Soldiers wear different footwear for combat then they do for ceremonial activity. Most of history shows soldiers wearing combat boots. The Roman legions wore “hobnail boots”. Modern soldiers wear combat boots for both training and actual war.

These boots are not only great to look at but they are superbly crafted they offer grip, stability for your ankles, and protection for your feet, whether in water or desert, any environment. There are boots specifically designed for a given environment (jungle, desert boots, arctic), and those for a specific purpose.(tanker boots, jump boots). Troops are starting to see kevlar added to the boots, but its traditionally hard leather.

Some people think these boots are uncomfortable, but those people never wore a pair. I loved mine! And design improvements have corrected alot of problems that were seen decades prior.

More than soldiers wear combat boots. My friends in the paintball scene wear combat boots. Subcultures make extensive use of them as a style. Goth, punk, metalheads all wear them too. Some wear combat boots because they are comfortable, and durable.
They can be purchased at military surplus stores. CopShoes.com offers free shipping.