Is the Corps getting a new boot?

[CommunityEditor]

Marines are beginning to question the future of their footwear following a flood of new boot sightings that seem to closely coincide with the commandant’s travel itinerary.

Sources at Camp Pendleton, Calif., who attended a speech by Commandant Gen. James Conway during his latest visit there in late October, reported spotting the Corps’ top general wearing a boot with a “hard, rubbery plastic coating” on the tip.

According to Marines who have seen them, the commandant’s kicks sport an up-turned toe — similar to high-tech running shoes — and a tab in the back believed to assist foot insertion.

The only known photograph of the alleged new boot is inconclusive, though squinting hard at the grainy image suggests a discoloration at the tip, which new-boot theorists insist is evidence of up-armored toes. The pull-up tab is clearly visible on the general’s left boot.

Sightings aren’t limited to Camp Pendleton, however. An official at Marine Corps Systems Command claimed to have seen the boot in Quantico, but was unable to investigate further as it was in motion, attached to a Marine of significant rank.

Officially, the Corps has not confirmed the existence of a prototype boot, though sources familiar with the sightings claim that conclusive photographic evidence of the boots exists.


Article: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news..._boots_071107/

[CommunityEditor]

Update: Corps confirms new boot coming (http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news...w_boot_071113/)

Boot changes are afoot for the Corps, Marine officials confirmed.

Speculation about new footwear coming down the pike emerged last week, after Commandant Gen. James Conway was spotted wearing a boot with a “hard, rubbery plastic coating” on the toe during a trip to West Coast bases.

The boot is a “Mountain Cold Weather Boot” that was adopted last year, said Marine Corps Systems Command spokeswoman Lt. Geraldine Carey.

“The boot is manufactured by Danner and is for deployment in a mountainous cold-weather environment and is not currently authorized in garrison,” she said in an e-mail. “Marines who are seen wearing the boot in garrison are either conducting further evaluation or deploying in the near future.”

Details about the boots have not been released, but new photos from Conway’s visit to California show an upturned toe — similar to high-tech running shoes — and a tab in the back believed to assist foot insertion. Looking at the photo, the hard covering on the toe also appears to cover the heel.

New boot close-up

http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sit...es/MCWBoot.pdf

[SSgtAllen3381]

I like them. I'm sure a hefty price tag will be attached as well.