Bulgarian Army HAIX Black Eagle Combat Boots

29th June 2026

Sage coloured Bulgarian Army HAIX Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX combat boots [© Bob Morrison]

When in Plovdiv for HEMUS 2026 earlier this month I was able to photograph the new Bulgarian Army HAIX Black Eagle combat boots, writes Bob Morrison.

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The Black Eagle family of patrol and combat boots from HAIX is widely worn by both military and blue light services personnel, being available in both all-leather and textile & leather combinations in a wide variety of colours. Sage is one of the less common of these colourways, but it is interesting to note that it appears to work well with both European temperate theatre camouflage and MultiCam; possibly better than brown or tan and definitely much better than black.

The Bulgarian Army boot has HAIX’s own design of composite rubber sole [© Bob Morrison]

On my first visit to the biennial HEMUS defence and security expo, in October 2020 during a COVID travel window, I was able to photograph the then new Bulgarian Army M18 Temperate combat uniform and very noticeably at this time those troops issued with the new camo were still wearing black leather combat boots. Roll forward to my next visit to Plovdiv in 2022 and M18 camo was now on widespread issue and the troops were still wearing black leather boots, though I was told that more modern leather and textile upper boots in a more tactical colour were on the way. I was unable to attend HEMUS 2024, because at the time I was being zapped with radiotherapy, but on my latest foray to cover the 2026 Bulgarian defence and security expo the latest combat boots were not only on widespread issue but those troops I discussed them with expressed very positive comments on both comfort and colour.

A sun-bleached Bulgarian Army boot worn by a SpecOps Command armoured vehicle driver ~ note the lace lock giving two-zone adjustment [© Bob Morrison]

The Bulgarian Army issue combat boot, which is issued primarily in Sage but a Black version is worn by their Military Police when not wearing camouflage uniform, is a variation of the HAIX Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX modified to comply with specific client specifications. The HAIX main footwear manufacturing facility in Mala Subotica in Northern Croatia ~ company headquarters along with design & prototype departments is in Mainburg in Bavaria ~ is so large and modern that bulk orders of boots designed to meet precise government purchaser requirements can easily be manufactured alongside their very wide range of core models without major impact on stock levels. However the downside to production of contract-only designs is that they can seldom be bought off-the-shelf by civilians.

This is a very small size Bulgarian Army boot worn by a female signaller, hence it appearing to be a little more like a mid-height boot ~ note the hexagonal ankle protector [© Bob Morrison]

Unlike the sage colourway Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX High model currently available for private purchase through the HAIX UK online store, the Bulgarian version has: the pentangular ankle protector pad; a mechanical lace lock at the fourth position; a central lace locating tape running the full length of the tongue; and a substantial fold-down lace pocket on the tongue rather than a lightweight elasticated pocket. The textile uppers, which have a GORE-TEX Extended breathable and waterproof membrane laminate lining sock or bootee, also appear to be of a coarser fabric.

Standard HAIX Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX black boot photographed at EUROSATORY 2026 in Paris
[© Bob Morrison]

Sole of standard HAIX Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX black boot photographed at EUROSATORY 2026 in Paris
[© Bob Morrison]

This model being specially produced for a government contract I have not had the opportunity to try out these boots, and it is unlikely that I will get the chance, but I have to say I was very impressed by the way those Bulgarian soldiers I talked to, including some Special Operations professionals, expressed their liking and none complained or grumbled (which is a bit unusual when squaddies are talking about their issued kit).