Nike Special Forces Boot (SFB): Finally a Great Boot for Military
July 31st, 2009
·
by Mike T Nelson · Filed Under: Mobility
As you know from my previous postings, I am a big fan of mobile, almost barefoot type shoes. The question I get is from people who are in the military goes normally like this “I love my (insert Nike Free, Virbrams, Tigers, etc here) but when I leave or go back on active duty, I have to wear this horrible, heavy stiff combat boats. Are there any other options?”
The only other option I could find that was pretty close was boots made by Camper out of Europe. I first saw them at the Z-Health Master Trainer eval in CA this past January as Dr. Cobb had a pair. They were lightweight and pretty flexible too, but as far as I could gather they were not specially made for military applications.
Camper Boots (from zappos.com)
You are in luck now! The fine folks at Nike after much R and D have released their SFB aka Special Forces Boot. I did a Z-Health session on an athlete earlier today who is leaving for Army Ranger school in about a month and he mentioned that he picked up a pair and LOVES them so far. He said they are quite flexible and super light weight. This is HUGE if you are doing 5 mile runs in boots and extremely fast marches carrying a crapload of weight on your back. The last thing you want is a pair of heavy, stiff boats. Remember, there are reflexes in the foot that go up into the hip, so messed up feet/ankles = messed up hips; thus decreasing your power and speed and potentially adding to injuries.
Nike SFB Men’s Boot according to the Nike website
A 21st century boot for high-speed operators, the lightweight Nike
SFB Men’s Boot was engineered to the specifications and needs of
Special Forces including elite military, law enforcement and first
responder professionals. As the lightest, fastest-drying, highest
mobility performance boot we’ve ever made, the SFB offers superior
comfort for extended wear, straight out of the box
Nylon and suede upper
Nike Free outsole technology
Outsole designed for traction and breathability
Weight: 15.9 oz. based on Men’s size 10
If you are in the military or have loved ones that are, this may be an option for them. As always, have them check to make sure that it is an option for them, but many times it is now.
Time to get the military up to the 21st century with new footwear. The amount of energy and potentially reducing injuries is huge. As always with more flexible shoes, make sure to do your foot and ankle mobility.
Check out the pics below from Nike. com and this link
Nike SFB Mens Boot
If you have found any other boots that are lightweight and very flexible, post a comment below!
Rock on
PS
I want to send a special shout out to everyone that is in the military and their families. Thank you very much for all that you do (many of it, we will never even hear about).
Comments RSS 
wow these look awesome. Free soles in the military? wild!
do you know anything about oakley boots? sara cheatham mentioned them recently, but i’d be hard pressed they could touch free soles.
do these past the twist test?
and i’ll hope for women’s as well – eventually – but won’t hold my breath, alas.
great find. thanks mike
mc
Hi there MC. Thanks for the comment.
I looked up the Oakley boots online when I was researching the post,but it looks like they are very stiff. I have not seen them in person recently, so I can’t say.
I believe these pass the heal twist test, but I have not personally tested them myself. I hope to in the coming months.
Check the Nike site for sizes and if they have womens.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
This boot is not a good deal. It has the base too plain
Thanks for the comment Leo. Can you explain what you mean by “base too plain?”
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
Mr. Nelson, I am very interested in either; the “Nike SFB” boot or the “Tactical Research Kiowa” boot. I serve with the 75th Ranger Regiment and we ruck a lot. I am size 10 and was wondering what the weight differences are and which would be the best overall “bang for my buck”. I do not know if you are interested in comparing the two, but I will keep an eye on the postings. Thank you sir.
Hi there Atwell!
Thanks for the comment.
Unfortunately I have not seen the Tactical Research Kiowa boots in person, so I can’t comment on them. They look lightweight and very nice, but I believe the sole on them is still quite stiff.
I like to do with a more flexible shoes that allows it to bend and move with your foot; so your foot works more like it was designed to work.
If you pick up either one and have any comments/reviews, please let me know and I will post them here.
Thank you very much for your service. It is greatly appreciated by all!
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
Thank you.
I want the Nike SFB, too. Low gloss suede, cushioned sole, black…it fits all my requirements. One thing that worries me is the plastic toe box.
Those have a tendency to cave in and get caught under toenails….ouch! I’ve had that happen numerous times. Duct tape inside the boot fixes the problem but I wish the toe box plastic just wasn’t there.
I can only get ‘em online it seems.
Oh yeah…I am former US Army Infantry…hooah! (1984-1998) Thanks to all the folks in uniform currently serving. Thank you! Keep it up!
Thanks for the comments!
Yeah, it seems you can only get them online. I am working on another review from a buddy in the Guards that got a pair and was out in them for several days and loved them.
I have not heard of any complaints about the toe box, but if I hear anything I will be sure to post it.
