Boots and Foot Gear [Archive]

buglerbilly

08-05-10, 07:30 PM

Army Testing New Mountain Combat Boot

by christian on May 3, 2010 ·

Kit Up has learned that the Army has been testing three versions of a new Mountain Combat Boot that builds on the current Danner Talus Combat Hiker issued to troops in Afghanistan (PEO clarified that the Combat Hiker is similar to the Talus, but is made in the US whereas the Talus is made in Asia).

According to PEO Soldier, the new boot is very similar to the current kicks in that it’s between 7.5 and 9 inches tall, waterproof, has both leather and abrasion-resistant fabric construction and is designed “for use in rugged, mountainous terrain.”

Each also incorporates a durable speed lacing system that incorporates a “lock-lace” to help secure the laces and to allow the user to independently secure the forefoot prior to securing the upper.

Kit Up has obtained exclusive pictures of the new boot candidates made by Danner, Wellco and Belleville. Each looks pretty sweet and are tan in color (PEO corrected me and said they’re ‘olive’ though they look tan in the picture) to better comply with uniform regs. We’re told the Army is in the final “field evaluation” phase of the Soldier Enhancement Program-initiated Mountain Combat Boot search.

PS – I owe a huge debt of gratitude to “Mountain Trooper” who tipped me off to this story back in early March when we wrote about the current Mt. Combat Boot. In his comment, MtTrooper said “I was told by a source that a new model is coming out soon and meets the army standards so they can be worn in garrison prior to deployments. They are 8 inches high and the color is tan. I wish they would have issued more of these boots and it would have saved soldiers money from civilian purchases.”

I followed up with PEO Soldier that day (March 9) and asked about this initiative and was told by my source they hadn’t heard anything. I continued to query on this for two months with no definitive response. It now turns out we were right and should have been able to confirm this story much earlier.

So thanks to our helpful readers. And I just want to encourage readers to submit tips like this and to know we’ll run them to the ground until we get the gouge.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/2010/05/army-testing-new-mountain-combat-boot.html#ixzz0nMcnq3RO

Pictured here is the Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Mt. Combat Boot. The Mountain Combat Boot research and development initiative, under the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP), is designed to provide a boot based on Soldier feedback for use in rugged mountainous terrain. The primary focus of the program is stabilization of the foot and ankle, to decrease lower leg injury in unpredictable, uneven terrain.

Pictured here is the Danner Mt. Combat Boot. The Mountain Combat Boot research and development initiative, under the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP), is designed to provide a boot based on Soldier feedback for use in rugged mountainous terrain. The primary focus of the program is stabilization of the foot and ankle, to decrease lower leg injury in unpredictable, uneven terrain.

Pictured here is the Wellco Enterprises Inc. Mt. Combat Boot. The Mountain Combat Boot research and development initiative, under the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP), is designed to provide a boot based on Soldier feedback for use in rugged mountainous terrain. The primary focus of the program is stabilization of the foot and ankle, to decrease lower leg injury in unpredictable, uneven terrain.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/2010/05/army-testing-new-mountain-combat-boot.html#ixzz0nMdbjdeb

buglerbilly

11-05-10, 01:28 AM

Swiss military socks unveil new high-tech socks

(AFP) – 3 days ago

Swiss Army troops are getting high-tech socks

GENEVA — The Swiss defence ministry on Friday unveiled new high-tech sweat-absorbing socks that were tested by dozens of soldiers roaming the countryside with a different sock on each foot.

Sixty recruits equipped with a pair of boots and 10 socks each of three different types were sent off on a "merciless" five-day test mission, with orders to wear odd socks, the defence ministry said in a statement.

"The recruits were not informed beforehand about the socks they would wear, in order to obtain results that were as objective as possible," it added.

Feet were tested every day after a six kilometre (3.73 mile) march to check for humidity, irritation and blisters, while the soldiers themselves were quizzed about the experience.

The novel wool and synthetic socks -- developed by a sock maker and the Swiss federal laboratory for materials science and technology -- should pamper recruits by warding off blisters, the military procurement agency concluded.

"The prototype socks made with different fibres reduce rubbing on the heel and toes, absorb sweat and are particularly pleasant to wear," it noted.

The Swiss army's "Sweat Management" project has already come up with a four-layer army clothing system. Boots are also being tested to match the socks.

Earlier this year the Israeli newspaper Maariv revealed that Israeli soldiers had been testing socks that could be used for two weeks in a row without a stink.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

buglerbilly

25-06-10, 02:47 AM

From Military Times Gear Scout.............

Hiking Boots for Combat - 2 For the High Road, 2 for the Low

June 24th, 2010 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis

Afghanistan topology is a rocky challenge for traditional combat boots. From the lowland’s rock strewn wadis to the boulder and scree covered valley walls in the north, the only unifying features are the dry, rocky soil and crazy elevation changes. Sticky rubber soles, lighter materials and updated midsole designs have units switching from traditional combat boots to technical hiking boots despite the increased cost.
Hikers offer more stability and comfort with less weight which translate into increased endurance over broken, hilly or outright mountainous terrain. If you’re thinking of going off the deployment packing list, be prepared to shell out 2-3 times as much for a hiking boot and make sure your command is going to allow it.

Consider:

Sand: Sand eats everything. The finer the sand, the deeper it will work into fabrics and tear them up from the inside out. The leather boots we tested held up well with a little maintenance. Keeping the leather moist by applying a little cream sealed them against sand damage. The fabric uppers are going to get thrashed. The sand gets into the stitches and cuts slowly abrades them. The only way to help is to try to wash the sand out, which is tough when you’re living on bottled water.

Boot Upper Construction- Split leather is common in lighter boots. Cow skin is separated into layers; “split leather” is the inner, more supple layer of cow skin while top or full-grain is the outer, tougher layer. Though they don’t look as interesting without all the waves and logos, boots with fewer stitches in the upper are more durable and will be more water resistant. Conversely, fabric uppers with lots of ventilation are going to keep your feet cooler. Working in arid climes, waterproof liners like Gore-Tex and Event add unnecessarily to the price of a boot and can make a boot feel hotter. When it’s 105+ degrees, you’re boots are going to be dry 30 minutes after stepping in that irrigation canal, anyway. In the higher altitudes of the Pech, waterproofing is a worthwhile addition considering the snow and cold winter temps.

Midsole- the heart of the boot. It provides the cushion and feel of the boot. Many manufacturers have moved away from old-school steel shank to a composite system made from a rigid polymer layer or layers, depending on the boot. Polymer construction is lighter and allows the boot maker to tune the flex pattern and stability of the boot with far more precision.

Many lighter hiking boots have thick, cushioned midsoles made from EVA foam, making them similar to the running shoe midsoles. EVA midsoles absorb shock well but compress and become stiff over time. Molded thermoplastic polyurethane sheets is often used to reenforce EVA foam and is a lightweight way to stiffen a boot’s sole. Heavy duty hiking boot midsoles are made with polyurethane or thermoplastic rubber midsoles. PU and TPR don’t provide the soft cushioning of EVA foam, but it supports heavier loads and lasts longer. All the boots in this article have EVA or EVA/TPU midsoles. This means the boots will offer greater performance at the cost of long term durability when used with tactical loads.

Outsole- Deep lugs alone aren’t going to get you there. Manufacturers balance their sole rubber between between longevity, friction and stiffness. In the past, softer soles are grippier and can be made more supple, but will wear out the fastest. But newer manufacturing techniques have led to better compromises. Flex points make stiffer soles easier on the foot and newly formulated sticky rubber can approach traditional stiff rubber in longevity.

Lacing system: Lace hooks are fast, but can catch and tangle in small lines and bring you down in some situations. Eyelets are strong, but not the easiest to lace up quickly and evenly. Webbing is light, but adds a lot of friction into the lacing system and can be hard on laces. Choose your poison and carry a spare set of laces.

For the High Ground-

Asolo Flame GTX $215 (Size 9) 649g/1.43lbs

The Flame is Asolo’s update to the venerable Fugitive. It’s 10% lighter and has a new composite midsole that provides more support and stability by fitting high and low density EVA materials together with polyurethane reenforcement under and around the heel. In testing, the Flame felt light. It tracked and climbed well in scrambles and held traction moving up steep boulder fields. The tread pattern, with the addition of the Asolo brake lug, kept things under control during descents. The Gore-Tex boot was dry and warm at the end of a 12-mile winter hike through slush and light snow. The fully gusseted tongue helped keep water out, but it’s a little light on padding to spread lacing compression out across the top of the foot better.

Kayland Vertigo High $223 (Size 9.5) 690g/1.52lb

The Vertigo Highs don’t feel like the beefy boot they are. The difference in swing weight between the Vertigo and the Flame was unnoticeable when worn together. The sole is thicker and offered a bit more cushion, but at the expense of a little stability. The Vertigo High also felt stiffer which helped on steep climbs, but led to a little tow slapping on the flats. Traction was incredible on rocks and packed trails, up and down. Built with only three pieces of split leather, the upper is durable and will break in a bit around the foot more like a traditional hiking boot. The all-leather construction and eVent membrane lead to a warmer boot that performs best in the highlands. Kaylands run small, the 9.5 measured out the same as a size 9 in our other boots.

For the Low Ground -

Lowa Zephyr TF Mid $170 (Size 9) 547.5g/1.2lb

The Zephyr Mid was the lightest boot in the group and it’s thin sole took some getting used to. Lowa says they have a 3/4 length shank in the sole, but the boot felt a few notches up from an aqua sock. The outsole transmits the feeling of every pebble and pavement crack to your foot. At first it’s unnerving, but it the incredible feel will quickly turn into an asset the first time you have to move quickly and quietly. The split leather reinforced mesh upper and lack of waterproof membrane made a big difference in the 110 heat in Now Zad, Afghanistan. The sand, however, weakened the laces enough to break in a few weeks. The boot upper’s stitching was also showing some advanced wear from the FOB moondust.

Five Ten Pursuit $135 (Size 9) 560.5g/1.24lb

5.10’s rock climbing heritage is on display with the public service oriented Pursuit. It’s evident in the boot’s stiffness and in it’s proprietary Stealth rubber sole. The TPU (plastic) shank and lack of flex zones in the forefoot make this an incredible climbing boot. Stick a toe in a chain link fence and the boots will nearly walk themselves up. The widebody footprint and rock-solid heel cage also afford gads of stability, but the upper could use a little more height to take full advantage of the boot’s stability. 5.10 smartly used a mesh tongue with an elastic gusset to vent heat without compromising the split leather upper’s strength. The shallow lug pattern won’t pick up as much mud from irrigation canals as deeper lugs.

buglerbilly

04-07-10, 01:43 PM

Piccie update to the article above with User boots not archive images.................

Asolo Flame GTX

Asolo Insole..........

Next up, Kayland Vertigo High..........

buglerbilly

04-07-10, 01:47 PM

Kayland Vertigo High

Nex up, Lowa Zephyr TF Mid.............

buglerbilly

04-07-10, 01:51 PM

Lowa Zephyr TF Mid

Next up, Five Ten Pursuit...............

buglerbilly

04-07-10, 01:58 PM

Five Ten Pursuit

buglerbilly

10-07-10, 05:51 AM

Via Soldier Systems...........

Tactical Research Khyber

July 4th, 2010 Tactical Research has introduced the Khyber, a hybrid mountain boot that is designed for scrambling up and down rocky faces. In fact, the Ibex outsole from Vibram is exclusive to the Khyber. Already available in Desert Tan, MultiCam versions will be ready by August.

MultIcam version.........

RRP: $114.99

TR560 Khyber Mountain Hybrid Boot:

The newest boot to the
Tactical Research by Belleville line.

http://apelgear.com/cart/tacticalresearch560multicamcombatbootsize105r-p-1528.html

Ø ACU Approved
Ø Exclusive Vibram® IBEX Outsole for Rugged Terrain
Ø Deeply Serrated Heel Kicker Aids in Braking & Arresting a Slide
Ø Rappelling Bars Extend Wear of Outsole
Ø Deeply Serrated Toe Bumper Aids in Vertical Climbing and Crawling
Ø Aggressive Lace to Toe Style Allows for a Customized Fit
Ø TR1 Orthotic Load Bearing Insole
Ø Breathable Combat Lunar Lining

Low Profile Sole Reduces Weight and Improves Mobility

buglerbilly

11-08-10, 01:46 AM

Army Close to Mountain Boot Call

by christian on August 10, 2010

Kit Up! just participated in a conference call with PEO Soldier, talking about a variety of fielding updates and initiatives going on throughout the Army.

