Choosing Your Survival Footwear Part 1

This is part one of two on the topic of choosing your survival footwear.

Take a look at the shoes you’re currently wearing. Are they house slippers, tennis shoes or perhaps something dressier due to an office job?

Day-to-day shoes are typically built for comfort. They are not built to protect you from the elements, rugged terrain or walking for miles like survival footwear is.

Owning the right pair of survival boots is crucial when facing a disaster. If your bug-out bag doesn’t already contain a pair of tactical boots, you need to add a pair immediately.

If you had to race out of your house quickly due to a crisis and only had time to grab your bug-out bag, your feet wouldn’t last long with a pair of sneakers.

Good tactical boots should feel like a second skin and keep your feet safe and comfortable in all emergency conditions.

What to Look for in Survival Boots

There are seven important criteria to pay attention to when selecting a good pair of boots.

• Comfort – This is first on the list for good reason. The last thing you want is to be distracted with foot pain and discomfort when you need to be alert and paying close attention to your surroundings in order to survive. Find survival boots that are comfortable enough that you could walk for miles and wear them for days. Equally important is breaking your boots in before placing them in your bug-out bag.
• Support – Another vital item to consider is proper foot and ankle support. You need the ability to walk miles while carrying the weight of your gear without support complications and/or ankle injuries.
• Durability – Not all survival footwear is created equal. You need to find survival boots that hold up in some pretty rigorous conditions. Material choice can affect the boot’s long-term durability and should be suitable for the region in which you live, yet versatile enough to be useful anywhere.
• Traction – It’s highly possible you’ll be faced with extreme weather conditions during a disaster, which may cause slippery environments. In that case, survival boots with excellent traction and long-lasting tread will be crucial.
• Waterproof – Finding a pair of tactical boots that hold up well against mud and rain is essential. Look for properly insulated boots, typically provided by GORE-TEX. The outer shell prevents water from entering the boot, while the mesh vents keep air flowing and wicks moisture away from the foot. This reduces the buildup of sweat and bacteria, which keeps the boots in better condition for long-term use and prevents frostbite in cold weather conditions.
• Breathable – If you’re in a warmer climate, breathability is especially important. Finding boots that allow sweat to easily dry will help you avoid blisters and other uncomfortable foot ailments.
• Color – You definitely don’t want your boots to be spotted from a distance due to their bright color. Opt for a color choice that will naturally blend in with nature to prevent standing out when your survival depends on blending in. Most tactical boots are only available in earth-tone colors, but be sure to select a color based on your own unique geographical region.

Next time we’ll look at what to avoid when acquiring survival footwear, as well as pricing and recommendations.