Authorized Army Boots under AR670-1 Guidelines

When the Department of the Army published the AR670-1 uniform guidelines back in March, most of the hubbub was over grooming and appearance issues. Everybody was talking about leadership breaking out rulers and cameras to document tattoos. Little mention seemed to be made over the actual uniform regs. However, a single powerpoint slide has recently made the rounds on the web. This slide has made senior NCOs smile and the rest of us roll our eyes. Unfortunately it's all true.

You probably just bought boots that aren't authorized. Click to enlarge.

These Boots are Not in Order

So what gives? Why are these boots unauthorized? See page 122 of AR670-1:

As an option, Soldiers may wear commercial boots of a design similar to that of the Army combat boot (tan), as authorized by the commander. The boots must be between 8 to 10 inches in height and made of tan flesh-side out cattlehide leather, with a plain toe and a soling system matching the color of the tan upper materials. Rubber and polyether polyurethane are the only outsole materials that are authorized. The soling materials will not exceed 2 inches in height, when measured from the bottom of the outsole, and will not extend up the back of the heel or boot or over the top of the toe. The exterior of the boot upper will not contain mesh but will be constructed of either all leather or a combination of leather and nonmesh fabric. Soldiers may wear optional boots in lieu of the Army combat boot (tan), as authorized by the commander; however, they do not replace issue boots as a mandatory possession item. 

Give up? Manufacturers have been advancing footwear technology by producing lighter and more breathable boots, but in order to maximize those traits they have often used more synthetic materials. Most of the boots on the slide above commit the sin of using synthetic leather, not the rough-out cattle hide of the issue boots. Some also use mesh instead of nylon. Those materials are not seen as durable by the Big Army. So that means the extremely popular Nike SFB and Rocky C4 Trainers are out.

The last big gotcha is the sole itself. It has to be rubber or PPU (polyether polyurethane) and can't be over 2 inches in height. It must now also match the color of the upper and not extend up over the heel or the toe. That means your Lowa Zephyr boots are out.

AR670-1 Footwear Guidelines

So to recap. Here is what you need to look for in your next Army boot purchase:

• Beef - It's not just what's for dinner, it has to be on your feet. Specifically, it must be tan rough-out or suede style leather. No synthetics.
• Mesh - the boot upper must be a leather or leather/nylon material, like Cordura. No mesh.
• Sole - Rubber or PPU only. Must match color of the boot upper.
• Heel/Toe Bumpers - Sole cannot extend over the heel or toe.
• Boot Height - 8-10 inches tall, but you already knew this didn't you?

Final Notes & Where to Find Authorized Footwear

U.S. Cavalry will continue to monitor this situation and provide an up-to-date list of authorized footwear that meets the criteria set forth in AR670-1. You can browse that list here.

Keep in mind that according to the regs, any commercial, off the shelf purchase is considered an option, not in lieu of the mandatory issue boots you are supposed to possess. Lastly, please check with your command to be absolutely sure you are spending your hard earned money on something this will NOT sit in the closet.

Sand Storm: Pre-Order Today

Check out the hottest new line in combat boots - Sand Storm - found exclusively here at U.S. Cavalry. We just launched the brand and are available for pre-order today. Take a look at the product video premieres for each of the three new styles, the HooDoo, an all purpose garrison boot, the Stinger, a ANSI certified composite toe, and the top-of-the-line Light Fighter, with will re-define value in the lightweight assault boot category.

The A-TACS Difference

A-TACS® was developed by Digital Concealment (DCS) to answer the call for better and more effective camouflage system integration for duty personnel in any service branch from military to law enforcement. 

The problem with modern digital camouflage patterns currently in use are the square pixels.  These squares used to create the distortion effect do not replicate the shapes, forms and shadows of the environment they are deployed in, especially when viewed through optics. The ninety-degree angles and limited use of natural colors can in many cases, make detection easier.

A-TACS® is different. It replace unnatural square pixels with organic pixels. These organic pixels are created through a patented process that creates a palette of natural colors digitally sampled from real world elements in carefully controlled lighting. The pattern is then created using a mathematical algorithm that writes "organically shaped" pixels using the specific color information given. The resulting pattern while still digital, is far more organic in appearance.

