Uncovering the History of US Military Boots (PT.2 - WW II to Today)

This is the history of American military boots from the World War II through Vietnam, Desert Storm, to today. Watch PT.1 (Civil War, WW I, WW II) here → • Uncovering the History...
Read the full piece by Daniel Harris on BootSpy → bootspy.com/american-military...
For soldiers, footwear has always been a matter of life or death. So how have military boots evolved over the years?
As you can imagine, a lot of innovation occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries, and boots are changing more than ever in the 21st century.
In this 2-part series, we're covering how US military boots have changed since the Civil War.

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

Those punji sticks sound absolutely terrifying. Really makes me appreciate the puncture resistance test in Rose Anvil's videos...

[@adamp5951]

It's good to see you again, William. I was in during the transition from the black Altamas to the tan roughouts. I loved my hot weather Bellevilles. Bates for cold weather. I never could get into the "sneaker boots" like Nike and Oakley. A lot of guys loved their Rockies, but I never tried them. We were issued a Danner mountain boot that was built like a tank, but our Battalion didn't wear them.

[@eaglet6703]

Issue boots might be a bit heavy and cluncky at first, but once you break into them, they feel nice and snug, and are built tough, last forever. A lot of these gucci oakley boots tends to have the sole peel off from the boot itself after a while of usage. Not that great.

[@sungcha3563]

Those tanker boots look cool!

[@Highland_Paddy]

I think in Desert Shield / Storm they were initially still wearing the black all-leather ones same as Viet-Nam, etc.

[@Highland_Paddy]

There were also variations of the black ones through the years and I don't know if these were inherent from branch to branch like some other equipment or if it was similar to the grunts having a choice like those later models.

[@bonecollector1968]

Yes we were..you're right.

[@eaglet6703]

​@@bonecollector1968 ty for your service😊 did you guys shine boots during the war there in the desert? I wonder what kinds of standards of mataining boots you guys had, since i dont have experience with black boots in desert

[@starioskal]

The armed forces (all branches) were wearing all black leather combat boots, exception for tropical or hot weather were the o.d. green and black jungle boots allowed. The US military was slowly phasing out the old green and black jungle boots for the new all nylon all black version and the speedlace all black leather combat boots. The all black,nylon and leather jungle boots were actually beginning to come into service in 86, the steel plate was in the soles. The last of the o.d. green jungle boots was issued and phased out in 1990. In that time frame an all tan, nylon and leather rough out desert boot was starting to show up. The identical boot to its NATICK version seen in photos from the late 70s. Later the all black jungle boots and new tan leather and nylon boots were upgraded by adding height. Most forces had to do with what they got.

[@alexperez3651]

Very cool series and concise!

[@par3caddy]

Thank you. Very thorough. But undersndably Totally left out the entirely leather upper (no canvas)version of the Mildew & Water Resistant, Direct Molded Sole DMS from the 60s until about the early 90s. These were a 10 inch black leather plain toe boot ...No canvas

[@JohnnyTaxonomy]

How about the Salomon version of military desert boots?

[@billybob7088]

Man my Desert Storm boots destroyed my toes and feet in general.

[@simongrushka983]

how come 6 inch boots are not allowed? they do offer ankle protection and are lighter and easier to put on

[@Sonofanirsrebel]

I personally wear exclusively military boots purely because my budget only allows me to wear cheaper boots, but I still wanted quality, and black military boots are perfect for that if you like black boots. There's many types but my favourite two pairs are a pair of steel toe military lineman boots from the 70s, and a pair of dms black leather boots from the 80s, theyre both US, but I would like to find myself a pair of stitched sole black leather 8-9 inch boots. The m1962 or McNamara boot are currently out of what I'm willing to spend, but for affordable ones, you can find the black leather flight crew boots for only like 100 bucks. I would not suggest many modern private purchase boots, but I would go wellco all the way

[@simongrushka983]

do yourself a favour and try out some bundeswehr boots model 2005 or 2009 by haix. leather lined (so no goratex etc), black, acceptable wealth but are comfy AF and usually affordable

[@Howleebra]

its insane how long militaries wore heels