The U.S. Army selected ARRIS Technology for a research study on the use of advanced continuous fiber composite insoles in military boots. The study reportedly has potential to reshape future designs of military boots to improve soldier performance and reduce risk of musculoskeletal injuries. (Photo: ARRIS Composites/PRNewswire)
The study, which aims to reduce soldiers’ foot fatigue and prevent injuries, will evaluate the use of advanced, continuous-fiber composite insoles.
BERKELEY, Calif.—ARRIS® Composites, a manufacturer of high performance, continuous-fiber thermoplastic composites, was selected by the U.S. Army for a groundbreaking study on the use of advanced carbon fiber plates in military boots, the company said in a release.
Findings from the study are expected in 2025, with the potential to reshape future designs of military boots to improve soldier performance and reduce risk of musculoskeletal injuries, the release stated.
The collaborative research is funded by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NATICK) and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) through the University of Massachusetts at Lowell (UML) HEROES program. It will be conducted alongside the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
ARRIS Composites has produced high-performance composite products in a wide range of industries. The company stated in the release that it previously partnered with the U.S. Army and DEVCOM GVSC on lightweight vehicle seats. In a project applicable to the military boot study, ARRIS developed a novel running plate for Brooks’s Hyperion Elite 4 running shoe. ARRIS’s carbon fiber plate reportedly reduced weight, improved energy return, and provided better recovery for elite runners.
ARRIS stated that it is now applying its technology to military footwear to develop cutting-edge carbon fiber insoles for use in military-issued boots.
“These novel insoles are designed and engineered to enhance daily movement, reduce fatigue, and mitigate musculoskeletal injuries, especially in hot-weather environments,” the release said.
The ongoing study involves bench-top and in-vivo testing to validate the benefits of carbon fiber insoles in military-issued boots. Prototypes of continuous fiber-reinforced plates have been integrated into hot-weather combat boots and will be tested to assess their impact on running economy, lower extremity biomechanics, and measures of functional performance, ARRIS said in the release.
“This study is an exciting opportunity to explore how the most advanced composites can be used with best-in-class foam to benefit military personnel that spend long hours on their feet,” said ARRIS Composites CEO Riley Reese, in the release. “Injury reduction by way of novel footwear technologies has long eluded even the most industry-leading brands, with little to no science backing some egregious claims. This study with the military will provide a critical framework for demonstrating measurable, real-world benefits.”
The ultimate objective of the project will be to directly integrate proven performance-enhancing continuous fiber composite plates into next-generation military boots, addressing soldiers’ unique challenges in diverse field environments. The results are expected to influence military and civilian applications, revealing more meaningful possibilities for athletes and enthusiasts, as well as professionals and workers on their feet all day, the company said.
“Footwear plays a significant role in the mechanics of movement, particularly for service members who operate in demanding environments,” said Scott Piland, Ph.D., professor and director at the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition at The University of Southern Mississippi, in the release. “This research will offer significant insight into how we might boost performance and prevent injuries through the application of this unique technology. We are enthused to be part of this collaboration with ARRIS and UML.”
ARRIS uses a patented advanced manufacturing technology platform that prioritizes specific stiffness and strength in novel ways for footwear, bicycles, portable electronics, automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. The company has created a new manufacturing category called Additive Molding, described as “a first-of-its-kind software, materials, and high-volume production approach to continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite structures.”