The Ministry of Defence has completed the experimental testing of military sneakers

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has completed the military (experimental) testing of athletic sneakers developed for the Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel.

The trials aimed to determine the optimal characteristics of the new footwear, which will be incorporated in the updated technical specification for sneakers.

“In 2024, the Ministry of Defence’s procurement agency, DOT, procured military footwear worth over UAH 3.1 billion. Military testing of sneakers is an important step in equipping our defenders with quality and comfortable footwear. We aim to involve a wide range of manufacturers and choose the best solution,” said Glib Kanievskyi, Director of the Procurement Policy Department at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The draft technical specification (TS), Ministry of Defence of Ukraine’s TS A01XJ.66777-228:2025 (02), has been developed by the MoD’s Central Directorate of Material Support Development and published on the ‘MoD Partner’ portal. It is intended to replace the previous TS.

The document specifies the main characteristics of the sneakers:

• Purpose: Daily running and athletic training on sports grounds and indoor facilities with hard surfaces.
• Design: Combined upper made of breathable textile materials and synthetic leather in high-wear areas for enhanced durability.
• Sole: Made of polymer materials with enhanced shock-absorption properties, featuring treads for increased traction and reduced slipping.
• Interior: Knit lining to ensure comfort and hygiene.
• Foot support: Anatomically shaped heel counter for stable foot positioning, with soft inserts in the heel and tongue for enhanced comfort.
• Insole: Made of polymer material with shock-absorbing properties to reduce the load on the foot.
• Lacing system: Secure lacing for a customizable fit.
• Sizes: Available in sizes 35 to 48.
• Weight (for size 42): Not exceeding 310 grams.

The Ministry of Defence invites all potential suppliers to contribute to equipping Ukrainian military personnel with modern gear and clothing.

Throughout 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the Ministry of Defence approved 38 reference samples for gear and clothing items, such as modular body armors, ballistic combat helmet, specialized headphones, ballistic protective goggles mask, ankle boots, combat shirts, winter wind- and moisture-resistant jackets and trousers, underwear, and more.

The MoD’s Main Directorate of Logistics Support Development is committed to continuously enhancing the quality of gear and clothing by implementing modern technologies and adopting the best international practices. The Ministry remains open to collaborating with domestic manufacturers who are ready to offer innovative and high-quality solutions to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.