We’d like to update our readers on the status of the Army Mountain Combat boot program. Officials say they’re close to a decision on the final design of the mountain combat boot after Soldiers spent months evaluating three options.

“We think the final Mountain Combat Boot will exceed everybody’s expectations,” officials said.

PEO Soldier expects to have a decison on the final design and put out a contract for production next month and plans to field the new boot to all Soldiers beginning next spring.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz0wFmtgPOY

The one comment so far is worth printing.............

Zach · 4 hours ago

I've worn the standard boots and similar mountain boots, I prefer the standard boots because the restriction is nice to have on the ankle when climbing (I fell of a ledge before and my boot saved me a sprained/ broken ankle on the top of a mountain). The mountain boots are just a funny idea they just weigh down my feet and make noise.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/2010/08/army-close-to-mountain-boot-call.html#comments#ixzz0wFnZEfHm

buglerbilly

17-08-10, 03:42 AM

Teva Riva Mesh

August 16th, 2010 | Off-Duty Product Announcement | Posted by Stickman

Teva Riva Mesh is one of the newer offerings from Teva, which is a name best known for its sandal offerings. Teva was founded in 1984 by Mark Thatcher, who was working as a rafting guide. His design for a sporting wet weather sandal took off, and gains in popularity provided gains in amount of products offered.

Moving forward, Teva has branched out past its stable of sandals and into lightweight hiking shoes. Shown below is the Tea Riva Mesh, which is a lightweight shoe built to be highly breathable with large mesh panels for hot weather.

People who know me understand that I wouldn’t bother to write a review on shoes unless there was some reason or way to tie it into a larger picture. In this case, shoes you wear off duty are more than just about comfort, or a way to match your belt. Shoes tie into a larger picture and mindset. If your vehicle breaks down, how far can you walk? How well-prepared are you in general? To be more to the point, can you fight in what you are currently wearing? A police chief in a school shooting a few years back found himself running to aid his men. Chiefs aren’t known for wearing tac gear and full load outs, and this one was no exception in his slick bottomed dress shoes. He went up a hill only to find himself coming back down the hard way. On or off duty, be prepared, the chief wasn’t and clearly stated in certain circles that all cops need to be ready at all times.

The vast majority of our readers are of the same mindset as myself. We hold a duty to country and family that doesn’t stop just because we aren’t in uniform. Think about your family and the safety you provide to them. Do your slick-soled pretty shoes hold up if you need to fight?

While Teva certainly isn’t selling these shoes with a combat mindset, they offer features that I find important. Lets start from the bottom and work our way up.

The Teva Riva Mesh uses a Vibram sole that is well-textured, and gives a secure grip in a variety of conditions and surfaces. I’ve worn these on concrete, fine sand, wood and grass. Most importantly, I wore them to visit a friend and his kids, and had the chance to walk up their plastic slide. I was impressed with how well these did, and while I won’t recommend running up children’s slides, I had no troubles. There are not many outdoor obstacles as slick as a kids’ slides.

Teva states they use a “blended polyurethane/EVA unit in the heel cup that evenly transfers the energy of impact throughout the footbed and away from the heel.” I tested the heel cup by jumping and landing on my heels. No complaints with the heel cup in impact, walking or in the way they fit. The heel is very comfortable for my foot.

The opposite side brings us to the toe box, which is wide and generously cut. I don’t think it’s a shock to anyone that our feet swell when it’s hot, and my latest trip to a sporting store had a very nice lady explaining that it’s not uncommon for feet to go up by almost half a size, and pointed out that you need extra room in the toe box than most people think. There are a list of feet and toenail problems that can be brought about by poor shoes or shoes that don’t fit. While I don’t have fat feet, I found the extra room comfortable, and the shoe construction prevented my feet from sliding around.

The front of the Teva Riva Mesh have a rubber layer for added protection, and will help the shoe leather from getting torn up. For people who get into the details, the rubber has a fine texture and is sticky enough for grabbing if you are a climber. If you aren’t a climber, I guess you could impress your friends and neighbors by opening cabinet doors or something else a bit less exciting.

The lacing system is secure and works with the overall Teva Riva Mesh design to secure your foot nicely without any pinch points. The leather eyelets blend nicely into the design of the shoes for fashion-conscience people, and the top eyelets are metal for greater durability.

While I might sounds like I have a fetish, I always check the interior of shoes to see how the stitching is done. A minor glitch in a stitch might seem acceptable in a store while trying on shoes, but it will almost assuredly come back to bite you when you least expect it. Interior stitching tells the story of overall quality. A check through the Teva Riva Mesh had no sharp edges, protruding stitches or other oddities.

Wide mesh panels on the side give great breathability to these shoes. They probably lessen the weight by a bit as well, but these are already a pretty light shoe.

Looks are subjective, and while I’m not exactly the most fashionable guy, I’m pretty happy that way. These shoes work for me based on the above factors. I can work out of these, I can fight out of these, and I can kick back, look good and drink beer while wearing these. In the end, that’s a pretty good recommendation.

My favorite Teva rep (Peter) pointed out the four fun facts listed below. I like it when a rep drops the fluff and gives me straight info.

* Full grain nubuck w/mesh upper
* Nylon shank
* Shock pad in heel
* Vibram outsole

RRP: USD$ 90.00

Check out www.teva.com for more info.

buglerbilly

24-08-10, 03:48 AM

Teva Riva Leather Mid Event Hiker

August 23rd, 2010 | Off-Duty Product Announcement | Posted by Stickman

The Teva Riva Leather Mid Event is one of the newer offerings from Teva, which is a name best known for its sandal offerings. Teva was founded in 1984 by Mark Thatcher, who was working as a rafting guide. His design for a sporting wet weather sandal took off, and gains in popularity provided gains in amount of products offered.

Moving forward, Teva has branched out past its stable of sandals, and into lightweight hiking shoes. Shown below is the Teva Riva Leather Mid Event, which Teva considers a “Light Hiking Shoe.” Being that it comes up above the ankle, I consider it a boot, but I won’t argue the point, on opening the box I was much more interested in how it fit than what they called it.

This Teva Riva follows a similar script from the other Teva review recently done above.

People who know me understand that I wouldn’t bother to write a review on shoes unless there was some reason or way to tie it into a larger picture. In this case, the shoes you wear off duty are more than just about comfort, or a way to match your belt. Shoes tie into a larger picture and mindset. If your vehicle breaks down, how far can you walk? How well prepared are you in general? To be more to the point, can you fight in what you are currently wearing? A Police Chief in a school shooting a few years back found himself running to aid his troops. Chiefs aren’t known for wearing tac gear and full load outs, and this one was no exception in his slick bottomed dress shoes. He went up a hill only to find himself coming back down the hard way. On or off duty, we all need to be prepared, the Chief wasn’t and clearly stated in certain circles that all cops need to be ready at all times.

The vast majority of our readers are of the same mindset as myself. We hold a duty to country and family that doesn’t stop just because we aren’t in uniform. Think about your family and the safety you provide to them. Do your slick soled pretty shoes hold up if you need to fight? What about if its raining?

While Teva certainly isn’t selling these shoes with a combat mindset, they offer features that I find important. Lets start from the bottom and work our way up.

The Teva Riva Leather Mid Event Hiker uses a Vibram sole that is well textured, and gives a secure grip in a variety of conditions and surfaces. I’ve worn these on rough and smooth concrete, fine sand, wood and grass. I had a chance to hose down a concrete sidewalk and see how these did in wet weather. In a pleasant surprise, I found wet traction to be very solid. The bottom looks aggressive , and more importantly it grabs the ground in the same manner.

Teva states “A blended polyurethane/EVA unit in the heel cup that evenly transfers the energy of impact throughout the footbed and away from the heel. This energy return actually provides greater spring with each forefoot push-off.” I tested the heel cup the same way I did the other Tevas, by jumping and landing on the heels. The heel absorbs the impact well enough, especially when you consider this is sold as a “light hiking shoe”, and not a heavy duty climbing boot. The heel cup snugs up quite well, and there is no slop in the heel when I wear these.

The toe box feels like it is cut extra wide. For people with fatter feet, or anyone who knows that their feet are going to swell in hot weather, this is a large plus. I’ve been told that feet can swell up to a half size throughout the day and in hot weather. This is a consideration any time we look at boot sizing, and it looks like Teva has taken this into account as well.

The lacing system of the Teva Riva Leather Mid Event Hiker runs through leather eyelets for the first four, and then uses metal eyelets for the upper three. I found the lacing to be secure, and even when the shoe is laced tight, there are no pinch points or areas of discomfort.

A wide rubber strip give protection to the leather by wrapping around the front. Its not like I can see polishing these, but this should prevent the toes from getting scuffed up when you kick a curb.

The interior of the Teva Riva Leather Mid Event Hiker shows smooth even stitching. There are no threads that need to be trimmed, nor are there any rough spots to cause irritation during long term wear. The Event Fabrics liner is clearly visible in this image. Event Fabrics state their materials are both wind and water proof. The benefit of Event Fabrics isn’t that its water proof, because any manufacturer can slap a plastic into their boot and make it a portable sweat box. Event Fabrics is able to do this while retaining the breath-ability of the material, specifically, it allows sweat to escape. The ability to keep your feet dry is of obvious importance, even when its off duty shoes we are talking about.

My favorite Teva rep (Peter) pointed out the 5 fun facts listed below. I like it when a rep drops the fluff and gives me straight info.

* Full grain waterproof leather
* eVent waterproof breathable membrane
* Nylon shank
* Leather lining
* Vibram outsole

Appearances are subjective, but to me, the appearance of the Teva Riva Leather Mid Event Hiker is pretty classic, and these have a nice overall look to them. More importantly, these get the seal of approval from my off duty supervisor, which keeps me happy.

Good traction in wet and dry weather, comfortable fit, and looks that go with just about anything I wear give these a place in my closet.

Check out www.teva.com for more information.

The one comment is worth noting..........

Comments

1.Ged Carroll Says:
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:04

I have had my set for 5 months as a replacement for my well-worn Brasher Kamati GTX and I love them. They do feel roomy inside. One of the reasons why eVent is probably better than Goretex for some people is that event isn’t as good at holding heat.

I was a bit worried about the excessive stitching on the leather and the detailing affecting the boots under punishment, but it seems to have held up well.

One last thing on the look and feel, the boot fits well but doesn’t feel locked on like other hiking boots, it is more of a ‘shoe-like’ fit, its different but don’t that put you off.

buglerbilly

28-08-10, 01:15 AM

Cornering the Sock Market- Part I: Sock 101

August 27th, 2010 | Cordon & Review Roundup | Posted by Rob Curtis

Dropping $15-$20 for a pair of socks can be a traumatic experience, but not as traumatic as a foot full of blisters. When tube socks come by the dozen at big-box stores for a fraction of that, what makes a pair of high-end socks so expensive?

The modern hiking sock’s duties are threefold — to eliminate friction, move moisture away from the foot and provide cushioning. Friction between your foot and your boot’s interior causes blisters; moisture trapped against the foot softens skin and increases friction; and cushioning absorbs the impact of footfalls and can improve the fit of a boot.

Hosiers knit socks from only a few yarn materials. The primary yarns define the sock’s overall performance, while the secondary yarns add strength and elasticity, but also can impart features such as odor control, added warmth or faster drying. Grab a pair of socks off the rack, and you’ll see the yarn materials listed as percentages right on the label. The amount of each of yarn material gives an idea what you can expect from a sock.

Click through for the full rundown on what to look for in a sock.

Primary materials

Primary sock yarns are cotton, wool or synthetics. These do the heavy lifting in the sock and provide the features promoted on sock packaging. A breakdown of each material:

Cotton is cheap. That’s it for the upside. If you work in your boots, stay away from cotton and cotton blends. Instead of wicking moisture, it absorbs and retains sweat and moisture, which leads to blisters and bacteria growth. The practice of buying cheap socks and tossing them after a patrol will get you through short missions, but if you end up humping outside the wire for a few days, it won’t take long for Kmart socks to turn your feet to hamburger.

