For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
One of the biggest problems facing the individual in the field can be equipment failure (blowout). Whether it’s your LBE/LBV or ruck coming apart at critical stress points, or your boots deciding to blow out due to hard use, these issues can and will happen in the field. Considering the importance of your boots and your load bearing gear, having some items to perform hasty repairs is very important to the Survivalist.
h/t WRSA
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Very valid points here. There won’t be a Wallyworld or an internet to order shoes from.like the old saying goes, nothing like the old ways, because the old ways usually come from a long time of trial and error.
A good pair of boots constructed in old world fashion are repairable where all these glued together synthetics only last long as the glue and materials do. And like so many products produced today the fabrication techniques do not lend themselves to any kind of long lasting repair if they can be repaired.
I went looking years ago for boots made in the old cobbler construction craft ways. Chippewa boots made in Texas, not their overseas boots, are constructed where you can repair them with thread nails glue and leather. The soles are attached to an inner sole by thread and screws. I been wearing their sheep shirling lined winter boots for 26 years. They come with two sets of felt inserts too. Very sturdy, good for below zero if you are barely active moving around. If your working half way hard your feet are toasty toasty warm. You do have to let them dry out regularly each night.
Another shoe I like is no longer mass produced, Fri Boots made them. I found a leather craftsman who makes them. They are a hvy duty moccasin, constructed with a heavy double cow hide sole, a mid high above the ankle step in, a strap with a brass cinch. If used in the woods or your yard and garden the soles take years to wear out, and you can fix them with basic leather tools and thread.
I use mink oil and beats foot oil and they shape to my feet like a glove. Extremely comfortable and water resistant enough to be most acceptable if kept well oiled. I use two pairs and alternate each day. For woods stalking hunting only bare feet are superior to the level of stealth.
I’m trying to go old world/timey with many things. I’m considering having my wife stitch a set of buckskin pants and shirt to see how well they are supposed to be for wilderness and bushwhacking. A number of companies sell the beautifully tanned deer hides. Properly tanned Deer skins can easily gotten wet without the shrinking cow hide has.
Thing again is it’s another piece of kit you can repair or reproduce with simple tools and techniques. Here, every critter has just enough brains to tan it’s own hide. And there isn’t anything that tops the warmth of tanned fur hide clothing.
I guess it is how you change your thinking.
Besides, I’ve had a craw full of spending my hard won bucks on fucking junk sold almost everywhere.
Those Chippewas cost close to $300 bucks for my size 14 rear paws but last a decade if taken care of. Along with a cobbler can rebuild them for you good as new. Any boots you know first hand that durable and built in quality?