Boots of your choice – as long as they’re brown

Until recently, the situation regarding footwear in military service was clear, at least on paper. The regulations stated plainly: only boots issued by the homeland could be worn.

Since the 1960s, these were brown boots known as opinacze, designated as model wz. 52/57 or others, depending on the production period. They differed slightly in details but were generally similar in construction. In 1993, the Polish Armed Forces introduced tall black lace-up boots reaching to the top, model wz. 919/MON, commonly known as desanty (but also called jany (Johns) or józefy (Josephs)). They remain popular among soldiers to this day and can still be seen in use, although they have since been replaced by the wz. 926/MON model.

Lowa Renegade II N GTX MID TF (TF= TASK FORCE) tactical boots

Not all soldiers, however, appreciated the design changes. The latest “fashion statement” (or perhaps rather a cry from the Logistics Departments) for soldiers is the 939/MON boots, which are gradually being introduced into service. Along the way, there were many intermediate, test, and winter models; however, this is neither the time nor the place to list them all in detail.

Military-issued boots sparked extreme emotions – some loved them, others hated them. Some claimed there were no better boots, while others rolled their eyes at the very thought. An anecdote goes that Polish soldiers on a mission, when asked by their American counterparts, explained that the jany were multi-season. So good, in fact, that they worked in any conditions. The American soldiers believed them and gladly traded their Corcorans, Jungles, or Deserts. Did they later admit that they were cold in winter and hot in summer? Certainly not, their pride wouldn’t allow it. Still, the fact remained that soldiers theoretically had no choice: wearing non-regulation footwear could result in disciplinary punishment, or at best, a long lecture from a superior.

Lowa Breacher MID tactical boots

On December 5, 2024, the Minister of National Defense announced an amendment to the regulation on the wearing of uniforms by soldiers. This change introduces a significant novelty for personnel of the Ministry of National Defense: they are no longer dependent on the good mood or leniency of their commander, who often turned a blind eye to subordinates wearing non-regulation footwear. Now it is entirely  legal!

Of course, to keep things from being too simple, the boots must meet specific requirements: they must be “tactical type,” brown in color, and extend above the ankle. That’s it. Not too much of a restriction, right?

Lowa Combat Mk2 GTX tactical boots

What does “tactical type” mean? I don’t think there’s a definition I could quote off the top of my head, but one can certainly give a good example: Lowa Renegade II N GTX MID TF – Dark Brown. Tactically durable, tactically looking, tactically comfortable. Such boots also meet the remaining criteria: they are brown in color and extend above the ankle. Just please, don’t try to tuck your uniform trousers into them. Seriously.

Of course, after the new regulation came into effect, comments began to appear. Since you can never please everyone, there were always those who criticized: “What if something happens to a soldier wearing such footwear?” “The soldiers will look like a bunch of vagabonds.” “They’re trying to shift the costs onto the soldier,” “And how will they march in a parade?” Well, if something happens to a soldier, it will be the same as if it happened in other boots.

Most soldiers will likely buy good boots; they care about their own health. They will look the same, as commanders have often turned a blind eye to personal footwear for quite some time already. And the last two comments can be answered with one response: no one is taking away soldiers’ issued boots. They will still receive them, just as before. The only difference is that now, in addition, they may wear better, more fitted, and more comfortable boots daily.

Lowa Zephyr Mk2 GTX MID tactical boots / Photo: Lowa

Although the change in regulations is more of a formalization of what had already been quietly happening in many units, soldiers are nevertheless pleased with it. Commanders as well – higher-ranking superiors, often kept this in reserve when there was nothing else reasonable to criticize.

Well, actually, it turns out we’re quite progressive. In this respect, we’ve caught up with the Canadians, who are allowed to wear any black military-style boots. It also turns out that our regulations are more relaxed than those of the Americans, who have detailed guidelines on footwear outlined in document AR 670-1.

Compared to our neighbors across the Bug River, we’ve taken a step forward. They are doing exactly what we used to do before the change in law, wearing whatever they want as long as the commander allows it and the boots don’t draw attention, even though it’s formally forbidden. It turns out, then, that Polish regulations are among the most liberal in this regard, bringing a significant qualitative change to the daily lives of soldiers. Anyone who has tried marching several kilometers on asphalt in standard-issue military boots knows what that means.

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