Boots or Running Shoes?

[HatchetSurvivalist15]

Hello...I have a problem...I was going through my B.O.B and i came across the footwear and i couldn't make up my mind on which to wear in case of a zombie or any other apocalyspe. I have both Running shoes and Combat boots but i dont want to waste space for an extra pair of shoes or boots so i need to pick one to use cuz i will be using them to survive in.

Running Shoes:
Pros: Black, for distance and speed, very quiet, great for climbing.
Cons: Not water proof, idk how durable they are

Boots:
Pros: Black, tactical and combat boots, water proof, very durable, military grade.
Cons: Bigger and clunkier, inhibits some of my speed, not as quiet (same level of sound as any other boot would make)

So here are some things about them and i need your help to help me decide which one to use.

[Caenus]

Depends on what kind of combat boots. There are quite a few on the market now that seem to be as comfortable as running shoes, but more durable. I wouldn't rely on running shoes for any seriou wear and tear. Most are designed with support and tread for running on a flat surface without a load on your back. There is also the civilian hiking boots to look at. Personally, my go to footwear is a pair of Merrell 3/4 boots.

[AKFTW]

Go for the middle ground:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/co88wasitabo.html



Very comfortable and nimble. They really are waterproof, and I liked them when i had them. A year of hard use in 4 seasons ended up killing them, but if you go for the unlined versions those will be more durable, my ABU pair is fairly worn but still "kicking", so to speak.

[by-the-throat]

There is a split in our group that runs about 70/30 military or work boots / lightweight running shoes or moccasins.

For an urban area, running shoes hold the clear advantage, but the lack of waterproofing makes it a no go in the woods. And even if you waterproof the material, you still can't step in water that goes over the ankle. That doesn't cut it for me for bugging out given that if I am forced into a foot bugout I don't plan on sticking to the sidewalk. However some of our guys on mock bugouts have done pretty well with Chuck Taylors (seriously) to the point of using them all the time.

[HatchetSurvivalist15]

These are my Combat Boots... They are made by Tru Spec...

[by-the-throat]

Also, HatchetSurvivalist15, welcome to ZS! I see you hail from the Hoosier state so I like to say hi to any folks in my AO.

Home of the infamous Beast of Busco, eh? What gun for giant snapping turtle?

[Takaaco78]

Im a corrections officer, and so far my favorite boot is the Bates 8 inch Mens Ultra Lites Zipper Duty Boots
Galls has them for around $80 http://www.galls.com/uniformstyle?assort=general_catalog&style=SP403

I wear them at work all day and i also use them as my hiking boots (they are lighter than most of the sneakers i have owned)

[gillis]

Here is what I do after years of intense backpacking in the Colorado Mountains and southern canyons.

Take both! (keep winter in mind for bugging out if it gets cold where you live)

These are good in winter (LOVE Guide Gear catalogs!)... take Bates or the like in summer.
http://www.amazon.com/Thinsulate-Insulation-Waterproof-Venatic-Leather/dp/B003XJBD8I


The next item takes almost no space in a pack and will allow you to recover from "boot foot" at night...
http://www.softstarshoes.com/limited-quantity-original-runamoc-suede-chocolate-5mm-trail-sole.html


Another tip I picked up on in the book "Walking the Amazon” is that they kept a pair of CROCS in their backpacks to ward off trench foot and overuse impact stresses. Even though I hate the way CROCS look.... If I ever did a big trip it might be worth a thought though.

Another tip: Water moccasins are another option that are good for bathing in horse tanks or the river etc.... this will help ward off potential injury.

Sometimes I will go with Vivobarefoot shoes and just pack Duck/Goose down pacboots for cold and camp use
http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens.html




Example of Pac Boots.... REI had these... I don’t see them anymore


THE BEST piece of advice for long term bug out or better put refugee mode would be to learn ahead of time how to construct moccasins and basic shoemaking skills. I will share a few gems that will help get you started.

