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Poll: What’s Your Favorite Boot Brand?

For some, the choice is difficult. For others, it’s not. But the task at hand? It’s more than simple.

We want to know all about your favorite brand of military boots.

You’ve got to have at least one. There has to be something about the certain way those boots hug your feet. Or maybe it’s the extra ankle and sole support. And then there’s the ability to take on ultra-rugged terrain when other boots fail.

So, what boots brand has served you best? Why did you buy that certain boot? What made you pick one over another? We’re curious to find out.

(Image via Flickr)

Weekly Drill Down: Glow Sticks, ‘Restrepo’ and More

• Scope the complexities of glow stick creation in the video above. (Soldier Systems)
• Bouhammer sneaks a peek at new war documentary Restrepo and shares his thoughts in a series of posts. (Bouhammer)
• The Army is closer to era of lightweight ammo. (Kit Up!)
• A fake motivational poster of Afghanistan soldier and the story behind it. (At War via Kit Up!)
• Olive-Drab.com recognized as a top military resource. (Juggle.com)
• Ten books everyone should read. (OPFOR)
• What happens when a Twitter user dies? (Milblogging)
• Navy denies report that up to 25,000 sailors could lose their jobs. (Stars And Stripes)
• PHOTO: Did a tacti-cool catalogue throw up on you? (Strike-Hold!)
• Happy first birthday to Daly History Blog! (Daly History Blog)
• A simple way to retain your weapon. (ITS Tactical)
• How to get “guns,” and kindly point us to the beach. (The Daily PT)

10 Military iPad Apps

Last March leaders from the U.S. Army met with folks over at Apple to investigate ways our military can make use of iPhone and iPad technology during combat.

Maj. Gen. Nick Justice of the Research, Development and Engineering Command said the Army is moving away from big-green-box solutions and toward more adaptable commercial gadgets.

Because of its larger size, the iPad might not be the most easy-to-carry tool when entering a warzone. It also has substantially less available apps ready for download. But we were curious: What iPad applications are out there for the military?

U.S. Army Survival Guide – $1.99

Keeping a 1,400-page manual in your back pocket isn’t really an option. What this app does is create that document into easy-to-read digital pages from the U.S. Army Survival field manual. With a manual that large, it’s only natural to expect extensive coverage on topics such as field weapons, weather prediction, water procurement, poisonous plants and loads more.

Sun Compass – $.99

You need some direction. Doesn’t everybody? Using this app, point the iPad either north or to the sun, press the corresponding button and shazam! You now have direction.

Find My Phone – Free

Losing your iPhone is easy, but your iPad? Not so much. If you misplace either, log on to this app on any iPhone or iPad using a MobileMe subscription (60-day free trial available). It will then quickly pinpoint the missing gadget on a map. Even program your lost device to make sounds, to lock up data or even permanently erase all top-secret information.

U.S. Army Ranks HD – $.99

Navigating uniform insignia has never been easier. High resolution images display the differences between enlisted ranks such as private and sergeant as well as officer ranks and general ranks. Aye aye, sir!

Army Ranger Handbook – $2.99

Enter the mind of an Army Ranger. This is your guidebook to those warriors of the sky. Thirteen chapters on leadership to demolitions give an in-depth view on the rigors of warfare. Already familiar with the Army Ranger’s world? This app is still a nifty reference guide.

Army First Aid – $1.99

Emergencies happen when you least expect it. Often you won’t have time to flip through a 600-page manual to learn how to help. When you do, employ the U.S. Army’s official First Aid handbook. From the basics to specifics, it will give you the know-how to save a life or two—and potentially your own.

Army OneSource Services – Free

Discover neighboring Army programs, services and resources by searching your zip code on this app. It might just help you uncover a support network you never knew existed. Kinda like finding a $20 bill in your pocket, right?

Survival Pocket Ref – $.99

Five hundred pages of information-packed survival tips include techniques on first aid, fire building and navigation. If you’re more of an outdoors type and not looking for a strictly-military survival guide, Survival Pocket Ref is the perfect choice.

U.S. Armed Forces – $1.99

An amalgamation of documents, manuals, lists and codes, U.S. Armed Forces is the ultimate reference application for the military. Keep Franklin Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor speech or George W. Bush’s Sept. 11 address in your back pocket; read up on Army combat training on the go.

Marine Martial Arts – $1.99

While close range combat doesn’t happen too often, when it does, there’s no time to hesitate. From timing to distance to balance, the fundamentals of martial arts can certainly come in handy during the preparation period—probably not so much once you’re already entangled in a physical struggle.

Have you used any of these apps? Or is there a military-related iPad app we forgot? Let us know.

U.S. Military Boot Contracts

Last week the U.S. Department of Defense announced five new contracts with military boots manufacturers including Belleville, Altama, Wellco and Rocky.

Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Co. picked up a $24.3 million contract for hot weather Army boots. The Illinois-based company, who has been working with the U.S. Military for nearly a century, will make the boots for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Altama Footwear has also been tasked to deliver hot weather boots with similar contract for a $19.8 million.

Meanwhile, Wellco Enterprises picked up two contracts at $18.2 million and $14.7 million for temperate weather Air Force boots and hot weather combat boots, respectively.

Rocky Shoes & Boots will also be making hot weather boots at the tune of $6.1 million. Last month Rocky secured another contract for $3.2 million to product 45,000 pairs of boots.

Defense Industry Daily has been tracking boot contracts since 2007, and the list includes all of the manufactures mentioned above along with McRae Industries.

