Don't forget reliable footwear, and breaking them in.
Posted by ArcaneLuxian@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 26 comments
Whether you're prepping for Tuesday or doomsday something in between reliable study footwear for yourself, and everyone else living jn your home is so important.
Think about it. You go through a tornado and debris is everywhere its definitely not safe to walk on in barefeet or slippers. Or you need to get the hell out of dodge, basic walking shoes are great until they get wet, and you've got a case of trench foot. There are so many situations where having a good pair of a waterproof, workboots that are study and meant to last forever. Investing in great hiking socks should be a consideration as well.
Exact-Winter-5803@reddit
Couldn’t agree more.
MOF1fan@reddit
I highly recommend composite toes as well. Lots of companies (I prefer Keen) make hiking style work boots that have composite toes. They are fairly light and give extra protection. I walk 10k+ steps a day in them on concrete 10-16hrs/day with no foot pain. Plus if you had to kick someone with them they will remember it.
vintage_neurotic@reddit
Do you have any specific shoe/product recs? Thanks!
WardenWolf@reddit
I recommend OrthoStep round laces for boots. You wouldn't believe how many $200+ boots come with laces that tear up in 2 months. At this point I replace all new boot laces with OrthoStep because I've found they're indestructible while not tearing up your fingers. A cheap investment gets me laces that last the life of the boot.
MOF1fan@reddit
I wear Keens. They have a couple models that look and feel like hiking boots but also have a composite toe
Academic_Win6060@reddit
I've got a really comfortable pr of water "resistant" all leather Timbs, and a backup pr on standby.
Question: what do y'all use to waterproof your footwear? Spray? Oil? Beeswax? My boots take a lickin', so it needs to be durable.
I'd also like to make my super awesome Altras more water resistant - they're mesh fabric though. How would you do it? Spray?
WardenWolf@reddit
And don't forget good laces for those boots. I've seen $200 boots come with laces that break in 2 months. Nowadays I immediately replace all boot laces with OrthoStep round laces because they just don't die.
pepe_silvia_12@reddit
Any recommendations?
Many-Health-1673@reddit
Waterproof boots are not necessarily the best product to wear. Your feet need to be able to breathe and your feet will evetually sweat if they can't breathe. There is a reason the military doesn't use waterproof boots and why long distance hikers don't use them. They trap water/moisture inside the boot. Having boots that allow water and moisture to escape are most important, but you can cover the tops of your boots with a water repellent that allows water to not absorb easily into the material but will still let your feet breathe.
lyonslicer@reddit
In most cases, you are correct. If it's below 50° F and rainy, waterproof boots can help retain heat in your lower extremities. Even treated boots will absorb and let in water given enough exposure. Also, if you're up and moving about (generating heat and sweat), there are more efficient areas of the body for dumping that excess heat than your feet.
Also, the military doesn't issue waterproof boots, but many soldiers do choose to buy their own. A lot of people don't realize that most hypothermia situations occur between 40-60° F. Wet feet can make that worse. Sweat can do that too, but like I said, you should be dumping 5hat excess heat before it gets to that.
hobberhawk@reddit
Kohls is a great nation wode store to get good walking/running shoes for cheap. You get a coupon (10% off or more) just for taking an Amazon,on return to them
bill_susman@reddit
Tuesday?
jayprov@reddit
You must be new here? The prepping discussion usually splits into people prepping for doomsday and people prepping for Tuesday, I.e. everyday inconveniences like power outages, loss of job, brief supply chain shortages, etc.
JRHLowdown3@reddit
Make sure your wife keeps walking shoes in her vehicle also. Heels don't work over distance.
I keep an extra pair in my truck also, I rarely head to the gym with just flops, usually tennis shoes and flops, but in case I ever forget, I have a pair of older Keens in the truck also.
Anonymo123@reddit
Good topic. when I had a used pair of shoes\boots I keep them in my vehicle. In the winter its an old set of warm boots and gators in case I have to hike in the snow.
Imagine being in work shoes or high heels\crocs\flip flops and having to walk many, many miles home through unknown terrain.
Nuclear_Wolffang@reddit
Always keep a comfortable and waterproof set of shoes/boots in your vehicle in case you have to walk home. And I agree, 2 pair of Darn Tough socks you can alternate wearing are fantastic. Other big consideration is gaiters in snowy/wooded areas, a good set of trekking poles, and an extra set of laces.
DeFiClark@reddit
To this point; when old boots are at the point of needing replacement but still functional, toss them in the trunk with a pair of wool socks in each boot in a ziplock.
_learned_foot_@reddit
Same with whenever you replace any base layers. The older one may have a hole or be loose now, but you’ll want it come that emergency surprise hike when the car gets stuck in snow. I have a box I call “in case I forgot all my gear” that’s just an old hiking set, best case it’s a backup for anybody who forgets.
DeafHeretic@reddit
Usually carry a spare pair of WP hiking boots in my daily driver.
I have various different footwear, including a pair of workboots where I put steel insole in them (in case I need to walk thru debris that might include nails/etc.).
maimauw867@reddit
Good socks are not a consideration but a must. If you walk with wet feet and heavy load you can wear out a pair of high quality woollen socks in 8 days, get spare socks.
very_squirrel@reddit
What's on Tuesday?
Canadian_shack@reddit
It’s just referring to the more mundane emergencies we all face, like the power is out for a couple of days, or job loss, sickness, things like that.
very_squirrel@reddit
Oh, right. I thought I missed something. Thanks!
ArcaneLuxian@reddit (OP)
For myself Tuesday means all these less than emergency things but still important. As someone about to have another little I consider post partum to be a Tuesday. You need to make sure your ready for middle of the night changes and feeds, God forbid you run out of diapers or formula at midnight, when the local stores are closed. Or appropriate meds because your child is colicy and just wants to not be in pain anymore.
Tuesday for others can mean job loss or hour cuts. People often forget that these important but definitely not exciting scenarios are also situations to prep for because we never want to be caught in a state where our family goes without.
Eywadevotee@reddit
Yup get durable and comfey footwear. Can get good used ones at thrift stores cheap, just give them a good waah and dry. Then dust the inside with a little sulfur. No worries about fungus and surprisingly foot odor.
NoVegetable8273@reddit
Thanks for the reminder. I’ll keep my hiking boots accessible instead of packing them away with other clothes!