When visiting the YDS stand at IDEX in Abu Dhabi I spotted the company’s NATO Boot model aimed at countries wishing to buy off-the-shelf, writes Bob Morrison.
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Not all NATO countries, several of who have comparatively small standing armies and smaller defence procurement departments, have sufficient resources to run protracted trials and selection processes for when military kit needs to be replaced. To cater for this, NATO runs schemes which make it easier for one country to order equipment that another Alliance partner has previously evaluated, tested and successfully taken into service. The All-Season NATO Boot from YDS, who trade in the UK under their Goliath Footwear subsidiary, is one such product.
Unless you are a new visitor to our Footwear section you will be aware that YDS Group (Yakupoğlu Deri Sanayi A.Ş.) of Türkiye is a major manufacturer of uniform boots for home and worldwide markets, with around 10,000 pairs coming off their production lines every day, so I won’t dwell on this aspect. One day I hope to take up an invitation from the President of YDS, Mr A V Yakupoğlu, to visit his factories when I have the time as I am sure it would be a fascinating experience – but back to the NATO Boot.
A leather and textile uppers mid-height all-season combat boot with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex Comfort lining sock or bootie, the YDS NATO Boot has a custom-designed Vibram TC4+ nitrile rubber compound dual density injection outsole and soft lightweight midsole with an anatomically shaped removable and washable insole. An 8-position closed hooks lacing system, with lace lock at the fourth position, is used to give two-zone adjustment and there is a lace pocket on the outside above the ankle protection pad. Both collar and tongue are padded, toe and heel have additional protection, and there is a tape at the rear to assist pulling the boot on. Although quite high at the front for protection, the rear is scalloped quite deep for comfort when seated in a vehicle for long periods.
In addition to the All-Season NATO Boot and the more insulated Cold / Wet Weather Boot, YDS also produce a very similar but non-membrane Summer Boot.
Footnote: I have not as yet had a pair of these NATO Boots to try out, but as I only have one pair of feet and as I was given a pair of YDS ASTOR TARGA boots at Enforce Tac to check out next, plus I am still evaluating the new Gore-Tex EXTRAGUARD boots from Meindl, this brief overview will have to suffice for now.
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