Mar/100
Name That Boot
Our friends over at FreeMilitaryPhotos.com sent over this great close-up this morning of a combat boot squish-squishing along the soppy ground. According to the photo caption, the boot belongs to a U.S. Soldier from Red Platoon, Combined Security Force who is conducting quick response force rehearsals at the Emergency Response Unit Compound in Kirkuk, Iraq.
Now it’s time to test your boot knowledge. Can you guess what brand of military boots is pictured above? Is it Bates, Converse or Danner? How about Tactical Research, Rocky or Oakley? Check back tomorrow for the answer.
Mar/100
Military Boots in the Shower?
No, this isn’t the best way to wash your boots. However, @lamontcaldwell says it’s the first step to break in military boots. He tweeted to “jump in the shower in ‘em” yesterday evening along with the picture above.
But before you blindly follow his advice, do check out some additional resources. According to eHow, the first step to breaking in boots is to wear them around the house. Essortment agrees with eHow’s advice because testing the boots at home will prevent typical wear and tear.
For those who have gone far beyond breaking in their boots, why not enter to win free military boots for life? MilitaryBoots.com is searching for the most busted pair of boots out there. All you have to do is send a picture of your boots to us by March 31, 2010. For more details, check out the official Converse Military Boots for Life page.
Feb/100
Danner Boots on the Move
Danner Women's Dessert Arcadia Boot
Danner is moving into a new factory in Portland, Ore., the company’s parent company LaCrosse Footwear announced earlier this month.
According to The Oregonian, this announcement came a week after the boot manufacturer posted record fourth-quarter sales, a result of increasing demands for military and outdoor boots.
Located one mile from its corporate headquarters, the 59,000-square-foot facility is twice the size of its previous factory, which was also located in Portland. The company said the new facility would enable to meet a growing demand worldwide for its customers in the work, military, law enforcement, outdoor recreation, hunting and Japanese markets.
“Danner is an iconic brand, whose boots have been hand-crafted in Portland since 1933, incorporating the highest standards of design, materials and construction,” said Joseph Schneider, president and CEO of LaCrosse Footwear, in a prepared statement. “Our new facility will enable us to extend this great tradition of superior craftsmanship.”
According to BusinessWeek, Lacrosse posted sales of $139.2 million for 2009, a 9 percent year-over-year increase.
Feb/100
Boots ‘N’ Paws
From Free Military Photos: Thor, a military working dog, and his handler, Cpl. Deano Miller, walk through a town at Combat Center Range 220 Jan 31. The dog and handler are part of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and will deploy with the unit.
Feb/100
New Boot Alert: Oakley’s Water Shoe, Tactical Research’s MultiCam Kiowa
With every passing year there are more and more new military boot styles and colors, and this year is no different.
Last month Gear Scout posted a sneak peak of a new water combat boot from Oakley. The boot, which is not yet listed on Oakley’s website, will join its Tactical Six ($130) and Elite Assault Boot ($500), both newer boots from the military/duty line. According to Gear Scout’s sneak preview, the boot features strategic slits that allow water passage and improved traction. The boots debuted at SHOT Show, so expect more details in the coming weeks.
Oakley's New Water Combat Boot
The second isn’t necessarily a new boot as much as a new boot color. For those already familiar with Belleville’s Tactical Research combat boots know that it comes in desert tan, sage green and black. And you can now add MultiCam to that list. With the new color, the boot still touts all the same features like an “over-lasted” EVA midsole for shock attenuation and a stabilizer strap for the heel and ankle.
Tactical Research MultiCam Kiowa
Introduced less than a year ago, the boots sport a low profile much like footwear seen in wrestling, Nascar and outdoor markets. This type of boot improves the grip and feel, said Glen Becker, president of Tactical Research for Belleville Shoe Company, in the video below.
UPDATE: Love these boots? They’re now for sale at MilitaryBoots.com for $89.99.
Manufactured to meet U.S. Army Regulations, the boots come in two styles — Paladin and Kiowa. “With the Kiowa pattern we are going after that market that is highly involved in light assault operations,” said Becker. “The boot is tailored for U.S. soldiers involved in tactical operations where lightweight footwear is critical.”
Feb/100
Airman Battle Uniform Boot Test Results
Late last month Air Force Uniform Office released the results of a boot test to find the best stain-resistant properties for current-issue ABU boots.
The winning configuration was a mix of full-grain leather with a rubber toe and stain-resistant heel cap.
“The latest test boots have smooth leather, like the old black boots,” said Richard Keefer, AFUO chief, in a prepared statement. “The intent was to try a boot that is easy to clean, will not stain and hides scuffs and wear from industrial use.”
In August testers outfitted 200 men at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., with four types of hot weather boots in sage green. The wear test lasted 45 days and participants provided feedback on a comment logs, surveys and a focus group. The most common complaint, according to the AFUO, was traction.
For now, commanders will be authorized to wear black boots in work areas until a stain-resistant boot is produced.
Feb/101
5 Pink Military Boots
Boot colors like desert tan and sage green help maintain low profiles on the battlefield. However, some might have a different strategy on their boot-wearing missions. Perhaps they’d rather turn heads instead of blending into the background. Sure, they might tip off the enemy, but maybe that’s part of their strategy.
Or maybe they have no strategy at all. If that’s the case, then they probably own a pair of pink combat boots. (We kid, we kid!) While none of these boots are military grade, they certainly make a statement. And, of course, pink military boots go quite well with other pink guns and accessories.