Raw wool is antimicrobial and wicks moisture well. It’s one of the few fibers that wicks liquid and vapor moisture. It also retains warmth when it’s wet. All these natural qualities make it an ideal material for socks. Trouble is, it’s itchy.

The current industry vogue is merino wool. Merino is a fine-gauge wool from merino sheep, most of which are raised in New Zealand and Australia. These sheep produce a garment-grade wool staple — i.e. hair — that is thinner than 24 microns. This thin wool is shorn, scoured and spun into a tight yarn that isn’t as hairy as yarn spun from thicker fibers. Finer-staple wool translates into a tight yarn with fewer and thinner stray wool fibers to rub your skin and cause itchiness.

The sock marketplace has grown crowded lately, and there are lots of voices trying to get their product to stand out.

SmartWool is the 900-pound gorilla of premium wool socks and uses lots of merino wool in their socks. The company stresses the performance of the wool and uses a sandwich knit on its Phd hikers that puts wool on the inside and outside of the sock. Other sock makers use nylon on the outside to protect the wool from wearing through. SmartWool says if your socks wear out before you get you money’s worth, send them back and the company will replace them.

Point 6 differentiates its product by using compact-spun wool yarn that’s smoother and more expensive than ring-spun wool. It feels smoother and pills less. Darn Tough emphasizes the fit, finish and durability of its merino socks. Bridgedale stresses its technical construction and advanced yarn materials. Injinji has got the toe sock market, and Thorlo has got you padded in all the right places.

Acrylic yarn is made made from dissolved and drawn plastic that results in a fuzzy thread or yarn that feels slick in your hand. Acrylic is cheaper than wool and wicks moisture well and is slippery enough to prevent friction. But, it pills easily — the fibers form tiny balls of material on the survace of the sock. The majority of synthetic fibers found in socks are made from polyester, polypropylene or blends of like material that stand on their own or are paired with other engineered materials like CoolMax or PrimaLoft. Synthetics also mimic or enhance the wicking, antimicrobial and insulating properties of wool while adding durability and reducing friction and may add antimicrobial features such as Xstatic (silver threads) or chemical treatments to reduce reekage.

Secondary materials

These make up the skeletal structure of the sock. A 100 percent wool or acrylic sock would end up looking like closed-bottom leg warmer, shapeless and useless. Nylon is durable as heck, but doesn’t do anything to promote moisture movement or insulation, so sock makers use as little as they can to hold a sock together. Some manufacturers leave nylon on the outside of the sock, as an effective barrier to abrasion. This makes sense in wool socks if you’re after durability. Elastic is the last ingredient, branded as Lycra or Spandex. A sock with a high percentage of elastic will fit well, but at the cost of the benefit of material it replaces in the knit.

The fit

Just like shoes, sock shapes are based on three-dimensional foot shapes that are averaged and then cast into a solid shape called a “last.” Each hosiery company uses its own last, so some will match your foot better than others. A baggy heel or toebox will cause blisters, and a tight sock will loose its cushion and comfort and wear quickly as fibers are pulled apart. Try different socks in different sizes from a few sock makers for the right fit. Knitting socks into these lasted shapes is one thing that adds to a good sock’s manufacturing cost. Cheap tube socks are knitted around a tube, not a foot last. That’s why they bunch at the top of the foot and stretch out at the heel.

Construction

The story of a sock’s construction is told on the inside. Grab a sock and turn it inside out. Start with the sock’s body. Boot socks are generally regarded as cushion or full cushion. Full-cushion socks have loops, called terry loops, covering the entire inner circumference of the sock. Partial-cushion socks have built-up terry loops only in high-impact areas such as the ball, heel and achilles area, which reduces bulk, weight and cost.

On some wool socks, you might find the footbed is a thick, un-looped area instead of terry loops. This is felted construction and is extremely durable. The felted wool offers less cushion but stands up to abrasion better than terry. Felt tightens up, shrinks and eventually becomes stiff over a few months of laundry cycles if thrown in the dryer. If you can stand caring for them properly, felted socks will last longer than looped wool socks.

Look at the loops themselves. Are they tall or short loops? Long loops will provide lots of cushion at first, but over time they will flatten out and leave a matted surface. Shorter loops have a little more structure and will provide a little less cushion that will last longer. Also look around for loose ends. Not a big deal, but socks with cool looking designs and lots of different cushion areas leave lots of stray thread ends that can catch on toenails and begin the process of unthreading a sock from the inside out.

How about the knit? Socks are knit by machines using hundreds of needles at once. The needle count dictates how many loops can be packed into a knit. Ragg wool uses about 80 needles; hiking socks come in at about 150 needles; and tightly knit dress socks are upwards of 200 needles.

The midfoot area should have some elasticity to form an arch band that holds the sock in place and keeps it from getting baggy under your arch.

Look at the toe and feel for a flat toe seam with no bulging knots of thread at the ends. The heel cup should be well padded and have a smooth transition to the ankle shaft. Some boot socks will carry loops all the way up the ankle shaft of the boot. This will insulate your ankle from the cold and will provide cushioning for unlined boot shafts. Cushioned shafts are great in the cold, but in warm weather and shorter boots you don’t need them.

Ribs in the ankle shaft add a little more structure and hold the sock up in concert with a sewn over welt at the top of a crew height sock. Ankle socks rise above and hang on the calf, so a big elastic welt isn’t needed to keep the sock up.

Conclusion: In describing the value proposition of a modern sport sock, it’s impossible to avoid the tube sock argument.

Most of us have been raised wearing cheap tube socks, and they work fine in daily life. So that’s why some scoff at performance sock prices. But let’s reverse the terms by saying your feet are the most important source of survivability and deserve more than just what is adequate on an easy day in garrison. Remember that whole mobility-equals-survivability argument that one the day for plate carriers in Afghanistan? Well, the same argument applies to your feet.

We’ve all heard of, if not participated in a two-week-long “48-hour op.” Donning a pair of cotton tube socks at the outset of a mission is just as bad as rolling without a back plate or grabbing just one bottle of water on the way to the trucks. If the op goes long, your teammates are going to have to take up the slack when your feet turn to hamburger. So why risk it? Nobody blinks at $20 gloves or $80 eyepro. Boots and socks are an important combat mobility and survivability system and should be treated accordingly.

Coming up in the next installment, GearScout reviews a few socks. Then, Sunday, we’ll give you a look at a few new entries the sock market.

buglerbilly

29-08-10, 05:25 AM

Cornering the Sock Market- Part II: The Reviews

August 28th, 2010 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis

Over the past few months, GearScout has been looking at what’s new in socks, trying socks out and gathering sock recommendations from the infantry. We’ve noted where we’ve tried a sock and will report back with the results after getting foot time in on the rest of the sample group. Click through for a rundown on six socks we gave the boot:

SmartWool Phd Outdoor Medium Crew, $22, 79% Merino wool/ 20% nylon/1% elastic [GearScout: Best Perfomer]

This was a favorite of the infantry up in the Afghan mountains, and we can see why. SmartWool uses a sandwich-plated construction that places layers of merino on the inside and outside of the sock. Skeletal nylon and elastic are kept in the middle. The result is a sock that absorbs and pushes moisture all the way out of the sock. The idea is moisture will get pulled from the inner layer, across the nylon threshold, by the wool on the outer layer and transfer to the boot or hold it away from the foot while it evaporates. SmartWool accepts the lower durability of wool sandwich vs. nylon-on-the-outside sock construction by placing performance above durability in the Phd. In use, the Phd performed well but did show signs of wear after a few months, notably a little pilling, and the terry loops have begun to mat down a bit.

Point6 Defender Crew $18, 61% Merino wool/37% nylon/2% elastic [GearScout: Best Value]

As a sock company Point6 is a bit of a ringer. Started by the founders of SmartWool, Point6 hit the sock market with an edge, and its product shows it. Its made-in-the-USA line of public-service socks uses a plated construction that has nylon on the outside for durability. Point6 also uses compact spun wool that makes a tighter, less hairy yarn the company says is stronger and more comfortable than traditional ring spun yarn. It feels different, for sure. The sock does feels smoother, but the claims of added strength are hard to substantiate. We tried by wearing a SmartWool Phd on one foot and a Point6 Defender on the other foot for a month straight in northern Afghanistan. We raised the stakes by not washing the sock at all during the wear test to see how the antimicrobial claims fared against a month of built-up foot sweat, but the results were inconclusive. Both socks remained intact, supple and odor free(ish). Point 6 gets a slight nod for durability since the sock still looked and felt pretty much like it did on Day 1. While the Phd did show a little wear, it was overall a little more comfortable. In the end, though, it was a wash. Both socks performed, though the Point 6 might win out on value in the long run.

Continues................

buglerbilly

29-08-10, 05:40 AM

Continued..........

Darn Tough 14021 Boot Sock Cushion $20 63% Merino wool/32% nylon/5% elastic

Darn Tough socks are made in Vermont in the company’s own factory — something other big sock names can’t say. Overseeing its own sock production gives the company the ability to do a few things other hosiery companies can’t. For one, Darn Tough played a lot with the number of needles used in the knitting and came up with a 168-needle count sock. This is a little higher needle count hiking socks and means more terry loops and a tighter knit. This gives more cushion and combines with Darn Tough’s wool-on-the-inside, nylon-on-the-outside construction to make a sock that has 10 times the abrasion resistance of wool-nylon-wool socks. Darn Tough has a full range of Berry compliant socks that run from white merino PT socks up to no-kidding merino FR mountaineering socks. All are favorites of SOCOM units for their fit and durability. We have had a commercial version of the 14021 boot sock in rotation for two years, and it’s just beginning to show a little matting on the inside, but no holes. It’s not a plush feeling sock, but offers ample cushioning without a lot of bulk.

Patagonia Midweight Hiking Crew $19.50 65% chlorine-free merino wool/20% nylon/12% polyester/3% spandex

Patagonia’s hiking sock is the only one we’ve tested that uses a felted construction. Predictably, the sock was bomber on the bottom when it was new and supple since there is no knitting to interrupt the merino under the foot. But, just as predictably, we didn’t have time to air dry our laundry, and the socks made us pay for it. Within a few months, the socks shrank and stiffened to the point it was tough to get them on. If cared for properly, these socks perform as well as the SmartWool’s sandwich construction socks while offering the durability of a felted sole.

Continues............

buglerbilly

29-08-10, 05:42 AM

Continued...........

Fox River Himalaya Mid Wt. Crew $18, 34% Primaloft/34% Merino wool/30% nylon/2% spandex

Another technical sock, the Himalaya pairs synthetic PrimaLoft yarn with merino wool to produce a sock that insulates far better than a sock this thin should. The PrimaLoft fibers not only insulate, but they are quite tough, and after months of wear, the sock showed little sign of wearing out. There is no pilling or tightening. Although thin enough to be mistaken as a summer sock, it would be a great choice for winters in the desert where it would manhandle temp swings from the 40s to the 80s.

Bridgedale Special Operation Sock $19, 44% nylon/27% merino wool/27% polypropylene,/2% Lycra

Bridgedale is a European sockmaker known for high-tech materials and manufacturing. We used the thin-cushioned SOS sock in Afghanistan’s arid Helmand province for a few weeks and found it dealt with heat and sweat effectively, but, the high percentage of nylon, the tight welt and a baggy shaft conspired to keep the sock from staying up. The SOS is still around in stores, but Bridgedale won’t be making any more of them.

buglerbilly

30-08-10, 03:26 AM

Cornering the Sock Market- Part III: What else is out there?

