[Viking]

Lets talk boots and other footwear. You can only go as far as your feet will take you in many a true SHTF situation.

As I get older, I am having more and more foot issues from years of punishing my feet in the military when I was young and invincible. I wish I had paid the extra for the best shoes and boots when I was younger and I probably wouldn't have the issues I have now, not to mention my knees would be in better shape as well.

Around 2006 or so I began searching for the best boot to wear while in uniform and though not "authorized", I ended up wearing the full-size Converse Desert boot with the side zipper as it was the most comfortable boot I had ever worn. Now that I am older and have even more issues, I have to add my inserts from the VA to them, but they are still almost on a par with my Nike running shoes that I also have to add an insert to make them comfortable. They will wear out over time, as I have gone through several pairs (8 inch and 6 inch versions), and they can not be resoled as far as I can tell, but like a pair of high top basketball shoes, they are lightweight, comfortable and give good ankle support. They are definitely not for colder climates.

I wear the 6"version now, and the last pair I bought were made by Reebok as Converse has discontinued them. The boot is pictured here: http://www.lapolicegear.com/coc86mecotoe.html

If you are looking for a comfortable boot and can find any of the Converse ones in stock in your size, these are comfortable. If you can't find any, the Reeboks look to be basically the exact same boot.

How about the rest of you - What boot or shoes do you recommend for a combination of comfort/wearability and durability?

 

[Viking]

The former gunny of the mountain warfare training center known as Norseman recommended the bates tora bora. I looked them up and they are nice. Expensive. Bates makes great boots.

I just searched for those boots...Holy freaking Cow!! They must be some boots. They are definitely "Expensive". Have you ever worn them?

 

[Viking]

Matterhorn 10" Waterproof Insulated Field Boot
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Matterhorn-Waterproof-Insulated-Field-Boot/dp/B000ZNCPU0[/ame]

I bought a pair of these black leather Matterhorn boots in the PX at Ft Knox back in 1988 that I wore for years when I was not in garrison and it was cold out, also when hunting or messing around the woods. I loved them, and have given them to my youngest son who is now in a size 12. Our BN Master Gunner wore his to Desert Shield when we deployed to Saudi in August 1990, so they can be worn in hot weather, I just would prefer not to do so. I bought a new pair last year because my feet have grown over the years and I now wear a size 14. They are expensive, but I can vouch for these boots - They will hold up.

They are not light weight either, and I remember doing an all day land navigation course in them in the hills of KY, and it was a workout. My old ones were resoled in the 1990s and I have treated them to ensure they are still waterproof (though they will leak if you stand in water for hours). My son loves them, but only wears them when it is cold out. When warmer, he wears a pair of Hi-Tech Magnums from around 1995 that I also gave him. These Matterhorns will last for years and years of field use, and the new pair that I bought will probably be my SHTF boot for winter/fall. They are rugged and will definitely hold up. I used to wear my old ones when busting beaver dams in winter.

I think the only other military boot I have that I would choose as a SHTF boot would be my 20+ year old black Corcoran tanker boots. For my area the insulation in the Matterhorn may cause issues 7 months out of the year.

 

[Viking]

Lets talk boots and other footwear. You can only go as far as your feet will take you in many a true SHTF situation.

As I get older, I am having more and more foot issues from years of punishing my feet in the military when I was young and invincible. I wish I had paid the extra for the best shoes and boots when I was younger and I probably wouldn't have the issues I have now, not to mention my knees would be in better shape as well.

Around 2006 or so I began searching for the best boot to wear while in uniform and though not "authorized", I ended up wearing the full-size Converse Desert boot with the side zipper as it was the most comfortable boot I had ever worn. Now that I am older and have even more issues, I have to add my inserts from the VA to them, but they are still almost on a par with my Nike running shoes that I also have to add an insert to make them comfortable. They will wear out over time, as I have gone through several pairs (8 inch and 6 inch versions), and they can not be resoled as far as I can tell, but like a pair of high top basketball shoes, they are lightweight, comfortable and give good ankle support. They are definitely not for colder climates.

