Unauthorized Boots, why do SM keep wearing them?

I think the uniform emphasis has decreased for two reasons. 1) Due to all of the uniform changes over the last decade, leaders have become tired of it. Multiple uniforms, boots, IBA rules, PT belts on FOBs, etc. As long as soldiers don't look completely crazy most leaders have better things to do with their time. 2) This funny thing called war has been going on and people actually had to fight in what they were wearing. Even senior leaders spent time in kit patrolling and meeting senior indigenous leaders. During this time they realized that a lot of these unauthorized boots are really comfortable, a lot more comfortable than the cheaper issued boots. I think this is the biggest reason you see a lot of leaders looking the other way. They can't look their soldiers in the face and tell them to wear that boot over there just because its authorized. We all like to take care of our feet...its a day 1 basic training task.

Long story short in my opinion, their leaders allow them to without consequences or because their leaders themselves are wearing them!

In the Marines we didn't really have this problem. If the boots didn't have the Egale, Globe and Anchor stamped on the outside of the heel, then they aren't authorized!