Aetrex, the manufacturer of foot scanning technology, orthotics and comfort and wellness footwear, announced that the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) rented its Albert 2 Pro 3D foot scanner to use during its deep dive into the need for, and potential impact of, combat and safety footwear designed for women.

Aetrex said the research is “a cross-service effort between DEVCOM SC, the Navy Exchange Service Command’s Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF) and the Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) to improve the design and fit of footwear worn by U.S. women during combat. Following the rental period, the NCTRF purchased and used the scanner for the last test location.”

The Army’s combat boot improvement and cross-service female fit and size efforts aim to “bring the issue of fit to the forefront, as well as determine whether the current combat and safety footwear adequately accommodate female warfighters,” continued Aetrex. The footwear fit effort aims to “improve the fit of combat boots for female service members, ultimately improving soldier performance, enhancing comfort and preventing injuries,” continued Aetrex.

In using the Albert 2 Pro, “DEVCOM SC, NCTRF, and AFLCMC teams will be able to gain a better understanding of the unique requirements of female Warfighters’ feet. The effort will help to determine if there is a need for female-specific footwear “lasts” (the forms on which footwear is constructed) and which design and fit improvements are key,” said Aetrex.

 “The Albert 2 Pro provides a streamlined process for accurately collecting scientific data, including 3D foot measurements, static pressure underfoot and the dynamic pressure for gait analysis, in a matter of seconds,” said Larry Schwartz, CEO, Aetrex. “For the past 20 years, our scanners have performed over 40 million foot scans that have helped inform our footwear and orthotics designs. With the innovative capabilities of our premium scanner, we are confident that researchers will find the information needed to determine the best approach for their cross-service female fit and size efforts.” 

For more product information, go here. 

Photo courtesy Aetrex