By Rehan Iqbal
If you want to make sure that you obtain high quality boots that are compliant to army standards, you will have to go beyond mere looks. Your judgments will have to be based on a variety of factors that will affect how the Army approved boots will serve you in the long run. First and foremost, you have to make sure that the boots are AR 670-1 compliant boots. Once that has been ascertained, the other things to look for when shopping as military personnel are as follows.
Leather Upper or Non-mesh
Tactical boots have to either feature a full-leather upper, non-mesh material, or a leather fabric. The leather used in these boots must be cattle hide leather. This type of material will be very durable and provide you with the level of protection that you need as military personnel. This is the very first thing to look for when buying tactical boots because synthetic leather and mesh fabrics are prohibited according to the AR 670-1 army regulations.
Sole
It is best to look for boots where the sole does not extend either to the back of the heel or the front, over the toe. The sole must not exceed the height of 2″ when measured from the bottom. The outsole must be made out of rubber or polyurethane to guarantee both your comfort and flexibility. These aspects ensure that these boots will provide the essential high-quality features required by military personnel.
Height
As per the requirements, the height of AR 670-1 compliant boots should be no lesser than 10″ while being greater than 8″. As military personnel, this has been the recommended height for the best performance in action.
Color
The color featured in the army approved boots must be tan or coyote tan. At the same time, the color of the toe part of the boots must match the color of the upper segment. If you are enlisted and in active duty, the camouflage will come in handy when you’re out in the field. There’s really no room for fashion in the army. So unless you’re buying tactical boots for fun, make sure you stick to the color code.
Lightweight
Making sure that your tactical footwear is light is a crucial point because the lightness of the boots will allow you to wear them for a longer time without fatigue. What this will result in is a greater comfort for more significant amounts of time. The lightweight design will also provide you with the speed and agility you require as military personnel, giving you an edge in many combat, stealth and endurance situations.
Physical Inspection
Even if your boots are AR 670-1 compliant, you have to keep in mind that you are purchasing them from a store. It is therefore also crucial to ascertain the quality of the boots by observing it up carefully and checking for any imperfections or damage that may be present in the boots. You will have to carefully examine both the left and right boot to ensure that they are the same sizes.
You will also need to check the scent of the boots, differentiating the scent of rich leather from synthetic odors. You will also need to insert your hand into the shoe to make sure the materials are stuck together and left with no bubbly parts in between. You can even wear them and test how they feel and react to different environments.
Customer Reviews
You can save yourself a lot of trouble by checking customer reviews on the boots that you want to purchase. Very often they will reveal all the flaws and benefits of their tactical boots and assist you in making the right choice. It doesn’t hurt that your choice will have been made by an informed decision from a tried and tested point of view.
Conclusion
To sum it up, these are some of the things to look for when buying military approved boots. These requirements are as specified by the AR 670-1. The additional methods will also help you obtain the best pair of boots that will be suited to you in addition to getting military boots that are AR 670-1 compliant. Follow the guidelines carefully and get yourself a pair of army approved boots that will serve you in the best way possible.