Some U.S. Marines can finally get their hands on the new tropical boots by the end of the year. According to Marine Corps Times, the Corps has awarded contracts to two companies that will produce the selected lightweight and fast drying tropical boots. This is the result of testing of tropical boots over the past years from Danner, Bates and Rocky Boots with the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines testing them in jungle environments in 2017, finally selecting two companies in May 2019.

Provengo LLC, will be making Danner tropical boots for a contract worth US$13.5 million whilst a contract worth US$11.1 million to ADS Inc. to produce the Rocky tropical boots. Both companies are expected to manufacture 70,000 pairs each as revealed by MARCORSYS spokesperson, Maj. Ken Kunze.

The boots from both manufacturers will be from 9.5 to 10 inches in height, and weigh around 1.85 to 1.5lbs for a Marine who wears 10R footwear. But what is important apart from the durability of these boots is that they are fast drying as well and can perform in tropical climes for up to 12 months.

These new boots will be worn together with the new “jungle jammies”, also a lightweight and fast drying tropical uniform for the Marines which were also tested but the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines together with the boots two years ago.

Whilst the Marines are known to operate in various climates and in recent years mainly seen in desert environments, historically, the Marines are best known to be in their element in tropical environments as now they are focusing on the Pacific making these new footwear and uniforms ready for the troops is important as the region is facing an increasingly assertive China.

The boots and uniforms will not be seabag items, but Marines will be able to get them in exchanges for sale when they come available.

Top photo: Boots being Boots being evaluated by 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines (By Cpl. Molly Hampton, US Marine Corps)