Comfortalbe shoes

[fingel]

The perfect vehicle for LF'ers thread got me thinking. An often overlooked (or at least seldom talked about) piece of equipment vital to the large format shooter or any nature shooter is comfortable shoes/boots.

I just bought a new pair of boots yesterday and was wondering what others on this site like.

I like the Ecco track 2 with the buff color rubber sole and have been wearing them for years. It has the best wet traction I have ever had in a boot and seem to last forever. I have had the same pair for the last 8 years and only recently felt that I needed to replace them with a new pair. Mostly for cosmetic reasons than anything else.

What do you all wear when out in the field?

 

[scootermm]

I bought a pair of these about 4 years ago when I was guiding climbing trips in college (used to be really into climbing/bouldering - interest is still there but photography takes alot of the free time) they were great for guiding because I could climb easy stuff in them if needed and they were sticky on any surface immaginable. Ive found I wear them almost exclusively when Im walking around shooting, whether its in a city or out in nature they are wonderfully comfortable and like I said are sticky as can be.

If its really hot out Ill wear a pair of chacos that were resoled with climbing rubber.

 

[jim kirk jr.]

In winter I have three pairs of boots to choose from that have temp ratings(in fahrenheit)of 15,-75 and a basic pair that are Marine issue.In summer I have military(army) issue desert boots(for the really hot days),a pair of hiking boots and Marine issue desert boots simular to the other pair.I've found them all to be comfortable enough for my treks and long lasting as well.Sometimes I get a look or two if wearing the military boots(they are real too not knock offs)but I've chosen functionality over anything else.My longest pair thus far are the Marine boots I use in winter 5 1/2 years and ready for another season!

 

[Shesh]

Merrell Mid Reflex. Its gore tex layer has kept me dry and comfortable on numerous occasions, when the surroundings were anything but. Good support and grip.

Dead Link Removed

 

[M. Walter Lyon]

To me I have worn the Timberland boots forever. Very affordable, comfortable, and watertight. Granted there is that first two weeks of excruciating pain breaking them in, but oh so worth it.

 

[removed account4]

dansco clogs ( high back )
timberline-esque boots

 

[jd callow]

My shoes, depending upon conditions are:

• 15year old Herman Survivors (warm and water resistant as well as good for fire walking)

• Doc Martin unlined boots (comfortable, reasonable support also good for fire walking)

• Nike Air Potatoes (no support, light cool comfy and great for canoeing)

• Original Nike ACG shoes (good all around)

• Backless merrel (hot smelly, but comfortable decent support)

• full back merrels (as above, but hotter, mor odiferous and slightly better support)
or
• a pair of Berks (when I'm in a hippy frame of mind and my toenails have been trimmed)​

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I had a pair of Timberland ankle-length hiking boots that lasted about 12 years through 4 resoles, and I never had any blisters. Had to buy new ones when they started wearing out from the inside, but by then they had become fashionable and more expensive, so I figured I might as well replace them with Vasque Sundowners, which I've been wearing for a few years and are excellent:

http://www.vasque.com/products/m-sundownergtx.cfm

 

[bmac]

You guys in your fancy shoes.

I've got a 12 yr old pair of Doc Martains that have conformed to my feet so weel that they are like wearing a pair of new sneakers.

But honestly, most ofthe time, I am barefoot when I shoot, since most of it is on the beach.

 

[noseoil]

About 15 years ago I had a choice to make. I had wanted a pair of Danner boots for hunting, but every time I saved the money, something came up which took it. This time it was a choice between general anesthesia for a wisdom tooth extraction (three teeth) or just a local with novocain. Unfortunately, I wanted the boots. One tooth had grown under the lower jaw and needed to be persuaded with a hammer and chisel. I still remember hairy hands, stainless steel hammer and chisel and the two nurses trying to hold my head still while the pliers were doing their job.

In any event, I still have the boots and use them on weekends for shooting with my 4x5 pack and gear. I have never had a single blister. They are comfortable, goretex lined, vibram soled and very well made. Comfortable from day one, these are the best boots I have owned, albeit the most painful to buy. Closest I can find in this style is here: http://www.alssports.com/item.asp?prodid=9413

 

[ongarine]

I mostly used work-shoes, very resistant to every kind of situation.
Boots for fall and winter and shoes for others seasons.
A pair of old black very cheap boots march with me since 1995, they are used most by the countryfarmers, they are the best when I walk in the hills.
Last fall I started to use a pair of fake Timberland, very well made, but they are not so used enough to say if they are enough good.
For the rest...barefoot.