August 29th, 2010 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis

Beside the socks we had a chance to evaluate, we thought our readers would appreciate reading a little about some other socks we heard about. This list is not exhaustive, but just meant to give you a place to start your sock quest. These were either pointed out as worthy footwear by our Grunt network or are new socks with promising features. Either way, we hope to get some miles in each and give you a non-blistering report on each. Click through for a rundown on another six socks:

Bridgedale X-hale Light Hiker $18, 39% nylon/26% Nanoglide/17% Merino/17% polypropylene/1% elastic

Hitting the US later this year, the X-Hale Light Hiker is a tech-infused merino crew height sock with sculpted padding areas. Bridgedale ‘s newest sock technology uses a new material called Nanoglide, with yarns the company says contain micron-sized super-slick particles that all but eliminate friction between foot and boot while wicking moisture.

buglerbilly

30-08-10, 03:29 AM

Thorlo MAF Anti-Fatigue Socks $19, 82% Thorlon acrylic/9% nylon/5% Spandex/4% Xstatic

We haven’t had a chance to try Thorlos yet, but we do know they are a very popular synthetic sock. Thorlo uses its own acrylic yarn, called Thorlon, that the company says outperforms cotton, wool and common acrylic yarns. Thorlo’s pitch is tons of padding that holds up. Its acrylic wicks moisture away from the skin faster than natural fibers. The MAF sock has a silver Xstatic yarn knitted in to fight bacteria. For a fully synthetic sock, the MAF seems a bit pricey, but Thorlo’s come with a money-back guarantee promising that the socks feel better than ordinary socks, so you don’t risk much in trying them. They are also made in the USA.

buglerbilly

30-08-10, 03:34 AM

Lorpen TCL Midweight Merino Hiker, $16, 75% Merino wool/15% nylon/10% elastic

Another European brand, Lorpen mixes things up a bitby using a huge amount of elastic compared to other socks we looked at. These socks are going to stay put. The protect their wooly innards with a plated nylon exterior construction and feel quite plush. Lorpen, like a other manufactures, uses a more open weave on the top of the foot to allow circulation. The heel and toe are beefed up with a densely packed merino loops. The toe seam stands out among our sock samples for it’s width. While most of the other socks pile terry loops in the toe seam to mask it, the TCL’s seam looks like a huge scar across the top of the foot. There’s no doubt it’s strong, but it without a long term test we can’t say how it affects comfort. We’ll come back around on this one.

buglerbilly

30-08-10, 03:38 AM

Goodhew Light Hiker, $20/2-pack 68% Merino/30% nylon /2% Spandex

An American apparel accessory company that makes a wide range of lifestyle socks has a few good hiking socks in its product range. The classic light and medium hikers represent a great value coming in at only $10 for a merino sock knitted in the USA.

buglerbilly

30-08-10, 03:42 AM

CEP Trekking Compression Sock $60, 84% polyamid/15% elastic/1% silver

The compression sock used to be for old folks, but somebody figured out that athletes can benefit from their use during and following activity. Compression socks theoretically increase blood circulation and provide more oxygen to muscles, which allows for improved lactic acid dissipation. A compression sock is all synthetic and doesn’t offer all that much in the way of padding for a so-called trekking sock. But, with a fit this tight, blistering shouldn’t be an issue provided the fibers can move moisture away fast enough. It’s also worth pointing out that this is the first sock we’ve seen shaped for the left and right feet. There’s some serious 3-D knitting voodoo here. We only tried these for a day and will come back around with a review after some foot time.

buglerbilly

30-08-10, 03:45 AM

Injini Midweight Mini-Crew Toe Sock $16, 60% Coolmax/35% nylon/5% Lycra

Injini toe socks began in the running community as a way to reduce blisters by putting some fabric between the toes. That was back in 2004 and might well have died as a passing fad. Except, barefoot running caught on. Then Vibram FiveFingers added fuel to the free-toed fire. They may be a pain to put on, but if you’re prone to toe blisters and can stand having a bunch of fabric between your toes, then you might give them a shot. The midweight cushion sock is new for Injini and should be out sometime this winter. It has more padding underfoot than the current toe socks and will come in a crew height that’s more appropriate for use downrange than these cute little socks. Injini uses Coolmax yarn for hot weather performance in this sock.

buglerbilly

19-09-10, 06:14 AM

Via Soldier Systems.........

Double Up on Socks to Prevent Blisters?

Q.} Hi Kristin, I was wondering if wearing two pairs of socks really helps prevent blisters/toe damage? If so, what do you recommend for the second sock? I usually use a merino wool blend, heavy cushion sock with my boots, and occasionally will get some blisters.
Submitted by: jr - Hollywood, Florida

A.} Back in the old days, when backpackers wore those itchy, ragg wool socks, it was imperative to wear a silky liner sock against your skin. Those things were like Brillo pads! But today’s fine merino wool feels luscious, and I never have problems (unless the boots don’t fit, and that’s another story!).

But some people experience perpetual friction inside their boots—whether it’s due to a bunion or a callous or some other quirky shape. And if that’s you, I’d recommend trying a thin liner sock, for sure. The idea is that the liner rubs against the wool, not your skin, and you’ll notice a big reduction in friction and hot spots. Liners are also great at wicking—consider them like base layers for your feet—so your feet stay drier, which also reduces the chance for blisters.

Check out these inexpensive ($5) Coolmax liners from REI to see if they solve your problem. Just be sure to size them properly: they should fit very snugly and smoothly, so there’s absolutely no wrinkles or gapping, which will just exacerbate your problems.

http://www.rei.com/product/737999

buglerbilly

23-09-10, 02:27 AM

Hike and climb in Scarpa’s new Dharma Pro approach shoe

September 22nd, 2010 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis

Exum Mountain Guides wanted a fully supported hiking boot they could use to get from the mountain base well up into the vertical. The trick was finding a beefy approach shoe that performed like a hiking boot down low, but could stick and smear on the big scramble and rock faces up high. Most approach shoes are like climbing sneakers, they aren’t made to support a guy wearing a big pack. Exum ended up going to Scarpa for some help and the Dharma Pro was born.

Scarpa makes some great mountaineering footwear; you may have a pair of their popular Kailash hiking boots from your last deployment. Exum is the county’s oldest climbing instruction organization and even has a military program called XMS3.

Scarpa’s upcoming Dharma Pro takes the approach shoe concept a step further by adding sticky dot climbing rubber under the forefoot and giving it a mid-top for more support and protection. The shoe itself is a modified version of their Zen approach shoe. Scarpa replaces the hiking tread with sticky dot climbing rubber and ads extra height to help keep scree out of the boot when moving through talus. The fully board lasted construction in the Dharma Pro is straight out of the old school rock climbing playbook.

Board lasted means there’s stiff platform that the upper is sewn into from beneath. This sits atop the midsole and gives the shoe a lot of torsional rigidity and underfoot support. Practically speaking, this means when you put your big toe on an edge, the whole length of the shoe becomes a platform to support your foot. This is in contrast to a slip lasted construction, which feels like a slipper –offering great feel, but little support.

This brings us to the why-should-I-care portion. Northern Afghanistan. At least on paper, this shoe looks like a great patrol boot. It’s light, but has support. It’s got a fully realized hiking boot heel complete with a breaking tread for the trail. The climbing shoe stiffness and stickyness are ideal for getting up the mountaingoat-steeps when you’re already off balance from carrying weapons and gear. Lastly, the Dharma Pro is a non Gore-Tex shoe, which means the thing will not get clammy in the heat.

On the downside, it’s still using an EVA midsole which is lighter and more cushiony than a PU midsole. So, its not going to last under load as long as a true hiking boot. Also, consider the effect of using board lasted construction in a hiking boot. Scarpa’s board is made form cellulose fiber and polyurethane resin which will flex, but without wearing one it’s hard to know if it will feel too stiff and end up as a ground slapper on the flats.

Scarpa NA is importing the Dharma Pro as a limited run to go on sale in January for $169 MSRP. If you want to give them a shot, get in line now at the retailers listed below. Scarpa also revamped their website last week and added an ecommerce feature so you can shop from their site, but I’m guessing these shoes will all end up out at retailers.

From Scarpa’s spec sheet:

•Durable leather construction
•Mid-top height provides good support without restriction
•Sticky dot rubber forefoot for solid climbing performance
•Cushy heel and defined braking area for stability and traction up and down
•Upper: Suede
•Lining: Vellutina
•Plate: P-Flex
•Midsole: Dual-Density Molded EVA
•Outsole: Vibram® Spyder/Dot combo
•Last: BH
•Sizes: 36 – 47, 48 (half sizes)
•Weight: 454g; 16oz (1/2 pair size 42)
•Color: Smoke/Fog
•Product Code: 72555/350
Available from:
Oregon Mountain Community, Portland, Oregon
Tent and Trails, New York
The Mountaineer, New York
Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder, CO
Bent Gate Mountaineering, Golden, CO
Mountaingear.com
Zappos.com

buglerbilly

28-09-10, 01:59 AM

Gore Adds Model to its Combat Boot Biz

by christian on September 27, 2010

The world’s top purveyor of waterproof/breathable rain and outdoor wear is edging more and more into the lucrative combat boot market with a new boot it says does better than the competition in hot and temperate climates.

Specifically marketed as a hot weather boot, the Extended Comfort Footwear boot claims to allow more moisture out and less moisture in than any other boot for warm climates.

With a single-wall construction, GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Footwear has been engineered specifically to ensure maximum breathability without compromising durable waterproof performance. Unlike other jungle or hot weather footwear, boots with this new technology have proven to provide waterproof protection and breathable comfort. Lab tests showed that these new boots retained 90 percent less water than comparable boots and that breathability over time was excellent. In field tests, participants perceived that these boots kept feet as cool as both the current desert boot and the temperate weather boot.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz10mVm5Y3L

buglerbilly

30-09-10, 11:50 AM

Via Soldier Systems..........

Rappel On!

September 30th, 2010

We spied these babies in the New Balance booth at Modern Day Marine. The Rappel from OTB Boots will be available in both low and high topped versions.

You may notice that the rubberized toe looks a little different than what you are used to. It’s because the rubber has been printed onto the toe which eliminates the glue and stitching that increases weight (and cost) and is vulnerable to wear. You will also notice the cut out breathing panels to increase airflow. Unlike other boots, the padding has also been eliminated from those areas.

While the low top version is a straight forward light hiker, the high topped variant sports a couple of features that make it a great candidate for a covert assault boot. The instep has integrated cleats to help retard descent while fast roping and the sides are covered in rubberized fabric that resists wear and increases friction.

Available early 2011 from New Balance’s OTB Boots brand.

http://www.otbboots.com/

buglerbilly

01-11-10, 04:18 PM

Mountain Combat Boot Stalled

by christian on November 1, 2010 · Comments (0)

But is that such a bad thing?

If you ask Soldiers wearing the current Mountain Combat Boot, a version of the Danner Combat Hiker, there’s nothing to improve. But the Army, being what it is, is a bit uncomfortable with anything but a uniform solution, so early this year they launched a formal mountain combat boot program to field a standard solution to all Soldiers.

As you may remember, we’ve been on top of the Army’s mountain combat boot story since the beginning(even being held off my Army PAOs so they could feed the info to a one-time competitor). We reported here that the service planned to come to a final decision on the boot design by September............

First of all, we think we’re issuing a pretty good boot right now with the RFI items. So we don’t feel like there’s a glaring capability gap that we’re not giving Soldiers. We are giving Soldiers a good capability now. But when we go to a final design and open it up for production to everybody, we want to make sure we have the chance to incorporate all the Soldier feedback and what they want out of a mountain boot.....................

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz142nc6van

buglerbilly

12-11-10, 01:01 AM

Danner Gets Big New Boot Order

by christian on November 11, 2010

The parent company of Danner boots, LaCrosse Footware Inc., announced yesterday it had received a $5 million order for its Danner Combat Hiker, the extremely popular version of the Army’s mountain combat boot.

“We believe this order demonstrates that the United States Army trusts Danner to deliver the best quality footwear for extended wear and high performance in harsh mountain terrain and challenging weather conditions,” said Joseph P. Schneider, president and CEO of LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. “Danner continues to remain focused on combining our deep understanding of what soldiers need in the field with our expertise in innovative product engineering, unique manufacturing capabilities and a passion for our craft.”..........................

RRP: USD$295.00

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz151drb6O7

ADMk2

12-11-10, 04:31 AM

Danner boots are teh sh*t. 7 years I've had my Danner Arcadia's and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. The only issue is a slight heat issue in summer time under some conditions, but it isn't a show stopper by any means, just a relief when you finally get the chance to take them off and put your feet up, but that is the same with any boot.

