This is a modern sophisticated army on the move... almost.

Having the latest warfare equipment means nothing if your feet are sore. And Australian soldiers have been marching on the same boots for decades.

So scientists from CSIRO's Leather Research Centre were asked to help design a new boot.

"The brief from the army was to develop leather that was water proof, breathable, would not soak up a lot of water and therefore become heavy on the foot of the soldier. And the anecdote the army gave us is a kilo on the foot is equivalent to 10 kilos on the back".

The first task was to find a suitable leather. And although cowskin was used on the lower part of the boot, kangaroo skin was used on the rest, because although it's thinner than most skins, it's extremely strong.

After processing, the skins go through a rigorous water proofing procedure which must be effective right through the leather.

To test the water proofing, small samples of leather are soaked in water and flexed over 24 hours. The flexing simulates the movement of a boot going through creek water or scrubland. Ball bearings held in the leather, detect when the moisture has penetrated.

The leather is also being tested for strength, to make sure it can stand up to the rigors it will be put through in the field.

But most importantly the soldiers will no longer tremble in fear as the sergeant checks their boots for his reflected image.

The leather does not have to be maintained at all. therefore are totally maintenance free. So there will be none of that spit and polish stuff"

These boots are especially designed for the rigors of military life in tropical conditions, could also be used for hiking boots and by mining workers in the wet, hot north of Australia.

The new comfy boots, designed by science means the Australia Army won't be easily de-feeted!