Dimsum said:
We also can't (by the rules) get much lighter boots, thanks to the requirement for steel toes.
Well, the requirement is for safety toe, not necessarily steel...despite what is stated on
page 27 of this article "...
the use of composite materials was considered, but these materials did not offer the CSA safety standard that was required – therefore leading to the use of steel plates and steel toes...
It also states "
unlike Air Force requirements, Army boots were not designed with Flame Resistant (FR) or Shock Resistant qualities, part of the CSA Grade 1 certification requirements"; so, assuming the RCAF boots were to be a CSA 1 grade level for sole puncture and toe impact.
I'm using the Safety Symbol Index from the
Work Authority for the sole (ha!) reason that this is where my Wing Clothing sends me for my LPO boots for both my TCB and CWWBs.
CSA Green Triangle
The CSA Green triangle patch indicates sole puncture protection with Grade 1 Protective toe to withstand impacts up to 125 joules. Sole puncture protection is designed to withstand a force of not less than 1200 Newtons (270 pounds).
I haven't had the issued air force Temperate or Cold Wet Weather boots in some time now, but IIRC they have the Green triangle on them in the inside of the tonque. However, both my LPO Temperate Combat Boots,
Magnum Stealth Force 8.0s and my LPO Cold Wet Weather boots,
Bates GX-8 Model #2284 [Goretex, Composite toe/plate, 200g thinsulate] are also CSA Grade 1 boots with the Green Triangle.
The requirement is safety toes, according to the article CSA Grade 1 but composite toes/plates are certified to Grade 1. What
is different...the price. My Bates cost about $250/pair, whereas the issued Cripplers are about $90/pair I was told.
This whole "must be steel toe" thing sort of irks me. IMO, the CAF/RCAF went with 'steel' to save money and then said it was because composite can't attain the same CSA grade as steel, which is just BS. I can assure you, though, that both my Magnums and Bates boots are MUCH lighter than the issued Cripplers, which were over 5lbs a pair.
Now you have something to ask the "guest speaker" at the next town hall you're forced to go to ;D !
Why are AF people carrying steel weights around for hours a day on their feet??
Dimsum said:
Us light blue folks don't generally walk as much as you do, but when the soles are like pucks in the winter and the heel cups carve our feet, that's no bueno.
Make sure you are wearing the CWWBs in the colder temps if you are forced to wear issued boots; page 28 of the
same Flight Comment article:
The Cold Wet Weather Boot (CWWB) will cover the -25°C to +10°C range “in all operating locations.” The boot
sole is designed much like a winter tire, with a softer compound that will more easily grip icy surfaces without becoming a FOD hazard.
The Temperate Combat Boot (TCB) will address the +10°C to +30°C range and
will have a harder rubber compound sole, providing the appropriate amount of cushioning in warmer climates.
If you don't have boots that are black on the inside, and ones that are grey on the inside, you don't have both TCBs and CWWBs. Most people I knew didn't know there was a winter and summer one, or just wore the TCB all year around. Harder sole on that one and no Gortex liner, less Thinsulate too IIRC.
Of note, the ECWB and CWWB have a Gore Tex liner within the boot wall, providing the Wet Weather resistance, whereas the TCB and DCB are made with breathable liners, thus providing the
appropriate wicking in moist/warm environments.
