OCP Boots

In Accordance With (IAW) CAPR 39-1 CIVIL AIR PATROL UNIFORM REGULATION, "7.1.1.9. Footwear. Socks may be either Sage Green socks or Coyote Brown. Boots will be suede or composite material and coyote brown in color. Boots must be between 6-12 inches in height (measured from the bottom of the heel tread to the top of the back of the boot), and soling material will not exceed 2 inches in height. Boots will be laced up with plain, rounded toe or rounded capped toe with or without a perforated seam. Laces will either be tied and tucked into the boot or tied and wrapped around the boot. A zipper or elastic insert may be worn; however, if worn, they will be without design. Boots can be either with or without a safety toe. Logos or brand names will be the same color as the boot. Designs are not authorized."

So what exactly are we looking for?

With the OCP uniforms comes a massive departure from CAP history -- suede Tan 499 boots are in and shining black leather boots is out. Commercially, there is a huge assortment of boots out there (beyond the single offering from Vanguard) from a wide array of manufacturers, some traditional like Altma, Belleville, and Danner, and others newer to the stage like 5.11, Garmont, Nike, Oakley, Reebok, Under Armor. Remember from the regs up above, that Nike swoosh is okay so long as it's the same color as the boot, which honestly most of these manufacturers are savvy to what the Army and Air Force (and now CAP) are looking for as the OCP uniform has been around since 2015. 

As far as styles and materials, etc. The only real recommendation we have here at the squadron is, try and avoid zipper sided boots -- you're going to end up adjusting the laces for any hikes or long days in them anyways; zippers really aren't anymore of convenience than regular lace ups and they actually induce slop that can cause blisters.  

Again, the same thing applies when commercially getting boot as does when getting uniforms, look for verbiage like "AR 670-1 Compliant" and "AFI 36-2903 Compliant" which Army and Air Force uniform regulations -- it's the same uniform, the Army had it first and then the Air Force adopted it. If you are at a surplus store, ask the staff for assistance, and if they don't know look at what's offered on the Exchange's website. And if the boot you're looking at seems lighter than the others you might very well have a Sand 500 boot from the Army's UCP days -- put it back!

NO-GOs!

• Do not, DO NOT purchase Marine Corps desert combat boots with an embossed "Eagle Globe and Anchor" (EGA) on the outside heel. 

• Tanker boots are likewise, not authorized. 

Blouse them boots airman!

For ABUs you're going to need blousing bands for the pant legs of your trousers. Blousing bands come in various forms: all metal, elastic bands with metal hooks, or various widths of elastic bands with Velcro closures, but they all accomplish the same thing -- pant leg which is tucked in at or just below the top of the boot.

Blousing bands are one of those items available for you to purchase at the JFTB Los Alamitos Exchange. Depicted to the right are two different types of blousing bands. A company named Tabs, even produces an elastic band with Velcro fasteners.

Here's a quick video on two ways you can blouse your boots. Honestly, I either do it the first way or I tuck my pant leg Army style. -- SQ/CC

    How to blouse your boots two ways.

Now some people blouse their boots to where the bloused pant leg is just above the boot (just be sure not to allow your socks to be visible) and others bring it down below the top of the boot. If you're one who does the later, just remember that when bloused, the trousers should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot.

Blousing your boots properly gives your uniform this appearance: