Russian sappers received new shoes to protect them from mine explosions

A Russian sapper spoke about new shoes that protect feet during anti-personnel mine explosions

A representative of the International Mine Action Center of the Russian Armed Forces with the call sign “Smart”, in a conversation with journalists, said that new models of shoes for sappers are capable of protecting their feet during an explosion on anti-personnel mines, and similar models of boots are already used by engineering units in the Avdeevsky direction.

According to the specialist, special shoes have been developed to protect feet, which are being tested in the Avdeevsky direction. He pointed out that there are several model options, including the SZS 10P sapper protection device, intended for squad commanders and everyday wear. “Smart” noted that the upper part of the shoe is anti-fragmentation, and the lower part protects against explosions on the well-known Lepestok mine (37 grams of explosive). As the specialist noted, the SZS 10P has a 35-mm sole made of material that is resistant to blasting and high-explosive effects of an explosion, while the weight of the model does not exceed 2.5 kilograms.

Other SZS 35 boots, in turn, have a higher protection class and are intended directly for sappers, and not for command personnel. “Smart” explained that these shoes protect against PFM-1 Lepestok mines and PMN-4 mines (50 grams of explosive). The shoe weighs no more than 3.5 kilograms, it is available in all sizes and in three colors, and to improve ergonomic characteristics, its interior is made of waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane fabric.

The specialist added that the “Spider” model has the highest protection class, protecting against the explosion of the PMN-2 mine, which contains twice as much explosive as the PMN-4, namely 100 grams. A design feature of this model, according to Umny, is that there is no contact detonation of the mine under the foot itself, and the detonation points are moved forward and backward by the legs. He clarified that when an explosion occurs, the leg of the shoe breaks off. The mount is universal, similar to that used on snowboards, and it allows you to adjust the size of the model from 40 to 45.