The design and evaluation of military footwear based upon the concept of healthy feet and user requirement studies

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Abstract
Three types of new boots have been developed within the new Swedish battle dress system. The approach adopted was that of user-oriented product development, starting from human requirements and stressing the properties required of the products in use. In this particular case, the work started from considering the requirements for healthy feet in contrast to previous work starting from an established last The assessed footwear requirements were listed as 14 points, based on literature and in vivo studies of the biomechanical and physiological functions of feet, and interviews with the final users, the soldiers. The combination of footwear that best fulfilled the requirements and minimized the conflicts was established. Special development studies concerning the shape of the last, the model design, the choice of materials and soling techniques were carried out. Based on this knowledge, prototypes were developed, laboratory tested and evaluated in consecutive wear trials. The final solutions were built up as a result of these component studies. This way of working, starting from the functional capabilities of healthy feet, resulted in new boot concepts. The new boots were lighter, softer, more flexible and differently shaped than the traditional ones. They offered better fit, mobility and climatic comfort than before. The new methods of production which could be used in this case also resulted in lower costs of production than before.