Easily the best boot I've ever owned. I highly recommend them.

buglerbilly

16-12-10, 02:24 PM

stuff up!

buglerbilly

07-01-11, 03:04 PM

I had a pair of Scarpa's back in the day given to me, great boots, passed on to my mate's son in the Royal Marines as I didn't wear them more than a time or three.............I wore to death another pair

SCARPA KAILASH GTX – Scarpa goes to War

January 7th, 2011 | Photo Recon Review | Posted by Stickman

Six months ago I received a call from a friend in the outerwear industry. He let me know that Scarpa had sold 3,000 of their Kailash GTX to the Army, with the bulk going to Rangers and SF guys, and asked if I was interested in reviewing a pair. Not a hard question for me to answer, I was more than a little interested.

I set the parameters for this review to cover a few different things. They needed to be comfortable under heavy loads, while crossing streams, in the snow, in sand under long hikes and while being worn for extended periods. Unlike boots that people pick up to look good, those of us who live and fight in boots have a different appreciation for footwear. With that in mind, the review got started. We also wore this boot while doing lots of shooting, it wouldn’t be much of a Military Times review if we left that out..................EDITED............

Read more: http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2011/01/07/scarpa-kailash-gtx-scarpa-goes-to-war/

buglerbilly

13-01-11, 02:41 AM

Camo Boots!?

January 12th, 2011 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis

Magnum and Danner will be releasing full camo boot designs next week at SHOT. They gave us a peek, and they look cool. Maybe airsoft cool at the moment, since we are all used to solid colored boots. But, if you look at a guy in the prone, his feet will stand out compared to the uniform covering the rest of his body. As a percentage of coverage, it’s a small amount and it’s low to the ground. It makes me wonder if the small benefit in coverage is worth the higher price.

Ultimately, if you can afford it I don’t see why you wouldn’t want full camo coverage. ROI arguments go out the window when talking about combat equipment. When lives are on the line, nobody wants to veto an upcharge when there’s only 7.62 millimeters between soiled britches and grave injury.

The latest we’ve seen in commercial camo patterned footwear come in A-TACS and MultiCam. It’s not surprising that we haven’t seen AOR boots because of the regulations placed on manufacturers working with the sensitive camo pattern.

But, why no MARPAT? That’s a little more complicated. Before a boot company would risk spending the cash to produce an inventory of USMC branded footwear, the Marines would have to express interest in issuing the boots Corps-wide. Then, the Marines would have something to say about commercial sale of the boot since it bears their trademarked camo pattern.

Danner will be releasing the A-TACS / Danner all-camo TFX tactical boot, above, in Gore-Tex ($190) and hot weather ($170) versions. Magnum will have a few offerings in MultiCam, including the Spider 8.1 HP1 ($200), below, and the Sidewinder HPi ($250).

buglerbilly

14-01-11, 01:47 AM

A bit more on the Magnum boots via Soldier Systems............

Magnum to Release MultiCam Boots at SHOT Show

January 13th, 2011

Magnum is definitely a favored brand of the British armed forces who adopted a MultiCam variant called Multi-Terrain Pattern developed specifically for them by Crye Precision. MTP is restricted to the UK MoD but MultiCam isn’t and due to the matching colorways, it blends right in. As we reported last September Magnum has developed two new boots in the MultiCam pattern.

Unfortunately at the time we were unable to take any photos but here you can see that Magnum went to painstaking detail to manufacture a MultiCam boot that also integrated a camouflage sole. Oddly enough, when our Editor worked with the Australians in Kuwait in 98 some of them had Taipan boots with camo soles. Apparently, they had noted that their troops stuck out while in the prone due to their solid colored soles but the project was just a one off and didn’t go anywhere. Interestingly, the Canadians looked at camo soles recently and found that the enhancement made no discernible improvement in the Soldier’s signature.

At any rate, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some serious interest in these across the Pond. In fact, one of Magnum’s advisors on the project is a former Royal Marine Both the Sidewinder and Spider are impressive and include the ion-mask™ hydrophobic surface enhancement which essentially shrink wraps the entire boot so that it cannot absorb moisture into the materials.

The Sidewinder includes printed suede patches and looks to be the heavier of the two.

The Spider is one helluva boot combining numerous special touches such as a patch of super fabric to mitigate wear and tear on the boot during fast roping as well as a Tec-Tuff leather toeguard, Vent-Guard™ sandproof ventilator technology, and TPU exoframe reinforcement for increased stability.

Check them out in booth #11164.

www.magnumboots.com

buglerbilly

14-01-11, 03:54 AM

Deleted, I don't think either photo are Camo Magnums...........I now think they are these.............Desert MK 5 Magnum Boots..........

buglerbilly

14-01-11, 01:50 PM

From Soldier Systems..........

Bates to Unveil New Footwear at SHOT Show

January 14th, 2011 Naturally Bates is going to unveil at least a couple of new styles at SHOT Show. After all, they are a footwear company. But we have been fortunate enough to see behind the curtain and preview a couple of these styles at their headquarters in Michigan last fall.

Bates is expanding their iCS line with the Delta-9 in Desert Tan. What it does is introduce the iCS Adjustable Comfort Technology to the world of desert boots. This “dial” technology allows each individual can choose the comfort zone that’s right for them by inserting a disc shaped dial into a channel in the heel of the boot. Different positions correspond to different ways that the foot interacts with the boot’s sole.

Additionally, Bates is introducing the Light Hiker and we think it is going to give the Improved Combat Hiker currently used by troops in Afghanistan a run for its money. Obviously, by looks alone you can see that it is not the same boot but rather incorporates some commercial technologies that many in the military will already be familiar with from the outdoor segment. The Light Hiker is just that, being designed for use as a hiker and perfect for scrambling and carrying light loads.

These are but two of the many tactical and duty footwear that Bates will be launching at SHOT show. Be sure to visit them in booth #12262.

www.batesfootwear.com

buglerbilly

20-01-11, 03:26 AM

From SHOT Show 2011 via Soldier Systems.........

Under Armor Goes MultiCam

January 19th, 2011 Not only is Under Armour introducing an entire new line of footwear which includes the MultiCam Speedfreek. I haven’t worn them yet, but I can say that they are very lightweight.

------EDITED------------

buglerbilly

20-01-11, 05:17 AM

Danner’s new Descender boot: For when you need to drop in

January 19th, 2011 | Product Announcement | Posted by Dan Lamothe

Heading out of town Monday for SHOT Show’s media day on the range, a striking scene greeted us: A massive billboard o’ boots.

The boots in question were Danner’s new Descender line, which won’t be ready to ship until July or available to the general public until the fall. It’s designed specifically for vertical insertion, something that could appeal not only to SWAT personnel, but perhaps military special operators, too................EDITED..............

Read More: http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2011/01/19/danners-new-descender-boot-for-when-you-need-to-drop-in/

buglerbilly

21-01-11, 12:31 AM

Magnum USA rolls out new MultiCam boots

January 20th, 2011 | Product Announcement | Posted by Dan Lamothe

No more pics, look above if you don't know what they look like! The comments are of interest here..................

I’ve spent a fair amount of time checking out boots this week at SHOT Show, and I’d like to humbly submit my new favorite: Magnum USA’s Sidewinder and Spider boots, in MultiCam.

The boots highlight a common theme here at SHOT. Dozens of companies are either demonstrating or introducing MultiCam products to the market, each of which signed a license agreement with Crye Precision, MultiCam’s creator, before producing their products. Think Crye is cleaning up? Yeah, me too.

Anyway, both MultiCam boots were officially launched this week. Magnum says they were tested in Afghanistan by U.S. and British special operators, becoming the first MultiCam boot to be wear-tested in theater.

The Spider boot (in MultiCam below) incorporates leather and ballistic nylon into the upper, a leather toeguard to resist snags and abrasions, a sand-proof ventilator technology near the toes known as Vent-Guard, a shock absorbing sock liner and fins on the sole to silently grip walls. It weighs 21.4 ounces. It was new in desert tan in 2010 with a suggested retail price of $165. With the MultiCam, the price jumps to $200.

The Sidewinder boot is brand-new in general, in addition to being new in MultiCam (pictured above). It will reach the market in desert tan in March, and in MultiCam in June, company officials said. It incorporates a suede upper with nylon panel for breathability, a leather toeguard, lace eyelets that will not shine or glint when scratched, among other features. The desert tan version ($200) will reach the market in March, with the MultiCam version ($250) out in June.

buglerbilly

22-01-11, 08:53 AM

New shots of the Danner Camo Boots...............from SHOT Show 2011 via ITS Tactical..............

buglerbilly

22-01-11, 09:07 AM

Close-ups of both the MAGNUM Boots...................from SHOT Show 2011 via ITS Tactical..............

They look pretty damn robust from the close-ups!

buglerbilly

29-01-11, 01:22 AM

MagnumBootsUSA | January 28, 2011

For those of you who couldn't join us at SHOT Show 2011, here's an inside look from the perspective of CEO Bob Kaiser and the Magnum USA team.

A big thank you to those who attended and stopped by our booth. The show was truly a success for Magnum USA, and we're proud to launch a new arsenal of products in 2011.

buglerbilly

29-01-11, 02:52 PM

So, What Is This ICS Technology You Speak Of?

January 29th, 2011 We’ve mentioned Bates Footwear’s Individual Comfort System (ICS) technology in the past but this video taken by TacticalGear.com at SHOT Show gives you a great idea of what it all means. Thanks guys!

tacticalgearvideo | January 27, 2011 |

Andrew Fowler, Director of Sales at Bates Footwear, explains Bates' latest innovation--combining its Individual Comfort System (iCS) with five new styles of boots. The five styles include a low sport shoe, an athletic trainer, both 6-inch and 9-inch Gore-Tex Side-zip versions and a desert tan boot. These boots will be available for purchase on http://tacticalgear.com and http://militaryboots.com in March 2011.

www.batesfootwear.com
www.tacticalgear.com

buglerbilly

31-01-11, 01:12 PM

From Soldier Systems..........

What’s Next from Salomon?

January 31st, 2011

About two years ago, Salomon introduced the Quest 4D in Grey to a couple of specialized military units. Uber Group, US reps for Salomon took a look at Salomon’s international offerings and came up with the Cosmic in Grey, bringing it right into the US market.

The boots are somewhat similar so the bottom line is; the Quest is sewn construction and the Cosmic is glued. While both integrate running shoe technology, think of the Cosmic as the next step based on construction. In the photo above, you can see the Cosmic in the foreground and the Quest peaking from the back.

Now, this last bit is cool as hell. Rumor has it that the Cosmic is vegan. Now how awesome would it be to know that you are being environmentally and socially conscious while you are hunting down Islamo-fascist terrorists? I mean, you would totally score with the chicks if you let slip “Well sure I terminate with extreme prejudice, but I wear vegan footwear while doing it.”

Available VERY soon from purveyors of fine tactical equipment.

buglerbilly

02-02-11, 10:46 PM

Belleville Wins Mountain Combat Boot Competition

by christian on February 2, 2011

While it looked for a while as if the Army might have been stalling its mountain combat boot program in favor of keeping things as is with the much-liked militarized Danner Combat Hiker, the service has picked Belleville to produce an Army-wide version of the boot.

It was a close call, the top officer in charge of Soldier equipment told Kit Up! during a Pentagon meeting, but Joe liked the Belleville boot a smidgeon better.

Soldiers found the Belleville version slightly more comfortable, slightly better grip, slightly better fitting and, it turns out, they’re just a bit cheaper. It was really close, but that’s why we went with the Belleville design.

The boot pictured above is an earlier version of the Belleville submission, with the final version incorporating a rand that runs uniformly around the boot, rather than in two pieces. One thing that’s interesting is that the Belleville boot uses the exact same Vibram sole design as the Danner, but colored it in tan.

So pretty soon, look for the new (tan) Mountain Combat Boots to be issued for deployments to Afghanistan and for all Joes to wear CONUS after that.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz1CqPXL9jl

buglerbilly

13-02-11, 02:23 AM

From Soldier Syems...........