Additionally the use small patterns is utilized.  This creates larger more distinct shapes designed to work at a distance. Small shapes create larger shapes and larger shapes are organized into a distinct pattern with no horizontal or vertical orientation. This unique "pattern within a pattern" concept allows A-TACS® to effectively break the human outline at great distances thereby, minimizing the "blobbing" effect of other patterns when viewed from a distance.

Finnaly, the inter-mingled specially selected colors creates shades more natural than was previously possible. The overall base color for the cast is a neutral tan which is designed for use in open, rocky or arid environments.  You can find a wide variety of A-TACS® gear at uscav.com today.  

We have nearly 100 items already that are or have A-TACS® variants.  Be sure to check out Propper's Uniforms as well as their TAC U Combat Shirt, Danner A-TACS® TFX Boots, Custom Nametapes and a selection of pouches, packs and accessories from Condor and Ares Armor and much more.

In November, A-TACS® is revealing a new variation tailored toward more woodland environments - A-TACS® FG.  The slated release of this pattern is in just 5 days, on November 14th. So be sure to check back to uscav.com as our product selection of this variation becomes available.

Boots That Last In Afghanistan

"So these things are sturdy. My unit got these issued before a deployment to Afghanistan. In my experience, after first putting them on they seemed a LOT heavier than a normal boot (but then again I had been wearing the Oakley assault boots prior to it.) After walking around in them for a little while I got used to them and they turned out to be very very comfortable once broken in, and have lasted me ever since. I've only had them since April of 2010, but they're still holding up just fine."

-- Steven B.

Find the Danner 6" Military Combat Hiker Boot at uscav.com today.

"MultiCam was the clear winner"

Photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte, U.S. Army.

So it is official now. Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced that Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan will get MultiCam uniforms.

According to Col. Bill Cole, project manager for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment, MultiCam was “21 percent less detectable than UCP,” the pattern used in ACUs.

Army to Adopt MULTICAM for Afghanistan Mission

If you were left scratching your head over the decision to field the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP). You weren't alone.

Heck, everybody knows there is no such thing as a universal camo. Right? Is there really a pattern that can work in all environments?

Umm...not really, but with our current level of technology, MultiCam is perhaps the best. And by all indications that the Army is actually going to field it... sort of.

After a recent round of tests, the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George Casey has recommended that the Army adopt MultiCam. For the time being, only for those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and only after the Secretary of the Army gives final approval, which is expected soon.

So how did this happen? What is MultiCam? How is it so good?

Well dear reader, follow along and we'll give you the overview, pointing you to some great folks that have already done a lot reporting on this subject.

What is MultiCam? Back when the Army was developing the next generation uniform, the successor to the BDU, the army was also trying to come up with a solution to a huge logistical problem: fielding different sets of uniforms every time our forces deployed to a combat zone. Now in the field of new camo, our neighbors to the north were actually leading the pack. Through research the Canadian military had discovered several key things: Black in a camo was bad (it attracts the eye) and digital was good (it helps break up the human figure). So combine a digital camo pattern with some colors that individually work in the desert, woodland and urban areas, throw in some angled pockets and you've got the new ACU.

So wait, what about MultiCam? Oh yeah. The Army actually conducted tests pitting their UCP pattern against a new design by Crye Associates. These guys did their homework, they did all these photographic measurements of environments in different lighting, the whole nine yards. Basically Crye used Photoshop to build a color palette that worked with the majority of their environments and MultiCam was born.

After the tests, the Crye pattern along with along with two others (Desert All Over Brush and Woodland Track Mod) came out ahead of UCP in the Army tests.

So how come the Army went with UCP? No freaking idea. Guess it was the home team advantage. Money. Family ties. Who knows.

So fast forward to 2009. The recently departed Rep. John Murtha actually had a hand in all of this because he pressured the Army to conduct another camo trial based on the feedback coming from Afghanistan. The ACU sucked in Iraq and it really sucks here!

Late last year, the Army took samples of the available camo patterns and actually sent a team to Afghanistan to the do the light test thing again. After that, MultiCam and UCP, now with a fourth color (Coyote) would battle one more round. This time the two camo patterns would actually be fielded by two battalions, each with a different pattern.

Not much was known about this part of the test. Those following along would come across photos on the web, but no details have come out. One can only guess that MultiCam is finally getting the credit it's due and it's creators, hopefully, some measure of accomplishment.

So what makes MultiCam so good? Check this out.