Biomechanical Properties of Infantry Combat Boot Development.
Abstract
A critical item to USMC standard military issue is the combat boot. Military requirements demand a boot that is comfortable, durable, and enhances the movement capabilities of the soldier. This study evaluated the biomechanical properties of commercially available boots and provided recommendations for optimal design. The evaluation included physical tests of the footwear material characteristics and biomechanical tests using human subjects. A survey addressing comfort parameters was administered to each subject. Boot impact tests revealed that all of the commercially available boots tested superior to the standard-issue jungle and leather combat boots. On the performance tests, the greatest shock absorption and lowest power requirements were obtained with the Asolo 540 boot, the Bates Lite 924 boot, and the polyurethane prototype boot. The greatest stability was achieved with the Danner Acadia boot, the leather combat boot, and the Bates Lite boot The jungle boot improved markedly in each of the test parameters with the addition of the polyurethane sole (polyurethane prototype boot). Findings suggest that commercially available boots offer superior features over standard-issue military boots. This study illustrates that optimal characteristics from commercially available boots can be combined to create a military prototype boot surpassing those in current use.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331427
Entities
People
- James D. Hagy
- K. Kaufman
- Karen M. Williams
- R. A. Shaffer
- S. K. Brodine
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center