Desert Boots

The first adaptation of a Desert boot was that from the Vietnam Era Jungle boot. The jungle boot featured construction from leather and canvas materials, a stainless plate in the sole to protect from spike injury as well as vents in the sides of the boot to allow for moisture dissipation. Most of these features would end up troublesome for use in the rough sandy environment of the middle east.

The various conflicts in the middle east created a surge of demand for footwear. Before Sept. 11, 2001 the defense supply center was receiving orders for approx 5,500 boots per month. After 9/11 orders were upped to 85,000 per month.

The surge in orders were not without internal problems however. Problems with the Vietnam boot being used in the desert was noticed much earlier than 2001. Various conflicts and operations brought our troops to the desert sand, only to be disappointed with the Vietnam era desert jungle boot. General Norman Schwarzkopf aka Stormin' Norman was up in arms as his soldiers were receiving black leather and canvas boots originally designed for Vietnam. In the desert the vents intended to let moisture out, were filling the boots with sand. Stormin' Norman also wanted more collar padding and wanted to reduce the affect of heat on the soldier by removing the stainless plate in the sole as well as color the boot tan.

In late 1989 Wellco and Stormin' Norman had exchanged ideas, as a result, 80 test pairs of suede desert boots were given to Stormin' Norman, many were seen being worn in various desert news interviews as he first handedly tried them out. By 1990 Stormin' Norman had critiqued the army desert boot prototypes and had some suggestions for Wellco. Wellco accepted the suggestions, implemented them and created yet another set of prototypes. By the time the second set of prototypes had been made, military action created a more urgent need for the desert combat boots. In Oct. of 1990 rushed specs and a contract had been drawn up for the manufacture of these new desert boots.

Wellco at the time was a small public company. With about 30 million in annual sales and less than 500 employees. Their main business was the manufacture of combat boots. They also made shoe machinery, and technology which they licensed to other manufactures, including competitors. 65 percent of their sales were then related to the Department of Defense. Another 20 percent were obtained from other manufactures who also manufacture directly for the DOD. Throughout most of 1990 Wellco had been producing combat boots at a minimal rate of 1200 pairs per day. But by November of 1990, Wellco would see a huge influx in production.Wellco began delivering the new mens desert boot in December of 1990. By this time they had reached the production of 3000 pairs per day, pushing to get out enough boots for the growing conflict. One of the boots they were to make was a special pair of size 11.5R for General Schwarzkopf himself in December of 1990. Stormin' Norman was not happy with the final product. The story went that he actually flung the combat desert boot at the guy that brought it to him. There were specific suggestions he felt were missed and in the heat of the rising conflict, the boots were rushed into production prior to his final approval. His comments were, padded collar, more ankle support, lighter weight and cushion ability.

Wellco took his suggestions and implemented them once again, creating what is today the desert combat boot. Even with the design problems, ultimately the military desert boot would be the leading foot wear for many years to come in the desert. Ever since 1990 only four manufactures have produced the boot carrying the suggestions of General Schwarzkopf in 103 sizes. By Feb 1991 Wellco was producing 3000 pairs a day, while Altama, Belleville, and Mcrae were producing 10,500 a day under license from Wellco and RO-Search. The boots upper and lower are molded and sealed together using RO-Search vulcanization patented technology. Its outer shell is made from moisture wicking suede and nylon Cordura. The sole itself is a high traction Panama design with a thermal layer in the insole to keep the soldiers foot cool. The boots minimum field life expectancy is 120 days in extreme environments.