Thanks for the comments and yes, a HUGE thanks to all the troops who have served and are currently serving. They do an amazing job for little recognition, but they make life for the rest of us as we know it possible.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
http://zithromax.viviti.com/ ” rel=”nofollow”>buy zithromax online zithromax safety in pregnancy , http://xanax.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy xanax online inderal interaction xanax , http://tramadol.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy tramadol online tramadol and cymbalta , http://valium.viviti.com/ ” rel=”nofollow”>buy valium online valium and soma togeher , http://buy-propecia.viviti.com/ ” rel=”nofollow”>buy propecia online using propecia with minoxidil , http://xenical.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy xenical online cost of xenical , http://soma.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy soma online script free brand name soma , http://ultram.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy ultram online ultram injecting , http://clomid.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy clomid online clomid ovulation predictor kits , http://buy-cipro.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy cipro online who should not use cipro , http://lasix.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy lasix online water retention lasix extract , http://buy-accutane.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy accutane online accutane and tooth , http://nexium.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy nexium online how long before nexium clears symptons , http://lexapro.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy lexapro online tricyclic antidepressant lexapro , http://nolvadex.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy nolvadex online nolvadex research , http://imitrex.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy imitrex online inhaler nasal imitrex , http://celebrex.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy celebrex online allergy asthma celebrex , http://diflucan.viviti.com ” rel=”nofollow”>buy diflucan online diflucan latam .
good evening everyone. I’m actually into shoes and I had been digging for that particular model. The prices seeking the velcros are approximately 330 dollars on every site. But definitively I bring about this site selling them for half price. I absolutely like those prada sneakers. I will probably buy those.
hi people. I’m honestly into shoes and I have been digging for the sake of that meticulous brand. The prices due to the fact that the boots were approximately 230 dollars on every page. But finally I base this locate selling them as a remedy for half price. I exceptionally love these prada sneakers. I will absolutely purchase those.
good afternoon dudes. I’m really into shoes and I had been looking as far as something that singular make. The prices seeking the sneakers were approximately 180 pounds on every site. But completely I set this location selling them for half price. I in reality want these prada sneakers. I will absolutely order those.
Very nice site!
Thanks!
rock on
Mike T Nelson
Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated.
Anything I can do to help, let me know
rock on
Mike T Nelson
There are several issues with the current boot (although it is a moving train). Of course, the Oakleys and Nikes are 2x-3x more expensive than the issue boot.
If you read the Army boot contract specs, it is basically a material spec, not an engineering spec. “Use the xyz Vibram sole” vice “the boot will bend with xx ergs of force.” I don’t know if that means we need 200 different specs by size and width, or if the specs could be narrowed into functional clusters.
The result of that spec is the same boot in different sizes. That means the size 4 boot has the same sole thickness, approx. height, etc. as the size 14 boot. The size 4 boot is unbendable (try it sometime) while the size 14 is quite flexible. This may help to explain why women are injured in Army training at 3-5x the rates as males (80+% of the injuries are lower limb). It is, of course, a complex issue with lots of variables (diet, entry bone status, muscle imbalances, training regimen, mileage, etc.).
The Army boot folks reject the concept that women are different than men (feet are feet). But women are shorter than men and their calves’ dimension are different (the boot top might should be shorter and wider). Which may explain why ’shin bang’ (severe shin bruising) is almost exclusively a female issue.
Ankle injuries are a big time loss issue in theatre, especially in rough terrain. The Israeli Army tested a boot with reinforced ankles and reduce ankle injuries significantly. CHPPM tested an external boot ankle brace on airborne folks and dramatically reduced jump-related ankle injuries.
The problem with your tests appears to be that the folks are not loaded up. The Oakleys and Nikes may perform quite well running and walking around the FOB. Add 70-100 pounds (helmet, IBA, water, ammo, etc.) and see how it performs. Of course, that is just the basic load; some folks are carrying much more.
There are other issues, of course. The standard last system has been corrupted by copying and each manufacturer uses slightly different construction methods which change how the boot fits.
The good news is almost all the military entry bases have moved to Istep-based shoe-boot fitting so at least fitting has improved. When folks were tested in small field trials, lots of folks had shoes-boots in the wrong sizes.
You might also read some of the USARIEM boot testing reports in DTIC. See what you think about the testing methodology.
Thanks for the awesome comment! Excellent info that I was not aware of at all.
I totally agree it can be a complicated issue and the amount of forces that the feet and ankles can be subject to in the military are insane.
While bracing them may provide a benefit in the short term, I do wonder about long term performance as the body will remodel away from strength in that area. This is common with internal bone fixation when the materials used to implant or brace bones don’t match bone. The body starts to remove bone from that area since it is perceived as not needed.
If I could wave a magic wand, I would have soldiers do lots of foot/ankle mobility work, strength the feet and wear more minimal boots to keep the foot mobile.
Thanks again for your great comment!
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
Agree that military PT should establish muscle balance goals (see sportsmetrics.net) and use ankle strengthening exercises.
It is still likely they will need reinforcement given the huge forces of parachute landing and 100-150 pound+ loads. The parachute ankle braces are external and removed after the jump.
Only really new footwear design I’ve seen is http://www.oeshshoes.com. They seem to have good data.
Understand bone remodeling (see Rachel Evans re bone geometry as the gold standard). Most of the injuries in military training are overuse (see Jones et al) and are related to high mileage, inadequate nutrition (see Lappe et al re Navy recruits), and entry osteopenia (see Lappe et al re Ultrasound).
