Design issues in military footwear and handwear

Abstract This chapter outlines the substantive issues when designing handwear and footwear for military applications, in the context of the requirements of fit to UK military personnel, their tasks, and the environment or theatre within which they will operate. First, the nature and level of protection in different circumstances are outlined. Second, fit, physiological maintenance, task performance and other factors that influence design are considered. Finally, future trends in design and production are introduced. In each case, best practice from Human Factors and the application of available technologies are described to provide the optimum compromise within a final design solution. 

Key words design, extremities protection, footwear, handwear, human factors. 

Using the stmcture of user, task and environment (UTE) provides the reader with a mechanism to better understand requirements embodied within the product design specification (PDS), and provides context for the interrelationship between elements (see Fig. 7.1). The optimum compromise wiU be defined within the PDS for handwear or footwear products in the UK context. 

This review will not discuss issues or technologies covered within other chapters, such as ballistic, camouflage, chemical or nuclear protection however, their effect on the PDS for extremities protection will be acknowledged. The generic issues within extremities PPE will be discussed, with specific issues for 

1 A mind-map of user, task, environment (UTE) issues within extremities protection. 

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