EDITORS NOTE: Marine Corps Systems Command updated their posting on FebBizOpps April 3 to state that “these items are required to support an upcoming Field User Evaluation that will analyze the probability of reducing lower extremity injuries in Marine recruits who train with a lightweight boot versus those recruits who wear the current sea bag boot.”
The Corps plans to conduct a study at Marine boot camp comparing two commonly worn boots in the hopes of reducing lower foot injuries and attrition rates aboard the recruit depots.
The field user evaluations will look at one of the Corps’ most popular boots known as the Danner Reckoning and the boot-camp issued Marine Corps Combat Boot.
The lightweight Reckoning boot — that Marines contend requires no breaking in period— has been flying off the shelves since the Corps approved it early last year.
As a result of that success, “the commandant’s thinking, because it’s a lighter boot maybe it does reduce injuries,” Todd Towles, a project officer for infantry combat equipment with Marine Corps Systems Command, told Marine Corps Times. “Let’s see if this boot is the better fit for Marine Corps boot camp.”
On March 22, the Corps submitted a sole source contract for 700 pairs of the popular Danner boots for use in the comparative study.
“These items are required to support an upcoming Field User Evaluation that will analyze the probability of lower extremity injuries related to use of the Reckoning Boot,” the posting from the Marine Corps reads.
Officials at Marine Corps Systems Command pushed back on reporting that insinuates the Reckoning boot is causing injuries of any kind.
Many Marines have hailed the Danner boot as the “best boot they’ve ever worn,” Towles said.
“Maybe we can reduce some lower leg injuries,” because of the success of the Reckoning boot and the fact that it doesn’t require a breaking in period, he said.
However, the comparative study in no way infers that the Marine Corps Combat Boot is the cause of injuries either, Towles said.
The Corps also plans to use 700 Rocky Tropical boots during the evaluation.
“The Rocky Tropical performed well in jungle environments during a 2017 user evaluation with 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines in Hawaii,” a command release stated.
The Danner and Rocky Tropical Boots used for the comparative study will be issued to male and female recruits at the recruit depot aboard Parris Island, South Carolina.
* This article has been updated to include new information that the Rocky Tropical Boots will be part of the boot evaluation at recruit training,
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
