If you're buying combat boots, sooner or later you'll come across the terms "NATO AQAP 2110" and "ISO 9001". It sounds like bureaucratic jargon, but these certifications actually say something very concrete about the boots you're bringing home. In this article we explain what they mean — and why they're more than just a stamp on a box.
What is NATO AQAP 2110?
AQAP 2110 is a quality management standard used by NATO to assess suppliers of defense materiel. A factory holding this certification is subject to strict, repeated audits: from raw material inspection to final inspection of every product. For a combat boot, this means every batch — not just a sample — must meet predetermined requirements for wear resistance, water resistance and comfort.
Samelin, the manufacturer behind models like the M77, has produced military footwear to this standard since 2017 for several NATO forces, including Germany, Norway, Latvia and Estonia.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001:2015 is a more broadly applied international standard for quality management systems, not specific to defense materiel. It focuses on consistency: has a company set up processes to repeatedly deliver the same level of quality, handle complaints properly, and continuously improve? For you as a buyer, this means the quality of the boot you buy today is the same as that of a pair produced a year ago — no fluctuating quality from one delivery to the next.
Why this is more than a marketing claim
The difference between a certified combat boot and a "combat boot style" boot without certification lies exactly here: certification means an independent party inspects the factory — not that the manufacturer simply claims it. A boot can look identical to a genuine M77 or 2077, but without AQAP 2110 or ISO 9001 you simply don't know whether the same material thickness, sole construction and quality control were applied.
What this means in practice for your purchase
- Consistency — every size and every delivery is checked against the same standard
- Durability — materials and construction are tested for long-term, intensive use, not just occasional wear
- Traceability — under a certification system, every production step is documented, which brings quality issues to light faster
Which Samelin models are certified to these standards?
At Noreline we exclusively sell Samelin footwear produced according to AQAP 2110 and ISO 9001. Curious which model suits you?
- M77 Norwegian Combat Boots — the best-known model, in use by several NATO armies for over 50 years
- Military Heritage collection — all combat boot models in one place
- Aviator Boots — lighter, more refined pilot boots with the same AQAP 2110/ISO 9001 quality
In short
When buying combat boots, certification is one of the few objective ways to verify quality without having to wear out a pair yourself to find out if they're any good. Want to know what else to look for? Read our full guide: Buying combat boots: what to look for?