During his talk, Wallace previewed the Army’s plans to improve equipment for soldiers training in the jungle, which has become a higher priority as more soldiers deploy to the tropics of Asia.

Soldiers will first test a variety of boots that are designed to be quick-drying and light. “This is probably the No. 1 request we’ve gotten,” Wallace said. Officials with Rocky Brands and Danner have both said they are submitting footwear for this test. Tests also include quick-drying uniform fabrics that are thinner and with fewer coatings. The Army is also considering using fewer pockets, Wallace said. Finally, soldiers will try new water purification systems.

Wallace said there is not a timeline for the jungle test, but an executive at Rocky said the boot trial was expected to begin in January.

Meanwhile, soldiers in Alaska will be experimenting with new cold weather gear this winter. The Army test will include sleep systems, gloves, ski binding, extreme cold weather tentage and a team stove.

Participating units will include soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division and US Army Alaska, said Maj. Andrew Kirby, SEP’s assistant product manager.

The test is a follow-on to a similar gear trial held this summer that involved soldiers facing extreme elements to climb Mount McKinley. Maj. Andrew King, assistant product manager for SEP, said some product adjustments have been made for this second trial, which will again occur in “some of the coldest places in the world to do this.”