ARVN / CIDG Boots

Issued to ARVN and CIDG troops for most of the war, the indigenous combat boot had black canvas uppers and a rubber sole that contained an anti-spike plate. The boots also boasted two screened drainage eyelets on the inside arch and round rubber ankle reinforcements. Like the Vibram soled U.S. Tropical Combat Boots, the tread gave poor traction and tended to get clogged with mud.

Made in Japan using Japanese lasts, Vietnamese soldiers often found the indigenous boots uncomfortable to wear. Consequently, in 1968 Bata began development of a new and improved ARVN Jungle Boot that used anthropometric Vietnamese foot lasts produced by Natick Labs.

More Tropical Combat Boots