Learn how to make.....
Primitive Caterpillar Sandals - Yucca fiber or similar
Learn how to construct sandals from old tire rubber. (YouTube)
Google/YouTube "Vibram huaraches"

It's not that you want to take these it's that you will want to knnow how to improvise as much as possible ahead of bug out. that's my take

40 mil PVC (sheeting material) shower pan liner from home depot will work for huaraches. If you want to attach Leather to make a soft place from your foot use: (Contact cement - set for two days)
Elastic strap for sandal strings

You can construct some really durable shoes from the following items.
Felt Leather
Texan insole or sheet
Vibram 4mm cherry sheeting
Check out this book for constructing "soles with an edge" ... I have found this to be critical in learning to make the seam from shoe to sole easily without walking off the threads right away:
http://www.amazon.com/Crafting-Handmade-Shoes-Great-Looking-Slippers/dp/1579903789/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1R9YKF7B8DD6L&colid=173HDZYLINRN8

One last gem... take a bottle even if it is small of talcum powder to powder your feet. This will help with feeling good immensely

EDIT:

Sometimes I will take Overshoes too. YOu can theoreticly take the pacboot + combine them with your overshoes and you have makeshift boots. The strap that goes over the top of you foot will allow you to make everything tight.

Or take off the pacboots and just put the overshoes over your vivobarefoots in a rainstorm.

the NEOS model is their ultralight model. Pretty light and packable... The following is a picture of their whole lineup.

Overshoes + Down Pacboots + Running shoes = worth thinking about. I have done it with some success:




Wow. Sorry didn’t mean to rattle on... sorry if you knew these already.

l8

[Kutter_0311]

However some of our guys on mock bugouts have done pretty well with Chuck Taylors (seriously) to the point of using them all the time.

I recall hearing of Chuck Taylors being used by Marine Raiders in WWII. Light, good traction, dry quickly, take a good amount of abuse before failure. Also, they were cheap enough to replace regularly. I think these would be great bug-out footwear. I dig the 'monochrome black' model...

[gillis]

Here is a quick demo of how I use :

Overshoes + Down Pacboots + Running shoes

This is a light solution... keep in mind that "One pound on the feet (i.e., heavy shoes) is like having 5 pounds on one's back."




Now you're good to hike ^^^


Now you're good in the rain ^^^


Now you're good for camp-use in cold weather ^^^



Now you're good in the snow! ^^^^^


Hope this helps someone.. Neos Overshoes and REI down booties pack down pretty small and are sooooo light.

[TheLastOne]

However some of our guys on mock bugouts have done pretty well with Chuck Taylors (seriously) to the point of using them all the time.

I recall hearing of Chuck Taylors being used by Marine Raiders in WWII. Light, good traction, dry quickly, take a good amount of abuse before failure. Also, they were cheap enough to replace regularly. I think these would be great bug-out footwear. I dig the 'monochrome black' model...

eh I wouldn't want to walk more than 5 miles at a time in them, I require some support and those suckers are flat

Towards the op's question: I've been going over this in my head lately too.
I currently own these:

Vasque Summit GTX, they are pretty hardy boots that I've owned for about 5-6 years and I love em for hiking. They are on the heavier side though, but they've held up to me hiking all that Colorado has to offer (14ers, snowshoeing (NOT WATERPROOF), all kinds of trails, scree, bushwhacking etc etc). I wear them around town and wore them through milcopp 1 day pistol. The only issues have been the rubber bit on the toe you can see in the pic started to separate from the leather, but some shoe goo fixed that up. The leather is thick and tough; mine have a few pretty good scratches etc, but I keep the boots healthy with polish and keeping them halfway cleaned up. However, being heavier, I sure wouldn't want to run with them. Then again, if I were 'bugging out', I wouldn't be doing much running presumably with 30# on my back etc.

