DATE: Wednesday, May 14, 1997               TAG: 9705140524

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ROBIN ESTRIN

        Associated Press

                                            LENGTH:   25 lines

NAVY GIVES BOOT TO OLD BOOTS THE SERVICE IS REPLACING ITS LONGTIME, CALLUS-INDUCING FOOTWEAR.

this date.] ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC

THE OLD

Navy-issue boondockers have been a miserable rite of passage for

about 40 years. Made of black leather, they have heat-resistant

soles and steel safety toes. Cost: about $40

THE NEW

They have the same features as the old ones, but the ankles and

tongues are padded and the insoles are cushioned. Women's sizes are

available and boots can be custom-fit. Cost: about $55

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu