DIRECT MOLDED SOLE BOOTS

The U.S. Army Natick Laboratories modified a method of footwear construction known as Direct Molded Sole DMS for the Armys tropical and all- leather combat boots. NLABS developed the special component materials, boot designs and fabrication techniques required to produce military footwear by the DMS process. The sole and heel of the new DMS boots are molded directly to the boot uppers on high-pressure vulcanizing machines, eliminating the sole stitching and heel nailing which were the major points of failure in welt combat footwear. The DMS boots are significantly more durable and more comfortable than welt construction boots, and will save the military money both in production cost and by reducing boot repair and maintenance problems. The DMS process has enabled NLABS to incorporate special protective features into the tropical combat boot, including a steel shield to resist penetration of the boot bottom by punji stakes, and a wedge shank to deflect and absorb the impulse of antipersonnel land mines.