All that said, I know some people that swear by boots like these

These are merrell brand. I use merrell brand trail running shoes for Krav, and I haven't kicked through them yet in over 6 months, and that is one hell of a record for shoe wear for me in that capacity, so I'd endorse this brand/would buy this brand again. Some of the hardcore weekend warriors/hikers/ass kickers I know wear Merrell boots like these. There are a few different styles, and I know one of my buds hates goretex shoes and he just wears some of the ones without. Something about the goretex keeps the stink inside or something, so there's that to consider. Regardless, these are the kind of guys that put my hikes to shame, and I put some stock in their opinions about gear. If my vasques give out, I'll be looking closer at a pair of something like this. They are lightweight and have running type shoe qualities but have good ankle support and more durable qualities like hiking boots. ymmv!

[gillis]

Great call on the merrells. I have a buddy who swears by them.

[jamoni]

I look at it like this:
Would I rather run in boots or wade through rusty metal and broken glass in running shoes?
I choose boots.

Edit: I also own some NEOS overboots, and they work great. Over shoes or boots.

[Cockroach]

The Merrel GTX's are a great lightweight waterproof hiker. I have a solid year on one pair without a problem other than a bit of stink like someone mentioned..
I did like the the discussion on the Neo Trekkers and they are now on my Amazon wishlis

[gillis]

The Merrel GTX's are a great lightweight waterproof hiker. I have a solid year on one pair without a problem other than a bit of stink like someone mentioned..
I did like the the discussion on the Neo Trekkers and they are now on my Amazon wishlis

I think the stink is common in all waterproof shoes. I rock some vivo shoes and remedy most of the stink with talc at night in my tent and tightening them normally but I don't put the laces to the last eyelet... It lets them vent a bit better.

[doitnstyle1]

I have got 17 1/2 years of marching and working in Corcorans and basic issue boots. I recently started working security and for the past year I wore the basic issue boots here. They are tearing up my feet. I just got my clothing allowance and paid a little extra to get higher quality boots. I went with the Converse and I love them. They are very comfortable. I need the high sides for the ankle support. As for fording if I had to, wear a pair of closed toed sandals I bought from K-mart actually. They are a little more durable than regular sandals, protect the toes and air out fairly quickly. They also have some support in them.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Two is one and one is none. Something sturdy and something that packs up small and light in case something breaks.

I wear Nike SFB's at work - very light and comfy and I can run in them as easily as I can in running shoes - but they are lacking in warmth and traction, and I don't know about water resistance or protection from snake fangs. So they're really more like wearing running shoes.

[sgttk]

I used to wear Matterhorn or Danner Go-devils year round in Germany. Granted, some days the thinsulate made my feet hot and I had to change socks a bit more often but the waterproofing, better sole and support and all around comfort made up for it. As far as the heat, at that time in the Army, a lot of field problems were conducted in mopp 2 so that even in 100 degree weather you had an insulated suit and rubber boots on... Personally for a bugout bag I lean toward a good hiker at the minimum. a running shoe may not support your ankle enough with a load. The important thing is to get out and walk with your choice. Taking a couple miles a day with your choice of boot will show the shortcomings quite quickly, as well as conditioning your legs to the weight of the shoe.

[omega_man]

However some of our guys on mock bugouts have done pretty well with Chuck Taylors (seriously) to the point of using them all the time.

I recall hearing of Chuck Taylors being used by Marine Raiders in WWII. Light, good traction, dry quickly, take a good amount of abuse before failure. Also, they were cheap enough to replace regularly. I think these would be great bug-out footwear. I dig the 'monochrome black' model...

Chucks make for great amphibious footwear, especially for wearing fins (I'm also a recovering Ramones-style punker, so I'm biased ). But; personally, for all-round foot wear, I love my Merrell 3/4 ventilators. I wear them almost everyday. They get me through the mountains and town just fine. Add thick rag wool socks and you're good for winter (at least in my AO). I think with Seal Skinz socks, you should be alright in your AO. I'm also done with clunky combat boots (I wore 5.11 1/2 zip-ups on my last deployment, much to the distaste of most senior SNCOs).

