU consumers.
Frequently asked questions
Are Samelin boots made to NATO standard?
Yes. Samelin is certified to the NATO quality standard AQAP 2110 and ISO 9001, and supplies several NATO armies.
Do Samelin boots run large or small?
Most models run large. We recommend ordering half to a full size smaller than you are used to, unless stated otherwise on the specific product.
How long do I need to break them in?
Expect 2 to 4 weeks of regular wear before full-grain leather models like the M77 are fully broken in.
See the full range in our collections, or read more about Noreline.