What's the deal with boots

[peyote2004]

I've been reading through a lot of threads where people talk about boots for playa wear. So... What's the deal with boots?

When i think boots, i think heavy and hot ... so, why do people seem to prefer them over shoes? What are the benefits? Why not just wear runners?

[Sham]

When I think 'hot and heavy', I don't think boots!

I guess the best thing for you is to wear what's comfortable for you. I tend to wear hiking boots when on the playa. They are a bit higher and keep the stay dust off my feet.

[Bumble]

2 reasons that i will be wearing boots this year

1-Obviously, you know that you need supportive shoes out there due to the unevenness of the playa. Also, not only do you want support - but you want to avoid playa foot & therefore you can't wear your usual summer sandals/thongs etc that would be cooler in the default world. (or you could and regularly wash with vinegar)

2- This year i have just bought Blundestone pull ons because after wearing hiking books with laces last year - i killed my finger tips with doing the laces as they got very dusty!

I also got steel caps as i don't want any wayward art/structure falling on my toes, as i help set up

[TT120]

Boots are more fabulous than runners.

[MikeGyver]

I just prefer boots in general, its nice having something supportive and good for walking all day in. But I wear boots every day so if they aren't comfortable for you then I wouldn't wear them. Added benefits are they're easy to clean, they keep your feet clean, This will be my third year with the same pair and I haven't had any foot problems yet.

[Drawingablank]

The bottom line is that you will be walking much more than you probably do in the default world - you will have a miserable time of it if your feet are aching, cut, bruised, burning, itching, blistered, etc...

I bring high quality broken in hiking boots and sneakers. This year I also plan to bring a pair of moccasins for late nite runs to the portos and lounging around camp.

In 2012 my sneakers self destructed in a few hours leaving me with just boots for 11 days. It would not have been too much of an issue, but I get playa paw pretty badly and by day 5 my hands were raw and bleeding making lacing and unlacing my boots an ordeal every time.

[Elorrum]

Something about boots and an expedition, I guess. oh. Still, I choose my oldest work shoes (carolina) and some near finished hiking shoes. Both comfortable, and neither I care about ruining. I stand and walk on concrete all day, so I invest in good work shoes, and they are well broken in. I have a pair of boots that I haven't broken in, and I might bring them, but don't want to worry about blisters on vacation. Good idea to start wearing them and walking around in them now. The playa is FLAT, people, and it may be dunish, or dusty, but it ain't mountain hiking. You will most likely walk, or dance a lot, be on your feet a lot, so arch support is a good footwear feature. Laces... don't bring shoes or boots that have cloth loops for eyes. These will cause so much friction, and you won't believe shoe laces can squeak so. Your fingers will be dry with dust, and you'll hate tightening the laces on shoes like that. Slip on shoes are nice to avoid this.

[Turtleburp]

2 reasons that i will be wearing boots this year



I also got steel caps as i don't want any wayward art/structure falling on my toes, as i help set up

You got steel toe caps to assist me in being punctual in getting your dinner

[maladroit]

You'll enjoy tightening shoelaces about the same as dragging your fingers along a dusty chalkboard. I am seriously considering velcro.

Do not wear anything you haven't broken in. So...you should already have your playa shoes/boots now, or go buy them tomorrow.

Read up on runner's forums etc on how to avoid blisters. The general idea is that moisture + friction = pain, and playa dust accelerates that. Sealing your feet completely within airtight boots would be about as bad as wearing sandals.

I wore hiking boots with some cloth venting, and very little dust got inside; however, I chose the wrong socks. Thick socks are great if it's cold or you're standing around working, but they rub a lot when walking.

Wash and lotion your feet before going to sleep.

[Savannah]

I've been reading through a lot of threads where people talk about boots for playa wear. So... What's the deal with boots?

When i think boots, i think heavy and hot ... so, why do people seem to prefer them over shoes? What are the benefits? Why not just wear runners?

I think the primary reasons are 1) they come up higher and protect more of the skin 2) they happen to look good with a lot of the other things people like to wear . . . kilts, tutus and other things short enough not to catch in bicycle chains 3) steel-toed versions are strongly encouraged or mandatory among certain volunteer departments.

One doesn't have to wear boots though--comfort, and having several pairs are the most important things.

And many pairs of socks. I bring 2 pairs per day, not counting costume socks/stockings.

[Elorrum]

A pair of slippery liner socks beneath some medium hiking socks are good for reducing friction and wicking moisture from your feet. Coolmax is a good sock fiber for wicking moisture too. I buy seconds or whatever is on sale during the year, and wear them for work as well. It's amazing how many types of socks you'll find at REI, or I like Sierra trading post for seconds and specials. Bike socks used to be on sale, and I like those for keeping my feet cool, though they have little padding. Clean feet, and a clean pair of socks can be quite refreshing as a mid day pick me up.

[ygmir]

I like boots because they make my dainty feet look like tough guy feet.

