Last updated June 9, 2026. By the Code 4 Uniforms Team.
As of the January 26, 2021 revision of Army Regulation 670-1, per the U.S. Army Publishing Directorate, every Soldier wearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform must pair it with boots in coyote brown or tan. That sounds simple enough. But AR 670-1 goes well beyond color. It controls height, material, construction, sole composition, and closure type. Get any of them wrong and the boot is non-compliant, regardless of how high-quality it looks or feels. This guide breaks down exactly what the regulation requires so you can shop and inspect with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- AR 670-1 mandates boots be 8 to 10 inches tall, coyote or tan, with a plain toe and lace-up closure only.
- The sole must be rubber or polyurethane, match the upper in color, and stay under 2 inches in overall height.
- Mesh uppers, zippers, safety toes, and large logos are all disqualifying features under the regulation.
What Is AR 670-1 and Who Does It Apply To?
Army Regulation 670-1, titled Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, is the primary document governing how Soldiers present themselves while in uniform. According to the U.S. Army Publishing Directorate, the most recent edition took effect January 26, 2021, replacing the prior version and formalizing the full transition to OCP across all Army components. The regulation covers everything from headgear placement to footwear specifications. Active duty Soldiers, National Guard members, and Army Reserve personnel are all subject to it. If your unit wears OCP, your boots fall under this standard.
One common point of confusion: AR 670-1 is the governing regulation, but the practical implementation details live in DA Pamphlet 670-1, the companion document. The pam is where you find the technical specifics for boots, including exact measurements, approved materials, and sole construction details. When commanders and NCOs inspect footwear, they are applying the guidance from both documents together.
What Height Do AR 670-1 Boots Need to Be?
DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 20-3 specifies that authorized boots must be 8 to 10 inches in height, measured from the base of the heel to the top of the shaft. That range matters. A boot that hits at 7 inches, regardless of how compliant it is in every other way, falls outside the standard. Most commercial AR 670-1 tactical duty boots land at 8 inches, which is the more practical height for daily duty wear. The 10-inch option provides extra ankle support for heavy rucking but adds noticeable weight to each step. Always check the manufacturer spec sheet before purchasing, since some brands measure shaft height differently depending on where they take the measurement.
What Colors Are Authorized Under AR 670-1?
The regulation authorizes two colors for OCP uniform wear: coyote brown and tan. Army Publishing Directorate guidance also requires the outsole to match the color of the upper. A coyote upper on a contrasting black or brown outsole is not compliant. Coyote is the more commonly stocked shade and tends to hold its appearance through extended field use. Tan is also authorized but less commonly seen in most unit formations. Both shades must be solid and consistent across the entire boot, including any non-leather panels, to hold up at inspection. If you are shopping online, look for boots explicitly labeled coyote or coyote brown rather than generic khaki or sand designations, since color naming varies across manufacturers.
What Material and Construction Requirements Apply?
DA PAM 670-1 paragraph 20-3 specifies that the upper must be made of flesh-side-out cattlehide leather, commonly called rough-out leather due to its matte, suede-like finish. The exterior of the boot upper may not contain mesh of any kind. Manufacturers can combine leather with non-mesh fabric panels (nylon duck is typical in hot-weather designs for breathability), but any visible mesh venting panel disqualifies the boot. The toe must be plain with no cap stitching, no decorative overlay, and no reinforced safety toe insert. Closure must be a standard lace-up system using eyelets or speed-lace hooks. No zipper of any kind is authorized, whether sewn in or laced through the side panel.
The soling system carries its own requirements. Rubber and polyether polyurethane are the only authorized outsole materials. The sole cannot exceed 2 inches in height when measured from the bottom of the outsole, and it cannot wrap up the back of the heel or over the top of the toe box. Logos are permitted but must be subdued and minimal. A small brand mark on the tongue or heel is fine. A large contrasting logo on the side panel is not. Browse models that meet these construction requirements in our duty boot collection.
Are Zippers or Safety Toes Ever Allowed?
No, for standard wear. AR 670-1 is explicit: zippers of any kind, including the side-zip panels that some tactical manufacturers market as quick-entry options, are not authorized for routine OCP duty wear. Safety toes, whether steel or composite, are likewise prohibited under the standard boot requirement. The regulation calls for a plain toe without reinforcement. The reasoning is straightforward: standardized appearance and uniformity across formations require all boots to present the same profile from a distance.
There is one exception category. Certain Military Occupational Specialties may be issued organizational footwear that departs from the standard, such as specific boots for aviation, mechanized, or chemical hazard roles. These exceptions require explicit authorization from the unit commander and apply only to the duty assignment specified. Unless your chain of command has given you written or verbal authorization for a different configuration, a plain-toe lace-up boot is the safe and compliant choice every time.
What Are the Three Boot Categories Under AR 670-1?
