Combat boots are military boots designed to be worn by soldiers during actual
combat or combat training as opposed to during parades and other
ceremonial duties. Soldiers have worn boots in battle for much of recorded history;
early specialized boots included the hobnail boots of the Roman legions.
Modern combat boots are designed to provide a combination of grip, ankle stability, and foot protection suitable to a rugged enviroment. They are normally made of hardened and/or chemically-treated leather and can be waterproof .
Variations on the basic lace up combat boot have been designed for special types of troops
(tanker boots, jump boots) and special environments
(jungle boots, desert boots , cold weather boots)).
Recent combat boots are beginning to integrate kevlar and nomex within their side panels to provide better protection and ventilation for the skin of the soldiers who wear them.
Combat boots are also popular in the punk, metalhead,
skinhead, and BDSM subcultures.