The lightweight training boot is the newest trend in military footwear. Finding success in its S2V combat boot, Rocky decided to go even lighter. And it was successful. The C4 Trainer weighs approximately two pounds a pair. This military training boot will definitely help you lighten your load.

Its EVA and rubber midsole help keep things light while providing support and enhancing comfort. In addition, the outsole is outfitted with rubber lugs in high abrasion areas. Boasting an extreme athletic-shoe fit, those wearing it might forget they have a boot on.

NEWS STORY: Rocky Announces S2V Jungle Boot

Available in an eight-inch style, it boasts a full-grain leather and Cordura upper. The padded collar also ensures the wearer is stepping comfortably. Its speed lacing system makes it super easy to put your boots on and take them off.

While this is one rugged lightweight training boot, its only intended for training purposes.

What’s new for the Speed Freek in 2012? Our sister site TacticalGear.com‘s Nora Holloway caught up with Under Armour’s Senior Director Kevin Eskridge to find out what they have in store for us.

Features

• GORE-TEX® lining is 100% waterproof but still allows sweat to escape, keeping your feet dry as the hunt heats up
• High-abrasion CORDURA® mesh nylon provides a durable upper without adding a lot of weight
• Lightweight, waterproof pigskin leather overlays add protection and durability to the boots
• Push-through protection outsole protects your foot from hazards in rough terrain, without sacrificing flexibility
• High-abrasion TPU toe cap gives extra durability and protection to the front of the boots
• Durable EVA midsole provides lightweight cushioning and shock absorption, protecting your foot in any terrain
• Molded OrthoLite® footbed is designed with a memory foam top and high-rebound foam bottom, for a customized, comfort fit
• ETC® Anti-Friction Lining prevents rubbing on the foot, as well as wicking moisture to keep you dry and comfortable
• Speed lacing shanks on the upper, for easy on/off without sacrificing a secure fit
• Weight: 16.7 oz.
• Height: 7″

These are supremely flexible and can be rolled into a ball for easy storage. While keeps the weight off, the Velocity does not skimp on comfort due to its removable F2A dual density polyurethane cushion insert. The dual density outsole and comfortable EVA cushion midsole has rubber grip tread that provides traction.

STORY: New Color for Nike’s Special Field Boot

Practical for hot weather, the boots have side vents to encourage air circulation and keep feet dry. The nylon mesh lining also helps wick away moisture. Need more protection? Several styles are available in composite toe variations.

This ultralight military boot rivals Nike’s Special Field Boot.

Do you prefer traditional weight military boots or the lighter versions?

Defense News first reported on the high-speed boot during the Modern Day Marine show in late September. Designed for urban missions, the Melee will provide enough stability and durability to carry heavy loads over long distances, if necessary.

“This boot is all about light and fast,” said Ryan Cade, Danner’s product line manager for uniform and military products. “We stripped out all unnecessary weight. We are trying to provide the lightest footwear without sacrificing lethality.”

In order to increase comfort levels, the sole is made up of EVA. It’s treated with an abrasion-resistant coating to maximize its durability. The inner arch is constructed of a hardy Vibram compound called V-4 ultra-abrasion rubber, which especially comes in handy during fast roping.

The Danner Melee will be available in canvas, rough-out tan leather and full-grain black leather and three-inch, six-inch and eight-inch heights. Obviously, the canvas is the lightest and weighs in at 30 ounces. It will also be available for women with half sizes sold three through 12, with full sizes from 13 through 16. All sizes are available in wide and extra wide.

Its suggested retail is somewhere between $120 and $170.

Referring to it as the USMC RAT Hot, LaCrosse President and CEO Joseph P. Schneider stated that it had been used in Afghanistan’s mountains for more than four years and it still remains the leader in that category.

Specifically made for the United States Marine Corps, the boots are composed of full-grain leather and tear-resistant Denier nylon. To traverse the hellish mountain terrain, the RAT Hot has an awesomely heavy-duty outsole which is integrated with a Dri-Ice compound that provides both traction and flexibility. To battle abrasions and damage, it has a polyurethane protection surrounding the toe and heel.

Obviously, heat is one of the most important characteristics that came into play when designing the boot. The boot boasts Sea Breeze moisture wicking and ventilation holes on the medial side.

STORY: Marine Corps Recalls 8,000 Bates Military Boots

It has been speculated that the USMC RAT hot weather boot and the RAT cold weather boot will both become standard issue for Marines in 2012. We can only hope, right Marines?

How well do you think these Danner RATs will stand up to the harsh climate overseas?

First embarking on this mission in 2004, its R&D team started to figure out just what military soldiers needed out of their footwear. Plunging head first into this endeavor, they decided to create a boot that could also be versatile enough to meet the requirements of special law enforcement and other first responders.

According to this Nike page, the team kept in mind the wisdom of Nike co-founder Major Bill Bowerman. Major Bowerman often emphasized the importance of making footwear as lightweight as possible.

But is this really applicable to military boots? The team’s research showed that the modern day hero needed to be fast and light on his feet. So yes… it really should be as lightweight as possible.

Product-specific features include:

• A size 10 only weighs 15.9 ounces.
• Utilizing new technology, the boot promotes natural motion.
• Extremely flexible, it is fittingly supremely comfortable.

So far the feedback has been mostly positive, such as seen on Hands to War. “Nike came into this market with an amazing first offer, and I will continue to recommend these boots to every soldier, Marine, and tactical shooting enthusiast I meet,” writes Chase Campbell.

On a scale from 1-10, how important is it that your boots are lightweight?

Collaborating with military personnel, the Rocky team have designed a S2V styled boot that easily functions in the wet tropical conditions. The Cordura boot is very well ventilated with holes punched throughout the heel. Durable enough to stand up vines and thorns, its ankles are reinforced with steel mesh.The unlined boot has a thin rubber-like coating over the toe to protect wear-and-tear from vines and harsh vegetation.

Key Features:

• Extreme lightweight 900 Denier vamp, upper (highly abrasion-proof)
• Highly-vented drainage system for wet and dry maneuvers
• Traditional S2V Vibram outsole
• Military spec 550 Paracord lace
• Speed lacing system
• Reinforced, triple-stitched construction
• Rocky Polyurethane Airport footbed

“We teamed up with some of world’s best soldiers to develop the highest performing, most breathable jungle boot on the market,” said Steve Graham, marketing manager for Rocky Duty. “As our customers attest, nothing but the finest materialgoes into the S2V, which guarantees performance you can count on.”

S2V Jungle Boot has been in testing and production for the past couple of months. It is Berry Compliant and slated for release in the fall of 2011 spring 2012. Priced at the same level as the current S2Vs (around $250), it will be available in tan and/or olive mojave.

Are your boots more suited to tropical or arid environments?

“This is a key part of our business strategy to expand into the international marketplace,” said Schmults. “It makes strong business sense for a number of reasons — the Jordanian government is stable, there is a high quality, low cost apparel manufacturing infrastructure, and finally, these new partnerships enable us to expand outside of Jordan into the region and more broadly around the world.”

Wild Things, LLC has been producing mountaineering and outdoor gear for 29 years. Under WT Tactical, Wild Things has fulfilled over 25 military contracts. Known for its rapid prototype development, WT Tactical designs military clothing and gear based on personal experience and end user feedback. Past customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Navy Seals and the United States Marine Corps.

Utilizing WT Tactical’s extensive military apparel expertise, the Jordanian uniforms will feature enhanced fit and functionality, advanced fabric to enhance comfort across a broad range of temperatures and will provide a range of product options to meet the needs of the JAF.  In addition, WT Tactical will begin production of a portion of its current military product line in Jordan for export to the international military community.

Future plans include marketing and selling footwear for the international military and law enforcement community via a licensing agreement with The Jordanian Company for Manufacturing Special Boots at its  state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Jordan.  WT Tactical has begun discussions with boot designers to begin work on a next generation boot that will include new phase-change impact absorbing foams and other technical design features.

First apparel lines will be ready by late 2011. Footwear to follow in late 2012.

“It’s our hope that the Magnum blog becomes an online home base where we can connect with our consumers and industry contacts with quality content as it relates to all of the areas we serve,” explained Alexis Nascimento, public relations manager for Magnum. “We are much more than just tactical, service and work/safety gear manufacturers. Our colleagues are our second family, and our HQ is our home away from home. Collectively, we have a unified voice – and opinions.”

The blog has been in the hopper for about a year now.

“We’ve been strategizing about the blog since late last year, but we really started putting the hammer to the nail after this year’s SHOT Show,” stated Nascimento. “Our marketing team has spent countless hours fine-tuning our strategy, design and approach with this blog, and I think that our efforts show in our attention to details.”

In the past, Magnum has successfully spread its news and product releases through social media outlets, but its growth and expanding product lines called for a more involved interaction with the public.

“As our presence continues to grow online, we want to be able to connect with our consumers on a deeper level in one centralized location,” said Nascimento. “Those who follow our blog will find some updates on our products, but they’ll also find a more personal look at the people behind Magnum USA, interviews with industry insiders, giveaways and honest product reviews from bloggers, publications and fellow consumers.”

Make sure to check out the blog before the end of this July. To celebrate the launch, a prize pack valued at $1,000 in Magnum gear will be awarded to one exceptionally fated blog subscriber. All you have to do is share the site with family and friends.

What do you think of the new Magnum blog?

New Oakley water combat boots -- as yet unnamed.

First breaking the news in January, Gear Scout released photos of Oakley’s new water combat boot. As it is a work in progress, very few people outside of the company were privy to details about the military boots. In fact you may just remember the Military Boots Blog on the subject this past February.

What could be gathered from the sneak peek? The large screened holes pass allow for water to pass easily in and out of the boot. Its sole is made for improved traction despite wet conditions.

Soldier Systems Daily shared more recent pictures of the boot. Pictures of the boot in various colors have been surfacing for the past two years, but SSD was finally able to get a release date from Oakley. Expect to see these bad boys for sale sometime this summer.

Huzzah!

Have long have you been wishing for a pair of these sweet Oakley boots?