US Marines' Cold-Weather Boots Fail in Norway Drill, Sparking Domestic-Only Footwear Debate
During Norway's Cold Response 2026 exercise, US Marines found their newly issued cold-weather boots disintegrating, leading to emergency local purchases and renewed scrutiny of U.S.-only boot requirements.
In the early 2026 phase of NATO's Cold Response exercise in Norway, about 3,000 US Marines experienced severe wear on newly issued Belleville Intense Cold Weather Boots, including leather holes and separating soles that let water in. An unnamed Pentagon official said troops obtained Norwegian-made M77 boots and bought replacements from nearby stores, incurring unexpected costs. Subsequent inspections at Camp Lejeune revealed defect rates rising from roughly 7 % in April to nearly 20 % in July, prompting a corrective action plan to replace faulty pairs.
The failures have revived controversy over the proposed BOOTS Act, which would ban optional combat boots not fully manufactured in the US, despite industry warnings that domestic producers cannot meet quality or volume demands. Critics argue stricter rules could jeopardize soldier safety and strain the limited US boot-making sector, while supporters see it as a way to boost American manufacturing. The issue emerges as NATO expands its Arctic presence amid Russian and Chinese interest.
