Have a Military Surplus Question?  Ask the Surplus Supply Sergeant, Trained and Experienced to Know!

I had an older fellow come into my shop today and asked me if I had the “Real” Mickey Mouse Boots; He said you know the white ones? 

I made sure he wasn’t talking about the Air force or Canadian Muck Lucks (another type/class ECW boot).

I paused a moment before replying, and decided on an “educational” response, and I asked him if, he had seen all or used all the “Real” Mickey Mouse / Bunny Boot types (type I, classes 1 and 2)?  His remarks went something to this effect.  Well . . . I have seen some black ones” made overseas”, and others that aren’t white and don’t have the air pressure valves.  Well . . . . Being the Supply Guy that I have been for so long, I explained that there were originally two (2) types and two (2) classes of Cold Weather Rubber Boots made for U.S. Forces, being deployed to different climate Zones, and for different applications by different forces.  

(Look at my photo's to see pictures of the boots)

The first type I, Class 2, was the Ground Pound-ers’ black rubber boot, which “LOOK-a lot-ALIKE” the “other” Mickey Mouse boots; these only have two (2) layers of dense air trapping wool insulation in them and only a single insole layer built in.  And they are only rated to 5 degrees below zero.  But they work just fine for their intended limited exposure purpose (in cold wet environments like rocky hillsides, mud fields, fox holes and of course cold very wet trenches where there is very limited movement and a serious need to stay dry.

The Second type I, Class 1, was issued to troops engaged in air lift operations and involved in intermittent Artic, or prolonged Extreme Cold Wet Weather Deployment in minus -40° below zero.  The black rubber boot is the more durable of the types in that it withstands rocks and such in combat areas.

This type of Mickey Mouse Boot; has three (3) layers of dense heavy weight wool, that traps even more air, and a double insole layer also, and these “have” the air pressure valve used to pressurize the boots while in flight in military aircraft.  At lower altitudes or after, landing you close the valves again, and keep them closed, until you get airborne and reach an altitude where they would once again be needed.

The Third type I, Class 1, “Similar” to the boot above, and it too was issued to troops engaged in being air lifted into remote areas, where they would be surrounded by Frozen Dry snow / ice fields and were primarily used for “prolonged” exposure. 

It turns out tar black in the black rubber boots; starts to separate from the natural rubber at minus -50° below Zero IF exposed to such extremes, week after week. 

Therefore, the services came up with the off white Latex Rubber, capable of withstanding the prolonged weather effects of such climates for extended period’s exposure. 

The latex is more susceptible to cuts and punctures then the black rubber, and both boots are otherwise constructed in the same manner, same amount of layers of insulation, and same number layers of insoles.

All the boots respond to cleaning well, can be readily patched with a tire repair kit, liquid rubber, liquid Latex, or Shoe Goop or similar material to seal the outside material.  Cleaning is a breeze and storing only requires a cleaning and being kept out of direct sunlight.  Just like the dash of a car, the sun beating directly on the surface of the boots can dry rot the latex and the rubber.  I find a little Armor All goes a long way after drying thoroughly and cleaning, and I put mine in a bag and keep them in the closet.