[Elorrum]

I like boots because they make my dainty feet look like tough guy feet.

Did anyone else just imagine a large pair of pink ballerina slippers?

[ygmir]

[media]

[Elorrum]

[ygmir]

bbbbwwwhahaahahaaa

[Eric]

I'm one of the odd ones out here - I generally wear chucks with a good insert during the day (I wear my older pairs, and usually bring at least 2 pair), or, if I'm hanging out in camp, I wear my favorite Tibetan felt clown shoes (not kidding). For night-time I wear either dress shoes (broken in, & ones I don't care about) or boots. Once or twice during the week I might wear my boots, but they're more decorative than "work" - thigh high black platforms.

Wear what you think you will be comfortable in, and bring a few options. My first year I stupidly only brought one pair of Docs, and even though they were completely broken in and comfortable in the city, out on the playa they got dessicated and I was slicing vents in them by the end of the week to relieve the pressure from my feet. Don't be me.

Also - take the warning about shoe-laces to heart. You will fucking hate them by the end of the week, and tying your shoes will be an endurance test. Make sure you have something to give yourself a break from that (which is where my clown shoes & dress shoes come in).

[theCryptofishist]

Uncle Larry and Doc Martin have entered into an unholy alliance and have made boots mandatory. And they have bribed all the djs to include sub-sonic, subliminal pro-boot messages in all the oontz. That's the real reason we tell people that there are no djs needed on the playa--rouge djs who broadcast other messages, or nothing at all could set us off to have some sort of Lord of the Flies cannibalism rite on Saturday.

[fresh]

I think the main reason is that 'Do you want my boot up your ass' sounds much more intimidating than 'Do you want my sneaker up your ass'. really helps in dealing with asshats. steel toe turns it up to 11.

[Elorrum]

you'll need either high heeled boots, or fur leggings to get on a party barge/

[maladroit]

What about some of those big floppy fur slippers that make you look like Bigfoot?

[MikeGyver]

I think the main reason is that 'Do you want my boot up your ass' sounds much more intimidating than 'Do you want my sneaker up your ass'. really helps in dealing with asshats. steel toe turns it up to 11.

One of my favorite things is saying "If you don't stop trying to walk on my feet, I'm going to walk on yours" to the asshats on mutant vehicles. Tends to get them to stop.

High heeled boots with Fur leggings counters the effect sometimes.

What about some of those big floppy fur slippers that make you look like Bigfoot?

If it wasnt so damn hot I would get a bigfoot costume and wear it one day. Those would be interesting headlines "Bigfoot Goes to Burning man"

[maladroit]

If it wasnt so damn hot I would get a bigfoot costume and wear it one day. Those would be interesting headlines "Bigfoot Goes to Burning man"

It isn't hot at night or early morning.

Make sure to always move very fast and only be observed by people with cameras set to a slow shutter speed.

[knowmad]

Black 6" Platform knee high disco boots.
Thank you SOP!

[Token]

Boots.

Because rebar always wins against exposed ankles and shins.

[peyote2004]

Thanks for the replies... I'm going to plan for both boots and runners, because I don't know which I'll find more comfy on playa.

I wear runners all the time at home. I hadn't thought about the added support boots would offer on uneven ground. I know laces, etc will get crusted with playa dust but didn't think of the effect that would have on hands when tying them. So much to take into consideration.

[Ugly Dougly]

Bring choices. Especially if you're a first timer.

[BBadger]

I like support in my footwear, so I like my hiking boots for the playa. My only complaint is that they're a pain to lace up and my laces sometimes come undone, which have gotten caught in the bike gearing. I'll probably get some velcro straps for the laces.

The foot support is great, and I never feel sore except from just exercise from wearing the boots even after whole nights of tromping around on the playa. I've also never had anything remotely resembling playa foot; my feet remain nice and soft from start to finish. No need to worry about hurting toes hitting things, or whatever you may bump into out there (like yourself or your bike). I feel like I can go anywhere and do anything in boots.

Unfortunately, the first year I went to Burning Man caused my old boots to dry out a bit too much and so they weren't any good for defaultia anymore. So I just use that pair for BM exclusively. Very comfy and they work great out there.

[Major Krash]

The reason I generally do not wear lightweight shoeboots or sandles is the dust factor - your socks get saturated with dust (even with ankle-high boots). when this combines with sweat from your feet, this eventually makes for a messy situation. As long as you are prepared to change socks several times a day, this can work OK (and I do bring sandles for "lounging" around camp). I learned the hard way you do NOT want playa foot.

I use a leather boot - black because I think it looks good dusty. I generally put them on in the morning, after making sure my feet are clean, with 2 pair of socks, and I leave them on all day until I am back in camp. My feet stay in better shape this way.

[TomServo]

Yeah..let's all beat around the bush!.. We wear boots, so we can kick hippies, peyote2004.