Rucking, How Combat Boots and Footwear Affect Comfort and Walking Load. A Singapore Study.
- Alastair Hunt
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Military personnel, and ruckers alike, often spend hours walking, standing, and carrying heavy loads, making footwear more than just a matter of preference - it becomes a question of performance, comfort and long-term injury risk. A recent study out of Singapore has examined just how much difference a pair of combat boots can make when it comes to walking with and without a heavy pack, and the results are both expected and surprising.
As ever, please talk to your doctor or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment. Links to all studies at bottom of page.
The Study at a Glance
Researchers from Nanyang Technological University (Yeo et al) set out to investigate how four different types of combat boots influenced both comfort and biomechanical forces (namely ground reaction force, or GRF) in 61 healthy men with military marching experience. Participants completed short walking trials in each type of boot, first unburdened, and then while carrying a 20kg (44lb) backpack - about 27% of their body weight.
The team measured peak force (the maximum impact on the feet during a step), the loading rate (how fast that force builds), and subjective comfort, using a simple 7-point scale. Importantly, the study was conducted in Singapore’s tropical climate, providing new insights for populations in similar environments.
The four combat boots evaluated in this study - labelled A through D - varied significantly in their design, materials and perceived comfort.
Boots A and B were more basic in construction, using a direct-attachment method where the outsole was bonded directly to the upper. These models were heavier, had thicker heels (3.2 to 3.3 cm), narrower widths and lacked advanced cushioning features, which contributed to lower comfort ratings.
In contrast, boots C and D incorporated more advanced features including cold-cementing with additional stitching for durability, lower heel thickness (2.2 cm), wider fit (up to 10.6 cm), and more breathable materials.
Boot D stood out as the most comfortable, featuring a hiking-style lace system for enhanced ankle stability and a honeycomb cushioning structure designed to improve shock absorption.
These design elements appeared to play a significant role in the participants' preferences and walking efficiency. Notably, the brands and models of the boots were not disclosed in the study; all brand identifiers were deliberately covered to prevent bias, and the boots selected reflected common models used by military personnel in Singapore.
We can guess that, if the boots were standard Singapore issue, Boots A and B are the Army Combat Boot from manufacturers Altama and Wellco Peruana; C and D are variants of the Enhanced Combat Boot from Magnum. (See video at Bottom of Page)
What They Found: Comfort Isn’t Just a Feeling
The clearest takeaway? Not all boots are created equal. Participants consistently rated boots C and D as more comfortable than boots A and B. This wasn’t just a matter of softness, these two preferred models had several design advantages:
Lighter weight
More breathable materials
Wider fit (an important factor for Asian foot anatomy)
Cushioned tongues for reduced pressure
Lower heel thickness
Enhanced ankle support (boot D featured a hiking-style lace system)
Despite these differences in comfort, biomechanical differences between boots were less pronounced. The participants did walk slightly faster in the more comfortable boots (about 2% faster), but surprisingly, this came with a higher loading rate - meaning the force of each step increased more rapidly.
In other words, the boots that felt better on the feet didn’t necessarily reduce impact forces. In fact, they may have increased them slightly.
How Load Affects Movement
Carrying a 20-kg load had predictable effects. Compared to unloaded walking:
Walking speed dropped by 2.1%
Peak force increased by 24.3%
Loading rate increased by 20.8%
This supports what we already know - carrying heavy loads stresses the lower body. However, the type of boot didn’t dramatically change how these forces played out under load. The physical demands were universal, regardless of footwear.
The Comfort–Force Disconnect
One of the more striking findings of the study was the lack of correlation between perceived comfort and biomechanical loading. You might assume that a boot that feels good also reduces stress on the body but the data didn’t support that assumption.
This tells us something important: comfort and performance aren’t always aligned. A comfortable boot doesn’t necessarily reduce the forces travelling through your body. And by the same token, a boot with optimal shock absorption may not feel pleasant to wear.
This reinforces the idea that both subjective comfort and objective measurements (like GRF) need to be part of footwear evaluation - especially in professions where injury risk is high and mobility is critical.
Why This Matters
Overuse injuries are a serious issue in military populations, with conditions like plantar fasciitis, patellofemoral pain, and Achilles tendinopathy causing long-term problems. These injuries don’t happen from one wrong move - they build over time, often due to repetitive loading and poor shock absorption.
Footwear is one of the few modifiable factors in this equation. If we can identify boots that reduce force and improve comfort, we could potentially reduce injury rates and improve operational performance.
Interestingly, studies have shown that every extra 100 grams added to the feet can increase energy expenditure by about 1%. So lighter boots that allow for faster walking may also help preserve energy in the field - something the present study hints at but doesn’t directly measure.
Practical Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, here are a few practical takeaways, especially for military personnel or anyone who walks long distances with heavy loads:
1. Comfort Should Guide Your Choice, But Not Be the Only Factor
Choose boots that feel comfortable to you, particularly during extended wear. However, keep in mind that comfort doesn’t guarantee reduced impact. If possible, try to get biomechanical assessments or at least wear-test boots in realistic conditions before making a final choice.
2. Look for Specific Design Features
Boots that were better rated in the study tended to share certain qualities:
Lightweight construction
Breathability (important in humid climates)
Wider fit, especially for those with broader feet
Lower heel height (around 2.2 cm was preferred)
Cushioned tongues and ankle support systems
These may serve as useful indicators when comparing models.
3. Don’t Ignore the Weight of Your Load
Regardless of what boots you wear, carrying extra weight significantly increases stress on your lower limbs. This can’t be fully offset by footwear, so load management remains crucial. Balance your pack thoughtfully and consider strength training to support your musculoskeletal system.
4. Consider Customisation for Fit
The study also highlighted that standard-issue boots may not be well-suited to every foot shape. Custom insoles or adjustments based on foot scans (especially for those with wider feet) may improve both comfort and performance over time.
5. In Field Training, Prioritise Realism
Although lab studies are useful, testing boots in real-world scenarios - on uneven ground, over long periods, in heat or rain - offers a better picture of how they’ll perform. Military buyers and decision-makers should ensure any new footwear is trialled under realistic conditions.
See our article on suitable boots for rucking. (opens in new window)
Final Thoughts
The boots you wear might not change the physics of walking dramatically, but they can make a big difference in how walking feels. While this study confirms that comfort and biomechanics don’t always go hand in hand, it highlights the importance of considering both when selecting footwear for demanding tasks. We managed to find a video that reviews the current issue army boots...
Lightweight, breathable boots with good ankle support and a wider fit were rated highest, even though they didn’t reduce impact forces as expected. If you’re on your feet all day, especially with a heavy pack, investing in well-designed footwear isn’t just about comfort: it could be key to keeping you moving longer and more efficiently. and enjoy our growing series of articles on rucking - from the basics of how to get started, hydration specifics, to routes in Singapore.
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Alastair
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Related Studies & Rseources
The study in review: Yeo EXS, Chhabra K, Kong PW. Influence of combat boot types on in-shoe forces and perceived comfort during unloaded and loaded walking. BMJ Mil Health. 2024 Jan 25;170(1):37-42. doi: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-002061. PMID: 35296550
Singapore issue army combat boots, see here.
Other
Ryan BJ, Spiering BA, Hoogkamer W, Looney DP. 'Super boots' for soldiers: theoretical ergogenic and thermoprotective benefits of energetically optimised military combat boots. BMJ Mil Health. 2025 Jul 23;171(4):291-294. doi: 10.1136/military-2023-002614. PMID: 38658041; PMCID: PMC12322378.
Paradise SL, Beer JR, Cruz CA, Fechner KM, MacGregor AJ, Fraser JJ. Prescribed footwear and orthoses are not prophylactic in preventing lower extremity injuries in military tactical athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. BMJ Mil Health. 2024 Jan 25;170(1):64-71. doi: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001955. PMID: 34785586.
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Lavoie, E. M., Holden, L. D., Vangala, S. V., Santee, W. R., Pryor, R. R., Friedl, K. E. Looney, D. P. (2023). Effects of modern military footwear on the oxygen costs of walking in US Army personnel. Footwear Science, 15(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2022.2164622
Orr R, Pope R, Lopes TJA, Leyk D, Blacker S, Bustillo-Aguirre BS, Knapik JJ. Soldier Load Carriage, Injuries, Rehabilitation and Physical Conditioning: An International Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 11;18(8):4010. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084010. PMID: 33920426; PMCID: PMC8069713.
Nesterovica D, Vaivads N, Stepens A. Relationship of footwear comfort, selected size, and lower leg overuse injuries among infantry soldiers. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Nov 15;22(1):952. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04839-9. PMID: 34781944; PMCID: PMC8594192.
Godhe M, Helge T, Mattsson CM, Ekblom Ö, Ekblom B. Physiological Factors of Importance for Load Carriage in Experienced and Inexperienced Men and Women. Mil Med. 2020 Aug 14;185(7-8):e1168-e1174. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usaa050. PMID: 32248224.
Rawcliffe, A, Graham, SM, Simpson, RJ, Moir, G, Martindale, R, Psycharakis, S & Connaboy, C 2020, 'The effects of British Army footwear on ground reaction force and temporal parameters of British Army foot-drill', The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR), vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 754-762. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002139
Orr RM, Pope R. Gender differences in load carriage injuries of Australian army soldiers. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016 Nov 25;17(1):488. doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1340-0. PMID: 27884191; PMCID: PMC5123228.
Knapik JJ, Jones BH, Steelman RA. Physical training in boots and running shoes: a historical comparison of injury incidence in basic combat training. Mil Med. 2015 Mar;180(3):321-8. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00337. PMID: 25735024.
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