330-PS-1055  (USN 708074):  U.S. Navy’s Cold Weather Boot.  Development of a new revolutionary boot for protection against extreme cold has been announced by the U.S. Navy.  The new boot (left), the result of more than two years of research by the Naval Clothing Depot, Brooklyn, New York, reduces perspiration and has insulation sealed in after the manner of a picnic jug.  The standard boot (right) now used by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and shore-based Navy personnel in wet-cold areas is the “shoepac,” a combination rubber and leather boot worn with one or two pairs of heavy wool socks.  Since the insulating value of this combination is primarily in the socks, the “shoepac” is satisfactory only if men have the opportunity to change to dry socks at lease every twelve hours.   The new boot, originally intended primarily for wear onboard ships in the arctic or sub-arctic but now adapted to use ashore or afloat is rubber inside and out, with wool insulation sandwiched and sealed in as interlining in the sole, around the foot and ankles, and in the expanding-gusset type tongue.  It is worn with only one pair of medium weight wool-cotton socks, thereby keeping the rubber inner-lining as close to the skin as possible to prevent excessive perspiration.  Tests have proven the theory that this type of lighter-weight rubber boat, with the insulation sealed in as a refrigerator, not only reduces perspiration but will even cause cold water coming in over the top of the boot to approach normal sink temperature within an hour.  The boot is extremely comfortable to wear.   Photograph released January 24, 1951.  (6/30/2015).
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