Rain Boots on the Playa?

korierika4 · Post by **korierika4** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:57 am

Hello friends,

Only been to one burn and wasn't able to find much info about wearing rain boots on the Playa. My rain boots are extremely comfortable and was thinking about bringing them for next years burn.

Then I started thinking (that's something) maybe the alkaline in the dust might shred through the rubber.

Thought?

Post by **Sham** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:31 am

Good question on the rain boot.
In 15 plus years, I have only seen rain a very few times--and for a very short duration.
Chances are, if it rains when you're there, you will be far away from camp and you won't have your boot. If you're in your camp and it starts to rain, stay put, and you won't need your boots.
Your boots will start to build up playa mud as you walk on the wet, muddy surface and they will become an unstable mess to balance on--making them unusable.

If you have some plastic Walmart-type bags, you can put them over your shoes and tape them around your ankles. That will keep the playa mud from sticking to your shoes and would actually be the most effective way to travel on the playa when the surface is wet.

Token · Post by **Token** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:14 am

So what the heck are rain boots?

I have some $80 heavy rubber sloggers for mud and El Niño rainstorms ... good for shoveling black Gold on the farm.

I have some knee-high goretex viper cloth snake boots that see rain duty and are quite waterproof, but mainly are there for the darn rattlesnakes (yummy).

So, what is YOUR rain boot made of?

Regardless of answer, here is rule #1 - never bring anything you couldn’t stand being destroyed.

tatonka · Post by **tatonka** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 12:29 pm

when it rained when I was there , lots of people had plastic bread sacks over their shoes . looked like it worked

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:00 pm

When it rains, barefoot is the way to go (squish!).

I think that rubber boots would be sweaty to wear and then would disintegrate from the alkali.

korierika4 · Post by **korierika4** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:01 pm

Token wrote:So what the heck are rain boots?

Regardless of answer, here is rule #1 - never bring anything you couldn’t stand being destroyed.

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about. Nothing fancy but comfortable. Also, I want to wear them when it's not raining but not sure if the rubber will hold up in the dust? Thanks

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:57 pm

Nice looking boots. If you want to wear them then wear them- and anything else you want.

I usually put felt insoles and sometimes felt liners inside my rainboots makes walking a lot easier.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 4:01 pm

I'm not a chemist, but I don't believe the alkaline dust will degrade them. Just do the diluted vinegar followed by soap cleaning post the event to make them respectable in the real world.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:01 pm

Bring several different shoes. Slip-ons for a quick run to the porto potties, tennis shoes in case you need to play a game of tennis and a third pair in case you get blisters from the others.

Token · Post by **Token** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:39 pm

Ratty is wise, take heed.

The rubber galoshes will hold up fine wrt the dust and salt.

Them not “breathing” is another matter altogether.

You can always put them on next July or August and descend down from the heavenly heights to the valley and see how you survive.

I personally can’t wear them more than an hour or two before my toes prune up.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:25 am

These would probably work at night, and slow cook your feet during the day. Bring options.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 7:34 am

I've used rubber boots out there a few times. The rubber holds up fine, from my experience, but as always: YMMV.
consider the heat if wearing them other than for rain.
But, as mentioned, wear what you want!!
there are several of us in the foothills here, Grass Valley, Auburn etc. Feel free to reach out.

remi · Post by **remi** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 11:15 am

I have used rubber boots, but I don't find them good for long distance (or all night long,) traveling. I use a pair of waterproof high-top hunting boots. I'm the geek that tucks my pants into my boots and from the waist down I'm clean as a whistle when I go to bed. The boots are comfy, keep the dust out.. pretty much the only two things I care about on the playa.

This is for night only. I get my feet dirty all day long.. come home and wash them with vinegar, then moisturize them before putting on my night time footwear. Its a system I've used for years and it works really well on the playa.

- R

korierika4 · Post by **korierika4** » Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:09 pm

ygmir wrote: there are several of us in the foothills here, Grass Valley, Auburn etc. Feel free to reach out.

Thank you, would definitely like to do more stuff with y'all. I'll probably be going to the Sac burners meet up next month. I would like to know more Placer county burners too!

And for the rest of the responses. Thank you for your great information. Definitely be taking more than one pair of boots plus some other shoes if I'm able to score a ticket to I Robot.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Thu Jan 04, 2018 7:16 am

There's the Sacramento Meet-up tonight at Bennie's Bar & Grille (20th and Q Street, midtown Sacto). I'll be there with several members of Barbie Death Camp. Also I too am a Placer County burner (Newcastle, the gateway to Ophir) so it you'd like to bend my ear, my time is yours.

korierika4 · Post by **korierika4** » Sat Jan 06, 2018 10:42 am

Dr. Pyro wrote:There's the Sacramento Meet-up tonight at Bennie's Bar & Grille (20th and Q Street, midtown Sacto). I'll be there with several members of Barbie Death Camp. Also I too am a Placer County burner (Newcastle, the gateway to Ophir) so it you'd like to bend my ear, my time is yours.

Hi Dr. Pyro,
Met you and your beautiful wife at one of the Auburn light float art meetings. I actually was at the meet up in Sacramento thurs, but arrived a bit late and most the burners were gone. Thanks for reaching out. Going to try and make the next regional meeting earlier. Cheers!

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:52 pm

If you'd like to chat, I'm available most weekdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at (916) 787-2131. I work in Roseville (on the corner of Eureka and Rocky Ridge) if you would like to grab lunch and solve the world's problems!

korierika4 · Post by **korierika4** » Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:24 pm

Dr. Pyro wrote:If you'd like to chat, I'm available most weekdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at (916) 787-2131. I work in Roseville (on the corner of Eureka and Rocky Ridge) if you would like to grab lunch and solve the world's problems!

Thank you very much! Locking in your number to my phone. I would very much like to grab some food with ya some time in the Next month. Just started some classes and scheduling a surgery soon, but would love to arrange that w ya! The burning man community has been so wonderful to me, thanks all!

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:21 am

The next Meet Up is February 1. I tend to arrive early and leave early (say 6:30 in, 8:00 out). Would love to say hi.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 8:59 am

don't forget;
Rain Crocs are real.

Rain Boots on the Playa?

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