The regulation recognizes three weather-based boot categories, each suited to a different operational environment. Hot-weather boots typically feature a leather-and-nylon-duck-fabric upper with drainage eyelets and a removable cushioned insole, built for breathability in warm climates. According to Army Publishing Directorate specifications for issue hot-weather combat boots, these use a closed-loop speed lace system and a coyote-colored upper. Temperate-weather boots use all-leather or leather-with-non-mesh-fabric construction for everyday use in moderate conditions. Cold-weather boots are insulated, often waterproof, designs authorized by theater clothing guidance when environmental conditions require them. Your unit mission and seasonal guidance determine which category you should be wearing during a given assignment.
Which Boot Brands Meet AR 670-1 Standards?
Several U.S. manufacturers build boots explicitly to the AR 670-1 specification. Belleville Boot, one of the longest-operating military footwear companies in the country, maintains a dedicated compliant lineup. Danner, Rocky, Bates, Altama, McRae, Warson Brands, and Wellco also produce compliant models across hot-weather, temperate, and cold-weather categories. Compliance is model-specific, not brand-wide. The same manufacturer can offer both compliant and non-compliant boots in the same catalog year, so verifying the individual model before purchase is essential. If the product description does not explicitly state AR 670-1 compliance or list the regulation-required specifications, consult the spec sheet or contact the manufacturer before ordering. Find compliant options from leading manufacturers in our AR 670-1 tactical duty boot selection.
How Do You Know If a Boot Passes Inspection?
Run through this checklist before wearing a new boot to formation. Height: 8 to 10 inches at the shaft. Color: coyote brown or tan, outsole included. Upper material: flesh-side-out leather, no mesh. Sole material: rubber or polyurethane, under 2 inches tall, not wrapping over the toe or up the heel. Closure: lace-up only, standard eyelets or speed-lace hooks. Toe: plain, no reinforcement. Logo: small and subdued. That is the full AR 670-1 boot standard as laid out in DA PAM 670-1 paragraph 20-3. If the boot passes every point, you are good. If it fails one, find a compliant replacement before the next uniform inspection. Shop the full AR 670-1 compliant boot lineup at Code 4 Uniforms to find options that check every box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AR 670-1 boots have to be all leather?
The upper must be primarily flesh-side-out cattlehide leather, but the regulation allows manufacturers to combine leather with non-mesh fabric panels. Nylon duck panels are common in hot-weather designs for added breathability. The critical rule is no mesh anywhere on the exterior upper. All-synthetic uppers without leather do not meet the DA PAM 670-1 paragraph 20-3 standard for authorized Army boots.
Can I wear black boots with my OCP uniform?
No. AR 670-1 authorizes only coyote brown and tan boots for wear with the OCP uniform. Black boots were standard with earlier Army green and dress uniforms but are not authorized for field or OCP duty wear. Wearing black boots with OCP is a visible uniform violation that any NCO will correct on the spot during formation or inspection.
Are zipper boots ever authorized under AR 670-1?
Standard AR 670-1 does not authorize boots with zippers for routine OCP wear. Some organizational footwear exceptions exist for specific duty assignments authorized by the chain of command, such as certain aviation roles. Those exceptions require explicit command authorization for the individual Soldier. When in doubt, a plain lace-up boot in coyote or tan is always the compliant choice.
Does AR 670-1 apply to law enforcement officers or only the military?
AR 670-1 is a U.S. Army regulation that applies to Soldiers and Army Reserve personnel. Many law enforcement agencies and security contractors adopt the AR 670-1 boot specifications as a practical footwear baseline because the standards are well documented, widely manufactured to, and cover fit, durability, and appearance in a single consistent reference for duty footwear.
How often does AR 670-1 get updated?
The Army Publishing Directorate revises AR 670-1 periodically. The most recent version took effect January 26, 2021, updating the prior edition. Updates typically address grooming standards, insignia, and uniform color policy. The core boot specifications in DA PAM 670-1 paragraph 20-3 have remained consistent across recent revisions. Always verify you are reading the current version from the Army Publishing Directorate before making purchases.
Verdict
AR 670-1 boot compliance comes down to seven checkpoints: height, color, upper material, sole material, sole height, closure type, and toe design. Miss one and the boot is out. The good news is that a wide range of quality manufacturers now build explicitly to this standard, so finding a compliant boot that is also comfortable for long shifts and heavy rucking is more achievable than ever. Whether you are a Soldier, a National Guard member, or a contractor working to Army standards, the right footwear is out there. Shop the AR 670-1 compliant tactical duty boot collection at Code 4 Uniforms and stay squared away from the boots up.
The Code 4 Uniforms Team covers duty gear, uniform standards, and public-safety equipment for law enforcement and military personnel.
Sources
- U.S. Army Publishing Directorate. Army Regulation 670-1: Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. Effective January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2026. https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30302-AR_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf
- U.S. Army Publishing Directorate. DA Pamphlet 670-1: Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. Paragraph 20-3. January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2026. https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30948-PAM_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf
- National Guard Bureau. AR 670-1 Grooming and Appearance Announcement Brief. January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2026. https://www.nationalguard.mil/Portals/31/Documents/Article%20Documents/2021/AR-670-1-Grooming-and-Appearance-Brief.pdf
- Belleville Boot Company. AR 670-1 Compliant Boot Collection. Retrieved June 9, 2026. https://www.bellevilleboot.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=18