I'm not aware on any official uniforms that include K-Mart brand running shows either (see feet in first pic).
Since the *Mogadishu Mile* incident during the TF Ranger *Blackhawk Down* effort in Somalia, a lot of troopies, SF and Ranger included, are taking their running more seriously. Do it with GI issue boots and you risk stress fractures. The Ranger entry test requires a 2 mile run in running shoes in 15:12 minutes or less, but you'd better be able to hack it in 13; Marines PT runs and fitness tests use a 3-mile distance and I don't know what sort of time limit. But I bet they're wearing running shoes and not boots for most of the practice runs, at least.
And guess what: tossed into your ruck, a pair of running shoes fits nicely, [and serves as hooch slippers, shower shoes and for nighttime outdoor latrine visits] while a second pair of GI 'cruit boots eats up space and adds unneeded weight. For admin basecamp visits and a quick sit-down at the messhall either will do, but the lightweights are quicker to get on and off, in those units far enough from the rear to be bothered by REMF officers and NCOs too worried about why the running shoes aren't all alike, nor shined.
The smart boys have been using them where suitable since the Rhodesian Fireforce airborne started making combat static line jumps with equipment from drop heights of 1,000 to 500 feet and on some instances from as low as 300 feet, wearing rubber and canvas *takkies* rather than the usual infantry 3/4 height *vellies* [Veldskoens] Likewise armoured vehicle crews have found out that lighter shoes cut down on both fatigue and foot injury during mine and IED blasts, and offer more certain footing when pulling maintenance aboard vehicle back decks or atop turrets. And pilots/aircrew are likely to wear about anything.
K-mart versions as *official*, or at least tolerated? I doubt it too, and reckon the troopie so fitted out is a contractor or spook who can get away with whatever he likes [making his choice of rifle similarly interesting] and, at $500-$600 per day, can afford. But I wouldn't be at all certain that those habits aren't shared by some troops in some units.
