Magnum's customized Sidewinder and Spider 8.1 desert boots. (James J. Lee/staff

Magnum has won the feet and minds of some of the Marine Corps’ discerning special operators with  a sophisticated line of combat boots customized for Afghanistan’s punishing terrain.

The boots have been on the market for about 18 months and are also being worn by British commandos, Navy SEALs and members of the Army’s Special Forces.

This is news for a company known more for its decades-old, reliable line of law enforcement and security footwear.

The Magnum Sidewinder high terrain boot and the Spider 8.1 desert boot each have a patch of  durable “Super Fabric” on the instep to keep the boot from wearing down on a fast rope operation and each is each made with a nanotechnology known as an “ion mask” that keeps feet dry. Water inside the boot beads up and gets pushed out through a ballistic mesh at the mid sole.

The Sidewinder is made for hiking in rugged terrain to withstand the weight of a man carrying a heavy load. The Spider 8.1, also known as the “raid boot,” is lighter, has “Ranger Rover” sport vents and a sole with a chain link fence hook.

Both boots come in the Multi Cam pattern, including a Multi Cam sole.

Look for them soon… Magnum is edging into the U.S. military.