Just before the first time I should fly in to camp for Ussoccer - I received a phone call with basic information and a nice congratulation. Part of the info was that I should bring cleats. That was the first time I had heard the expression "cleats". I didn't know how to spell it, and didn't at all understand what I was told to bring. But I didn't want to come across as stupid or un-american either. So, I kept my mouth shut, and didn't ask for clearification. Stupid, of course. Among the rest of the stuff I needed to remember in my personal and mental celebration - the pronounciation of this word started to fade, and I got lost before I could get any help or parental guidence. I even wondered if I had been asked to bring "clean sheets" - but on second thought I didn't think the US soccer program was that much unappreciated / second class to other sports, or just financially poor. But then again.......hmmm. Then I rememberd that the person had said something about personal items - so toothpaste and that kind of stuff was on my mind until I guessed it could have something to do with food or bringing a food box with something that was not foreign to my diet. I went through a lot of alternatives. Boots were NOT one of them. Therefore I am very happy that you now asked me straight forward about boots. My first answer, hopefully, ought to make you feel just as stupid as I did - entering camp with a sleeping bag and soy hot dogs. Not.
When you hear a rattler - trust your instincts, or your boots.