Good Footwear

[endtimeobserver]

Good Footwear It is important that everybody in the crew have good footwear, (BOOTS) and i do not mean fashion wear but good boots, perferably made in the USA. I myself require everybody that is planning on linking up with me to have two pair of good 10 inch boots, broke in and water proofed. Remember this that when the ballon goes up, there will be no wally world to go purchase footwear. Myself i do not acknowledge that store nor will i go into one. The proper way to break in a pair of boots is to lace them up as tight as you can get them and then with themon your feet immerse them into hot water up to the tops of the boots, then scrub them with a good brush, when you feel them totally soaked you retighten them even tighter then you walk in the until they are dry, once you have done this take them off and stuff newspaper in them to insure all the mositure is out of them. Once you have done this waterproof them with a good sealer several time . Once you have done this you will find the bo
ots are form fit to you feet and they will be very comfortable. You will also notice that they will not cause blisters...........Ask any grunt(ex-infantryman) and they will tell you that a good pair of boots will save your life.......In closing go with a leather boot that it's sole is stiched on, stay away from the new boots that are glued or made over seas. A good pair of boots may cost around 150$, a pair, but it will be better than going barefooted........This subject has no compromise, you will get what you paid for. A cheap pair of boots will leave you bare footed, and good pair of boots should last you several years........ eto

[AzProtector]

I agree with your thoughts, except that I hate...absolutely hate 10 inch boots....I'm a Danner TFX 8 inch, or 5.11 Tactical Advance side zip.

[gojoe]

I buy and wear Danner boots, I also think that they have a place, but so do canvase sneekers. Make your boots last by wearing something else when you can. I also have USGI surplus boots, and those are consumable or to give away.

[bobfall]

Danner.

[Filas are prima]

My big deal is the double wool socks, or summer time, wool sock over cotton sock.
And, I need flexable soles, so the foot can flex with the stride as naturaly designed to do.

[fruit loop]

You should replace your shoes every 400 miles. If you're a heavy walker/hiker, that means on average every 3-4 months. Those sneakers may not look broken down, but trust me - they are. It's always worth it to stock up on shoes. Watch for the 2-for-1 sales or the buy one, get one pair half price sales at the end of each season.

My prep shoe wardrobe:
1 pair hiking boots
1 pair sneakers (with a backup pair)
1 pair flip flops
1 pair insulated winter boots
1 pair rubber galoshes

[Doc1]

I stock many extra boots in our preps and feel that the best value for the money are USGI boots. Remember, "best value for the money," NOT best boots. Still, the plain old basic combat boot is a good work boot and they wear like iron.

Good, used examples can often be found in thrift stores and at yard sales and flea markets. I've bought decent pairs for as little as $3 and still find them commonly for well under $10. While they are usually broken in on someone else's feet, I find that they re-conform to my feet relatively quickly.

There is very little footwear industry left in the US and in just about any post-SHTF scenario, I think practical footwear will be invaluable.

Best regards
Doc

[scruffy]

have had a few of the cabela goretex boots, which every single one of them broke down quickly and can really make your feet sore,to the point of having to get cortisone shots in the heel to make it heal up,,irritated a heel spur big time, been arguing with my self of what to go buy, guess I ll try combat boots again :wink:

[endtimeobserver]

another good place to find quality used footwear are boot repair shops...many people have good boots they turn in for repair and for one reason or another cannot pick them up and the repair guy will usually let them go for what the repair bill .......ETO

[LONEWOLF]

I like the craftsmanship & feel of Italian-made, Swiss, or German boots. Zamberlan, Raichle come to mind. They also make cheaper Made-in-Asia type models, so read the labels or go to the source Company Website to make certain. They'll run you Retail $180-$270 *plus* or much better like $110-$190 if you're a good shopper and wait until a sale, but there's really no compromise when it comes to your feet.

[momof23goats]

well, i guess it is shoe wearing and boot wearing time again. dang, i like going barefoot.
I will go on the great boot hunt again this year,. that will take up good time for sure. justcan't find any i like.

[Thyme]

I used to set up and operate several lathe machines, and was on my feet all day every day. My boots got oil soaked, used and abused. If I were to buy a good boot, it would be Steel Toed Red Wings.

[north runner]

I like pak boots - rubber on the bottom some fabric or leather on top. lately I've acquired some camo scent free rubber boots for hunting. The six inch over the ankle rubber bottomed leather & elastic boots are good for quick on and off in melt conditions. The only time I wear all leather boots or shoes here is in the summer and then I use neatsfoot oil for conditioning.

[Caplock50]

For when the SHTF, I have two pair of knee-high 'indian' moccasins...all leather, of course. For the summer, one pair of socks. Add extra socks as the weather gets colder. I prefer the moccasins because they allow my feet to form to the object I'm stepping on...which allows for a 'better grip' on it. Also I can tell what it is I'm stepping on without having to look at it...and if it is a dry tree branch that will snap and make a noise...I can move my foot to another, quiter spot. The Indians knew well the art of 'silent travel'. They could walk up to you and never make a sound. I am teaching myself the art also. I can already 'sneak up on' my dogs. Can you do that with your thick-soled boots?