I wear the 6"version now, and the last pair I bought were made by Reebok as Converse has discontinued them. The boot is pictured here: http://www.lapolicegear.com/coc86mecotoe.html

If you are looking for a comfortable boot and can find any of the Converse ones in stock in your size, these are comfortable. If you can't find any, the Reeboks look to be basically the exact same boot.

How about the rest of you - What boot or shoes do you recommend for a combination of comfort/wearability and durability?

Ok, I am wearing the Reebok version of that discontinued Converse boot (mentioned above) today and it does not feel as comfortable as the old Converse one. It is just..."stiff" where the Converse was like wearing a high top basketball shoe right out of the box.

I do not recommend the Reebok version.

 

[Viking]

I destroyed my Oakley boots, went through 2 pair in one deployment. Ended up going back to the issue Altamas for the remainder. All of them ended up tearing the inside heels out.

After graduating to civilianhood, I picked up a pair of Ariat Workhogs. I decided to forgo laces, as I am coming in and out all the time and hate dealing with them. Best money I ever spent. I've had knee, hip, and back issues ever since joining the Army, and they've been near non-existent since buying these.

I've worn them hunting in the cold with pouring rain with no problems, including dragging a deer out about a mile. Gotten them covered in mud, a quick rinse in the sink, a brush, and out to dinner with them. Honestly, I don't think I've worn another pair of shoes in months.

After seeing this above and knowing how comfortable my younger son said his Ariat "Ramblers" are, I bought (ordered online) me some Ariats. I didn't get the "Workhogs" model though as I didn't want the steel toe nor the "Rambler" model as his Ramblers doesn't have a stiff upper. Instead I got the "Ariat Men's Sierra Wide Square Toe St Boot". Hopefully they will be as comfortable as you and my son say Ariats are. GI1

 

[Viking]

I couldn't find Workhogs without the steel toe, but that was probably just my crummy shopping online ability. I also had to find boots in a size 14, which makes the selection less numerous to choose from as well. I used to wear a composite toe, but with my left foot being messed up, I prefer not to do so. I just went back and checked the description and these do have a steel toe after all...I guess I missed that after searching so many different boots and sites. Oh well, it won't be a deal breaker if it doesn't rub my toes on the left foot. The steel toe (if comfortable) will actually come in handy with my doing stuff around the farm and woods.

I will probably treat the boots with silicone if they aren't as water resistant as I prefer, but really, I have found a good pair of rubber boots gets the job done when it is nasty outside. I also have to wear my inserts from the VA or I pay for it later.

Here are the ones I got: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0074901G8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]

 

[Viking]

These are mine. Amazon has a 14 but D. I have a 10.5 EE. I had to put a 36" culvert in at the bottom of my pasture and after placing rip rap and sealing one end up with whatever wire fencing I could scrounge up, I had spent an hour and a half in the creek with no leaks in my boots.

http://www.amazon.com/Ariat-Workhog...1419743730&sr=1-1&keywords=ariat+workhogs+h2o

Those look good, but how wide is the toe-box? I got the square toe because the pointier cowboy boots crowd my toes. Are those reasonably wide for a big foot?

 

[Viking]

I don't know if you need an EE or not, but as far as the toe, it's just rounded not cowboy pointy.

Thanks - It would probably work then. If I am not happy with the ones I got, I will try those you recommended.

 

[Viking]

Wore out my Herman Survivors as mountain hunting boots, lasted about 17 years, took care of them also.

And that (above in bold) is the key right there to making quality footwear last.


I have given Nocona cowboy boots in a size 12 that I outgrew, to my younger son that were 31 years old. (1983-2014) The leather was cracked and rough looking in places, and they had been resoled several times, but I kept neatsfoot oil and shoe polish on them over the years and they are still serviceable. I also gave a pair of size 12 Tony Lamas to my nephew that were 28 years old (1986-2014) that had also been resoled at least once, but they looked as good as the day I got them because I took very good care of them and had not worn them as much as the Noconas, which were my "boots" for many years

 

[Viking]

The Ariats I ordered came in today and were quite possibly the most comfortable cowboy boots I have ever worn. I tried them with both the included insert and mine from the VA, and they were more comfortable "as is" with the included Ariat insert.

