Boots

[Skean Dhude]

Mike,

I wal around a lot in bare feet but there is no way I could do a Kwai Chang Caine in anything but a home situation.

[Skvez]

Yes the human body wasn't designed to wear shoes
But the original design spec didn't have to worry about broken glass or chipped stones.
A reasonable pair of boots isn't that expensive, ask for a (spair) pair for Christmas.

[mikebratcher69]

well were not born with shoes on are we, thought it was obvious my mistake, You should try it though feels nice as long as you dont stand in poo...amd even then it can be warming if its just been done..

---

seriously though, one of the first things any aggressor will be on the look out for is clothes and boots, and will have no qualms leaving you buck naked in the snow.

[mikebratcher69]

no takers? the one thing people seem to forget is human aggression and greed.
If you have it they'll want it have a look at the film "the book of eli" not far from what life would be like if you ask me.

[Morgan]

Morning.
I used to work in a specialist outdoor shop as a boot fitter and the only thing I can say to people when they ask "What boot do you recommend?" Is... What ever is comfortable for your feet.

Far too many people are swayed by reviews in magazines and recommendations. Scarpa and La Sportiva boots, are great boots, some of the best on the market in fact... If you have really narrow feet. Meindel, Lowa, Han Wag... All great (German) boots, for people with big wide feet.

The average British foot, tends to be wider at the front and narrow at the heel, so a good neutral last is advisable. Karrimor, Berghaus, Saloman, Raichle, Lundhag, Brasher... All use typically neutral lasts in the constrcution.

Go to a good outdoor shop where they have fitters, try on loads of boots, they wont mind it's their job, and just get the ones that fit the best. You will be surprised at how many fall into your budget as well, especially if you go for "last years model".

Also, although it's getting harder now to find any boots, even leather ones, without a Goretex membrane in them, all boots have a massive hole in them, at the top. If you get a lot of water in goretex lined boots, it does not come out any where near as fast as if you have natural, or leather lined boots. A good pair of well waxed and polished leather only boots, will outlast and be more comfortable than any goretex lined boot and will let water in the exact same place as the goretex boot, at the top. But they dry out a lot faster.

Not a goretex fan by the way, it's very good at keeping you dry, but it rustles like a crisp bag and will never cope with the humidity of the British Isles.

[bigpaul]

for general wear...as in not going through the swamps...fairly waterproof..i wear MX2 walking boots..i can get them on ebay for less than a tenner plus postage...i buy a couple of pairs at a time, when i wear out a pair i get 2 pairs more, that way i've always got some in hand.

[Bug_out_Bag]

(21 May 2012, 09:49)bigpaul Wrote: for general wear...as in not going through the swamps...fairly waterproof..i wear MX2 walking boots..i can get them on ebay for less than a tenner plus postage...i buy a couple of pairs at a time, when i wear out a pair i get 2 pairs more, that way i've always got some in hand.

I have several pairs of these MX2 boots they're lightweight and very comfortable. I added memory foam innersoles from the 99p shop as they start at size 6 which is too big for me! I have also sprayed mine with waterproofing spray meant for tent seams as they are mostly nylon. For less than ten quid they're great! In winter I wear British Army arctic socks which keep my feet toasty too!

[Morgan]

I could do with some British Army Arctic socks, where do you get them from?

[Bug_out_Bag]

(21 May 2012, 10:58)Morgan Wrote: I could do with some British Army Arctic socks, where do you get them from?

Hi Morgan, I'll dig out the site address for you, I bought three pairs which were advertised as having very slight wear along with some other stuff but when they turned up they were all brand new! Purchase price was a pound a pair plus p&p, I was pleased!

[Morgan]

Sounds ideal and you can't argue with the price either. Thanks.