The brown Temperate Combat Boot (AKA: Mk IV Cbt Boot) - No longer CADPAT

[OldSolduer]

It's a 45 day trial, so it will be shortly, how 45 days is supposed to test a boot you'll wear for a year is beyond me but I bow to the wisdom of DND. Frankly, in this Cpl's opinion, they need to drop the "easy to break in" quantifier. The simpliest, easiest, and cheapest way to accomplish that is to make a boot flimsy, and in a competition where money talks, that's what you're going to get.

Bow to the wisdom of DND -  :facepalm: 

Some boots are easy to break in, but will last as well. Good post.

 

[Mr. St-Cyr]

It's a 45 day trial, so it will be shortly, how 45 days is supposed to test a boot you'll wear for a year is beyond me but I bow to the wisdom of DND. Frankly, in this Cpl's opinion, they need to drop the "easy to break in" quantifier. The simpliest, easiest, and cheapest way to accomplish that is to make a boot flimsy, and in a competition where money talks, that's what you're going to get.

I have to agree with you on all counts. I rather wait longer and get a decent boot than be issued these running shoes that appear to fall apart just by looking at them.

I have had the arid region boots since July and they are holding up well. They survived a DP1 infantry course in which I did not spare any ruck marches (had to test the boots) or combat patrols. The worst punishment they received was an FTX in Thetford Mines in an abandoned asbestos mine near Black Lake. I washed the asbestos residue / clay off with water and applied a layer of Altberg brown Leder Gris and they have since been revived:

 

[lawandorder]

Mr St-Cyr those look like the Maxi Brown boot not the arid region boots, but if you liked them right on.  I can't get a pair sized properly here so I haven't had a chance to wear the .  My only issue, and it is minor, is the colour.  Not a fan of the shade of brown. 

And you're right hopefully the next boot issued will  be good to go for most and we can give one last kick to that dead horse.

 

[dimsum]

Bit of a tangent, but does anyone else think it's not the best idea to go traipsing around abandoned asbestos mines (or asbestos anything) ???

 

[Wolf117]

So I heard the latest round of trials failed all three boot types, anyone heard this as well?

 

[Mr. St-Cyr]

Mr St-Cyr those look like the Maxi Brown boot not the arid region boots, but if you liked them right on.  I can't get a pair sized properly here so I haven't had a chance to wear the .  My only issue, and it is minor, is the colour.  Not a fan of the shade of brown.

These are the arid region boots. I believe the ''maxi brown boot'' is just another name for the same boot. I like them better than the GPB for sure. Very comfortable when they are broken in.



Here they are blending into Canada's arid climate:



However, there is another totally different boot with holes on the sides called ''hot weather brown'' that you may have been referring to:

 

[lawandorder]

Glad to hear they are comfortable.  I think I'm wait listed #250 for my size at clothing stores. 
And you're right, they blend in great!  :camo:

 

[DirtyDog]

Making the rounds on social media:

http://m.vice.com/en_ca/read/the-candian-forces-still-cant-buy-combat-boots

The Canadian Forces Still Can't Buy Decent Combat Boots

By Ben Makuch


While Stephen Harper and his government are known for appearing in front of “Support Our Troops” signs and inflating Canada’s historical military record (like commercials celebrating beating up on America hundreds of years ago), it appears DND still can’t buy a decent pair of much needed combat boots for frontline Canadian soldiers.

In a move aimed at replacing the old pair one soldier aptly described as “clunkers,” the Canadian Forces began distributing new spiffy “Arid Region Combat Boots” in mid-2012. They cost the Canadian government a cool $3.1 million for 20,000 pairs of what ended up being partly defective boots. Recent reports by David ******** of Postmedia are even suggesting the boots suffered discoloration problems, and literally fell apart at the seams. The government returned 10,300 pairs of boots to the contractor for inspection and correction then continued reissuing the boots in May. This isn’t a new issue: Canadian troops have been hating the old one-type fits all army issued combat boot, for at least as many years as they’ve been fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

“No one likes the (new) boots. Everyone just rolls their eyes every time a high ranking member attempts to justify the quality of them,” says one Afghan vet still in the Forces who wished to remain anonymous because he wasn’t authorized to speak with the media. “A clunker may work for the logistician, but may not be ideal for someone hunting insurgents.”

While quality footwear may not seem to be high on most people's "list of things to be upset about," in the military it's a different story. “Boots are a big fucking deal,” the soldier tells me. “The best soldiers, often athletes, hunt out superior footwear,” he says pointing out that the long marches, gun shooting, and general life risking, naturally requires a decent pair of kicks. According to him, most guys in his platoon (and most Afghan vets) usually end up buying their own boots with their own money, because they don’t trust the terrible Canadian ones.

The soldier also says the average fighter buys hundreds of dollars in extra equipment (including crucial stuff like better tactical-vests for carrying ammo) before tours, because the government issued gear is designed to suit the needs of the Canadian Forces as a whole and not those of a combat unit. “There is nothing more frustrating than some dinosaur asking why you're not wearing the boots the Queen provided,” he said referring to older members of the CF who didn’t believe in using gear not bequeathed by the crown.

Meanwhile in the US, American soldiers have the option to pick from a broad list of pre-approved footwear to find the right shoe. Technically, the new Canadian boot system will eventually allow soldiers to pick from three new boot types from the same company, once the latest models are fully cleared. But when that will actually happen is unclear.