Magnum Isn’t Just About MultiCam

February 11th, 2011

I know it seems a bit odd that we would be downplaying MultiCam but the SHOT Show buzz surrounding Magnum’s new MultiCam footwear has kind of overshadowed their current offerings. So if you like the styles you saw in MultiCam or work somewhere that would not allow you to wear camo boots, you need to know that those same models are currently available in Black and Desert Tan.

Take for example this version of the Sidewinder HPi in Desert Tan. It has all of the features of its camouflaged brother that we wrote about before SHOT Show. They include the ion-mask™ hydrophobic surface enhancement, SuperFabric arch panel and an OrthoLite insole combined with a Vibram sidewinder outsole.

www.magnumboots.com

buglerbilly

15-03-11, 12:48 AM

Magnum Spider 8.1 Tac Spec HPi Product Trailer

Uploaded by MagnumBootsUSA on Mar 14, 2011

Thanks to the feedback from some of the world's elite operators, we're proud to announce the latest addition to the Magnum Spider series, the Spider 8.1 Tac Spec HPi. Built around the needs of SWAT, HRT, SORT and ESU, key features of this boot include:

Fast-Rope System with SuperFabric®

-With our TPU mold and SuperFabric®, our Fast Rope System reduces any friction and melt that typically occurs on a fast rope descent.

Vent-Guard™ Ventilator Technology

-This patent-pending technology allows air to flow in and out of the toe box, while simultaneously blocking any outside debris from coming in. This cooling aid saves you from foot fatigue and maintains breathability at all times.

ion-mask™ Hydrophobic Surface Enhancement Technology

-Our unique ion-mask™ treatment gives our footwear excellent liquid repellency, which stops external water, blood pathogens and chemicals from getting in -- while allowing perspiration to escape. Unlike membrane technologies, ion-mask™ is not a physical barrier, so it delivers the full natural airflow as well as reducing unnecessary weight.

Additional features include:

-Full-grain leather / 1650 denier ballistic nylon upper
-Tec-Tuff leather toeguard resists snags and abrasions
-TPU exoframe reinforcement for support
-Spider Mesh lining for comfort and breathability
-Certified to EN 20347:2004 safety standard
-Ergonomically designed
-Metal detector safe with non-metallic TPU shank
-Lace storage system on tongue
-Spider outsole with reinforced stabilizers and flexible toe fins to silently grip walls
-Weight: 21.0 oz.
-Sizes: 7-12, 13, 14, 15; available in medium (D) widths only

A lightweight, fast assault boot built on quality and performance -- not just looks alone. We are Magnum.

For more info, visit: http://www.magnumboots.com/tacspec/

Dan T

29-03-11, 03:24 PM

buglerbilly

01-04-11, 01:46 AM

Marine Corps recalls new boots from war zone

By James K. Sanborn - Staff writer

Posted : Wednesday Mar 30, 2011 15:43:37 EDT

The Marine Corps is recalling more than 8,000 of its new rugged all terrain boots — many of them being worn by troops in Afghanistan — after reports they are falling apart in the field, Marine Corps Times has learned.

Problems with the hot-weather RAT boots include separation of stitching and glue at the seams, said Lt. Col. Kevin Reilly, the program manager for infantry combat equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va. Eyelets that allow the boots to breathe and drain water also are falling off.

“These failures are not due to the RAT boot’s design, but its manufacturing process and improper materials used in the manufacturing of the boot,” Reilly said. “That’s what caused a durability issue.”

Have you had problems with the new RAT boot? Email us your story. Please include your name, rank and duty station. Your comments may appear in a future issue of Marine Corps Times.

The RAT boot is set to become the Marine Corps’ new standard, with plans to add it to the sea bag in 2012. It will replace the Infantry Combat Boots that Marines have worn since 2002.

About 8,000 of the recalled boots, manufactured by Michigan-based Bates, have been issued to the “operating force,” although it was not immediately clear how many of the boots are being worn by Marines in Afghanistan.

“We are presently trying to determine that information,” Reilly said. “We know of one battalion that has them. The purpose of the recall will be to ensure that no more of the Bates hot-weather RAT boots get to Afghanistan.”

Hot-weather RAT boots are also produced by Danner, but to date the Marine Corps has purchased only Bates’ version. The contract for Bates’ boots includes 105,000 pairs. About 67,000 were delivered before these defects were discovered and delivery was halted.

Representatives from Bates were not immediately available for comment.

Marines with defective boots should not dispose of them, Marine officials said. They can continue to wear them if the boots show no obvious defects but should alert their command nonetheless. A forthcoming message will detail how the boots will be collected and returned to the manufacturer.

Defects with the boot first surfaced in February after members of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, began reporting durability issues during pre-deployment training at Twentynine Palms, Calif. The battalion is now operating in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

The Marine Corps stopped delivery of more hot-weather RAT boots produced by Bates and has begun working with the company to correct the problem, officials said.

Temperate-weather versions of the boot, produced by Danner and Welco, are also excluded from the recall.

buglerbilly

01-04-11, 01:55 AM

Thanks for a very informative thread!

I have two questions that would be glad is someone could help me with.

1. I'm looking to purchase a new pair of boots, and have been browsing around, also the reason why I ended up in this thread.
I was looking toward Danner's Military Combat Hiker boots, since they seem very solid though heavy.
But now I learned about Scarpa's and those kind of "trekking" boots, rather then hiking.
I normally have a pretty heavy rugsack, and walk in terrain, so I need some boots that can take some beating.
To me Scarpa and those kind of models seems less strong..or am I wrong?
What I love about leather is that you can basically just walk into mud, water etc and don't really care..not sure if it's the same with Trekking boots?

2. Does anyone know the name of the rugsack the guy is wearing?
In post 33 on page 4
http://www.w54.biz/showthread.php?24-Boots-and-Foot-Gear&p=12489&viewfull=1#post12489

Any clues or suggestions would be much appreciated

Cheers, Dan

Welcome Dan,

I see nobody has answered your comments yet so allow me to give you what advice I can....................in reverse order........

2) NOT sure but I may have read somewhere exactly which pack that is but its pretty damn hard usually to identify just from a pic...............a lot look similar or near-identical.

1) Scarpa's have a pretty good reputation for robustness and solidity of design, as do a number of other manufacturers in this category. Now a bunch of these boots are used in Afghanistan by serving troops of a number of nations so IF you want to use them under similar/same circumstances, go for it. Danner make great boots, but I know of at least two cases where their robustness was less-than-perfect...............saying that it still wouldn't put me off buying a new pair if I had a need! Scarpa's and other new lighter weight designs use materials that are modern, effective and very robust, mud and water won't effect tham any more than more traditional designs in leather, and some would argue that they are far better at wet-weather use in any case. You also need to use the right socks and internal layers irrespective of what you use.

Anybody else knows better then let them jump and correct or add to anything I have said.

Dan T

01-04-11, 10:08 AM

Welcome Dan,

I see nobody has answered your comments yet so allow me to give you what advice I can....................in reverse order........

2) NOT sure but I may have read somewhere exactly which pack that is but its pretty damn hard usually to identify just from a pic...............a lot look similar or near-identical.

1) Scarpa's have a pretty good reputation for robustness and solidity of design, as do a number of other manufacturers in this category. Now a bunch of these boots are used in Afghanistan by serving troops of a number of nations so IF you want to use them under similar/same circumstances, go for it. Danner make great boots, but I know of at least two cases where their robustness was less-than-perfect...............saying that it still wouldn't put me off buying a new pair if I had a need! Scarpa's and other new lighter weight designs use materials that are modern, effective and very robust, mud and water won't effect tham any more than more traditional designs in leather, and some would argue that they are far better at wet-weather use in any case. You also need to use the right socks and internal layers irrespective of what you use.

Anybody else knows better then let them jump and correct or add to anything I have said.

Thanks a lot Bugler.

Do you know which one look similar or near identical? I doesn't have to be exactly that brand, but a similar back!It looks awesome, and seems to have plenty of space:o)

Thx for the info on the boots. I'm doing a hiking in the mountains of Sweden above the Artic Circle, it's a pretty rough and stony enviroment.
So thought some strong leather boots would do it, also if wearing a rugsack with the weight.
I love the awesome details on boots you guys have here!
Thanks for sharing

Cheers Dan

buglerbilly

01-04-11, 10:33 AM

Mate don't call me Bugler...............my short handle is BUG................everyone knows it who's been here a while, some for a bloody long while!

If he reads this our friendly Finn may be able to answer better specific to Northern Sweden.............?

Dan T

01-04-11, 11:48 AM

Thanks BUG - I was just a little lazy writing the full name, so cut it in half.

If you know of any rugsacks that are similar to the one in the image I would really appreciate any direction. I own the one we have in the army up here, but it's a green Nordic camoflage pattern, but
I totally dig the the sand/olive color as the one in the image.

Cheers Dan

Riđđu

01-04-11, 11:51 AM

If he reads this our friendly Finn may be able to answer better specific to Northern Sweden.............?

I´m living Finnish Lapland and don´t know Northern Sweden that well (I was in boozing Kebnekaise base camp once but that is another story). I´m not a mountain runner either.

Still, the hills here in Lapland are stony, which is not nice for your ankles. Wet stones also tend to increase your accident risk.

If you use strong leather boots remember to walk them in and treat them well. Use good socks. I carry a pair of ultra light wellies in my rucksack just in case because of the swamps we have here, but then again I´m a lazy bastard who likes to travel in comfort.

Dan T

01-04-11, 12:11 PM

Riđđu, thanks mate for the reply.
We are actually going to KebneKaise too and Norway. Do you know how snowy the top of Kebnekaise is? I'm not sure if we need boots that can deal with ice or if it's possible to "walk" to the top.
Was thinking of buying Danner's Combat Hiker Boots for the trip. Seems pretty solid and good angle support.

Cheers, D

Riđđu

01-04-11, 12:18 PM

Riđđu, thanks mate for the reply.
We are actually going to KebneKaise too and Norway. Do you know how snowy the top of Kebnekaise is? I'm not sure if we need boots that can deal with ice or if it's possible to "walk" to the top.

Well, there is a glacier where people have died. But if you avoid stupid things and go there in the summer (July would be ideal) you should have no problems with snow and ice. Remember that there can be a lot of mosquitoes when it is not windy, though.

buglerbilly

09-05-11, 04:39 AM

Via Soldier Systems...........

Wellco Hybrid Combat Hikers

May 9th, 2011

Constructed with an upper made from a combination of leather and Kevlar, Wellco’s new Hybrid Hiker also features a sharkskin toe cap and heel counter. The outsole is a custom Vibram design. The Made in USA Hybrid Hiker makes a great alternative to commercial hiking boots having been designed specifically to fulfill the Army’s need for a light mountain boot.

To order visit www.wellco.com.

http://www.wellco.com/p-W-M776.html

buglerbilly

25-05-11, 11:23 AM

Via Soldier Systems.............

Canada Chooses Brown Boots

May 25th, 2011

Despite experimenting with camouflaged boots, it seems that Canada has settled on Brown. To be more exact, they appear to be Brown full grain leather combined with Cordura upper with a Goodyear Welt and Vibram Sole. Notice they didn’t use any of that Norwegian welt nonsense.

Photo: Canada DND

buglerbilly

11-07-11, 12:32 PM

Via Soldier Systems blog.................

Army Says “No” to Five Fingers in Uniform

July 11th, 2011

Late last month, the US Army officially banned the wearing of Vibram’s Five Fingers and other similar barefoot running brands that feature, “five separate, individual compartments for the toes,” as they, “detract from a professional military image.”

This edict was passed down from on high through an ALARACT (241/2011) message.

SUBJECT: MODIFYING WEAR OF IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORM (IPFU)

1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO MODIFY THE EXISTING WEAR POLICY FOR THE IPFU.

2. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF MINIMALIST RUNNING SHOES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND WEAR. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ONLY THOSE SHOES THAT ACCOMMODATE ALL FIVE TOES IN ONE COMPARTMENT ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR. THOSE SHOES THAT FEATURE FIVE SEPARATE, INDIVIDUAL COMPARTMENTS FOR THE TOES, DETRACT FROM A PROFESSIONAL MILITARY IMAGE AND ARE PROHIBITED FOR WEAR WITH THE IPFU OR WHEN CONDUCTING PHYSICAL TRAINING IN MILITARY FORMATION. THIS CHANGE WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE NEXT UPDATE OF AR 670-1.