Weekly Drill Down: Lady Gaga, Dating Scams and More

• Need long-range shooting assistance? You guessed it: There’s an app for that. (Kit Up!)
• The most ridiculous headline of the week: “Lady Gaga’s Threat to National Security” (Under the Radar)
• Battling PTSD? There’s an app for that, too? Well, not yet. (Danger Room)
• ITS Tactical receives a letter from the Governor of Texas. (ITS Tactical)
• Drama over a United States Special Operations Command contract and FNH USA continues. (Soldier Systems)
• Ironically enough, ASP’s CJ gets caught up in a military dating scam. (A Soldier’s Perspective)
• USMC and Propper International partner up for a new 3 Season Sleep System. (Gear Scout)
• FOX News digs up info on missing Afghan soldiers. (Milblogging)
• Review: Army documentary Restrepo is a must-see. (Vet Voice)
• #MilitaryMon gets its own Facebook Fan Page. (Facebook)

Study Finds Custom Shoes Do Little to Prevent Injury

Promises of extra stability, motion control and added cushioning can be found in footwear advertising everywhere. However, does that pledge of added protection actually pan out?

A group of doctors including several from the U.S. Army and Navy decided to find out.

In June, The American Journal of Sports Medicine published their study that took a closer look at injury prevention based on shoe customization. They wanted to know if specialized shoes sold by footwear manufacturers really worked.

For the experiment, they outfitted 722 Marine Corps recruits in shoes—one group received specialized shoes based on arch height among other factors, and the control group laced up the same stability shoe. For the following 12 weeks, recruits were observed via the Defense Medical Surveillance System.

The results? The doctors found little difference in injury risk between the groups.

“Simply measuring the foot morphology with (this type of) technique is not sufficient for prescribing footwear if your objective is to prevent injuries,” Dr. Bruce Jones, an investigator on the study at the U.S. Army Public Health Command, told Reuters Health.

While one study alone can’t completely dispel customization based on plantar shapes, it certainly makes you think twice before buying footwear solely based on that type of technology. Your best bet? Select boots that feel the most comfortable on your feet.

(Image via Wikimedia)

Danner Opens Boot Recrafting Factory

Last month Danner celebrated the grand opening of The Danner Factory Store.

In addition to carrying both Danner and LaCross footwear, the Portland store features a Danner recrafting factory. Located inside the 4,000-square-foot space, an expert bootmaker can turn a pair of old Danners sparkling new again right before your eyes. The craftsman fixes up the boots by replacing the outsole, rebuilding the midsole, reworking the leather and re-stitching the seams.

“The factory within a store concept is something we intentionally brought to our customers,” said Joe Schneider, CEO of LaCrosse Footwear Inc, parent company of Danner, in a prepared statement.

Shoppers will also find plenty artifacts scattered around the store that trace Danner’s 75-year history. The new space is one of two major projects Danner plans to complete this year. The other is a 59,000-square-foot factory that is scheduled to open later in the summer.

Jane of PortlandHikers.org stopped by the store’s grand opening and wrote: “Lots of boots for the guys, limited for women (unfortunately), and they have rain gear and reflective outerwear, too. LaCrosse owns Danner now, and both lines are in their store. They had an interesting video playing about the making and testing of the boots; truly is a hands-on crafted product.”

Weekly Drill Down: New Camo, Combat Hikers and More

• Had enough of the iPhone 4? Watch above as a retired Navy Seabee takes it out with a sniper. (Under the Radar)
• Find out why soldiers are trading in traditional combat boots for technical hiking boots. (Gear Scout)
• The Army is on the lookout for three different types of camo. (Kit Up!)
• Southern Living features a military blogger as its Mamma blogger of the Week. (Milblogging)
• Best army training ever – a recap. (Red Bull Rising)
• Spice of your vehicular ambiance with a MOLLE visor panel. (ITS Tactical)
• What’s the true meaning of the Fourth of July? (A Soldier’s Perspective)
• Quick, get me the bat hook! A new Batman-inspired tool for the Air Force. (Under the Radar)
• Did Marines get into World Cup fever? (Line of Sight)

How to Stretch Your Military Boots

There’s nothing more frustrating than a boot that fits perfectly in all but one area. However, there are steps you can take (comfortable ones, we promise) to ensure your feet’s well being.

If the overall fit works for your feet, you’ll want to try a boot stretch. There are several options on how to acquire a boot stretch: You can buy one, take your boots to a shoe repair shop or make your own boot stretcher.

There’s an assortment of stretchers that are used for shoes, heels, and boots, so be sure you pick up the correct one. If you know exactly what area needs stretching, you can even find specific models for either men or women that can both widen and lengthen the boot in different areas.

Have a lot of boots that need stretching?

You can purchase your own shoe or boot stretcher for $20 to $60. The only downside is that you can only stretch one boot at a time—so it will take about 48 hours to get both boots up to snuff. But if you roll up to a shoe repair shop, it will cost on average $25 to $30 for the same service.

In the video below, Joe Siracuse from Shoe Care Supplies demonstrates how to stretch a cowboy boot, which is similar to stretching a combat boot. Before you do any stretching, use an aerosol shoe stretch spray or a shoe stretch liquid on the desired spots of the boot.

Once you fit the stretcher completely in the boot, crank the lever until it gets snug. Be sure to crank it three or four more times after that, too. Set it aside over night, and you’re on your way to better-fitting boots in no time.

Have you ever stretched your military boots before? What’s your secret to improving a boot’s fit? Share your experiences and tips!

(Image via)