Footwear

check out matterhorns,composite safety toe, insulated and non-,worn by some of our local nat' guard units (army and airforce), waterproof and really hold up.i have a pair twenty-something years old i used to wear when walking 2x4 walls,that i only now need to get resoled. oh yeah they also have vi-bram soles, which ,personally,are the best around. really saved my feet a few times and after a little breaking in feel like slippers to me. hope that helps fwiw.
 
Bufford said:
Yes its a bad habit, I'll admit it and would not recommend working with sharp tools in such a manner unless one knows what one is doing. For decades I have split on average 7 bush cords of white birch using only a splitting axe and do this mostly with only barefeet, often down to my underwear and T shirt to keep mobility up and to cool the body. But I also have a bad habit of using the chain saw that way too, albeit with hearing protection and a leather welding apron.

But then what protection do those cheap rubber Kamik boots offer or any unapproved work footware do when cutting wood in winter; I don't think they would do much to stop the saw if one got careless. One could get paranoid and spend the whole pension check on heating oil, but I'd rather pay attention to how I use my tools than worry about fate, chances are good something else will eventually get me.
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One thing about foregoing the protection equipment is that it can cause you to be more careful. You can take your time and make sure every position leaves the axe head away from you. Similar to walking barefoot really.

I don't really wear a hardhat much, but if careful you really only need it if there's a lot of limbs, a broken tree, chance of a hangup, etc.
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
"Use the Lacrosse stuff and the rubbers will last."

Not sure what you mean by Lacrosse stuff.

Yeah, cotton is the worst for cold and wet conditions. I'll have to look into the space socks as rubbers are necessary here a lot. What do you do to care for tin pants?

Those Filson boots look good too.
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Lacrosse brand rubber conditioner.

The only care for tin pants is to lightly brush them and wear them dirty. Can't wash them. They come with some touch-up finish wax.

http://www.filson.com/filson-life/cat/heritage/post/filson-101-how-to-rewax-filson-jacket/
 
In a city where the temperature ranges from +35C (+95F) to -35C (-31F), you have to have a few pairs of footwear at your disposal. After years of going cheap and paying the price for it, I decided to invest in some good footwear. For the real cold days, and for snowshoeing and cold winter hiking, I use the Solomon Toundra. For general winter use, I use the Patagonias. Most of the other times, I wear the Solomon hiking shoes. For yard and bush work, I would wear the Raichle backpacking boots. Hands down, the most comfortable footwear I have found for day to day use, work or leisure, are the Ariat boots. That should do me until they put my dress shoes on me and stick me in the box.
 
Interesting, thanks. Never heard of the Lacrosse stuff. Their boots look good.

Filson pants should be one of my next purchases, or a jacket. Need something for the wet snow and freezing rain conditions we get here.
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
Filson pants should be one of my next purchases, or a jacket. Need something for the wet snow and freezing rain conditions we get here.
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I bought the Filson tin pants for trail work. I wanted something waterproof but still tough as Carharts and at least somewhat breathable. I would shred my gore-tex pants doing that work (getting down on your knees, etc.). But for my top half I went with a top quality gore-tex jacket (Arc'teryx Beta AR). I'm a big guy and I sweat when I hike or work. With the Arc'teryx jacket I don't worry about our rainy NW weather. You don't even notice the rain or care. I was out in it today in a downpour. Doing habitat restoration work - hiking, digging, planting. Came back dry as a bone.

I also wore the Schnees and Darn Tough socks. Stayed dry there, too. I'm still wearing those socks now - 6 hours later. And we got over an inch of rain. Went mountain biking in the rain after that and still stayed dry. I love good gear.
 
yeah but what did your feet smell like? seriously people matterhorns have gore-tex lining as well. check 'em out. i'm just bummed that the only dealer in at least a 500 mile radius to me stopped carrying them. (too expensive for most folks here in the great empty-not because of quality).
 
