ICWB Lessons Learned
(1) Intermediate Cold Wet Boots (ICWBs)*
- All soldiers were issued at least one pair. Some boots not worn-in prior to operational use.
- 63% of Soldiers had foot problems with these boots.
- 65% had problems with the soles cracking.
- 55% had problems with seams coming unstitched.
- Soldiers felt the boots were fine for static missions.
- Boots were poor for movement.
- Too inflexible, thus slipped around.
- Got wet from sweat and stayed wet (7-24 hours to dry).
- Heavy.
* Troops expressed a desire for a light weight hiking boot such as those used in European armies and made by companies such as Scarpa.