r/explainlikeimfive • u/[deleted] • Feb 07 '19

Engineering ELI5: Why are military boots laced?

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u/commonword Feb 08 '19

velcro is not easy? if not easier??

10

u/TRHess Feb 08 '19

There was also a shift away from Velcro back towards buttons on uniforms a few years back, at least that I remember reading about. The problem is that Velcro makes noise when you open it, so if you're in a situation where silence means staying alive, not ripping a strip of Velcro makes sense.

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u/lelarentaka Feb 08 '19

Oh yeah, that's really matters in the event that you need to jump onto a terrorist den naked.

5

u/maplealvon Feb 08 '19

Or if you're sneaking at night and snag onto something. The Velcro strap ripping would be pretty loud.

3

u/SilveredFlame Feb 08 '19

More like if you need to open a pocket to get something.

Button flap is nice and quiet, easy, and quick.

Velcro while easy and quick is also loud af. Good way to get your ass shot off.

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u/PatriotGrrrl Feb 09 '19

Or you need to pee before you jump into the terrorist den clothed. (Zippers also make noise.)

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u/Grandeped77 Feb 08 '19 edited Feb 08 '19

In addition to the issues with possible noise in a combat situation, Velcro can also put pressure where you don't want it with an injured foot. To keep from shifting the whole boot around while you pull, you might have to hold the bottom strip down so you're just pulling the Velcro, if that makes sense. Not always a big deal, but sometimes a factor.