Square_peg said:
I can't imagine Filson boots being anything less than fantastic. I'll have to look into them. I have a pair of their double tin pants. Tough, comfortable and water repellent. Hard combination to beat. Filson exemplifies premium outdoor wear and they have done so for over 100 years.

http://www.filson.com/filson/our-company/history/
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My Filson moccasin toe all leather hunting boots are a fantastic upland hunting boot, they're just not as technologically advanced as some of the new hiking options available today. I wear Filson outerwear exclusively. i stopped wearing down and nylon almost thirty years ago in favor of layering cotton, silk, and wool.
 
Square_peg said:
I bought the Filson tin pants for trail work. I wanted something waterproof but still tough as Carharts and at least somewhat breathable. I would shred my gore-tex pants doing that work (getting down on your knees, etc.). But for my top half I went with a top quality gore-tex jacket (Arc'teryx Beta AR). I'm a big guy and I sweat when I hike or work. With the Arc'teryx jacket I don't worry about our rainy NW weather. You don't even notice the rain or care. I was out in it today in a downpour. Doing habitat restoration work - hiking, digging, planting. Came back dry as a bone.

I also wore the Schnees and Darn Tough socks. Stayed dry there, too. I'm still wearing those socks now - 6 hours later. And we got over an inch of rain. Went mountain biking in the rain after that and still stayed dry. I love good gear.
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I've worn Carhartts for years, I like them but need something for the wet. Doesn't stay quite as wet here as the Northwest, but we can get it pretty bad. I've considered just waterproofing Carhartts as well. Either nikwax or canvas tenting sealant. I've heard both work. But it may just be better to get Filsons and not have to worry about experimentation.

The Schnee's definitely look like top boots. What style of Darn Tough socks do you wear? I see our backpacking store, MEC, has them and they guarantee their equipment. They have hiker and crew. And I see they're guaranteed for life.

I have an Arc'teryx pack which is really good. The only concern I'd have is I have a lot of fires, and the forest here has a lot of low branches so it may tear up that material on a jacket.

I stayed out last night and just put my liners in my wool blanket with a shirt wrapped around them, they dried through the night. After a few frosty nights and cool days the mosquitoes are nearly gone, so I cut without having to get bit.
 
FA1BladeGuy said:
My Filson moccasin toe all leather hunting boots are a fantastic upland hunting boot, they're just not as technologically advanced as some of the new hiking options available today. I wear Filson outerwear exclusively. i stopped wearing down and nylon almost thirty years ago in favor of layering cotton, silk, and wool.
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If they can give 15-20 years like some of the older boots then I'd say the lack of high-tech stuff is a plus.
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
If they can give 15-20 years like some of the older boots then I'd say the lack of high-tech stuff is a plus.
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The 'Millennial" hi-tech fashion boots of today entirely 'suck an egg'. Not because they're inferior but because their expected lifetime is so short. So when do you replace a 'working boot'? Hopefully not when the tag wears off.
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
I've worn Carhartts for years, I like them but need something for the wet. ..... I've considered just waterproofing Carhartts as well. Either nikwax or canvas tenting sealant. I've heard both work. But it may just be better to get Filsons and not have to worry about experimentation.
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Yeah, I've thought about waterproofing Carharts or Dickies. I found a recipe for tin pants on the web some years back. Never tried it yet.

