Boots in a survival situation?

"army type combat boots" would be better than lightweight hiking boots, IMO.

Or tough, protective, durable boots suitable for hard outdoor work.

Something like this:

boots1.jpg


not

boots2.jpg
 
I would feel confident with either my danner Acadia's or danner Ft lewis boots.
 
Another vote for my Danner Acadias. These things are built tough, but don't feel like I'm wearing a brick on my foot. I've worn them on day hikes, and on long backpacking trips.
 
I have vasque sundowners. They are very comfortable and durable. I can very sock thickness depending on the temperature and they are waterproof.
 
I'd have to go with a good sport shoe, a cross trainer of some sort. Boots cause my feet and back many more problems than they might solve. But then, I've got collapsed arches and very mild scoliosis.

Phil
 
Second a pair of Russell's (or two). I have a pair of Sporting Clays Chukkas I wore almost every day for two or three years. I wore the soles right off them and the uppers are still good as new. I was so impressed I ordered a second pair when I had the first pair resoled. Now I rotate them and they will probably last forever with resoles every few years. I also have a pair of their moccasins.

I'd probably go with the Trackers or maybe the Imperials . . .
 
JDMSMBACPA-
Not familiar with the Imperials ...can't find them on their website. Will need to check their catalog when I get home....
-carl
 
Russel Imperial Link They are under "Traditional Bird Hunting Boots."

imperial.gif


Imperials have a hand sewn never rip seam all the way around the junction between the vamp and the pipe (like the Cavalier, if you are familiar with that model). They also come in really good French Veal leather. Killer testimonials, but there should be for the price ;) They have a sole, but the standard Gro Cords are sewn on, so they would probably be more field maintainable than soles that are not.

For a true long-term or indefinite situation, I think it would pay to learn to make your own footwear first. It was good enough for mountain men and vouageurs. Even combat boots are only supposed to last a few months in combat.
 
I've got a pattern for "high top mocassins" that I would like to make one day. Dont think they'd be any good in the snow but. When in the northern part of Australia mostly I'd wear thongs :rolleyes:
 
JDMSMBACPA-
Thanks- found them. I was thinking along your "make your own" lines when I chose the Russell moc. I've made my own for several years and quit when I discovered the Russell. They provide a foundation (and the tough part to make) for great moccasins. All you would need to do is resole them. You could do that with anything from worn-out tires to brain-tanned hides and they'd last over 10 years with daily wear.

Dart-
Making your own is a great place to start. It is easier to learn to do that well in your living room than in the woods. :D Thongs work. Based upon a very old idea....
-carl
 
... what I'm getting is that the general opinion is combat type boots instead of backpacking boots. Or am I imposing a false dichotomy on to the personal footware choices here?
 
You can make them with rawhide layers for soles.

The beauty of long strap laces (think Roman Legions) is that you can put any type of necessary padding, protection or insulation over the foot, and pull the sandle on "over" then use the long thong laces for fastening...


Hard to stuff additional insulation into boots, but the sandles are, for all practical purposes, infinitely variable.
 
Mike-
...and as you point out, you can make/modify/repair your own. Since the question had the condition of long-term to indefinate wilderness survival, I'd strongly resist the temptation to use ANY of the contemporary military or backpacking boots. They are simply too hard to maintain long term. While they would last quite a while, the inevitable would happen ...then what?
-carl
 
For over a year I have worn a pair of mountaineering boots on my daily 4 mile walks aorund the land I live on. These are overkill for trail walking, but they offer far superior support for off-trail hiking.

They have a full shank of composite, so I have a "platform" to step on all the time, whether it is rocks, soft soil, or a steep snow slope. The leather uppers are extremely durable, waterproof, and easy to care for. They also accept crampons.

I would consider the other hiking boots mentioned to be a minimum. I have come to really enjoy and trust the support and security of a good pair of leather mountaineering boots. When the terrain gets really rough, this is the kind of thing that I go for:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...productId=12206037&parent_category_rn=4501297

Scott
 
You might check out Limmer Boots. Heavy duty leather construction, Norwegian Welt, very nice.

Just my $.02.
 
I love my Red Wing Irish -Setter.
They are in their 5th year for 6 months/ per annum almost straight inuse
and they are holding up great.

they were a biatch to break in thou

matthias
 
Originally posted by Matt Seling
I love my Red Wing Irish -Setter.
They are in their 5th year for 6 months/ per annum almost straight inuse
and they are holding up great.

they were a biatch to break in thou

matthias
Click to expand...

A friend of mine had been wearing his Red Wings for about 8 years now, pretty straight, and they're fine. Proving once again they you get what you pay for!
 
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