Meanwhile, another Canadian Army Captain I spoke to says that might be a step in the right direction: “Footwear, especially when worn under physically extraneous conditions, is very personalized,” the captain says. “Some boots are better for some people. The concept of having a selection of three models is a huge step forward.” The captain adds that although he isn’t a “military fashionista,” style points for a better looking boot could pay dividends to a soldier’s confidence in the field.

Yet the issue with the new boots, fancy or not, goes deeper and sits at the core of Canada’s treatment of soldiers. For example, Canada purchased tactical vests, which store ammo, with four ammo pouches, that were perfect for peacekeeping tours in safer zones. But when it came to the running and gunning of Afghanistan, soldiers needed 10-12 mags a patrol. So troops bought their own tac-vests, lest they run out of ammo fighting a Talib, until Canada belatedly bought new ones. “There is a process to take a soldier's opinion into consideration,” one soldier says. “It is bullshit and takes too long. I think seven years after the initial release of our famous tactical vest they came up with a patchwork solution post combat mission for the guys doing mentorship for the Afghan National Army.”

According to him, the specialists in DND who decide on the purchases for soldiers, aren’t soldiers with experience but professional desk-jockies who throw money at problems, and not necessarily solutions: “Some individuals in DND have never had a real job outside of the military and seem to think the stuff that pays the bills and wins wars is monopoly money.”

Canada’s military procurement has been kindly described as “like a Monty Python movie,” because the government has a tendency to spend big, without any results. And the proof is in the graveyard of faulty projects: DND has been trying to buy Sea-King helicopters for the better part of Harper’s tenure as PM, while a protracted effort to buy the defective F-35 has been blasted as a vast piss-away of billions in taxpayer dollars. On top of that, the Harper government’s planned purchase of a much needed close combat vehicle once lauded to protect frontline soldiers from IED attacks, looks in serious doubt. When it comes to actually buying the things soldiers need, Harper’s DND has missed the mark.

Sadly, the Mickey Mouse procurement and shitty gear is considered status quo for Canada’s finest: “In order to recruit and retain the best, I would argue that it is in the military’s interest to start thinking more about morale, opinion, and personal wellbeing of its soldiers.” In other words, before Mr. Harper next considers sending troops to Haiti, Libya, or Afghanistan he should probably think about sorting out DND so they can buy them a decent pair of boots. 

After all, as the soldier put it: “If we can risk our lives why can't we be given the responsibility to choose appropriate footwear?”

 

[Eye In The Sky]

IMO the last line is a nice summary. 

 

[Mr. St-Cyr]

What about the trial?  :christmas happy:

 

[Wolf117]

I heard all three versions were rejected.  But that's unconfirmed.

 

[Mr. St-Cyr]

I heard all three versions were rejected.  But that's unconfirmed.

Well... I never.

 

[PuckChaser]

I heard all three versions were rejected.  But that's unconfirmed.

Crappy duty boots built by companies who make cowboy boots rejected? Say it ain't so. What else did the project think was gonna happen?  :facepalm:

 

[dale622]

It's kind of an angering subject with me that we can't even give our troops the BASIC kit to complete a task. They say an army marches on it's stomach... very true. However full stomachs can't march far without any footwear. I hope the CF is ready to start processing claims on boots as footwear becomes more and more of a scarcity at base clothing. I know I can't get footwear on base anymore and I am constantly in the field or otherwise tasked. So since the CF can't seem to get it's s**t together is there any way I can stop buying SWATS which for me only last 6-10 months and just hand in a receipt from Danner? That way I can have some boots for cold weather too as supply is throwing out mukluks without anything to replace them. At least a set of Danner boots will last me longer than 6-10 months. Might even last long enough to see a new issued boot be approved. I'm guessing 2-3 years.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Good question.  I have one pair of issued boots, clothing couldn't replace the pair I turned in for exchange and gave me a 4-5 month+ waiting period for the new boots. Does that mean.....they'll pay for civi boots while I wait ?  :warstory:

 

[Journeyman]

.....they'll pay for civi boots while I wait ?

Just show up with flip-flops or Uggs. The RSM will understand.   

 

[OldSolduer]

Just show up with flip-flops or Uggs. The RSM will understand.   

Oh yes he will for sure!  >

 

[Armymedic]

Just show up with flip-flops or Uggs. The RSM will understand.   

Uggs sound like a plan. Do they have to be black?

Does Ugg make boots for men?

 

[dapaterson]

Uggs sound like a plan. Do they have to be black?

Does Ugg make boots for men?

http://www.uggaustralia.com/men/

ANd, just to make the RSM smile, why not try these?

http://www.uggaustralia.com/men-flip-flops/hegger/1002246.html?dwvar_1002246_color=BLK#start=2&cgid=men-flip-flops

 

[Wolf117]

Still unable to get combat boots issued to me.  Not any sizes even close to what I wear in stock and this has been going on for six months now.  I am unsure what to do as my current boots are about ready to fall apart.  I am using gorilla glue and other adhesives to ensure that the sole doesn't peel off further.

Does anyone know what the CoC expects us to do?  I am unable and unwilling to fund my own pair out of pocket.  But at this point I'm almost unable to have footwear to show up to work with...