Final boot test results are in

  • Published
  • By Brad Jessmer
  • Air Force Uniform Office
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The results are in and the final decision has been made concerning a prototype Airman Battle Uniform stain-resistant boot, for wear in industrial environments, that wrapped up testing in October 2009.

The wear test choice is a full grain leather boot, which incorporates a rubber toe and heal cap that resists staining and increases durability.

In 2008, the Air Force Uniform Office here began investigating various options for increasing the stain-resistant properties of current issue suede ABU combat boots. The first test of a stain resistant boot was unsuccessful in meeting the stain-resistant needs of Airmen. As a result, officials conducted a follow-on test with different materials. This follow-on wear and lab testing provided the research and development project team with data to make the best selection for acceptable stain-resistant ABU combat boots.

"The latest test boots have smooth leather, like the old black boots," said Richard Keefer, AFUO chief. "The intent was to try a boot that is easy to clean, will not stain, and hides scuffs and wear from industrial use."

In late August 2009, the AFUO outfitted Airmen at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., for a large-scale boot wear test of various options to increase boot stain resistance. Four different boot manufacturers provided sage green, full grain leather boots for the wear test. These configurations were:

· "Style A" - A hot weather, safety-toe boot construction with full grain, smooth sage green leather.
· "Style B" - A temperate weather boot constructed with full grain, smooth sage green leather. This test boot was the only non-safety toe boot included in the wear test. This boot was only tested on Airmen in non-flight line, non-industrial work environments that did not require a safety toe.
· "Style C" - A hot weather, safety-toe boot constructed with full grain, smooth sage green leather. The heel and toe areas of the boot had rubber reinforcements that are also sage green in color.
· "Style D" - A temperate weather, safety-toe construction with full grain, smooth sage green leather.

According to 1st Lt. Ashley Hawkes, AFUO project officer, 200 Airmen participated in this wear test, selected primarily on their Air Force Specialty Code. Participants included members working primarily in the maintenance, medical, and civil engineering career fields.

To accomplish the outfitting of wear test boots, a team of military, Department of Defense civilians and contractors traveled to Luke AFB to distribute the boots for the wear test. Airmen here also participated in the wear test.

During the outfitting, Airmen attended a briefing that detailed their responsibilities and how to choose a properly fitting boot.

Participants wore the boots for a 45-day wear test. They provided feedback via two wear/comment logs, a final survey, and focus group attendance at Luke AFB. Test officials collected, reviewed, and analyzed participants' test feedback. In addition, an independent laboratory in San Antonio tested, analyzed, and rated the boots for stain resistance.

Feedback from participants varied upon which boot configuration the participant wore. The most common concern maintenance Airman had for each prototype boot was poor traction.

After weeks of testing, the overall choice was a boot configuration that included a rubber heel and toe cap, with the only issues being the boot's weight, breathability, and traction. User feedback and lab testing prompted the AFUO to recommend adoption of the sage green, full grain leather boot with rubber heel and toe reinforcements. The requirement will be for this maintenance specialty boot to be designed by industry with a lighter weight, improved breathability and a better sole.

"It's vital for Airmen to have equipment that, first and foremost, enables them to stay mission focused," said Maj. Darien Hammett, Commander, 648th Aeronautical Systems Squadron. "These boots will provide functionality while also maintaining a professional appearance. It's a great example of senior leadership responding to feedback from the field."

As an interim solution until a stain-resistant boot is produced, Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, issued a policy allowing commanders to authorize wear of black boots in specific industrial work areas. Once a stain-resistant boot is approved for production, the black boot wear policy will be phased out and replaced by the new sage green stain-resistant boot for industrial use only.

More information will be available on the approval and production of a new stain-resistant boot by early summer 2010.