I originally stitched a regular #10 flat washer directly onto the sole at the tip and on each side of the boot in
the middle toe (metatarsal bone) area of my boot as this picture shows.
(sabatons)
This proved the concept was sound but the rubber sole was insufficient to withstand the stress and the washer
would eventually rip out of the sole. I then remembered the metal plates screwed into the soles for
tap shoes and figured I could make the same thing but solder a round lug onto the plate so I can attach the
rings of the sabaton to or interlace them with leather cording, either way works fine.