They were however cut large and too loose on my foot in the heel area, so I am sending them back for a size 13D tomorrow. Amazon is paying for my shipping them back under their return policy - very nice.

Since I was sending them back I decided to swap boots and went with the non-steel toed, round toed, waterproof Workhogs that Illymost and Dire88 recommended, albeit a little fancier so I can wear them to church if I want to do so.

Here are the ones I ordered tonight. [ame]http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q8I1JG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=5WAWENXXLERV&coliid=I19Z5GWSGWYQS8&psc=1[/ame]

I will get more use out of waterproof boots that the ones I ordered anyway, given our climate here in the South, plus with my left foot being messed up, a smaller steel toe may rub. These were $30 more than the other boots, but hopefully they will be worth it. I generally keep boots a very long time and have high hopes for these.

 

[Viking]

well just sent for a new pair of moccasins.
sent tracing of foot so will be a good fit.
they have 2 soles so can be resoled later.
but i have been reading and some places sell
a kit. in the kit is 1 qt powdered tire rubber and
1 qt of special glue. you mix powder and glue 50/50
and spread onto sole. makes a long lasting sole.
then as it wears you mix more and repair worn spots.
i have read using that mix on bottoms no need for resole ever.
here is link to moc's i sent for.
http://www.arrowmoc.com/4.html
Lruss

Very cool.

 

[Viking]

I got in the second pair, (which were actually the recommended Ariat boots) and after breaking them in and replacing the inserts with mine (though the Ariat inserts are very comfortable for someone without foot issues), I can say that they are excellent boots. I may get a second pair of the wide toe ones in a few months.

I think in a SHTF situation, these boot will hold up quite well for a very long period of time.

 

[Viking]

I have been wearing my waterproof Ariat Workhogs with the composite toe for several months and am quite pleased with them. I wanted a 2nd pait without the composite toe to not "abuse" as badly around the farm, but I didn't want to pay $179 dollars like I did for my first ones, so I did the logical thing and went to ebay. (I bought my youngest son a used pair off of there a few months ago, cleaned them up, "disinfected" them with anti-fungal/athletes foot spray, added new Ariat inserts and he was GTG until this week when I added a different, more cushioned insert. )

I have been watching the site and almost won a new pair for $112 a week ago that sells on Amazon for $179, but l lost in the last few seconds,. So when a very slightly used pair of Workhogs (only worn on the street for dress boots) came up, I jumped on them and got a $160-$170 pair of boots for $75 plus shipping of $10.

I got them in day before yesterday, disinfected them, and added my inserts from the VA. I wore them out last night and have cleaned them up for church tomorrow.

The pair I got for my son had been used hard, but not that hard, and some polish, waterproof spray, and new foot pads made "new" boots out of them. The ones I just got for myself, really required nothing except spraying for athletes foot. I highly recommend ebay for "used" expensive boots, but only if you know how to clean them up and return them to a serviceable life.

Between these and the various military boots that I have, I am set on footwear for a very long time.

 

[Viking]

I've been using a pair of altimas for I want to say about 5 years.

That's mostly winter only use and working in them every now and them. But they are getting really warn out and are getting to the point where they are uncomfortable to wear for things such as hiking.

I am going to be in the market for new boots soon.

Well, I recommend that you try the ebay option and you will most likely come across a good deal. This is the exact boot I just got off there for $85 total (including shipping) and as you can see it sells for $170 new, and mine was only very slightly used. There will be new and (as in my case) like new ones that come up at a steal. I wouldn't hike in these, but for wearing around the farm or as every day boots, they are hard to beat. I bet you could find what you want on there.
http://www.onlineshoes.com/Mens-ariat-workhog-pull-on-aged-bark-army-green-p_id143106?adtrack=criteo