What style of Darn Tough socks do you wear? I see our backpacking store, MEC, has them and they guarantee their equipment. They have hiker and crew. And I see they're guaranteed for life.
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Darn Tough runs small. I'm an 11-1/2 or 12 and I prefer their XL socks which are supposed to be for 12-1/2 to 14. The Large 10-12 is too small. I've tried the short hiking socks and they're OK. The over-the -calf are OK, too. But I like the boot length sock the best. They are guaranteed for life. If you wear them out they will be replaced for free. The logo on the package shows a man hammering on them at the anvil. That's indicative of what they'll stand up to. I've spent $10-$15 on wool socks that only lasted two winters. Spending $25 on a pair that lasts forever is worthwhile IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XFWCKI?redirect=true&ref_=cfb_at_prodpg


I have an Arc'teryx pack which is really good. The only concern I'd have is I have a lot of fires, and the forest here has a lot of low branches so it may tear up that material on a jacket.
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My Arc'teryx jacket is sturdy for a gore-tex jacket but it's nothing like a Carhart jacket or Filson jacket for toughness. If you're going to be in heavy brush in foul weather I'd go with the Filson. Just remember that the Filson won't breath like gore-tex and adjust your pace accordingly.
 
FA1BladeGuy said:
I stopped wearing down and nylon almost thirty years ago in favor of layering cotton, silk, and wool.
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Silk and wool are good choices. I've moved away from cotton for any hike where I might get stuck overnight in foul weather. My brother does search & rescue in the central Cascade Mountains. Hikers who get caught out in cotton end up being a body recovery instead of a rescue. Cotton has earned the nickname 'death cloth'. Don't get me wrong - I wear cotton for work all the time. It's tough and comfortable. But in a possible survival situation I won't have any of it with me. Dress in cotton - die of exposure.

http://sectionhiker.com/why-does-cotton-kill/
 
Isn't tin oil basically just a cotton canvas treated? I think that's the exception to the cotton rule. I made my own canvas anorak last year. It makes an excellent shell layer to cut the wind and many winter trekkers swear by them, basically because it breathes better than modern fabric (as long as it's not treated), doesn't tear with snags, and is safe around the fire. The long length is also really good as it covers the arteries close to the surface in your legs.

But the general rule of 'cotton kills' is basically right for anything but the shell layer. It soaks up the moisture and it's inability to dry causes you to rapidly lose heat. Looks like that link is a really good explanation. Really hard to dry cotton. And if you do wear cotton canvas as a shell it's good to remember the rule 'Small fires cook food and scorch clothes; big fires scorch food and dry clothes.' (Kochanski) A big fire that forces you to stand back a large step to a pace is what you need to dry clothes.

Thanks for the socks info. Hard to know what to get when ordering online. Will definitely be trying them.
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
And if you do wear cotton canvas as a shell it's good to remember the rule 'Small fires cook food and scorch clothes; big fires scorch food and dry clothes.' (Kochanski) A big fire that forces you to stand back a large step to a pace is what you need to dry clothes.
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Good rule.
 
check out some of the newer carhartt stuff they have gore-tex jackets and canvas with gore-tex i think. certainly the real heavy weight chore coats and insulated bibs and covies do.
 
neal70 said:
check out some of the newer carhartt stuff they have gore-tex jackets and canvas with gore-tex i think. certainly the real heavy weight chore coats and insulated bibs and covies do.
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I've been quite happy with my Carhartt waterproof windproof breathable (same principle as trade-marked Gore-Tex) jacket/coat, with removable storm hood, over the past 3 years. This was not a stocked item anywhere in Ottawa and had to be special ordered. The nylon shell is durable (Carhartt, that I know of, has yet to produce junk, or hipster fashion wear) and I wear a separate fleece jacket under it during the cold winter months.
 
when i was still able to do framing, here on the plains in winter, honestly carhartt was the only way to go. lotsa wind,rain, wind,sleet wind, snowand oh yeah,wind made it a requirement. standing in two or three feet of snow on the shady side putting up siding is not fun( well sorta, but you have to be a little sick in the head). carhartts and matterhorns kept me going 'til quittin time.or beer-thirty if you prefer:).
 
My Vasque boot soles are starting to separate from the boot. Suggestions on a good goop/glue/sealer to seal them back up? They are ~20 years old and on their second sole but I'm not quite ready to give them up as a work/around the yard boot. I hiked the AT in these things and they have REALLY comfortable footbeds...
 
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