Hybrid heels: New shoes soon to be worn by frontline officers will combine sports shoe comfort with the protection of their leather counterparts

Uniform Branch officers will soon be patrolling in a sports shoe/leather boot hybrid to ensure walking comfort while retaining foot protection.

The shoes combined the grip, comfort, shock absorbance, lightweight and ventilation of sports shoes with the rugged protection and classy looks of leather ones. Made of modern materials, they also keep feet dry on rainy days.

The new shoes would be distributed to UB officers in Tai Po, Sha Tin, North Point, Sau Mau Ping and Cheung Sha Wan Divisions for a final trial before the formal commissioning of 10,000 pairs Force-wide in December.

Support Wing Superintendent (Field) Felix Law Cheuk-hung said the strong demand for comfort from officers had to be balanced with the requirement for improved protection.

This resulted in the unique hybrid design that he felt could be the first of its type ever used by a police agency.

"Shoe trials have been conducted over the last couple of years and having considered officers' suggestions, we have put together a prototype featuring the comfort they want and other occupational health and safety requirements such as non-slip soles and ankle protection," he said.

"The result is a unique yet very wearable design which we feel will be perfect for patrol duties. This design could be one of the first ever adopted by a police force."

OffBeat asked Station Sergeant Lee Kam-hing of Team One Security in Police Headquarters to try on the sample shoes and he liked them so much he wanted to keep them!

"I have spent a lot of money buying inner soles to try and make existing police-issue shoes more wearable for me," he said.

"But these new ones are a lot lighter and better ventilated and so are a lot more comfortable. They also seem to offer more protection, particularly up around the ankle. Hey, can I keep them?!"

Mr Law said the new shoes would only be worn by general UB officers and Traffic Wardens.

Meanwhile, boots using a similar concept were being developed for Marine and Police Tactical Unit officers.



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