Military Boots: Craftsmanship Meets the Conditions

Our saviors working in Army, Royal Navy or RAF cannot just wear any boot they want. Military boots are more like arsenals to them, the boots fulfill some must have requirements; precisely to help their job.

There are five different categories of boots namely-Patrol Desert Combat High Liability, Desert Patrol, Combat High Liability, and Cold wet weather; you should look out if you are specially looking for military boots. These types of boots not only ensure comfort but also fit the purpose of the field of work the army member concerned is in.

Here, in this article we will proceed with the comprehensive guide regarding the boots and the conditions they have to fulfill to be chosen.

Basic AR670-1 Boot Guidelines

It is rather simple in terms of Basic AE670-1 Boots guidelines. Currently, you shall find two types of authorized army boots namely -Temperate weather boots and Hot Weather boots. These boots feature three colors – toe, tan or coyote. The lace must be done diagonally.

Why guidelines are important for army boots?

• Guidelines are designed specially to prevent any discomfort during any major or minor task.
• To perform duty without any hindrances of cheap or shoddy equipments, guidelines are necessary.
• To keep the troops looking sharp, to allow them covering grounds with less wear and tear.
• To boost the effectiveness of combat.
• To maintain a restricted code of conduct
• For campaigning medium sole thickness with a few cleats boots are necessary.
• The regulations are made such a way so that the boot appears longer lasting than other fashionable commercial shoes.

Desert Patrol Boots

These boots are lightweight patrolling, perfect for training, lightweight tabbing on mixed terrain and rubble with rock within the temperature – 10 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius. 

YDS desert and magnum Scorpion Desert are two approved boots for this section and the boots have to be made with suede and fabric upper, with fabric lining. Moreover, the Scorpion Desert comes with Nitrile rubber sole and Desert Falcon a PU.

Why Desert Patrol Boots?

Desert Patrol Boots are perfect for:

• Mounted troops
• Drivers
• Armoured troops who conducts lower level of activity in desert like environment (Exceeding 40 degrees)
• Also can be used for limited treat of combat (medium to low)

Desert Combat High liberty Boots

Meindl Desert Fox and Haix Desert Scout are the two types of approved boots in this category. Both feature suede and fabric, fabric line and PU/ Nitrile sole.

Why Desert Combat High Liberty Boots?

• Perfect for dismounted troops  involved in intensive combat use
• Well-suited for high level of activity in desert like environments ( exceeding 40 degrees)
• Best for terrains including rubble, rock, track,field and road with temperature 10 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius.

Combat High Liability

Alt – Berg Defender and Haix Scout got approved in this section. To be made in highly water resistant way Alt-Berg Defender boots comes with water resistant leather upper, fabric lining with a mixture of Microcellular rubber/Nitirile rubber sole.

The Haix Scout, on the other hand features fabric and leather upper and a moisture absorbent Gore- Tex lining and PU/ Nitrile rubber sole; these features ensure water resistant capability.

Why High Combat Liability?

• It suits best for intensive combat troops use
• Preferable for high level of activity
• Made for lightweight patrolling, variety of terrain such as rubble, field, rock and track.
• Suits in temperature from 10 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius and Humidity level- 0%- 80%.

Patrol Boots

In the section of Patrol Boots you will find YDS Kestrel and Bates Ultra Light to be approved. Having a fabric with a mixture of leather upper and fabric lining, these boots can be used medium combat level.

Also, Bates Ultra Light and YDS Kestrel features EVA/ Nitrile rubber sole and PU/ Nitrile rubber sole orderly.

 Why Patrol Boots?

• Patrol boots are specially designed for mounted troops like drivers or armored troops conducting lower level  of activity (where the combat threat is medium to low)
• Can be used for training, lightweight patrolling and tabbing on road, rubble and rock with temperature of 10 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius.
• Can be used in limited periods of combat.

 Cold Wet Weather Boot

To provide best service in terms of high level of activity even in chilly environment “Karrimor SF” has been specially designed. Also, it is recommended to use it with Highlander Norwegian Army sock or Snugpack Merino Technical sock specially made for cold weather.

Why Cold Weather Boots?

• It is specially designed for high level of activity in cold and wet environment.
• Best for personnel or winter operations and training exercise in winter.
• Can be worn in arctic and coastal areas, rough/ moorlands with temperature from 19 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius.
• The Karrimore SF has water resistant upper and moisture absorbent Gore-Tex and thermal lining. Plus, a PU/Nitrile rubber sole. 

Branch regulation

Despite having cool and reliable features it requires branch regulations to be maintained in terms of wearing boots. If the boots meets the regulation only then it can be approved. While using commercial boots, there is a list to follow on page 112 of the DA PAM. It’s really important to get used to the fact that Commanders have discretion and can choose only standard issued boots.

Final words: Military boots are not just best craftsmanship in terms of looks; it has to meet certain regulations. As the question of saving nations comes here, the equipments and boots have to be pitch perfect ensuring best service. The design should be such a way so that the soldiers can jump, run, walk, climb and dodge easily.

People serving in military branches have to go through endless regulations and choosing boots is no different in this consideration. But the regulation is worth it; someone belonging from army cannot just buy any boot from a store they want and use it in the battlefield. The footwear has to be friendly while jumping in dangerous tasks and that is military boots require special custom designs.