Kit Up reported the Army has started testing a new jungle boot to supplement the nation’s “pivot to the Pacific”.  Col. Robert F. Mortlock, project manager for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment said, one of the biggest design upgrades is “direct-attach outsoles.”  Direct-attach outsoles are glued, not stitched, to the bottoms of boots, making some pairs of Army Combat Boots up to 1 pound lighter.  The direct-attach outsoles are also less apt to separate after long, rough usage.   Equally important, Mortlock said, was direct-attach outsoles have reduced lower leg injuries to soldiers because they reduce the shock transferred to the foot and leg.

The Army did not specify how many boots it will test.