For uniformed Five Fingers fans this must come as quite a blow. Fortunately, Vibram, makers of the famed Five Fingers foresaw issues with their unconventional footwear and developed specialized soles that mimic the benefits of their compartmented models. Currently, both New Balance and Merrell have released numerous barefoot running models. For instance, the Minimus from New Balance comes in a very Army-esque Black and Yellow. What’s more, they have a reflective logo. How could a 1SG say ‘No” to that?

In spite of the Army’s decision, you can still wear Five Fingers while training out of uniform. Additionally, you can always explore alternatives.

Finally, while I support the Army’s decision for the sake of uniformity, once again, it’s yet another case of the Army’s leadership ignoring their institutional process of change (the Army Uniform Board) and making unilateral decisions about the uniform. From a leadership standpoint, this just doesn’t cut it. You don’t put a process in place and then ignore it when the mood suits you. How can you discipline Soldiers for doing the same thing? The new CSA and SMA both need to both conduct an azimuth check and take a look at the message they send when they ignore the “rules.”

buglerbilly

16-07-11, 03:11 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog............

LSA Boots from Oakley

July 15th, 2011

In May we told you a new boot was on the way from Oakley, and here it is, ready for order.

The LSA (Land, Sea, Air) boot is available in Terrain and Water variants. Both feature an upper made from a combination Scotchgard™ treated pig suede and 1000 Denier Cordura® atop a slip-resistant Unobtainium™ outsole. While the Terrain Boot’s sole is puncture proof, the Water Boot’s EVA midsole is engineered with drainage pillars, plus a perforated EVA footbed to get the water out. Also, it features a low-profile flat lace that mitigates pressure points along the top surface so it can be worn with swim fins.

They are available in MultiCam and Desert immediate order from www.USstandardissue.com.

buglerbilly

04-08-11, 04:03 PM

Via Sodier Systems blog.............

OTB Tactical Athletic Boot

August 4th, 2011

Coming in under the radar is this new model from New Balance’s OTB Boots. The Tactical Athletic Boot (TAB) is built to AR 670-1 standards but designed for use as a trainer for events such as ruck marches, combatives training, obstacle courses, etc.

The TAB is available in Tan, with or without side zip and steel toe. They can be pre-ordered from AFMO or www.uscav.com.

http://www.afmo.com/OTB_Tactical_Athletic_Boot_8_Safety_Toe_Side_Z_p/515-00109.htm

buglerbilly

03-09-11, 02:34 AM

Via the Soldier Systems blog............

Salomon Quest in Brown – MRE Exclusive

September 2nd, 2011

Mission Ready Equipment had the access to identify an operational requirement for a more arid environment friendly color for the Salomon Quest 4D GTX boot and the foresight to make it happen. They got with the guys at Über SOF (who as far as we are concerned would be Salomon Tactical if there was such a thing) and identified a supply of Quests in Brown manufactured for the European market. Together they worked to convince Salomon to bring the entire stock to the US. Now, they are available to you, exclusively from MRE.

As you can see, they blend well with both AOR1 and MultiCam. The Quest is an awesome boot and is comfortable right out of the box. The Quest is built on the same last as the Salomon XA Pro 3D running shoe which is Salomon’s most popular style. The sole relies on Salomon’s “4D Chassis”. The outsole has an ascending lug pattern in the front of the sole, and a braking pattern in the rear. Beneath the foot is a cushioning pad, while the “chassis” protects against twisted ankles, and then an additional cushioning pad to absorb rocks and roots underfoot (4 layers= 4D). Finally, the GTX in the style name stands for Gore-tex and these boots will not only stand up to the terrain but also the weather.

There are only a couple of hundred pairs available. Get yours before their gone from www.missionreadyequipment.com.

buglerbilly

16-09-11, 10:51 AM

Trail-Friendly Shoe Zips Into Itself

Analysis by Christina Ortiz

Thu Sep 15, 2011 08:27 AM ET

Timberland Men’s Radler Trail Camp: $65.00

Going on outdoor excursions can pose a problem when it comes to packing, gear can take up lots of space in a pack, leaving little room for extra items. Timberland’s Radler Trail Camp shoes zip into themselves to have their size and can be attached to the outside of a pack with a carabiner. The lightweight shoes keep feet protected from the elements are made of water resistant ripstop fabric and contain a removable fleece-lined footbed.

The outsole is made of 42 percent recycled rubber that should provide some pretty good traction control. The only thing missing from this shoe package is some sort of bag to hold both shoes in one place, or a way to fold them into each other, then zip up. Other than that, they seem like a good way to maximize space during a camping trip or any kind of travel.

Credit: Timberland

buglerbilly

20-09-11, 12:50 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog...........

NTOA – Danner

September 19th, 2011

Danner displayed their Danner Flight Assault (DFA) line released at SHOT Show. These styles integrate their Vertical Insertion Arrestor (VIA) technology which is designed to assist with control during fast rope descents. The Canteen, seen here, is a Gore-tex lined boot features toe lacing and an upper manufactured from a combination of 1000D Cordura and Nubuck leather. Additionally, the Danner Descender outsole is made from a Vibram V-4 ultra-abrasion rubber compound.

Finally, they were also giving sneak peeks (sorry, no photos allowed) of two new high top styles that will debut next SHOT Show. These are pretty nice and will be a great lightweight, low-profile option who are looking for tactical features without the signature.

www.danner.com

buglerbilly

29-09-11, 04:14 AM

MARSOC kicks butt in Afghanistan with Magnum boots

Posted by Gina Cavallaro | September 28th, 2011 | GearScout, Modern Day Marine

Magnum's customized Sidewinder and Spider 8.1 desert boots. (James J. Lee/staff

Magnum has won the feet and minds of some of the Marine Corps’ discerning special operators with a sophisticated line of combat boots customized for Afghanistan’s punishing terrain.

The boots have been on the market for about 18 months and are also being worn by British commandos, Navy SEALs and members of the Army’s Special Forces.

This is news for a company known more for its decades-old, reliable line of law enforcement and security footwear.

The Magnum Sidewinder high terrain boot and the Spider 8.1 desert boot each have a patch of durable “Super Fabric” on the instep to keep the boot from wearing down on a fast rope operation and each is each made with a nanotechnology known as “ion mask.” Here’s how it was explained to me by Geoff, a tactical adviser for Magnum and former British soldier who has worked with the special operations community.

“The Goretex is taken in a super heated environment to a gaseous state which permeates the fiber. When the Goretex is returned to its fiber state, the gas is sealed inside.”

What this means is that when the inside of a boot gets wet, it beads up and gets pushed out of the boot through a ballistic mesh near the mid sole. The outside just beads up.

The Sidewinder is made for hiking in rugged terrain to withstand the weight of a man carrying a heavy load. The Spider 8.1, also known as the “raid boot,” is lighter, has “Ranger Rover” sport vents and a sole with a chain link fence hook.

Both boots come in the Multi Cam pattern, including a Multi Cam sole.

Look for them soon… Magnum is edging into the U.S. military.

buglerbilly

30-09-11, 01:46 AM

Danner’s new high-speed boot

Posted by James Sanborn | September 29th, 2011 | Uncategorized

Danner's newest light-weight boot, the Melee, for close quarter combat and high-speed missions. Photo courtesy of Danner

Danner is rolling out a new high-speed boot for close quarter combat and quick smash and grab missions. Weighing as little as 30 ounces, it is the lightest they have ever produced.

Called the Melee, it won’t be officially unveiled until January at the SHOT show in Las Vegas, but it is already generating buzz at this year’s Modern Day Marine expo aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. It was designed to offer special operators and other special-purpose troops the option of an extremely light boot for urban operations that, if necessary, can still provide them with the stability and durability to carry heavy loads over long distances, according to Ryan Cade, the company’s product line manager for uniform and military products.

“This boot is all about light and fast,” Cade said. “We stripped out all unnecessary weight. We are trying to provide the lightest footwear without sacrificing lethality.”

It should provide the ruggedness of a boot, but feel more akin to a light-weight athletic shoe, he said. It is a departure from company tradition. Danner is known for making hefty boots that are recognized as some of the industry’s most durable due to features like stitch-down construction which bonds a boot’s sole to the upper with more than just glue. But, company spokesmen say they are confident Danner will maintain what they are best known for — quality — even as they make their latest foray into uncharted territory.

It will be available in three versions: canvas, rough-out tan leather and full-grain black leather. They will be available in three inch, six inch and eight inch versions.

Video here: http://bcove.me/xp4jyxs9

The canvas is the lightest, weighing in at just 30 ounces for the three-inch shoe. But, it doesn’t provide waterproofing or insulation. The leather boots will be available with Gore-Tex.

To increase comfort, the sole is constructed of EVA, but to keep it from being torn up it was given a abrasion-resistant coating. Also the inner arch uses a more durable Vibram compound called V-4 ultra-abrasion rubber that unlike regular EVA will resist wear even during fast roping.

The boot will also be available for women with half sizes sold from three through 12 and full sizes from 13 through 16. All will be available in D and EE widths.

The boots will likely retail for between $120 and 170.

buglerbilly

04-10-11, 01:22 AM

Danner Rivot TFX® Military Boot

October 3rd, 2011 | Product Announcement | Posted by Stickman

The new Danner Rivot meets AR 670-1 requirements, has a polyurethane footbed with open cell construction, uses a TERRA FORCE® X platform and a Vibram® Rivot TFX® outsole. What does all of that mean to you and I? Not much unless it comes together to show the boot is comfortable and will hold up for all day wear.

I’ve had the Danner Rivot on my feet for a total of 32 hours, so lets not kid anyone and pretend this is a full review, because its obviously not. What 32 hours of wear gives us is a nice first impression, and lets me know if I think an item is worth going into long term review status. I pulled these from the box and noted the boots looked good, and while that is obviously subjective, I have no interest in wearing boots for a long term review that make me look like a freak, so these met the first needed element. My next concern was with fit. I wear a size 11, though in some shoes and boots it can be a 10.5. Since these are an 11, I figured they would be a bit on the loose side which is fine as I’m always wearing heavier socks (typically the Thorlos Combat Boot Sock). I was stunned to find these weren’t loose at all, and I started to wonder if these were going to be too small for the review. I tightened the laces down and found there was enough room in the toe box, and there were no pressure points of any kind. These fit more like a glove than my last pair of desert boots (which I still loved). After a few hours it was clear these boots were going to work out fine, and size was not an issue. Lastly, I grabbed the boots and yanked and pulled on everything I could. I was unable to get any ripping, popping noises, separation or unusual movement from the pieces.

What this all means is that the Danner Rivot are off to a great start, and we will be doing a long term review which won’t be complete until we’ve got a few hundred hours, and some hard use on them. I’ll mention that up to this point, I’ve used them in wet and dry weather, on concrete, steel and trails as well as running an O course in them. So far, so good, they are comfortable and have good traction, much more so than the desert boots I was issued in and after Desert Storm.

Crafted in Portland Oregon, the Rivot™ is built with our lightweight TFX® platform, a rugged rough-out leather and 1000 Denier nylon upper, space frame webbing design for increased motion and a 360˚ pivot point lug pattern for quick pivotal movements in all directions, knowing that in battle motion is your weapon.

Boot Features

• Made in USA
• Berry compliant
• Meets AR 670-1 requirements for optional wear
• Rough-out leather and 1000D nylon upper for superior protection and comfort
• Space frame webbing design for increased mobility and flex in the upper
• Speed lacing system
• Polyurethane footbed provides superior shock absorption with an additional layer of open cell construction for improved air circulation
• TERRA FORCE® X platform for a lightweight fit with durability, traction, and maneuverability
• Vibram® Rivot TFX® outsole offers superior acceleration, braking, pivoting and traction in rugged terrains, featuring 360 degree pivot point lugs for pivotal movements and broad flat lugs in the toe, heel and outer edges of the outsole for traction agains walls and rocks

Redcoat

04-10-11, 03:58 PM

"treated pig suede"

No jews or Muslims in the Australian forces then ?

buglerbilly

04-10-11, 04:56 PM

Hmmmm interesting point..............plenty of other boots to pick from assuming you don't get these issued to you.