[Kutter_0311]

However some of our guys on mock bugouts have done pretty well with Chuck Taylors (seriously) to the point of using them all the time.

I recall hearing of Chuck Taylors being used by Marine Raiders in WWII. Light, good traction, dry quickly, take a good amount of abuse before failure. Also, they were cheap enough to replace regularly. I think these would be great bug-out footwear. I dig the 'monochrome black' model...

Chucks make for great amphibious footwear, especially for wearing fins (I'm also a recovering Ramones-style punker, so I'm biased )... I'm also done with clunky combat boots (I wore 5.11 1/2 zip-ups on my last deployment, much to the distaste of most senior SNCOs).

Can't find Chucks in wide, so that won't work for me. I think the modern sport/combat boots have taken leaps and bounds in the last few years. I pretty much just run Bates Lites, but I need some winter boots, so leaning toward the RAT boots. I'm not going to run any better in running shoes, really, one side has a flat tire. But it would be nice not to hurt my feet/ankles any more than I already have, so I'll take the protection boots offer.

[AKFTW]

I think the modern sport/combat boots have taken leaps and bounds in the last few years.

I agree, and I love my Converse boots, I just wish they were more durable. For the PAW, it's all leather, non-insulated 11" para boots for me. Blowing through a pair of boots per year may be acceptable when you're deployed and you can just go get a new pair when you're done with your rotation, but for serious SHTF I want something that will last for years and years.

[KnightoftheRoc]

I keep two pairs of boots for the hiking, and a pair of crocs for water crossing, strapped outside the pack. This allows them to drain/dry as I continue on in the boots, and I can carry the boots for the crossing, keeping them dry. So, one to wear, one as spare, and the crocs for wet walking or in camp. Because hiking in wet boots is just plain bad.

[Kutter_0311]

I think the modern sport/combat boots have taken leaps and bounds in the last few years.

I agree, and I love my Converse boots, I just wish they were more durable. For the PAW, it's all leather, non-insulated 11" para boots for me. Blowing through a pair of boots per year may be acceptable when you're deployed and you can just go get a new pair when you're done with your rotation, but for serious SHTF I want something that will last for years and years.

Try these Bates USMC Lightweight Durashocks, I've got several years on the 2 pair I have now. Mind you, alternating between 2 pair of boots extends life beyond the sum of it's parts, but that's not really what I did. I end up wearing one pair for several weeks, then switching. These boots have drain vents, and dry quickly. What surprised me is that snow doesn't give me issues, unless it's warm enough to be pretty melty. I wear Smartwool socks, and there is an initial chill when I get wet, but my feet were comfortable through a full day of shooting.

If you don't like the EGA's, they sand right off. A buddy got a pair for army use, and ground them off sitting cross-legged on pavement.

[AKFTW]

I think the modern sport/combat boots have taken leaps and bounds in the last few years.

I agree, and I love my Converse boots, I just wish they were more durable. For the PAW, it's all leather, non-insulated 11" para boots for me. Blowing through a pair of boots per year may be acceptable when you're deployed and you can just go get a new pair when you're done with your rotation, but for serious SHTF I want something that will last for years and years.

Try these Bates USMC Lightweight Durashocks, I've got several years on the 2 pair I have now. Mind you, alternating between 2 pair of boots extends life beyond the sum of it's parts, but that's not really what I did. I end up wearing one pair for several weeks, then switching. These boots have drain vents, and dry quickly. What surprised me is that snow doesn't give me issues, unless it's warm enough to be pretty melty. I wear Smartwool socks, and there is an initial chill when I get wet, but my feet were comfortable through a full day of shooting.

If you don't like the EGA's, they sand right off. A buddy got a pair for army use, and ground them off sitting cross-legged on pavement.

I actually JUST scored a pair of OTB Junglelites last night, on sale for $60 instead of $150. I figured I needed something lightweight, breathable, and water-friendly for the summer so I don't destroy the leather in my paras after too many river crossings. These have seen good reviews and $60 was too good to pass up. We'll see how they are when they get here.