DA PAM 670-1: 20-5. Boots

20-5. Boots

a. Boots, combat, coyote, leather. The Army combat boots (hot weather) are clothing bag issue items.

(1) Description. The issue Army combat boots (hot weather) are made of coyote-colored, flesh-side out cattlehide

leather and nylon duck upper, removable cushioned insert, a closed-loop speed lace system, and drainage eyelets.

Soldiers are required to possess two pairs of Army combat boots.

(2) How worn.

(a) The boots are laced diagonally. The color of the bootlaces will match the color of the boot, with the excess lace

tucked into the top of the boot under the bloused trousers or slacks or wrapped around the top of the boot. Metal or

plastic cleats and side tabs are not authorized for wear. Sewn-in or laced-in zipper or hook-and-loop inserts are not

authorized.

(b) Rubber or pure polyether polyurethane soles are the only outsole material that currently meets the need for

durability and traction on surfaces in multiple environments and temperature ranges. Other materials that may be of a

lighter weight may have significant problems in these areas.

b. Optional boots. As an option, Soldiers may wear jungle combat boots, commercial boots of a design similar to

that of the Army combat boot (coyote), and the combat leather boot (black with ASU and brown with AGSU), as

authorized by the commander. Soldiers may wear optional boots in lieu of Army combat boots (coyote), as authorized

by the commander. However, they do not replace issue boots as a mandatory possession item.

(1) Description.

(a) The boots must be between 8 to 10 inches in height and made of coyote-colored, flesh-side out cattlehide leather

with a plain toe and a soling system matching the color of the coyote upper materials. Rubber and polyether polyure-

thane 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 all leather or a combination of leather

and nonmesh fabric.

(b) The combat leather boot is made of leather with a deep lug tread sole made of vulcanized rubber, a removable

cushioned insert, a closed-loop speed lace system, and a leather padded collar. A vulcanized rubber sole is the only

outsole material that currently meets the need for durability and traction on surfaces. Other materials that may be of a

lighter weight may have significant problems in these areas.

(2) How worn.

(a) The black leather combat boots are worn with the ASU.

(b) The brown leather combat boots are worn with the AGSU.

(c) Only Soldiers authorized to wear the tan, green, or maroon berets; MP personnel performing MP duties; and

those assigned to air assault coded positions may wear combat boots. When worn, the trousers or slacks are bloused

(tucked-in or by the use of blousing rubbers or bands). When trousers or slacks are bloused, personnel will not wrap

them around the leg so tightly so as to present a pegged appearance. When the trousers or slacks are bloused properly,

the bloused portion of the trousers or slacks will not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot. Soldiers

will not blouse boots so that the bloused portion extends down to the ankle area of the boot.

(d) The boots are laced diagonally with the excess lace tucked into the top of the boot under the bloused trousers

or slacks or wrapped around the top of the boot. Metal cleats and side tabs are not authorized for wear, except by

honor guards and ceremonial units in the performance of ceremonial duties. When metal cleats and side tabs are

authorized for wear, commanders will furnish them to Soldiers at no cost. Sewn-in or laced-in zipper inserts are not

authorized.

(e) Optional boots are not authorized for wear when the commander issues and prescribes standard organizational

footwear for safety or environmental reasons, such as insulated boots or safety shoes. Personnel may wear specialty

boots authorized for wear by specific groups of Soldiers, such as the tanker boot, only if the commander authorizes

such wear. Soldiers may not wear optional boots in formation when uniformity in appearance is required.

c. Organizational boots. When prescribed and issued by the commander according to CTA 50 –900, personnel

may wear organizational boots, such as temperate boots or safety boots, with field and utility uniforms.