Last Summer we broke the story about the Nike SF Boot and the Editor has been wearing a pair in Tan off and on since then. It is an excellent ultra lightweight boot built on the Nike Free sole.
Previously, the boots in Tan and Black could only be purchased through a special website but they are now available to everyone. They can be purchased at Nike Town. However, a word of caution. Nike is notorious for changing their web content on a regular basis so the link may not be valid for long.
Darn Tough Vermont has developed a new Mountaineering Weight Sock. While it won’t be available to the public until July, they are shipping their first military order next week to a Navy customer. Designed to complement heavy mountaineering boots like the La Sportiva Makalu or the Scarpa Inverno, it is an over the calf, full cushion sock made up of 77% fine gauge Merino wool and they tout it as their warmest, thickest, and most durable sock yet.
Darn Tough Vermont will have a limited supply of this sock available for teams to T&E this month. Interested organizations should contact www.darntough.com
The Rocky S2V has been quite a hit with the Air Force. So much so that a steel-toed version featuring a Gore-tex and Thinsulate lining will be included in the Air Force’s BAMS kit as the only boot. The Battlefield Airman Management System is a program begun by former Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen Jumper to commoditize the purchase of Soldier Systems gear for Airmen from the Combat Control, Combat Rescue, Tactical Air Control and Combat Weather careerfields.
I’ve been wearing a pair for about a year and they are comfortable as well as durable. The jungle-style boot is packed with features which include Super Fabric insteps for fast roping and climbing, high walled soles, flame and water resistant uppers, and antimicrobial treatment. The Berry Compliant S2V is available in sizes 4-15 in Tan, Sage, and Black from Rocky Boots.
OTB produced a few prototypes of their upcoming Jungle Boot in Multicam. If these go into production we hope they use Tan suede as the base boot.
Photos of a high top version of the upcoming Desert Zephyr have shown up several places on the internet with a lot of associated conjecture about availability. However, according to Lowa USA they are still only prototypes at this point.
The prototype in this picture feature Gore-tex. Originally, the mid-cut Desert Zephyr was only going to be offered in an unlined version but now both lined and unlined variants will be available in May.
NuShoe offers footwear refurbishment programs for several commercial vendors including Belleville, makers of the Marine Corps Hot Weather boot. It just so happens that NuShoe offers a special boot resoling program for specifically for Marines to repair the issue Hot Weather boot.
The before and after picture provided by NuShoe shows an actual pair of boots that they have resoled and repaired. Advantages to resoling include lower cost than purchasing new boots as well as avoiding the need to break them in. NuShoe will resole a pair of hot Weather boots for $50.00. What’s more, local cobblers cannot replace polyurethane mid-soles so the two to three week turn around time is very quick.
To learn more about NuSHoe visit them on the web at www.NuShoe.com.
This family of boots has been kicking around for at least a year and a half. Consisting of specialized designs for Urban, Jungle, Desert, and Mountain climes, the entire line is offered in a variety of color schemes to match environments as much as personal preference.
They successfully commercialized the Mountain Force boot with US Cav and BQM that Fall and Timberland recently transitioned the remainder of the line from their skunk works to the Pro Force sales team.
The entire line was on display at SHOT Show and we will be introducing the entire line over the next few weeks but the Desert Force Mid Boot in Coyote Brown Camo caught our eye as the most likely for our readers to put to immediate use.
Timberland Desert Force Mid Boot in Coyote Brown Camo.
Features:
-Cut-resistant, breathable mesh collars
-ÆGIS Microbe Shield® anti microbial footbed
-Quick-drying pull-out linings
-Fire resistant outsole, midsole, waterproof leather, SmartWool® collar lining
-Meets NFPA 1971, sec. 5-4.5 FR requirement
-Puncture-resistant flexible composite lasting board for underfoot protection
-Blister Guard® by Friction Free® to reduce risk of blisters
-Optional water drainage system (punch holes through if needed)
-Timberland® PreciseFit™ system for custom fit
-Convenient quick-speed lacing system
-Over-the-toe rubber bumper and wrap up outsole
-Low-profile tuned outsole with cantilevered lugs for whole body stability
A network of retailers will be released soon.
As our readers know, we are big fans of Darn Tough Vermont and so is the US military. Several of their products are issued through RFI and they recently developed a Sock Kit for a US customer. It covers everything a foot craves; comfort and warmth.
Socks are described below and are in order from Left to Right.
This five sock system was developed with members of the Special Forces community to offer a family of socks to cover any mission in any climate. Darn Tough Vermont socks are known for their long term durability and comfort. The fine gauge Merino wool used in these socks is naturally anti microbial, fast wicking/fast drying and will keep the wearer warm even when wet. Dense terry loops for cushioning without bulk and heavily re-enforced heels and toes are just two of the features that make these socks unique.
1493 Merino Wool ¼ Sock Mesh
68% Merino Wool, 28% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Physical Training
The ¼ Sock Mesh is a light weight PT sock with reinforced heels and toes. The cuff breaks approximately 2†above the ankle. These socks have open mesh knitting on the top of the foot for greater breathability and no cushioning on the bottom of the foot for a performance fit.
1418 Merino Wool Nordic Boot Ultra Light
60% Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, and 7% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Tactical Boots
The Nordic Boot Ultra Light is a light weight ¾ height tactical socks that is approximately 7†tall. The heels and toes are reinforced and there is no cushioning on the bottom of the foot for a performance boot fit. The leg is a rib knit construction.
1466 Merino Wool Micro Crew
67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Tactical Boots
The Micro Crew is a ¾ height tactical sock that is approximately 6†tall. The leg is a flat 5 x 1 rib construction with resilient terry loop cushioning on the foot bottom.
1403 Merino Wool Boot Sock Cushion
67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: All Condition Boot Sock
The Boot Sock Cushion is a mid calf sock that is approximately 9.5†tall. The foot bottom and leg is surrounded by resilient terry loop cushioning.
1405 Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion
67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Cold Weather Boot Sock
The Boot Sock Full Cushion is a mid calf sock that is approximately 9.5†tall. The foot and leg is surrounded by densely knit terry loop cushioning. The heels and toes are reinforced.
Notice, all of the socks in the kit are manufactured from Merino wool which provides a myriad of advantages including comfort, inherent FR properties as well as being anti-microbial.
For more information contact Darn Tough Vermont. Additionally, the entire Darn Tough Vermont line is available on GSA.
