Here’s the story: I’m training to be a disaster responder with the Red Cross, and my area will be emergency communications. I won’t be doing a lot of grunt labor, but I may have to haul cable, assemble satellite communications rigs, etc. I will be packing two sets of black BDUs and some khaki paramedic pants (for southern assignments) along with gray t-shirts. Thick soled boots are recommended, and since mil-spec clothing wears well I’d like to get a pair of military grade boots. There are a lot of such boots advertised in surplus catalogues, but I was hoping someone with hands-on (or feet-on as the case may be) experience could recommend a good pair of boots at a fair price.
I disagree. There are many different choices for boots, even within any one service. If you are going to be dealing with heavy stuff, I would recommend getting a steel toe. I don;t know what manufactureers you are looking at, but the most dependable names are Rocky and Wolverine. I have had the best luck with Rocky boots, they are more expensive but IMO worth every penny.
Navy airdale boots are the BEST, but, really, any decent hiking boot will do for ARC. If you really want to score points on your first job bring lots of chapter pins with you.
Frankly, the chance of you actually having to string cable is pretty slim. If the local chapter is on the ball they already have emergency contracts drawn up with local utilities; the first job I did we called up the local TelCo and they ran lines for us. If you want to make sure emergency communications flow smoothly try to talk your boss into getting cell phones that actually work. Not that’s that been an issue, of course.
Drop me a line if you have more questions. There’s a thread on CrossNet someplace about “what to bring to a job” that I can dig up if you want it. rsandy at gmail dot com.
I had a pair of standard metal-toe boots, then I got Jungle Boots, and now I have Special Forces hightop thingies.
I would say go for the Jungle Boots. They don’t have a metal toe so they are lighter, and the heel->calf bit is made of clot, so it flexes better. And of course they are still military grade so they’ll last forever.
I like the higtops, but they are meant more for all-purpose (including indoor sneaking up on people) use rather than dirt take-a-beatingness.
I’ll check out the Jungle boots. I will be deployed in an ECRV, a souped up Ford Excursion with 14 different radios and a 52’ antenna mast. Boots were recommended so that in the unlikely event the mast hits a power line, I would be protected by the thick soles (along with doing bunny hops to get out of the induced EM field on the ground). I also want a pair of durable footwear appropriate for the job.
The ECRV provides a satellite link between the disaster site and the ARC Home Office. We are self-contained with 10 computers and 10 IP phones. All of that is meant to be temporary until a fly-away kit arrives. We have been told that we are expected to help assemble the fly-away kits, which contain a minumum of 50 computers and IP phones, a satellite dish and transceiver, and lots of cable. So, I may well be pulling cable as I set up communications at an EOC, shelter, site HQ, etc.
I fully expect to be deployed to the Gulf Coast/Florida this summer, and maybe a flood or tornado site in the fall.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I"ll check back for more.
Actually, members of all services have quite a wide range of choices in boots. I personally wear Corcorans, style 1955, and they’re extremely comfortable. They have a nice cushy sole, which is important for me as I’m on my feet pretty much constantly for 12 hours straight when I’m at work. I don’t know how they’d work for heavy field work, though. You might need something steel toed for that.
Current Army Issue boots are lined with Gortex. You want to avoid these boots at all costs!!
Gortex is nice if you’re walking in snow or shallow puddles. But if you walk through water that’s higher than the heel, your boots will fill with water. The Gortext repels nicely from the outside, but seems to absorb from the inside. And the water will stay in there. You will have some sloppy-wet feet that won’t dry. And your water-laden boots will weigh a ton.
Since you expect to be responding to emergencies in Florida, it’s very likely you’ll be walking through flooded streets and/or high water. So get some boots without Gortex.
The Jungle boots are nice. Though your feet will get wet easier and faster, they also DRY the fastest – which is more important. Rocky is a good suggestion too. They have some 911 series that are resistant to chemicals and blood and stuff.
The Air Tacs… these should actually be classified as shoes. Or rather, “boot shaped shoes”. They are very comfortable, but they WILL NOT hold up to wear the way REAL boots will. They do not last and are not rugged. But they are very comfortable straight out of the box.
When I chased those four hurricanes all around Florida last year, I wore standard leather Army boots (Issue circa 2002). These are simple leather Bates boots and have no gortex liner. These Boots are awesome. I have two pairs that I’ve done EVERYTHING in!!! I’ve resoled them a couple times, but the boots should last practically forever!! One pair has been on patrols through lakes and rivers, cross country hikes with up to and over 100 pounds on my back – thats 300 lbs on the boots!
The draw back is that they take a while to break-in and get comfortable.
I don’t have anything to add here that has not already been said, but I do want to give a shout out to my fellow Red Cross Distaster Response members in here. So, hello from the Greater Cleveland Chapter! wave.
-Dorjän
Cleveland DAT
Communications Specialist
Damage Assesment Specialist
I was starting to fall in love with the Air-Tacs, but if they don’t hold up well, I don’t want them. It looks like I’ll be paying between $80 and $110 for a pair of good boots. A hefty sum, but worth it if they last a long time. Now, when you talk about Jungle boots, are you talking about these? The Rocky boots look good, too, but are too expensive. I think I’ll go with Altama, once I pick out a style. I assume I’ll be able to find Altama boots in a retail store.
Maybe we need to start a thread for ARC DRO people?
What size are you? I bought a pair for motorcycle riding but got some Joe Rocket boots shortly afterward and only wore the boots one or two times. I can’t remember the style but had an Air Force buddy get them from the BX for me. I can send a pic if you like.
If you like and they fit, I wouldn’t mind donating them to the cause.
Yup, those are jungle boots. These are the plain leather boots I mentioned earlier. They’re simple and they take a while to break in. But they kick ass. I still have them after 3 years and they’re in great shape. I’ve done everything in them. They’ve walked over mountains, jumped out of planes, and even swam in the ocean. And all it takes is a little Kiwi to fix 'em up.
You should be able to find a pair of those or the jungles for under 50 bucks at a surplus store or online somewhere. If I was back in NC, I know I could find some for less than that even. I think I picked up a pair of jungles for like 15 bucks.
Well, I now have a pair of very slightly used boots, thank to Fear the Turtle. They are made by Bates, cat# 918, with a sturdy sole, leather lowers and fabric uppers. I put them on over thick work socks, and then walked a 20 minute mile on my treadmill. The boots felt great, and I had no hot spots. I polished them this evening, and they are ready to go. Thank you, Fear the Turtle for your generosity.
I have lived in Fla all my life and have used many boots. My favorite are the jungle boots. The canvas and vents breathe well and drain well, drying quickly. The thick soles and deep tread also made for the best on-pavement shoes I ever used as they hold you up off the road and let air pass under your feet. Really nice feature were the pavement is over 120 degrees. We always got them at the local Army Surplus type places.
On a side note: when we were surveying in the Florida wilderness areas (and I mean wilderness) we found that wrapping a pet’s flea collor around your ankle at the top of your boot keeps bugs, esp. rebugs, from eating you up. We typically cut a small slit in the side of the upper on both sides and buckeled in front when putting you boots on. They usually last about a month so take a few pairs. May sound funny, but when you are the only one not covered in itchy red bumps, you will laugh last.
Thanks for what you are doing. Good luck.
