Should boots like Nike and Rocky C4T be authorized?

Respectfully 1SG, unfortunately, unless Nike has changed their construction and I am not aware then they are still unauthorized. DA Pam 670-1 dated 31 March 2014, in paragraph 20-3, 3, a states:

(3) Optional boots.
(a) 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.


Nike boots continue to be manufactured with synthetic leather, not cowhide and they feature outsoles that are comprised of EVA foam, not full leather. Therefore, they do not meet regulation and are not authorized for wear. If Nike were to elect to use cowhide and offer full rubber outsoles then they would comply. I believe they do not do so in order to save weight and people buy them anyway. Besides, their primary target is law enforcement, not the Army. The Army is just a bonus to them.

As others have said, I cannot find a complete list of authorized boots on PEO Soldier either. I do know that Nike violates two of the requirements in DA Pam 670-1 and that should be enough to be certain that they are not authorized footwear.

based off the actual wording of the reg and pam.......even the issue boots are unauthorized, due to the nylon sides of the boots. which do technically qualify as "mesh" and is specifically prohibited

SSG (Join to see) you are one intelligent NCO. I'm so glad someone else is actually looking into the definition of the words.

Sure, Lebron James Endorsement

SGT Jaynes, I wear those myself, but notice they tend to be a bit on the warm side. I've been told the NIKE's are really light, but at my size I think i'd go through about 4 pairs a year.  As it is, the hot gravel doesn't do my blackhawks any justice and they fall apart shortly after my return.

techically the nike symbol that would make them unauthorized is "hidden" within the inside heel of the boot where it is not seen while being inspected, just like all the other standard boots, they all have the symbol on them somewhere its just that it is hidden from view, and i agree with all the above SM's, I switched to nike for everyday use, rucking,and field duty, NOTHING compares to their comfort and durability; and all the seniors above me wear them as well :) hope your doing good in carson brother

Funny, when my unit was in Afghanistan we were issued Marine Corps boots with the globe and anchor embossed, then told we could'nt wear them.  I gave them to my son who has the same sized foot.  Oh, my unit, a Cavalry unit, RSTA in the VTARNG. Nice boots though.

There are many different boots out there that are on the authorized list that will fit anybody's feet. I would say the Army isn't limiting the market, but in today's big business run society and with all the corruption going around, I don't know. I like to think the Army limits what Soldiers can and can't have based on things like durability (ask just about anybody who has had the Nikes, they wear out quickly), cost (Nikes and Rocky C4Ts aren't cheap and the already mentioned wear out quickly makes Soldiers buy more often, which a lot of them can't afford), and safety. I know a lot of Soldiers out there who can't afford to buy the next cool thing, that isn't going to last for more than a few months, just because somebody else has it. Since they can't afford it, instead of letting it go and buying something that will last and serve the purpose, they just break out another credit card or their Star Card and go buy them and put themselves farther under.

SFC,

I understand your point; however, I am still looking for a pair of authorized boots that will fit my army prescribed inserts and my feet without causing me pain. I have yet to find a pair with enough vertical room to meet my needs (open to suggestions). The other issue I have, which I believe a lot of women have is the limitations in size. I came from Fort Bragg, with hundreds of little boot stores all over the place and only 1 or 2 would actually carry my size. Of those 1 or 2 in my size, it was never a comfortable or high performance boot. I'd have to get the store to 'special' order boots just to try them on (which they aren't very willing to do). I have an average size foot for a female (sz. 4.5 men's), so I can imagine many women have the same problem. One of NCOs at my last unit wore a size 2 in men's, she ALWAYS had to special order. In Hawaii, I know of three stores that sell Army boots and the only boots I have found in my size are unauthorized. I do understand the issues with cost, which is why I think the Army should authorize a boot allowance, or allow an exchange for ISSUED boots in order to obtain new ones when they become unservicable. I can only speak for myself, but I buy boots based on how they function not how 'cool' they are. It's hard for me to feel sorry for Soldiers who spend money they KNOW they don't have, especially when the military provides finacial assistance and training.