cold weather boots

COLD WEATHER COMBAT BOOT

This is the title of a new “sources sought notice” published by the army. What they are looking for is a contradiction in terms

They are conducting a market investigation for waterproof, cold weather combat boots. I do not know what the low temperature capability desired is but for this article I will assume zero degrees F.

If the boot is to be waterproof that means all of the moisture from each foot is trapped within the boot. If the ambient temperature happens to be between zero degrees F and 30 degrees F that means the surface temperature of the boot regardless of the material the boot is made from, although I expect it will be leather, that means that the exterior temperature will via conduction move into the boot, causing any moist vapor to condense. That further means the material within the boot will be close to that temperature which also means the moisture trapped within the boot will be whatever the temperature happens to be. Therefore, the skin surface of the wearer will get cold and so long as these boots are being worn the wearer will have cold feet.

The army I believe recognizes that the current intermediate cold weather combat boot is not sufficient, if it were why look for a new one.

What I believe is the simple fact that they are not examining what it takes to keep a person’s (soldiers) foot warm in general. We know that each foot emits more moisture than any other area of the body. We know that by wearing fishnet underwear as a base layer all moisture moves away from the skin surface therefore, when the moisture cools since it is not touching your body you do not get a chill. Why treat the feet differently? While I do not think fishnets socks would be comfortable I do know that my Lamilite socks do allow all of the moisture that is emitted from feet to move away from the skin surface of each foot. That is because the Lamilite socks are made from materials that are vapor permeable. The knitted wool or cotton socks issued are not, they absorb the moisture.

What they are not recognizing or understanding is the importance of initially providing material that will not retain or stifle the movement of the body generated moisture. Therefore, whatever the boot is now made from it will still not perform as needed so long as it is waterproof.

Now for the boot itself, it too has to be made from materials that do not inhibit all of the moisture from getting out of the boot. The Lamilite has demonstrated for at least 20 years that it does not retain that moisture, but if there were a waterproof film placed between the Lamilite and the shell material i.e. leather which is also vapor permeable the moisture would be trapped and the same result would take place; cold feet. That said the elimination of the film is mandatory.

Any moisture from the outside would now find it very difficult to get into the boot, as it would have to force the moisture coming out of the boot back into the boot. So far I have not personally had that experience nor have any of my customers told me they have.

It is unfortunate to see the perpetuation of the use of materials that are constantly not performing as represented by the manufacturers of those materials. It is equally unfortunate to know that the boot manufacturers also do not take the time to learn about various components that could be incorporated into footwear that does allow for moisture to get away from feet.

Is there or will there ever be a point in time when either will wake up and tell the other what is necessary to make a boot that will work? I for one do not think either side will acknowledge any of this. Why are civilian consumers discovering those products that I build working as they do? Are we you and I occupants of bodies that function different than the human, who chooses to join the army, etc., I do not think so. At some point a boot manufacturer will give them a boot that passes all of their tests supposedly and that is what the army buys and in two years they will go out looking for a “new” cold weather boot just like they do every now and then look for a new “improved” sleeping bag.