As part of the Clothe The Soldier program the Canadian DND is procuring a new boot to replace their Hot Weather (Desert) Boot. Despite earlier experimental versions of boots with CADPAT uppers and soles, the new boot will be in a brown color.
The leather is a full grain nubuck with a dri-lex lining. Although considered a hot weather boot, it is completely leather and the Canadians take an interesting strategy to deal with heat build up. They have incorporated small ventilation holes in the leather above the ankle. While leather is generally more abrasion and puncture resistant than fabrics such as cordura, the fine powdery dust found in the Middle East will fill the boots with sand in no time.
The outsole is Goodyear welted, but it’s a non-Vibram Canadian made sole unit, in a brown color. The photo depicts a non-issue black version of the sole used during testing.
Amazingly, the DND has chosen to retain the ‘heel counter lining’ which is a piece of exposed 3mm rawhide leather around the ankle. This feature is found on the current Canadian Hot Weather (Desert) Boot, and the Boot, Combat, General Purpose which are notorious for blistering and chafing the wearer’s heel and Achilles tendon. The feature is usually found in footwear that lacks lacing such as cowboy boots in order to keep the shoe in place. However, when laces are also used, the result is generally friction.