 

[Aggie]

I wait until a good pair of athletic shoes goes on sale. I purchase a pair break them in, then wait until I go someplace exotic. No sense getting a expensive pair of shoes with the situations I can get myself into, I wouldn't want to wrap them up and stick them back in my suitcase. I have no regrets tossing destroyed cheap shoes. I am to stingy to buy expensive and then have to feel the pain of tossing them.

 

[John McCallum]

For me; I go as light as possible. I bought a pair of these very cheaply about 8yrs ago. They've walked a long way through 'bout 20 countries on coral to tarmac. I don't know how Clarkes could have made any money on these things. They now have their own dedicated corner of the wardrobe (mainly because wifey won't let any of hers near them).

 

[DrPhil]

I currently have a pair of Italian made lowa boots; however, my next pair will be custom made. I'm currently deciding between Esatto boots and Limmer boots.

http://www.esatto.biz/index.html

http://www.limmerboot.com/opening.html

 

[glbeas]

One thing I've found *not* to do is go caving in flip flops. You tend to slide out of them.

Other than that I've used anything from old work boots to strapon sandals to water shoes (stream crossings). If it feels good wear it!

 

[AndyH]

Basic Timberlands for offroad and winter use.

Rockport Walker brogues for more urban settings. With the ortho heel pads I use I can walk for hours in these, even carrying a lot of gear.

 

[rogueish]

Terra Wild-siders, Military. Black. Steel toe, steel shank, oil, acid, & chemical resistant soles. (Hey, you just never know...) Actually I wear these for work, I have never slid, they stick to just about anything (yes teflon too, I've tried) and are full ankle support, saved me a sprain or two. Draw back: weight!
A pair of cheap velcro sandles (prefered with a cushy sole, not the hard type) for warm weather around town shooting. Drawback: funny tan lines that look like dirt patches on your feet.
A nice pair of dress shoes for the "must look apropriate" times.
Sneakers for everything else.

 

[mark]

Merrils, for work, play, light hiking, with super stiff soles, and superfeet inserts. Gotta have the superfeet inserts

Five-ten hiking books for the cold and wet, assuming I worry about it.

3 year old Teva Sandals for the hot days

 

[Robert Kennedy]

For street work, Doc Martins. Another would be Rockport's walking shoes. Very good.

And while I do look good in them, the 6" stilettos just kill my feet!

 

[Mateo]

My lucky green Docs. People don't seem to ask as many questions after they see my shoes.

 

[benjiboy]

Footware.

The perfect vehicle for LF'ers thread got me thinking. An often overlooked (or at least seldom talked about) piece of equipment vital to the large format shooter or any nature shooter is comfortable shoes/boots.

I just bought a new pair of boots yesterday and was wondering what others on this site like.

I like the Ecco track 2 with the buff color rubber sole and have been wearing them for years. It has the best wet traction I have ever had in a boot and seem to last forever. I have had the same pair for the last 8 years and only recently felt that I needed to replace them with a new pair. Mostly for cosmetic reasons than anything else.

What do you all wear when out in the field?

That's a good point Scott, they are important and not to be underestimated. I use a pair of boots I bought when I was in the Marines in 1960 ( they let you buy your own if you wished ) and they are still going strong, and are still comfortable, which is more than you can say for the owner.

 

[blaze-on]

From Australia, "Blundstones". Great slip-on boot..tough...water proof. Look dorky with shorts though..

Vasque for serious stuff...

Clarks and Ecco all else.

 

[Jim Chinn]

Timberland for hiking and any kind of work in an industrial area where you may have to worry about sharp objects on the ground.

For just working in an urban envrionment or not to far from the car, I usually wear New Balance, only because they are simply the most comfortable for long walking.

 

[Shmoo]

I'm another vote for Merrells. They're so comfortable that I was hiking in them the day after I bought them with no problems. Great hikers.

S

 

[Dave Wooten]

I heard Bass Pro has some good lighter weight snake boots....we have a new Bass Pro shop here in Vegas...I am going to check them out soon....had a close call in Grapevine Canyon in the Mojave last spring....Mojave Green rattlers.....rowdy rascals...