Development of U.S. Military Jungle Boots in World War II
Prior to WW II, the armed forces of the United States had engaged in a number of campaigns in jungle terrain. However, no specialized units for jungle warfare existed nor had any special equipment been developed. Jungle conditions involve constant exposure to water, sand, heat, and various insects, fungal and bacterial infections. To equip soldiers for that environment, boots were required that were lightweight, durable, and quick drying.
The first jungle boots were made of canvas and rubber, used in the South Pacific during World War II. The first model went into production in 1942, to try to meet the unexpectedly large requirements for war in the Pacific Theater (top photo on this page). It had a canvas duck top and an attached tounge that kept out mud and insects. The corregated rubber sole had good traction while a removable fabric insole kept the feet away from the rubber. Overall, the boot was lightweight and kept the feet and lower legs comfortable when worn with cushion sole socks. It was easily cleaned and dried. However, it offered little support, causing troop complaints of "aching arches." The high canvas tops chafed at the legs, so it was not uncommon for soldiers to fold them over or cut them off. The boots were better than the standard service shoe or combat boot but still lasted only a matter of weeks in the field.
A modified jungle boot was designed and tested during the latter part of World War II. It consisted of spun nylon, a leather midsole, and a full-length rubber outer sole. Production was not started until the summer of 1945, at the end of the war and the design of a successful jungle boot was not settled as the war ended.
The Vietnam Jungle Boot: "Boot, Combat, Tropical, Mildew Resistant"
Since Korea was a temperate to cold climate, there was little interest in jungle operations or boots from the end of World War II until the beginning of involvement in Vietnam.
At the outset of the Vietnam War, U.S. advisors wore leather combat boots. These continued to be used throughout the war period, but in the early 1960s, perhaps as early as 1962, Army and Marine field troops began to use a black leather and olive drab nylon-webbing tropical combat boot with a cleated sole (the "Jungle Boot" with nomenclature "Boot, Combat, Tropical, Mildew Resistant" or "Boots, Hot Weather"). One of the major contractors, Wellco, produced 5000 pairs per day in the mid-60s. Two versions of leather boots remained in service in rear areas, or where there was a fire hazard that precluded the use of nylon (e.g. for pilots and other aviators), or wherever the Jungle Boot was not desirable for any reason.
There are five patterns of the nylon and leather Jungle Boot that have been identified by militaria experts. All feature the black leather and olive drab nylon construction with two steel side-by-side screened eyelets on the inner part near the arch to drain the boots after water crossings. The black synthetic rubber sole uses a self-cleaning tread with sharp outer edges and smoother center portion. The variations and evolution during the Vietnam period were:
| Okinawa | A boot developed in the 1950s was a modified WW II double buckle boot with canvas panels for tropical climates. Some early U.S. advisors sent to Vietnam from Okinawa wore this boot, therefore called the "Okinawa Boot". |
| First Pattern | 1962 or earlier. Black leather, green canvas, leather band at top, leather strap from heel to top. Vibram sole. |
| Second Pattern | 1965 or earlier. Black leather, green canvas, nylon band at top, nylon strap from heel to top. Vibram sole. |
| Third Pattern Vibram Sole | 1965-1968. Similar to second pattern but with addition of nylon ankle reinforcement band. Vibram sole. |
| Third Pattern Panama Sole | 1967 and later. The Pamama sole had a thin steel spike protection plate embedded to block Punji Sticks. Otherwise, same as Third Pattern Vibram Sole. |
Boots, Hot Weather, Spike Protective.
Photo courtesy of Coleman's Surplus.
Additional information and reference photos are available on the Moore Militaria site linked at the bottom of the page.
All Jungle Boots came with an "information tag" attached that provided instructions for use. The key points on the tag were:
- Wear with one pair "socks, wool, cushion sole". Carry extra socks and change often.
- How to choose your size.
- How to pull the boots on. Check for snakes and insects.
- Wear trousers on outside of boot.
- How to keep boots clean.
Jungle Boots After Vietnam
The Vietnam era jungle boots were quite successful and have gone through only minor design changes since they were introduced in the 1960s and used in large numbers by troops in Vietnam. When attention shifted to Southwest Asia for the Gulf War, Marines and Army units found that during the extreme hot weather the jungle boot surpassed the all-leather black combat boot in comfort. While the boot proved generally adequate, eyelets located on the lower portion trapped sand, and it did not keep the feet adequately warm during the winter months. These and other factors led to the development of a new generation of boots for use in desert climates.
Find More Information on the Web
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