Blast Protective Footwear
Construction
BLAST PROTECTIVE SOLE
All the Mine Bogglers boots and overboots have similar sole construction. The rubber cleats elevate the sole, and the sidewise wedge shaped sole design directs much of the force from the mine to go to the side instead of sending the force up into the foot and leg. Inside the polyurethane sole is a wedge shaped attenuator constructed from stainless steel and aluminum honeycomb. The upward force makes the stainless steel compress the honeycomb and thereby absorb energy that otherwise would have continued into the foot. The thick polyurethane sole between the upper and the rubber cleats is of a special blend which can also absorb large amounts of force before being ripped apart, which is part of the hard force resistance in Wellco's protective boots and overboots. The use of polyurethane allows the sole to be thicker without adding weight. Because there is more distance between the blast and the foot, the blast's force has more area to dissipate before reaching the foot and leg. All boots have protective insoles from multi layers of KEVLAR®. In addition, the overboot has KEVLAR® in the upper side panels.
Wellco's Blast Protective Boot and Blast Protective Overboot shown after a test conducted at U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center. This combination provides the best protection against anti-personnel land mines. The Attenuator absorbed much of the energy, left the insole intact and there is virtually no damage to the Mine Protective Boot inside. (Image Above)
The standard issue all-leather combat boot after test, without protection. Notice the entire boot bottom is gone as was the last inside. (Image Right)
On May 17, 2000 Wellco conducted several tests at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center. Land mines used contained ¾ ounce of C-4 explosive, which equals one ounce of TNT and is the size of most anti-personnel land mines found in the world today. This picture shows the test apparatus used for all tests conducted. (Image Left)
Wellco's Blast Protective Boot after the same test. Again, notice that the Attenuator absorbed much of the energy from the blast and the insole is still intact. (Image Right)
The standard issue boot with Wellco's Blast Protective Overboot. Notice the Attenuator absorbed much of the energy and the insole is intact. The only damage to the boot inside was a slight tearing of the upper. (Image Below)
Optimum protection achieved by wearing of the Mine Boggler Blast Protective Boot with the Blast Protective Overboot.
HISTORY:
Wellco has been a manufacturer of anti-personnel mine blast protective footwear since 1969. The US Army has purchased the rubber bottomed over boot since 1970. About twenty (20) other countries are buyers of boots and over boots, either with all rubber bottoms or the new PU/Rubber combination. More recently, Wellco has been supplying these products for humanitarian de-mining work in several countries around the world. In an effort to continually improve and develop protective footwear, Wellco has performed blast tests at Fort Benning, as well as at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. These tests compare new materials and constructions versus earlier models. Only when the results are equal or better will a change to a boot or over boot be accepted. The incorporation of KEVLAR® and Polyurethane was a result of this testing. Comfort has always been a factor and we now have a lightweight, comfortable boot that is more protective than ever and which can be worn full time, especially when in mine infested areas.
LEVEL OF PROTECTION:
Injury to a soldier.s foot and leg when stepping on a mine, even with protective footwear, is in many cases, unavoidable. It is the severity of the injury, which in the worst case results in amputation of limb, which the Wellco products are designed to protect against. The original mine protective boot, back in 1969, was designed to save a soldier from amputation if he stepped on an antipersonnel mine of the size made up from 28 grams of C-4 explosive. Improvements over the years have increased the level of protection and usability. Wellco has been told of several antipersonnel mine activations, in which personnel were wearing Wellco's protective footwear, and amputation was avoided. There are many variables that affect the level of injury from anti-personnel mine activation, and, because of this, Wellco cannot guarantee a level of protection. Perhaps the best indicator of the protection provided by these products is the significant number of re-orders received by Wellco.
OTHER:
Wellco's protective footwear is being used by NATO Human Factors and Medicine Task Group for its Test Methodologies for Personal Protective Equipment Against Anti-Personnel Mine Blast program. This program's purpose includes publishing a description of available protective measures to be used for protection against anti-personnel mines.
The polyurethane sole, which is direct injected to the upper, is thicker and lighter than vulcanized rubber. In addition to the increased sole thickness, which offers more protection, the shock absorbing characteristics of polyurethane also increases protection. To increase wear, the polyurethane sole has rubber cleats on the tread.
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