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.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm diggin' the Wellco version. Other ones look like they could get a bit 'toasty'…
Can beat a Danner…
My Ft Lewis boots are going on 23 years and three sets of soles.
Correction..
CAN'T BEAT a Danner… my bad
I have used Belleville for the last 10 years and have been very happy!! As a K-9 handler, I'm hard on my boots and my Belleville's have save my ankles lots of times. I'm going to try the Kiowa boot next. Also ALL Belleville boots are made in the great USA.
You are correct Belleville boots are made in the great USA. But the Kiowa boots are made by a branch of Belleville called Tactical Research. Tactical Research manufactors its products in foreign countries. FYI.
M-Gator, goodbye :)
That's because civilian hikers have only one requirement, and that is that the gear they select perform. Unlike the military, they don't have to worry about things like uniformity and anal-retentive adherence to antiquated uniform standards getting in the way of mission success.
Heavens…the boots look more like civilian hiking boots that you'll find in outdoor stores.
Interesting the third guy up is wearing a land warrior system, I haven't heard much on that in quite a while.
I have bought the T8 Garmont Tactical boots and love them, but I see in the pics where these are reinforced at the sole/outer wall. That makes them ideal for the abuse that the rocky terrain can give them. Of course you can’t get away from the Vibram sole either. Just have to worry about them binding at the ankle.
you can't spit shine any of these…good. I was thinking back to my days in the service 86'-90 where you always had to keep your boots shined. the boots were horrible until 1987 when they issued the quick lace, waterproof boots with the cement hard soles that had geat ankle support.
It is about time the military starts looking at getting more practical and functional boots. Any of the above designs makes more sense than what we have going on now.
big waste of money, now everything has to be female friendly, the female Soldiers for the most part cost the army more than they contribute, they oughta be in WAC units doin WAC work !
Denny,,, you're a whimp
Paxton, maybe you shoulda joined the freakin peace corp.
I wore issue boots for 37 yrs Y'all are sissies, it should be the issue boot only whats next? pic your own helment???
I've had every type of issue boots I'd been given fail. Those speed lace pieces of crap in the late 80's were among the worst, had a heal come off while at Huckleberry Creek and had to go the whole course with one heel missing. I spent 10 years as a Ranger and 5 of those in Alaska. The issue boots suck, especially the mountain/ski boots made by Chippewa, just try to break them in ! They will last forever that's for sure but your feet won't. I have poured blood out of my boots several times while wearing those things. I bought and tried several popular PP military boots and they all sucked until I bought a pair of Danner "Go Devil" Ft. Lewis boots, they have been with me for 24 years now and are on their 4th pair of soles and had been repaired twice before being sent back to Danner for a rebuild. If the military would issue decent boots then there wouldn't be a problem……..everyone would happily wear issue boots just as you think they should. By the way for everyone else…..Danner will rebuild their boots, find another company that offers that service. Others are meant to be disposable, Danners are meant to last and last.
Bubba is a misogynist who has his brain in his boots!
oh great , glue on soles. i have had any luck with them from any manufacturer. they always start to peel off within a few months. just stay with goodyear welt boots that can be resoled instead of thrown away and buy another pair in 6 months. i wore the old black jungle boots and wore them till the sole was flat, long after i was out of the service. got another pair recently from an old af enlisted that retired and had a like new pair of them
I believe Danner makes really good boots. I will be getting the Danner desert tfx rough-out boots. I am expecting them to be of very good quality
They are, I wore them for about 8 months while I was in, until they couldn't pass inspection anymore (they don't clean too well). Extremely comfortable, virtually no time at all to break-in, and they were built to last. As usual, military regulation caught up, and I was no longer able to wear them for anything more than "Motorpool Monday", since they had become badly stained and discolored from months of use. They lasted me about as long as my first pair of issued boots though, and they probably could have been cleaned by other means, but I bought a pair of Bellevilles to pass inspection, and haven't looked back.
the ones they gave me was crapy> They disintegrated in a matter of weeks! They actually came apart in chuncks. Why can't they bring back good 'ol American products. I'm tired of seeing made in china on my mimitary uniform!!!!
the ones they gave me was crapy> They disintegrated in a matter of weeks! They actually came apart in chuncks. Why can't they bring back good 'ol American products. I'm tired of seeing made in china on my mimitary uniform!!!!
I wore Marine Corps boondockers. Never thought of buying any "outside" gear. Hell, couldn't afford it at $78 a month.
Looks like no contest to me, the Wellco boot seems to fit all needs and is by far the sharpest looking of the three.
Gotta be the Wellco, the rest are just a rehash of 1980's hikers.
Rubber sides on boots tend to rip, and what about the boots "breathability"? Leather tends to breathe, allowing the foot some air, rubber does not, which makes the boot hot. Also, consider the laces, they should be able to be used for other purposes– so make them durable, so they don't break. Oh, and do they have some type of plastic toe for protection or plastic sole? This way some stick or stone won't get in the foot.
A good boot is very important,leather is great and can breath and air those feet use talk powder,even baby poweder will help against blisters upon long walks,most important stay on both feet!!
Anything is better than those damn blister producing ugly uncomfortable ugly black thing they issued me in 1978. These look great and comfortable..the best part no shoe polish!!