One of the most recent sightings of pink combat boots was in season one of fashion-forward Gossip Girl. Since that was about three years ago, we’re guessing the trend of privileged teen girls stomping around upper Manhattan in colorful military boots didn’t stick. Maybe this year?
1. Women’s Pink Army Lace-Up Military Boots
With a starting price of £29.99, these light pink flat-heeled boots for sale on eBay come in sizes 5-10. Or you can take the boring route, and buy it in gray.
2. Vintage Pink Sparkle Doc Martens
Reminiscent of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, the glittery Doc Martens from the 90s were sold last month on eBay for $76, which means they’re no longer up for grabs. Maybe if you click your heels three times, you can go back in time to bid on them. Just a thought!
3. Hot Pink Combat Zipper Boots
For $29.99, you could own a size 6 synthetic boot that looks strikingly similar to Doc Martens. That side zipper could make life a little easier, and with a color like that, you’ll be spotted from blocks, even miles, away.
4. Hot Pink Lace-Up Sneaker Combat Boots
This is the first sneaker “combat” boot that’s crossed our path, and frankly, we’re a little perplexed by this boot-shoe mishmash. The seller promises you’ll “freak out” when looking at the bottom of the boot because “it has screaming skull faces and winged skulls on the heel.” Oh my!
Looking like it’s been through hell and back (well, at least for a pink boot), this faux leather boot with a 1-inch heel is advertised as brand new. Must be like that holes-in-the-jeans trend where beat-up equals beautiful. And for $47, this can all be yours…
Feb/101
Magnum Donates Boots for Haiti
From major celebrities to average joes, it seems like just about everyone has pitched in to help Haiti recover from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Magnum Boots is lending a helping hand, too.
The manufacturer donated 900 pairs of boots and shoes to Soles4Souls, an organization that is distributing footwear to earthquake victims, helping to fulfill a basic safety need.
“Our hearts go out to our Haitian neighbors as we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of this disaster, and we cannot forget how important basic necessities — such as shoes — will be in the ongoing rescue and rebuilding efforts,” said Bill Berta, chief executive of Magnum Boots USA, in a prepared statement.
“We deeply appreciate the work of Soles4Souls and encourage everyone to look into their own closets in support of this tragedy.”
Founded in 2005, the Nashville-based charity has given away more than 5.5 million pairs of shoes across 125 countries. During the Katrina aftermath, the organization was able to send more than 1 million pairs to those in need.
The “Hope for Hati” telethon, a huge televised charity event, was another way people helped out. Check out Jennifer Hudson’s moving performance of The Beatle’s classic “Let It Be” from the show.
Jan/100
Miss America Contestants Wear Military Boots for Charity
It doesn’t take much to get beautiful women in combat boots: All you need is a good cause … and probably boots that match their outfits.
Rocky SVU Boots
At least that’s all the requirements for Miss America 2010 contestants. The 53 beauty pageant participants laced up last Thursday for When They Come Back (WTCB), a national awareness campaign suiting up public figures to celebrities in military boots. The ladies wore Rocky’s SVU combat boots to show their support.
The notion behind the WTCB campaign is that everyone should take time to put themselves in the shoes of those in the military. By doing so, we “show them we are giving back to them for their sacrifices for us,” the WTCB website reads.
The campaign has partnered up with charity organizations such as Warriors Legacy Foundation, which helps troops transition to civilian life, and Military Warriors Support Foundation, which provides academic scholarships, work force retraining and job placement assistance for soldiers returning home. Other organizations involved in the WTCB campaign include Country for Our Country, a benefit concert for wounded warriors and, of course, the Miss America Organization, the infamous beauty pageant and scholarship program.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, country singer Gretchen Wilson and famed guitarist and gun rights supporter Ted Nugent are just a handful of celebrities and public figures who have already booted up for WTCB. Check out the boot-wearing do-gooders in WTCB’s photo gallery.
Be sure to check out these ladies again this Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Miss America pageant live on TLC.
(Image via Scott Harrison)
Jan/100
Soldier Jogs into Guinness Book of World Records
Army 2nd Lt. Sophie Hilaire
Clad in military boots, an Army combat uniform and a combat helmet, Army 2nd Lt. Sophie Hilaire stomped her way into the Guinness Book of World Records last November. Surrounded by runners in white sneakers and airy, brightly colored Nike duds at the Philadelphia Marathon, Hilaire plowed through the crowd wearing 30 pounds of gear, according to North Texas e-News.
“I just happened to look at the Guinness Book of World Records for marathons,” she told the newspaper, “and saw an entry for the fastest time with ‘full battle rattle’ — Army combat uniform, boots, Army combat helmet and the protective vest with full body armor. A British soldier owned the record with a time of 5 hours, 11 minutes.”
Although her original goal was to blow away that record, Guinness officials opened up a women’s category instead. Her record? 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 54 minutes, which Hilaire set that sunny fall day.
Read more about her journey here.
Meanwhile, there are some other pretty amazing (non-military related) feats highlighted on the Guinness World Records’ website:
- Greatest Distance Walked With a Milk Bottle Balanced on the Head
- Fastest Time to Eat a 12″ Pizza
- Most Snow Angels – Multiple Venue
- Largest Human Logo
- Longest Lawn Mower Ride
- Side Wheel Driving Through Smallest Gap
And now, the world’s fastest banjo player:
(Image via North Texas E-news)
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