Boots in a survival situation?

YoYoMa,

I have wide feet for a woman, and until recently, I've had a *very* difficult time finding hiking boots that would fit (most women's boots are only a "B" width, I take a ladies' "D" width). Here are a few tips I learned while trying to find a decent hiking boot:

- The longer you hike, the stronger the muscles IN your FEET will develop. (This has been repeatedly proven by people who have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.) You will go up a shoe size or so.

- Different types of leathers take a different style of waterproofing. Iirc, if the leather was oil-tanned (many of the most sturdy leathers are), then it takes an oil-based waterproofing. If the leather was a chrome-tan or other chemical-tan, then a non-oil based waterproofing is best.

Backpacker.com has a lot of great info on preparing for camping and backpacking trips too.
 
I'll post this link FWIW: Multi-Component Boot System It's a cool article--unfortunately you have to print it to read it. It contains some good info. on sizing, boot selection, socks, Gore-Tex socks (the MCBS used Gore-Tex socks from Rockey), gaitors and foot care.

In the late '80s and early '90s the Army Rangers experimented with a Multi-Component Boot System. The emphasis was on march boots, but you could cache a bunch of Mil. Spec. combat boots and the other components at a reasonable cost. Right now www.wellco.com has boots with the Mil. Spec. all leather speedlace upper and a DMS Panama sole on sale for $40. I don't work for Wellco. I just like their prices. They are the company that pioneered the direct molded sole technology used on speedlace leg, jungle and desert boots and are a MAJOR military boot contractor.

I still think that for a permanent or indefinite survival scenario, you'd be better off with Russell Moccasins or the like and the ability to maintain, repair and/or replace them yourself, but shoes are so cheap in the USA nowadays, that you could cache a lifetime supply if you can determine how to store them so they don't deteriorate.
 
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