A Comparison of 2 Current-Issue Army Boots.
Abstract
The experiment evaluated the physiological, biomechanical, and maximal performance responses of 10 male and 1 female soldiers wearing 2 current Army boots, 3 second-generation prototype Army boots, and the new current-issue Marine Corps boot. Physiological evaluation determined the rate of oxygen consumption for walking both with and without a 60-lb backpack and during unloaded running. Biomechanical analysis quantified gait, posture, and lower-extremity joint forces and torques. Maximal-speed runs both with and without the 60-lb backpack were timed on both straight and zigzag 400 m grass courses. Comfort and functionality questionnaires were administered to the volunteers after they walked 6 miles at 3 mph over pavement and wooded trail in each boot-type; blisters and other foot trauma were assessed post-march. Based on their overall performance, the boots were ranked from best to worst as follows: (1) Prototype 4, (2) Prototype 3, (3) Prototype 2, (4) Army combat boot, (7) Army jungle boot, (6) Marine Corps boot. The performance of all the boots is summarized in a table, and a list is provided of the best performer for each major evaluation variable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA373438
Entities
People
- Clay Pandorf
- Everett Harman
- Michael Lafiendra
- Peter Frykman
- Ty Smith
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine