Shoes: What are good brands and types to look for?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Parameters needed: Durable, water and weather-resistant, that cover the entire foot, and which are proof against being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties; preferably with velcro closures, not lacings, for ease of use, and wide. What do you all suggest?

Preferably as low cost and inexpensive as possible.

[The Meat man]

I don't think they'd be snake-proof but have you looked at Redback boots? They're not even Velcro - just slip on and off. Lightweight, waterproof, and in my experience, so far pretty durable. They cost about $120/pair.

If you are worried about snakes you might want to go with a heavier high-top boot, as I imagine it would be more likely you'd be bitten on the shin/ lower leg than the actual foot.

[Daveho]

I’ve got a few pairs of Dr Martins-



They are pretty okay I guess-

[Evil D]

Velco may be hard to find but there are some fairly easy to use quick lace boot options, Altama come to mind and I would imagine a decent leather boot will do a decent job protecting you from most bites but may not be waterproof depending on the model.

Another issue is, like with building a race car, you have fast/reliable/affordable but you can only have two of those, so if you want fast and reliable it won't be affordable, if you want fast and affordable it won't be reliable, if you want reliable and affordable it probably won't be very fast. With boots if you want good quality and those features, it probably won't be cheap.

[Bloke]

being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties

Hey SEF, I’d highly recommend a pair of these below. :cool:

In the half century + that I’ve worn thongs I’ve never been bitten by rats, spiders, snakes, sharks or crocodiles but my mates old Heeler did bite me on the arse once while wearing thongs so I suppose they don’t offer much protection there. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I’d say certainly worth a look. :)

[Doc Dan]

Parameters needed: Durable, water and weather-resistant, that cover the entire foot, and which are proof against being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties; preferably with velcro closures, not lacings, for ease of use, and wide. What do you all suggest?

Preferably as low cost and inexpensive as possible.

Shoes or boots?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Parameters needed: Durable, water and weather-resistant, that cover the entire foot, and which are proof against being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties; preferably with velcro closures, not lacings, for ease of use, and wide. What do you all suggest?

Preferably as low cost and inexpensive as possible.

Shoes or boots?

Thank you all for the great answers.

Doc: Shoes not boots, preferably.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties

Hey SEF, I’d highly recommend a pair of these below. :cool:

In the half century + that I’ve worn thongs I’ve never been bitten by rats, spiders, snakes, sharks or crocodiles but my mates old Heeler did bite me on the arse once while wearing thongs so I suppose they don’t offer much protection there. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I’d say certainly worth a look. :)

Bloke, thanks. Wow those look like great sandals.

[Daveho]

being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties

Hey SEF, I’d highly recommend a pair of these below. :cool:

In the half century + that I’ve worn thongs I’ve never been bitten by rats, spiders, snakes, sharks or crocodiles but my mates old Heeler did bite me on the arse once while wearing thongs so I suppose they don’t offer much protection there. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I’d say certainly worth a look. :)

Bloke, thanks. Wow those look like great thongs.

SEF I fixed that for ya m8

[TkoK83Spy]

Crocs. Not velcro, but they work and are pretty cheap.

[Daveho]

being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties

Hey SEF, I’d highly recommend a pair of these below. :cool:

In the half century + that I’ve worn thongs I’ve never been bitten by rats, spiders, snakes, sharks or crocodiles but my mates old Heeler did bite me on the arse once while wearing thongs so I suppose they don’t offer much protection there. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I’d say certainly worth a look. :)

That’s a good one bloke!
We had a visit from a king brown and I was following him in my thongs- till he went down the drain-
It’s times like that I wish I kept my mili and lashed it to a big stick for snake pricking.

been a lot of white tails around lately too- with the baby crawling around on the floor, the spiders get a smashing!

[JD Spydo]

In the category of dress shoes which I rarely wear anymore. I pretty much restrict them to funerals, weddings and very special church events. But when I do I have an old pair of Rockport shoes that have been great.

Now for my everyday shoe wear I have 3 pairs of USA made New Balance running and cross-training shoes which have truly been a GOD-send since all the radical knee surgery I've had in the past 3 to 4 years. The USA made New Balance shoes just seem to fit me as though a professional shoe-cobbler made them specifically for my feet. Those New Balance do really well with foot fatigue and they really take a lot of pressure off my knees that have undergone many surgeries.

In the boot category the best pair I've owned up till now have been some high end, USA made RED WING boots. Although I've heard a lot of good about Danner and two other brands I've yet to try. A lot of people just don't realize that shoes are something you absolutely can't go "cheap" on. All of my USA made New Balance were over a hundred dollar bill each. But it's truly money well spent.

[The Meat man]

In the boot category the best pair I've owned up till now have been some high end, USA made RED WING boots. Although I've heard a lot of good about Danner and two other brands I've yet to try. A lot of people just don't realize that shoes are something you absolutely can't go "cheap" on. All of my USA made New Balance were over a hundred dollar bill each. But it's truly money well spent.

I had good experiences with the Red Wing Boa boots. They don't have tie laces - instead they use a stainless steel cable with a small ratcheting wheel to tighten. It's super quick and easy to operate. They're very tough and durable too. Cost around $150.

[standy99]

being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties

Hey SEF, I’d highly recommend a pair of these below. :cool:

In the half century + that I’ve worn thongs I’ve never been bitten by rats, spiders, snakes, sharks or crocodiles but my mates old Heeler did bite me on the arse once while wearing thongs so I suppose they don’t offer much protection there. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, I’d say certainly worth a look. :)

You going out somewhere special Bloke?
Got the good thongs out !

[JD Spydo]

Thanks for the tip on those newer RED WINGS you shared with us "Meat man" :) I've got a huge Western Store about 35 miles from me that has about the biggest boot selection in the entire state of Missouri and I bet they might have some of those in stock. Can't really afford them now but I would like to see some of these in person.

I can't stress enough how great of overall performance I've had with all of the "USA Made" New Balance Shoes I've worn in the past 10 to 12 years. The USA Made models are really worth the extra dollars and they do pay for themselves in the long haul. Of all the Red Wing boots I've owned over the years I must admit I've never worn or owned any of RED WING's Shoes. And I've heard nothing but good about them.

I am also finding it interesting that of all the survival type magazines and websites I look at that the one brand of boot that keeps coming up are DANNER Boots and they are recommended a lot by some very knowledgeable people in the survival and prepper communities.

[Bloke]

You going out somewhere special Bloke?
Got the good thongs out !

Ah, hahaha, ah, hahaha, ah, hahaha! :)

Something only a fellow Australian would pick Standy. :cool:

I wasn’t about to post my old double pluggers! :eek:

[Extra330SC]

Parameters needed: Durable, water and weather-resistant, that cover the entire foot, and which are proof against being bitten by rats, snakes, and other nasties; preferably with velcro closures, not lacings, for ease of use, and wide. What do you all suggest?

Preferably as low cost and inexpensive as possible.

I use Ecco for business /nights out , Vans (all black ) for casual daily wear, Merrill for light day hiking, and 5.10 for heavy duty hiking /downhill Mtn biking!


James

[Bloke]

I can't stress enough how great of overall performance I've had with ...

[The Meat man]

Ha ha! :D

[Doc Dan]

I can't stress enough how great of overall performance I've had with ...

You never realize how poor a lot of countries are until you see something like this.