JimWH

04-10-11, 09:01 PM

Hmmmm interesting point..............plenty of other boots to pick from assuming you don't get these issued to you.
The Jews and Muslims have a religious prohibition against eating pigs. There shouldn't be any issue wearing them.
NB: This was always one of the great ironies of the Indian Mutiny, there ought not to have been any issue using bacon fat in the cartridges. It was actually a misinterpretation of the Quor'an on the part of the troops.

buglerbilly

04-10-11, 11:57 PM

The Jews and Muslims have a religious prohibition against eating pigs. There shouldn't be any issue wearing them.
NB: This was always one of the great ironies of the Indian Mutiny, there ought not to have been any issue using bacon fat in the cartridges. It was actually a misinterpretation of the Quor'an on the part of the troops.

I dunno, many have heard more than one Sergeant major swear blind he was going to make someone eat their boots.............usually for failure to do something to his satisfaction of course.

Gets confusing when you have to ask whether the boot is Halal or Kosher........

buglerbilly

07-10-11, 02:51 PM

Army to Field Warm Weather Combat Boot

by Christian on October 7, 2011

PEO Soldier’s top individual equipment buyer, Col. Bill Cole, told us yesterday during a media roundtable that the service will soon field one of two versions of a new Mountain Combat Boot design intended for wear in the hot summers of Afghanistan.

The original mountain combat boot had a requirement for an all-leather upper and Gore-Tex lining. The new boot — one version made by Wellco another made by Belleville — have Cordura uppers and no Gore-Tex lining, increasing breatheability and cutting down on sweaty feet.

Each Soldier deploying to Afghanistan will be given one pair of each — one winter, one summer variant — of the Mt. Combat Boot, “that way they’ll have the appropriate footwear throughout the year available to them,” Cole said.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz1a6UUhq3P
Kit Up!

buglerbilly

13-10-11, 02:02 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog...........

AUSA – Danner Boots

October 12th, 2011

Designed for use as close combat boots, the new Melee series of footwear offers several styles, including full boot (8″), ankle height (6″) and low cut (3″). In addition to the traditional Black and Tan there is also a new Brown color called Canteen intended to serve as civyflauge.

Look for these by December.

http://www.danner.com/

buglerbilly

18-10-11, 07:29 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog..................

Magnum V-lite Intrepid HPI MultiCam

October 17th, 2011

Magnum has loaded the V-lite Intrepid HPI in MultiCam on their UK website. Recently reviewed by our friends at ARRSE, they will be available from Magnum in December.

www.magnumboots.com

buglerbilly

18-10-11, 07:30 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog..............

Inov8 Roclite 295 Tactical

October 18th, 2011

Inov8 was at the forefront of the natural running movement. For some time was have been hearing that they would be releasing a military version of one of their shoes and now, the popular Roclite 295 is available for pre-order from Extreme Outfitters in Black or Tan.

The award winning Roclite 295 is designed for wear on hard surface tracks and trails and features three distinct technologies:

Meta-shank™: 5-finger meta-shank aligns with each individual metatarsal for greater flexibility when contouring while retaining underfoot impact protection.

Advanced Meta-Flex™ technology is anatomically aligned in front of the metatarsal heads for a natural forefoot flex.

Met-cradle™: The upper webbing support is anatomically positioned to cradle the forefoot behind the metatarsal heads and provide a secure foot hold.

www.extremeoutfitters.us

buglerbilly

27-11-11, 02:54 PM

Via Tactical Fanboy blog..............

Palladium Pampa Tactical Boot In Brown/Olive Drab

November 26th, 2011

Palladium has recently released the Pampa Tactical Boot in Brown/Olive Drab. All boots in the Pampa Tactical series have uppers that are made from rubberized Full Grain Leather combined with a 2520 denier Ballistic Nylon. The boots also feature Palladium’s one piece molded rubber outsole, a Dri-Lex moisture wicking covered sockliner, and a medial side zipper that locks in place with a closure. Other colors available include Black/Metal, Tan, and Olive Drab/Black.

Palladium – Pampa Tactical Boot

http://www.palladiumboots.com/cgi-bin/palladium/store/product_detail.html?pid=02604:203

buglerbilly

08-12-11, 02:16 AM

Combat boots that deflect blast of roadside bombs being designed at new £8m research centre

Combat boots with putty-filled soles that deflect the blast of roadside bombs could soon be ready for use in Afghanistan following the launch of an £8 million research centre to find better ways of protecting soldiers.

A new research centre is developing combat boots with putty-filled soles that help deflect the blast of an IED and will be given to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Photo: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC/PA

By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter

4:05PM GMT 07 Dec 2011

The Royal British Legion Centre for Blast Injury Studies, to be based at Imperial College, London, will design improved equipment including body armour and vehicles.

The centre will also work on better and faster diagnostic techniques that could save more lives and reduce long-term medical problems.

Civilian engineers and scientists will work alongside military doctors to study blast injury patterns and use the knowledge they gain to design the new equipment and treatments.

One of the first tasks will be design the new combat boots, which will be insulated with putty to absorb and deflect the impact of a blast from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), the biggest killer for service personnel in Afghanistan.

The centre will experiment with different materials to work out how best to transfer the blast energy away from the heel, which if damaged often leads to eventual amputation, and towards the shin bone, which can be more easily reconstructed.

A prototype boot is expected to be ready late next year, and the centre, which is expected to employ up to 30 people, will also try to improve other elements of body armour as well as vehicle design.

Professor Anthony Bull, of the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial, who is Director of the new centre, said: “We have already started tests that show there is a significant difference in the protection that boots give if, for example, you double the thickness of the protection in the sole from 4mm to 8mm, which is still quite thin.”

He added: “Previously, servicemen and women who were wounded from blasts would have died from their injuries, and now military protection, medical science and practice has improved greatly so that there is a greater prospect of survival.

“We now need to assess the effects of blasts on these survivors. We urgently need to know more, so that we can protect and treat people more effectively.”

Researchers also hope to develop a test than can give an early diagnosis of blast lung, the most common cause of death among people who initially survive an explosion.

The symptoms, which sometimes do not show for days, include bruising and swelling of the lungs.

The centre, which is based in existing buildings at Imperial and will build on a small blast study group set up in 2009, will be governed by an advisory board chaired by Admiral Lord Boyce, the former Chief of the Defence Staff.

The Royal British Legion, which raises most of its funds through the annual Poppy Appeal, is providing £5 million to establish the centre, with the remainder of the money coming from Imperial’s own funds.

buglerbilly

10-12-11, 10:01 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog...........

Adidas Buys Five Ten

December 10th, 2011

We are a little late reporting this one but last month Adidas purchased specialist outdoor footwear brand Five Ten for a cool $25 million. This is significant for two reasons. First, Adidas used to make THE assault boot, the GSG9. It was a very comfortable boot although it suffered from three issues. It was expensive, difficult to procure due to limited production, and didn’t last very long. (Un)fortunately, Adidas developed the so-called GSG9.2 in 2006 to improve the durability of the style and update it’s features but the resulting shoe leaves a lot to be desired.

The second significant issue with this buyout is that Five Ten has developed several tactical styles such as the Valor and seems to be on the path to do more and more. So, here’s to hoping that Adidas let’s 5.10 do what it does best.

buglerbilly

25-12-11, 01:44 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog.......................

Sheriff of Baghdad Boot Lace Kit

December 24th, 2011

Simple concept for a low price........

Mission Ready Equipment is offering the Sheriff of Baghdad Boot Lace Kit. The concept is simple, it’s a cordloc you add to your boot laces in order to rapidly don and doff your boots rather than fumbling with tying laces. The kit comes complete with all of the parts needed to modify your laces.

Interested? To get a set, order a Sheriff of Baghdad B Sling and get your boot lace kit for free OR, you can order the boot lace kit from Mission Ready Equipment for $4.00.

buglerbilly

31-12-11, 01:57 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog............

Altberg Leaning Forward In The Foxhole

December 30th, 2011

Anticipating a wholesale switch to brown boots for the UK military in order to blend in better with their new MultiCam-based pattern Multi Terrain Pattern (MTP), specialist cobbler Altberg boots has introduced several of their models in brown. For example, here is the Bergen, one of their rough terrain models.

www.altberg.co.uk

buglerbilly

03-01-12, 05:43 AM

USMC Rugged All Terrain Combat Boot

January 2nd, 2012

Currently, the US Marine Corps issues the Rugged All Terrain (RAT) Combat Boot in both Hot and Temperate Weather variants produced by several manufacturers including Wellco. AFMO currently has a smoking deal on the Hot Weather version of these boots which have become very popular due to their “shark skin” capped toe and heel. They feature a lace to toe upper with nylon sides to help combat the heat paired with a Vibram sole.

Uploaded by AFMOTGN on Oct 24, 2011
http://www.afmo.com/Wellco_USMC_R_A_T_Hot_Weather_Combat_Boots_p/752-00105.htm Available at AFMO.com for $139.90

Get yours from www.afmo.com.

buglerbilly

14-01-12, 10:06 AM

Via Soldier Systems blog..............

Bates Launching Zero Mass Collection

January 13th, 2012

Bates Footwear is launching an entire new line of men’s lightweight boots called Zero Mass. They’ve leveraged all of Wolverine Worldwide to bring a set of technologies together to produce something entirely new.

Another thing we like is that they are offering the line in a wide enough range of colors right out of the gate that everyone can use them.

Specifically created in reaction to dealer feedback and end user needs, the collection will consist of an 8” Black Side Zip Boot (Model #E05161); a 6” Black Side Zip Boot (Model #E05162); an 8” Desert Tan Boot (Model #E05118); and an 8” Sage Green Boot (Model #E05128). All four boots will feature genuine leather or Wolverine Warrior Leather® uppers, highly breathable nylon, and a low profile design that delivers lasting comfort and enhanced natural movement.

Inside and out, each aspect of the Zero Mass tactical/training footwear line has been meticulously designed to maximize comfort and minimize weight. “There is nothing in these boots that we didn’t rethink,” says Roger Huard, Vice President of Product Development at Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. “Even the lacing system was revamped in an effort to maximize weight relief.”

Uploaded by Bates1885 on Dec 21, 2011
The next generation of lightweight footwear.
Designed with the highest quality lightweight components, the Zero Mass collection allows for natural movement and lasting comfort.

Crucial to reducing the boots’ weight was the reduction of outsole rubber and the introduction of a compression-molded EVA. Also impressive is the lightweight performance-oriented polyurethane insert, which delivers cushioning and shock absorption with no deterioration of each, no matter how long, or how hard, the boots are worn.

The lightweight training boots were also designed with a new “low-rider last”, which delivers the tactile interaction with the terrain Bates users were seeking. Increasing breathability was also a key focus. As such, nylon was incorporated in the critical areas of each boot, allowing for enhanced airflow and, therefore, enhanced comfort. The breathable, Aegis™ Antimicrobial-treated insoles also boast anti-odor, moisture-wicking properties, helping to keep feet dry.

While all four boots have durable leather uppers, the Desert Sand and Sage Green boots are made of Wolverine Warrior Leather. “Wolverine Warrior Leather is one of our most exciting innovations,” says Brent Babbs, National Sales Manager at Bates Footwear. “It’s breathable, easy to clean, and quick drying—three hugely important features to those in uniform.” Adds Huard, “Since the protector is incorporated into our actual tanning process, the boots are protected from virtually all sorts of dirt, chemicals, oil, and water-based stains.”

Fully tested and having yielded impressive results, one can see why the Zero Mass Collection will be one of the most sought-after tactical/training boots around. Says Huard, “We were challenged to create a hard-wearing, tactical boot that could withstand rigorous use and still deliver maximum comfort, and that’s exactly what the development teams at Bates and Wolverine Worldwide delivered.”

“We know these boots are better, because that’s how we designed them,” says Babbs. “Not only are they one of the lightest boots available, they’re among the most advanced. Given who they’re made for, they couldn’t be anything less.”

The men’s only Zero Mass Collection will be available in retail locations in spring 2012. Be sure to check out Zero Mass at SHOT Show 2012 in booth #12262.

www.batesfootwear.com