[momof23goats]

NO I can't. not with boots on, but I can do it barefooted.

[Bad Hand]

Winter boots I have 3 pair LaCross Ice King (extra liners) Cabela Iditarod (extra liners) Red Wing's. I don't go out much in the Summer Winter my thing no. In the winter there are no bugs, snakes, and few people. In the summer I wear mostly moccasins that I make they have buffalo raw hides soles and brain tanned buckskin uppers (I tanned the hide). For everyday use I get about 3 to 4 months out of a pair.

[Falls_Tech]

Years ago I started wearing light weight hiking boots all the time. If I go to a wedding or funeral, I'll have them on. I like the protection and the fact that they're waterproof.

I'll never forget watching the jury foreman limp into the room. Apparently he was wearing sandals when a heavy knife fell and broke his big toe. Another friend was wearing shorts and tennis shoes at a picnic when the grill got knocked over. He ended up with a cast on his foot. Two accidents that should never have happened.

[LONEWOLF]

Lowa Banff boots for Men & Women are nice deals on-line or at www.REI.com for about $200. Made in Germany, glove leather, c-o-m-f-o-r-t-a-b-l-e, wide sizes available. I ordered a pair on rei.com yesterday on-line, but had to cancel when my front brakes took a dive, talk about timing. Glad to have new brakes tho' on the BOV, and the boots can wait until bigger discount sales after Christmas. The boots, folks, are great.

[LONEWOLF]

Excellent deals right now at:

www.sierratradingpost.com

Give 'em a try!

[BeWell]

Cappy - I have been wanting mocassins for a long time. If you or anyone has any place to buy good ones that are long lasting, please post the info. No way can I make any! I think I'd like not the knee high ones but maybe above ankle to 6 to 8 inches maybe?

[Caplock50]

BeWell, sorry, but, right now, I can't help you. You see, I moved about 10 years ago; and I had bought mine about 5 years before the move. I haven't been able to 'shop around' up here to see if they have any for sell here. Sorry. And I really need to look around for them, too. My oldest pair is going on their third 'resole'ing. My 'newest' pair is now ready for their first. I'm tired of doing all that retreading work.

[BeWell]

Thanks, Cappy. I guess I'll have to look around and do some googling...

I spent years in Hawaii wearing rubber "slippahs" and my toes hate to be "scrunched up"!

:) So moccasins sound comfy.

[Caplock50]

Oh and they are comfortable. I prefer them over any other kind of footwear. These that I have are the knee-high kind, and they cost over $75.00 when I bought them. I can well imagine that now they're up to $150.00 or better. But they are warm in the winter...with two pairs of wool socks; and cool in the summer...with thin cotton socks. I like them because they let me feel the ground I'm stepping on before I put my full weight on it. If I have to stand on a tree limb, they let my feet curl around it so I have a better 'grip' on it...or even walking over rocks, too. They allow me to move silently through the countryside. They *are* my 'bug out' footwear.

If and when you get yourself a pair...look them over carefully and study them thoroughly. Learn how to make your own. It'll be a very good skill to have when the SHTF, ya know.

[BeWell]

Thanks for more details. Another thing I'll need to look into, as (believe it or not) I have only one pair of real shoes (two Crocs as well). Very unusual for a female!

When you re-sole your mocs, what are they re-soled with? Do you do it yourself or have it done?

[Caplock50]

Heh, I cheat. I don't do it the 'proper' way which would be to replace the whole bottom section. What I do is glue on a 'footprint' cut from a soft, pliable rubber mat(like a car's floormat), onto the bottom of the moc. I use a glue called "Shoe-goo II". Just smear the glue on; place the 'footprint' on; and place them between a flat surface and a heavy weight. Leave it there for about 24 hours and they're go to go.

[Freeholder]

Cappy, would a piece of inner-tube work the same way?

I have a pair of high-top Sorels with felt-liners that I use a lot in the winter, but they have fabric (nylon) tops and that part is wearing out. I'm going to try to mend them, but am a little discouraged at only getting four years wear out of a pair of expensive boots. The last pair of Sorels I had, bought well-used at a thrift shop in Fairbanks, had leather uppers, and I wore them constantly every winter for twelve more years (replacing the felt liner twice) before they were too worn out to fix anymore.

We also have one pair of bunny boots (GI issue arctic boots). They belong to my DD, but I wear them sometimes -- she isn't outdoors much. I want to get at least one more pair of bunny boots in case we move back to Alaska someday. There's nothing warmer, though they are heavy and clunky looking.

Kathleen

[Caplock50]

Yes, I believe a piece of innertube would. I went with the floor mat because it was thicker, and therefore would wear longer.