I just ordered some Altama OTB Mids. They look like a mix of Vans & Converse, but are combat boots. Quite a few pieces of tech in them that have me excited.
Most of the time I wear chucks unless I expect I'll need better protection, (or more often than not, I misplaced the left foot.) then I'll grab my boots which are a wee bit overkill.
Timberland PRO® Valor
COMPOSITE SAFETY TOE
WATERPROOF MEMBRANE
WATERPROOF LEATHER
ANTI-FATIGUE TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRICAL HAZARD PROTECTION
TIMBERLAND PRO® RUBBER
ANTIMICROBIAL
SCOTCHGARD™ PROTECTOR
BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGEN PROTECTION
Hands down the most comfortable boots I ever worn, took about a day to break in. My personal rule for grabbing my boots is if I'm going some place that when active, OSHA deemed it mandatory to wear boots.
But if you are going artsy, then you're going all the way. Someone's cutting off an ear!
I always wear high top hikers when I head underground. I'm currently wearing a pair of Columbia boots for mine exploring and motorcycle instructing. I'm about to retire them from mine exploring since I've worn the tread off them so I'll be looking for a new pair in the near future.
Mine exploring is really hard on boots since we are hiking on rocks the whole time. We explore hard-rock mines which are always blasted out of the rock leaving very sharp rocks behind. Even the tailings piles are just big heaps of sharp rocks. A slip and fall always results in blood. Ask me know I know...
Ironically mine exploring is really tough on tires as well. Every time I head down to the tire shop at least one of the guys will comment on the condition of the tires on my truck. I guess they are surprised that I actually do some serious off road driving. Not being the smartest of people, I do take it places that it has no business going. I'm not called Abby Normal for nothing...
Abby
"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
For work or above-ground-exploring it's usually Danner or Doc Martens Industrial boots. For drains it's always been either tall rubber boots or chest waders, although lately I've been running knee-high goretex socks with water shoes (Salomon TechAmphibian 3's). Don't think I'll willingly go back to boots unless it's for a shit-sewer
Ethics
