Aetrex, Inc. (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 investigation of the need for, and potential impact of, combat and safety footwear designed for women.
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 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 female Warfighters are adequately accommodated by the current combat and safety footwear.
Fit plays an all-important role in Warfighter footwear because improperly fitted boots can cause discomfort and impact performance. Improperly fitted boots can also increase the risk of injuries, including blisters and stress fractures. The goal of the footwear fit effort is to improve the fit of combat boots for female service members, ultimately improving Soldier performance, enhancing comfort, and preventing injuries.
With the help of 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.
“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 at 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.”
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