Bone formation is also complex (see http://www.betterbones.com). Bones are living tissue and need 20 nutrients (Bs, D, K, etc.; minerals; and a mildly basic blood acid level).
I can send you the studies.
Thanks for the great info! SWEET! Sounds like we are in agreement on most things.
I agree that landing with a pack and small chutes = extreme landing forces.
YES! Bone is complex and the newer studies use CT to measure geometry in addition to BMD–excellent point.
Rock on!!
Mike T Nelson
I have wide feet and I was wondering if the boot comes in wide sizes. If not how wide is the normal shoe.
Hi there!
I am not 100% sure on the sizes as you would have to talk to Nike directly, but from what I can tell they are pretty standard and I don’t think they make a wide size. Again, Nike could tell you for sure
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
IF I WEAR A 9 1/2 IN SNEAKERS, A 9 IN OAKLEY BOOTS WHAT SIZE SHOULD I ORDER IN THESE BOOTS?
Mitch,
I can’t say for sure, but in general then tend to fit the same as Nike shoes, which tend to be pretty much middle of the road for sizing. I would double check on the exchange policy to make sure they fit right.
I hope that helps a little bit
thanks for the comment
Mike T Nelson
What a great blog! It is a pity that I can not find RRS address. If RRS offers a subscription service, I can easily follow your blog!
Here’s an Adidas tactical boot…
http://www.shopadidas.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2434910&shopGroup=R&cp=2019627.2039609.2039613.2012805&colorId=
Thanks Tom!
Looks pretty cool. Have you tried them out yet? I am curious to see how flexible the bottom part of the boot is compared to others as it looks stiff.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
I’ll be ordering these in a couple of days now that they’re back in stock. I imagine that the sizes will be consistent with Nike Zoom shoes granted these are supposed to be boots. I’ll be ordering a size 9.5 as I plan on doing some running/hiking and will want a slightly thicker sock.
Thanks for the great info Darryll. Let us know how they work for you!
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
As a member of the British Army I’m in two minds about these boots.
I met a (American soldier) person on Fort Lewis last summer with a pair and was impressed at how lightweight they are. However, I have serious concerns as to their suitability in the field. They’re flexy as can be and offer nearly no support. The sole is soft a butter, a big thorn can go through them.
The only reason I would buy them is for running (as a PTI, that’s kinda what I do) in boots and for bumming around camp. For anything serious though, such as operational tour, I’d stay well clear.
In the field I wear a pair of Lowa Patrols (http://www.aarondistribution.co.uk/). Yes, they weigh nearly a kilo each (~2lbs) but damn they’re good.
At the end of the day, if you’re moaning about you’re boots being heavy, you’re in the Army. Man up.
Thanks for the comments Andy.
I don’t know what the puncture stats are on them, as I have not seen the exact testing used, but my understanding is that they should be fine for it. Again, you would have to contact Nike directly and see what stats you would need to get from them.
I actually like that they are flexible, as it allows your foot to work as it should. This takes some time to build up to though and some specific exercises.
Thanks for the other option too.
rock on
Mike T Nelson
Sorry to say, but shortly after making my first post. Nike sold out of both sizes 9.5 and 10. So I will have to wait until they show up in stock again. This is the second time I’ve missed my size.
Bugger that you missed them Darryll! They come and go very fast!
Good luck
Mike T Nelson
You need to look at the Military regulations(Army for me) but it does say that the boot must have a vibrum sole. Oakley works great or me in Iraq but in Afghanistan a more ridged boot in the mountains is a must.
Thanks for the comment CJ!
Yes, you need to verify that whatever boot you pick meets the military’s regs for sure!
Thanks for the feedback–awesome!
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
Where can I buy this?i just a road march last week and got some blisters from my converseboots.I wanna try this nike sfb.
Nice Find!
Thanks Mase! They are great boots!
rock on
Mike T Nelson
Coldsteel
The inventory of the Nike SFB goes up and down a ton, so just keep doing an internet search. I heard they are out of some sizes for a bit now. If you find a place that has great inventory of them, I will put up a link but I have not found one yet
Good luck!
rock on
Mike N
I’ve been trying to find the height of the boot and no luck. Are they 6 or 8 inch?
Joshua,
I was not able to get a spec on the height, so you may have to call Nike directly and ask. Let us know what you find out.
I did notice that at nike.com they had them in stock again.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson
jordan retro iii jordan retro iii jordan retro iii
jordan retro iii [url="http://www.mydiscountjordanshoes.com/air-jordan-iii-c-67.html" title="jordan retro iii"]jordan retro iii[/url] jordan retro iii
The new gold standard for bone strength is bone geometry. See USARIEM LTC Rachel Evans. pQCT
Might also look at http://www.CDCsuspension.com
The new New Balance military PT shoe be out in OCT.
Also look at http://www.pitt.edu/~neurolab/index.htm
AJSM PreView, published on June 24, 2010 as doi:10.1177/0363546510369548, Injury Reduction Effectiveness of Assigning
Running Shoes Based on Plantar Shape in Marine Corps Basic Training, Joseph J. Knapik,et al