Footwear advice needed

[The_Lord_Poncho]

I had a couple of pairs; the soles started to detach from both of them.

There was a batch of the old British assault boots where the soles suddenly self destructed without warning and crumbled almost overnight. People on patrol with field dressings wrapped around their boot to retain what was left of the sole was an amusingly common sight, kind of turned the boot into some kind of medieval fabric footwear.

 

[Barny]

Need footwear advice. I struggle with shit feet. Narrow and fallen arches, plantar fasciitis. I use orthopaedic insoles but still suffer. I do plan on seeing a podiatrist in the new year.
 

I’m currently using Lowa Zephyr GTX mids but my feet still kill me at the end of a game day. I am thinking a more trainer like boot might be good for me. I tried on a Salomon X Ultra 4 mid and found them to be quite tight even with my narrow feet. Also the toe box dug into my toes when kneeling. Now looking at the Adidas Terrex Goretex models. Does anyone else use these or have any other suggestions? Thanks 

Hi, cant comment on foot problems as i dont have any, but i have the adidas terrex in trainer and boot form. Wore the boots today after breaking them in last week and they have performed really well. Feet comfortable and dry all day, the open tread pattern dealt with the wet mud on site really well. Wore a decent pair of socks too 

 

[ParHunter]

Socks are very important! Given how deep the mud is in places and streams of water just running through the woods I am considering getting some Seal Skinz socks. They are supposed to make every shoe ‘waterproof’. I’ve got some Sealskinz gloves and they are very good. I believe the Army is issuing these now.

 

[Duff Beer]

Socks are very important! Given how deep the mud is in places and streams of water just running through the woods I am considering getting some Seal Skinz socks. They are supposed to make every shoe ‘waterproof’. I’ve got some Sealskinz gloves and they are very good. I believe the Army is issuing these now.

If your boots are Goretex (or equivalent) and have a gusseted tongue you may want to look at a pair of gaiters rather than Seal Skinz socks as the main area of ingress will be over the top/wicking through your trousers.

 

[Sewdhull]

Ironically membranes like this only work when they are dry, they get wet and you soak yourself from the inside since they become plastic bags. Hence the dwr on such things.

I gave up long ago trying to keep feet dry, one or two pairs or wool socks soak up a fair bit of moisture and you can change them out at lunch.

If you are going to get your feet a little damp it won't matter either way and if your going through puddles, or standing in water, leather or the membranes will result in the same result, wet feet.

Some feet are sweatier than others of ofcourse so some might get on with membranes better.

I change my socks out, I find it more comfortable that way.

I have the sealskin gloves too, very nice gloves but mine are too short to keep the water out.

 

[gavinkempsell]

As a proud Scot I stick my feet in poly bags before I put my boots on.

 

[Tactical Pith Helmet]

As a proud Scot I stick my feet in poly bags before I put my boots on.

I used to as a Fizzy riding kid.  Then my Dad bought me some Derry boots.  After the first night in a well heated pub, I went back to the bloody bags!

 

[ParHunter]

Ironically membranes like this only work when they are dry, they get wet and you soak yourself from the inside since they become plastic bags. Hence the dwr on such things.

I gave up long ago trying to keep feet dry, one or two pairs or wool socks soak up a fair bit of moisture and you can change them out at lunch.

If you are going to get your feet a little damp it won't matter either way and if your going through puddles, or standing in water, leather or the membranes will result in the same result, wet feet.

Some feet are sweatier than others of ofcourse so some might get on with membranes better.

I change my socks out, I find it more comfortable that way.

I have the sealskin gloves too, very nice gloves but mine are too short to keep the water out.

Yes Gore-Tex (or the other brand names) should say ‘Waterproof OR breathable’ and not ‘Waterproof AND breathable’. Yes they are waterproof and yes they are breathable  but not both at the same time. They only breath when the pores are not blocked on the other side by the larger water molecules.

 

[Rogerborg]

Seal-Skinz work, but so do army surplus waterproof socks / liners from eBay.  And they come with a name and number pre-written inside, and the faint aroma of yeast and regret.

 

[Cannonfodder]

army surplus waterproof socks / liners

These are definitely worth it. I've got a pair and they've always done a good job keeping my feet dry.