Jungle Combat, the legend of military boots

History of Jungle Shoes

Before the era of Salomon, Merrell, and Oakley shoes

And the sand-colored military combat boots that we know so well today.

Boots are one style that no other shoe can compare to.
It is a pair of shoes that will make you think back to the past. That pair of shoes is Jungle boots . Memories of the warriors who used to have jungle boots.
It may not be as easy to find as it is in other shoe models today.

To this day , jungle boots are still the number one choice for many people.
Every time I know I have to do something dirty, messy, and rough

So let’s take a trip back in time to discover the origins of jungle shoes.
The shoes that have been respected by US GIs for generations

Jungle boots were introduced shortly before World War II.
Where a small US military unit in Panama
Experiments were conducted on the shoes, designed for use in jungle combat or other hot, wet, and humid environments, which were researched and developed by the US Army in conjunction with the United States Rubber Company (now Uniroyal) in 1942.

The design of jungle boots is based on the idea that no boot can be 100% waterproof but still be breathable in the terrain.
Which is a mangrove forest or tropical forest, jungle shoes are therefore designed.
It is designed to allow for good drainage and ventilation while also preventing insects, mud or sand from entering the shoes.

The M-1942 jungle boot was tested by U.S. Army experimental units in the jungles of Panama, Venezuela and other tropical countries. The boots were found to dry faster than other boots of the era and that the polyethylene mesh soles helped reduce the risk of blisters and canker sores.

The first jungle boots M-1942

Following positive reports from testing by military units in Panama, the US Army has distributed the M-1942 boots to some of its troops.
US Army and Marine Corps combat operations in New Guinea, the Philippines,
In Burma with Merrill's Marauders (a combat unit known for its behind-the-line warfare)
In Burma, the United States), 1st Air Commando Group and
Mars Task Force (US long-range reconnaissance unit in Burma)
Jungle boots are usually issued to infantrymen who face
Humid climates or muddy environments

Panama sole jungle boots

The "Panama sole" is a shoe sole developed in 1944.
By Sergeant Raymond Doby, Panama Mobile Force, U.S. Army.

Panama sole: The rubber layer on the sole is placed at an angle to provide mud-repellent properties.
It was easy to remove from the sole and provided more traction. Although a clever design, the Panama sole was not seriously tested until 1967.

Forty pairs of Panama sole boots were tested at the Tropic Test Center in the Panama Canal Zone, and a few were tested elsewhere by the 9th Infantry Division in early 1968 as part of the ENSURE program. Testing went well, and on April 9, 1968, the Army ordered that the Panama sole be replaced with Vibram soles on all Tropical boots.

French jungle boots called Pataugas used in the Indochinese War.

During the early stages of the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army continued to distribute the M-1945 Tropical Combat Boot, developed during World War II, until 1965.

This resulted in a new model of shoes that used the knowledge learned and developed after World War II, further improved and were used by the US Army under the name 'M-1966 Jungle Boot'.
This newly developed jungle shoe features an upper made from highly durable and breathable Cotton Canvas Duck fabric.
The toe and heel are made of leather, and the ankle is reinforced with nylon.

The first new jungle boots used Vibram soles, which are rubber soles.
The sole is fused with eyelets on the side of the shoe.
To increase the speed of water drainage from the shoes, there is an inner insole.
Made of a breathable plastic that was developed in 1942 before being replaced by a Panama sole and then back to Vibram in 1969.

In May 1966, the Army received reports of frequent injuries from spike traps in combat, so stainless steel plates were added to the soles of the shoes. Other improvements were made, such as the use of nylon canvas uppers.
For added lightness, the Panama sole is used for better traction in mud.
and nylon stitching for added durability

Trivia

RoSearch or RoSearch combat boots that many people call it by the name is actually not the name of a shoe model or shoe brand. RoSearch is actually a trademark of RoSearch, Inc., a shoe manufacturing factory in Puerto Rico. This company has been producing shoes for Wellco Enterprises since World War II, including producing Jungle boots for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. They also currently produce for the Altama brand.

RoSearch stamping machine on Panama sole

It’s not hard to see why jungle boots are so popular. They’re amazing, simple, and functional. With time, they become so comfortable and functional that they’re useless. That’s what makes jungle boots so popular.

Jungle boots were not phased out even after the Vietnam War ended.
Jungle boots were the prototype for today's military desert boots.
If we compare, we can see some similarities in the 80s.
The Panama sole was replaced with a Vibram sole, which has proven to be
Panama flooring performs better in muddy environments.
But Vibram flooring is more versatile.

Vibram Sole Jungle Shoes

After that, jungle boots became less popular due to the US military.
There was a change in uniforms and a push to adopt military desert boots.
With the new uniforms, jungle boots are not as common as before.

The change in the US military uniform has led to a decline in the popularity of jungle boots.

Although jungle boots are now rare in the US military,
But in countries with hot and humid climates, such as Thailand,
We will still be able to see jungle boots being worn and used because of their durability.
The reliability and comfort of jungle shoes
Which still makes many people trust it as their number one choice.
There are still many brands that are developing better shoes to meet the needs of agencies.
And the soldiers who still use jungle boots, such as:

Translated and edited by Thepphong Chaiyaratthi

Edited by Siwapornpaiboon Thong-utaisri
Source
https://sofrep.com/gear/jungle-boots-footwear-salty/, 20 Jul 2020
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jungle_boot#, 21 July 2020

https://olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_gear_jungle_boots.php, 21 Jul 2020