Well, hobnailed boots were pretty much the thing for every army in the world until the 1930s when we started bucking the trend by introducing a rubber half soled service shoe. But the Germans, Japanese, and the entire British Commonwealth fought WW2 while wearing hobnails of some kind -- including while in Africa and India.
That having been said, hobnails will turn most modern walking surfaces into something akin to an ice skating rink so I recommend against them. Surprisingly, they also do not provide much in the way of traction on sloping grassy terrain (Refer back to my earlier ice skating rink comment). Hobs were mainly used to extend the life of leather soles and to make that really neat crunchy sound on the parade square so loved by NCOs around the world, not provide extra traction. Trust me on this.
And finally, if you have hardwood floors you definitely DO NOT want to walk on them while wearing hobnailed boots. Not only will you slide around like you're wearing roller skates, you'll also scar the flooring which will not endear you to the owner of said floor!
Still, I've always thought that something similar to the AEF boots would have been a much more period correct boot than the Aldens. I own a pair of Australian repro WW1 boots from Lawrance Ordnance, and have really liked them, but I may have to take another look at AEF's Aviator boot.
So, Indiana Danny, have you gotten your Pershing boots in yet?
Cheers!
:
