Army Clarifies What Acceptable COTS Boots Are.

Sgt. Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III has issued guidance designed to eliminate speculation and misunderstandings with regards to what constitutes acceptable COTS boots. Sgt. Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III cites ALARACT Message 140/2007 and provides some examples of what boots are acceptable.

“Some examples of these items include, but are not limited to, the Belleville Model 390, the 8-inch Danner Desert TFX, the 8-inch Oakley S.I. Assault Boot as well as many other more traditional Army tan combat boot styles.”

These are not endorsements but merely examples of what is acceptable.

In addition he provides examples of unauthorized boot styles.

Sgt. Major Chandler outlines those characteristics COTS boots must posses to meet U.S. Army standards, Saying;

“The Army authorizes COTS boots as long as they are between 8 to 10 inches in height and made of tan rough side out of cattle hide leather, with a plain toe, and with a soling system similar in color to the tan upper materials. The soling materials cannot exceed two inches in height, when measured from the bottom of the outsole, and cannot extend up the back of the heel of the boot or over the top of the toe.”

“The exterior of the upper boot cannot contain mesh but must be constructed of all leather or a combination of leather and non-mesh fabric. Boots with metal or plastic cleats in the bottom of the soles and sewn-in or laced-in zippers or Velcro inserts are not authorized.”

“There are other leathers, such as pigskin, that do not meet the performance criteria of cattle hide. Cattle hide leather is more durable, and provides better performance in combat over pigskin. Soldiers should be aware that some companies sell ‘Warrior Leather” which is a common-use name for pigskin leather.”

“Rubber and polyether polyurethane are the only outsole materials authorized. Rubber and polyether polyurethane are the only outsole materials that currently meet the need for durability and traction on surfaces in multiple environments and temperature ranges, other materials, which may be of a lighter weight, do not meet soldiers performance standards.”

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