Footwear Accessories
The right boot accessories keep a good pair of boots comfortable, waterproof and inspection-ready for years. This section covers laces, insoles, polish, waterproofing and repair, from trusted names including Rothco, Kiwi, Lincoln, Griffin, Sno-Seal and Shoo Goo.
- Boot laces – Rothco boot laces, 72" boot laces in a 3-pack, paracord boot laces, brown leather boot laces and zipper boot laces.
- Insoles – Rothco Military and Public Safety Insoles for daily wear and Cold Weather Heavyweight Boot Insoles for winter.
- Polish and shine – Lincoln U.S.M.C. Stain Wax Shoe Polish, Lincoln brown stain wax, Griffin Military Shine and Griffin Shoe Polish in 3 oz. and 1.125 oz. tins, Griffin Spit Shine Instant Shoe Shine and the Griffin Easy Shine Sponge.
- Cleaning and protection – the Kiwi Desert Boot Care Kit, Griffin Suede Cleaner, Griffin Water & Stain Repellent, Sno-Seal Leather Protection and Sno-Seal Silicone Water Guard.
- Repair and kits – Shoo Goo, Griffin Scuff Cover, Griffin Heel & Sole Renew, a shoe brush, a stainless steel shoe horn, the Rothco Compact Shoe Care Kit and the Griffin Travel Shoe Shine Kit.
Most boots wear out from neglect before they wear out from miles. A set of spare laces, a fresh pair of insoles and the right cleaner add a lot of life to a pair of boots.
A note for service members: today's Army coyote combat boot uses flesh-side-out (rough-out) leather, which isn't made for polish, so pick a desert or suede-style cleaner for it and save polish for dress shoes. DA PAM 670-1 also bans zipper inserts on combat boots and sets lace rules. The guide below explains what works with which footwear.
How to Choose Boot Accessories
Match the product to the leather. Smooth leather takes polish and wax. Rough-out and suede leather needs a brush and a suede or desert boot cleaner. Fabric and nylon panels need cleaning and a water repellent, not wax.
Boot Laces
Replace laces before they fail, not after. Measure the old lace or count eyelets: tall military boots usually need long laces, which is why 72" boot laces are a popular size. Paracord boot laces double as emergency cordage. Leather laces suit brown work and casual boots. Zipper boot laces turn lace-up boots into slip-on boots for people who take boots on and off often, such as at airport security, but they aren't for uniform wear.
Insoles
Stock insoles flatten fast under daily wear. A replacement insole restores cushion and can fix fit in a boot that runs slightly long. Cold-weather heavyweight insoles add a layer between your foot and frozen ground. Try new insoles with the socks you'll wear, since thicker insoles take up room.
Polish, Shine and Shoe Care Kits
Stain wax polishes from Lincoln and Griffin restore color and build a shine on smooth black or brown leather dress shoes and boots. Instant shine products and sponges save time, while a brush and tin polish give the deepest shine. A compact or travel shoe shine kit packs everything into one bag for deployments, TDY and travel.
Waterproofing and Repair
Sno-Seal Leather Protection treats smooth leather against water, and silicone water guard sprays suit mixed leather and fabric. Shoo Goo repairs worn soles and separated rubber, and heel and sole renew and scuff cover products hide wear on dress shoes. Let any treatment dry fully before wearing the boots, and test a new product on a small area first, since some darken leather.
Shoe Horns and Brushes
A stainless steel shoe horn keeps you from crushing the heel counter of stiff boots and dress shoes. A good brush cleans dirt from welts and seams before you apply anything.
Boot Accessories and Military Uniform Regulations
Combat Boot Care
DA PAM 670-1 paragraph 20-5 describes the Army combat boot as coyote, flesh-side-out cattlehide leather with a nylon duck upper. Flesh-side-out leather is a rough-out finish, so polish and wax don't belong on it. Clean with a stiff brush and a cleaner made for desert or suede-style boots.
Laces and Inserts
The same paragraph says combat boots are laced diagonally with laces that match the boot color, with excess lace tucked into the top or wrapped around it. Sewn-in or laced-in zipper and hook-and-loop inserts are not authorized, so keep zipper laces for off-duty boots. Optional commercial boots need commander approval and don't replace issue boots.
Dress Shoes and Other Services
Black and brown oxfords for service and dress uniforms are smooth leather, which is where polish and shine kits earn their place. The Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy have their own footwear standards, and your unit may set stricter care rules.
Boot Accessories for Work and Outdoor Boots
Work boots, hunting boots and hiking boots benefit from the same care: clean off mud after use, dry boots away from direct heat, treat the leather a few times a season and swap laces and insoles once a year.