Boots

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[Timelord]

[Morgan]

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!

Thankyou for that web link. I wear them all the time and the usual supplier trebelled prices last year. thanks, TL. Also agreed about Goretex not ideal for our climate & water n over the top. I have written about this previously. Most people just go with the advertising/herd mantality without understanding the material/physical applications. I use the original Lowa mountain boot with the thick cambrelle lining instead of goretex and they are a superior longer lasting, more comforatble boot to the goretex versions. Warmer in the winter too and quicker to dry out if wet inside - which I don't recall happening. Gaitors or puttees are very effective at stopping water ingress and soaking of the lower leg + good at countering rough vegetation & brambles. The Lowa boots can be comprehensively resoled professionally by the UK Lowa authorised repairer - for about £65. That is not cheap by any means but it is half the price of a new pair and they will be as new(unless you have a goretex lining that has worn out - which they may also replace??). That is good value for the quality of boot and means the boots can have a very long lifespan.
I see boots as being a critical piece of kit. They are your means of mobility when all else fails and need to be relied on in tough times. I don't understand the reasoning behind buying cheap or multiple cheap pairs of boots when you can only wear one pair at a time. If I was in a SHTF situation, I would not want to have to carry spare pairs with me or to have a pair that is not up to the task. My boots would want to be the least of my worries. Having a few cheap pairs at a base location is a good idea - unless you are not there yourself...

Another consideration would be to source a pair of leather soled boots. Thes will be hard wearing and could even have a rubber sole bonded on. The idea behind obtaining a leather sole construction boot, would be that it is repairable at a low tech level. A new sole, maybe not even leather can be sewn on if needed.
I reckon an alternative would be to make up a pair of those car tyre type sandals, but ones that could be strapped to an old worn pair of boots to expediently extend the lifespan and functionality.

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[quote='Morgan' pid='15263' dateline='1337594310']
I could do with some British Army Arctic socks, where do you get them from?

Great reply, totally agree. Can I have the address of you to send the Lowa's to to get re-soled? I ended up using mine on my motorbike and they need some TLC.

Also, leather soled boots, when I can afford it, I am going to get some Leather soled and hobnailed hill boots, they will last a lifetime.

Made the old fashioned way to a design that is really really old.

[Skean Dhude]

but with no real way out for most of us.

[Morgan]

[Bug_out_Bag]

Sorry, you will need to type that address into your browser. Whenever I post links here they never seem to work i don't know why

Cheap boots are good for caching, good for everyday rambling and running around and they are lightweight and durable, I have two pairs of expensive boots too. ... like handbags ... you can't have too many pairs of boots can you?

[Timelord]

[Morgan]

Sorry, you will need to type that address into your browser. Whenever I post links here they never seem to work i don't know why

Cheap boots are good for caching, good for everyday rambling and running around and they are lightweight and durable, I have two pairs of expensive boots too. ... like handbags ... you can't have too many pairs of boots can you?

Never! I have some I don't wear, they are too precious. They are in my "Break glass in case of emergency" boot stock.

[Tonka]

I only wear boots... I have one pair of shoes I got married in. After wearing out many pairs of boots on the bike, some cheap some expensive, I got a pair of cheap rigger boots. About £25, and the things are indestructible! ...and I really am an infamous boot destroyer (and watch, trousers etc). They are just heavy leather, but I would keep them waxed, and they are as waterproof enough for wading through puddles when out off-roading in the 4x4 (have to walk unfamiliar obstacles first). On the bike only rubber boots are waterproof enough for a long, motorway ride in bad weather, but waxed leather lasts a lot longer than gortex. But for walking pace those boots are pretty good. Steelies can give you blisters though. They are actually better made than any of my £80 boots, and available pretty much everywhere for peanuts. The label says 'Grafters' and has a G-clamp logo.

[Timelord]

I hope you don't wear steelies for riding your motorbike!