introduction

The mainstay of any army is having boots on the ground. And by boots I mean literally assault boots. For years military forces used standard issue heavy, rugged leather boots, but technology eventually got the upper hand. More and more technical gear with roots in athletic apparel gets introduced for military use.

The U.S. military teamed with Oakley to invent a new assault boot. This version of the SI Assault Boot includes multiple innovations developed specifically for the U.S. Elite Special Forces. The boot is lightweight, with athletically inspired design; it combines supple full-grain leather with climate control of the moisture wicking liner and prime urethane shock absorption. The advanced polymer EVA tread includes directional lug geometry and provides wet/dry traction on both smooth and rough terrain.

Other features are:
• Genuine full-grain leather or brush-out suede with soft temper for durability and comfort
• Abrasion resistant advanced-polymer rubber outsole with wet/dry surface grip plus directional lug tread for traction on both smooth and rough terrain
• Athletically inspired design with lightweight, responsive EVA midsole combined with prime polyurethane footbed for the all-day comfort of shock absorption
• Comprehensive moisture control, gusseted tongue to block water and debris, and jump-ready design with supportive over-the-ankle boot shaft
• Laces: Fire resistant Nomex® with aramid core for additional strength

The review

This is a review of Live Resin’s latest offering in 1/35 scale: Oakley Sabot High Assault Boots [LRE-35123].

Live Resin products come in a standard zip-lock plastic bag clamped in a cardboard 3D box-art. The front image is showing the parts layout, while the back image in this case features the same image with the annotation that this set is compatible with any/all 1/35 scale figures from any manufacturer.

While researching, I haven't been able to identify these as Sabot boots but as Oakley SI Assault Boots and from the sole pattern the Elite version. Note that Oakley makes a different pattern for the military issued gear and for the civilian use.

The set includes two molding blocks numbered RE35123A with 4 boots on each separate block. All of the boots are visually identical. The only molding difference that identifies whether the boots are left or right, are the connection plugs on top of each boot – spherical for the right, square for the left. The casting is as what’s accustom to Live Resin: there are no imperfections, bubbles or any other types of defects in this sample. The molding stubs are thin and you will not have to worry about removing the parts from the plugs, or sanding anything off. Just a quick snip with your blade or sprue cutters and you’re good to go. A nice touch that will save the intricately molded sole is that the pouring plugs are molded on the back of the boot and will require only minimal cleanup.

The boots are sharply molded all the different fabric borders clearly differentiated, the Oakley logo, laces and the sole. If you take care while painting, the boots will really stand out and bring attention. What’s really amazing about this set is the sole. The aggressive pattern and the side lugs are sharply molded and will look great once weathered. Just imagine you are weathering a wheel or a track. The way the boot is molded gives the modeler a chance to fit them to any other figure not just LR ones.

Conclusion

This set is technically amazing. The way the sole is molded just shows the resolution that the LR 3D printers are able to obtain. This set is a great update for any modern figure you want, and hopefully more modular figures will come from the Live Resin line-up that you will be able to customize per your wishes.