This is the first time WL Gore & Associates, Inc, makers of Gore-Tex material have shown a product made from their new lightweight Thermium insulation. It’s the new Extreme Cold Weather Boot from Belleville.
The boot features 600 grams of composite insulThe Gore Thermium is in the form of a boot insert construction, similar to the Gore-Tex membrane boot insert. However, as depicted in this graphic, the insulation is mapped, with thicker areas covering certain parts of the foot in order to ensure a better fit and protect those parts of the foot which get the coldest.
Built on the Belleville 675 platform, the boot will protect down to -20 deg F and is flight approved. In addition to the Gore Thermium Insulation, the boot also features Gore-Tex protection.
Looks nice. Add a VB sock system and you’re there.
What’s the mid sole? Biggest heat loss is thru the sole as any alpine boot maker will demonstrate.
If that’s your only extreme cold weather footwear you’re going to have an extremely bad time.
Without an overboot, you’d need at least a solid system of multiple pairs of socks, a VB, a felted wool inner boot and a fleece inner boot.
I’m also very skeptical about membranes in cold weather field boots, as it reduces drying time.
Think you meant membranes increase, not decrease, drying time. I agree that these boots would be a dismal solution, at best, for cold wx ops let alone extreme cold wx. Despite marketing claims, almost every available waterproof/breathable membrane by nature turns into a vapor barrier as the temperature drops. Unfortunately, usdod really only has one fielded extreme cold wx boot, the VB, and it is unsuitable for any mission requiring mobility. The norgie solution you’re speaking of would work if only the CW/arctic equipment PM’s would get a system tested and fielded but for some reason we’re settling for open purchase COTS boots/gaiters for units with discretionary $$$ and ancient VB’s for the common soldier. It ain’t rocket science but it sure has flummoxed every branch of usdod since, and in spite of lessons learned the hardest way in, the Korean War. Comically ironic to watch all the CW clothing development while no one touches the cw footwear system with a ten foot pole. Not having a fielded cold wx boot/system (let alone personnel/vehicular over the snow capabilities) basically means no mission capability in winter and high-altitude/latitudes throughout most of the world and apparently usdod is okay with that.