Jump boots were first designed for US Army paratroopers during WWII, with features such as a beveled heel to prevent snagging on parachute lines. The fully laced calf-high boot became popular for its support and distinctive look, increasing morale within airborne units. The design was later adopted by the US infantry, and a similar boot with a reddish color was issued to all troops in 1949. The term “jump boots” is sometimes used incorrectly to refer to similar-looking boots with a full rubber sole.
Jump boots are specialized footwear first designed for use by United States Army (US) paratroopers during World War II. The jump boot, also known as the paratrooper boot or the Corcoran, was specifically designed with parachute operations in mind. For example, the heel of the boot was beveled to prevent potential snagging on parachute lines, and the jump boot was fully laced from instep to top, unlike the ankle-to-top lacing on jump boots. standard combat of that time. , to provide the extra ankle support needed for parachute landings.
Development of the US Army jump boot began in 1940, with designers drawing ideas and items from equipment used successfully by other forces, including US Marine Corps parachute units. , German paratroopers, and US Forest Service “smokejumpers.” The first design was a shoe worn with custom straps, but it failed to provide enough support for paratroopers. Designs that featured straps and suspenders fared no better, but by August 1943 the US Army had settled on a fully laced, calf-high, tall boot without any of these weird straps. The boots received the name “Boots, jumper, parachute.”
The design was a great success. In addition to the support and comfort it offered, the jump boot was well received by soldiers, who liked the boot’s distinctive look. Jump boots increased morale within airborne units. In fact, the paratroopers began tucking their pants into their boots to show their pride. This “blouse” of boots had not been a common practice in the US military until these soldiers began showing off their boots, but the practice has been adopted throughout the US military, as well as other military and civilian forces from around the world.
Airborne units did not maintain their monopoly on jump boots for long. By 1944, the paratrooper uniforms were merged with the US infantry uniforms. However, the jump boot’s impact on pride and morale had not gone unnoticed by Army officers, and in 1949, it was they issued all hopeful troops reddish combat boots, which bore a striking resemblance to World War II-era jump boots. to fan that same sense of pride.
While distinct from genuine jump boots, redheads are sometimes referred to as jump boots. Antique collectors in particular should take note of this common misnomer. There are differences between the two, such as the heels and toes, but the easiest way to distinguish the russets on jump boots is by examining the sole. The redheads have a full rubber sole and the jump boots have a visible leather strip between the rubber heel and the front sole.
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