SLNugget Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I did a search and could not find any information about foot wear for desert prospecting. Any suggestions or recommendations would be apprecieated. Thanks in advance.Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paseclipse Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 http://www.lapolicegear.com/co9melaupdet.htmlDel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Del is right on where to buy desert boots....one big factor is a light weight boot that is NON-METLIC.....Iusually wait until they have a sale....like the pants they have on special now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLNugget Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Thanks, have either of you guys used those particular Converse boots? Do they hold up pretty well? Lots of interesting stuff on that site. I'll be sure to save it.Au2u, Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubstake Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 HO CHI MIN sandals, and an AK 47 GrubstakeNo, Bates Desert tan no-metal boots. they were $109.00 on line, at Sportmans Guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 HO CHI MIN sandals, and an AK 47 Grubstake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homefire Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Yep, Sandles , Heavy Wool Socks and go for it.Feet Get hot? Poor water on them.Snakes Bite?Shoot em, Eat Em and then head to the Hospital. Not Real, Freaq Out Get the Blood Going then die.95% of snake bites are to the hands, Arms people messing with them or in the wrong place doing the Wrong thing..I've stepped On Them (Real Cold Out), Stepped Over Them and as long as they knew I was there never bit.Luck or Aware, I've seen them most of the times before I got there.The ones I stepped over were behind a log or bush. learned not to do that.The One I stepped on it was just sun up and thought I stepped on a cow pie until I looked back.Indians had nothing or just Sandles.What ta Hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Z Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Speaking on desert foot gear.... does anybody use those snake gardz bootsJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homefire Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sizzies! LOL No for real there a good thing if you know your in a bad place.Without them I won't walk around the Larger rocks in the Florida Mnts with out something.I've wrapped Card Board around my legs before.TRUE BS! As soon as a Snake hits you it Clamps down.Card Board and your jeans can keep them from hitting skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Speaking on desert foot gear.... does anybody use those snake gardz bootsJoeJoe,Most of those boots probably have metal in them. Ideally, here, detecting in the desert , a light weight , breathable tactical type boot with Nylon speed lace eyelets would be ideal. no zippers or steel shanks. Composite shanks are fine though. Snake type boots also come up real high on the calf, and that can be really hot, uncomfortable, and restraining... . Sounds miserable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Z Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 So Something like those converse boots mentioned in the link on post #2 would be good?______ Right now i use nothing more than a pair of good lightweight Columbia sneakers... watch what i step over and never put my hands into where i can't see what's in there.Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sneakers will work fine in the right environment. Regarding the link listed above for the converse boot; Alot of people seem to like that boot. They also have a multicam ,and sage green model of that boot now too.. free shipping and free socks isnt bad either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Like I said I've bought my boots for years from LA Police gear.....I wait until their on special....last year I had apair of Bates that I let sit in the closet for over a year while I wore out another pair of boots and then when Ifinally started wearing the Bates the soles just crumbled....I emailed Bates and they knew exactly what theproblem was and they replaced the boots with a more expensive model for FREE.....I'm still wearing those Bates boots now but have another pair of Converse sitting stand-by.....all light weightand not metal with speed lacings.....no zippers.....the ones listed in the first reply are good boots....LA Policehas a lot of different boots but be sure to read the specs and get none matalic....As for snake protection the snake boots are HEAVY....HOT....EXPENSIVE....NO NECESSARY....I think BillSouthern sells leg protectors.....I use the ones from Wal Mart that zip up the back...the pair I'm using noware about 10 years old....the front of them comes just above the knee that gives good protection when diggingdeep holes or praying when you find a one oz. nugget..... with Monster Hook to hold my detector when I'mdigging.shade for the detecor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I currently wear Belleville (AMERICAN MADE) DES390 Desert Running Boots. However, after two run ins with Rattle Snakes in the last year, I am likely to not buy any military style desert boots for two main reasons.A. Most of them I've looked at do not offer good snake protection. Thin leather and material that will not stop fangs.B. Poor ankle support. I have twisted my ankle many times with mine, hiking around Franconia.I encountered a rattle snake yesterday on my kid's ranch. Because I have three grandkids, I dispatched the snake. However, while digging it out from under a large rock, I watched how it struck. It's hits were certainly ankles and feet. Seeing this just confirmed what I already knew....and these desert military boots are NOT designed for snake protection. 90% of the crap boots out there are not made in America.jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oredigger62 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I'm with jim on this one... i bought mine from cabelas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Furness Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 If you buy the Converse boots be sure to get the "C8896" model. I wear a 10 1/2 and sometimes an 11 B or C width depending on style of shoes and sneakers. The 10 1/2 Wide Converse Boot for me is snug when new but after a little break-in stretches just enough to fit me right. When I buy again it will be a size 11 just for a little extra room.Mike F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DolanDave Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I use the 5.11 tactical series boots, they have lasted me 3 years so far and have great ankle support. I have gone through several boots. The one problem I have always encountered is catclaws and stickers will every now and then pucture through the bottom of the boot and stick me in the foot , and I need to sit down remove the boot and remove the sticker. I do not want to get the heavier thick soled boots, as they weight a lot, and with all the hiking I do, weight more on the legs. One solution I found is a metal free puncture resistant midsole made by swen-flex. They are lightweight, and I have not had a sticker prick in the foot. http://swencolimited.com/swen-flex/Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Furness Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 DD the Converse boots have somewhat of a thicker sole but the boots are very light ... especially when I compare them to my deer hunting boots ... During a day of deer hunting back east depending on my location I have walked as much as 12-14 miles in a day ... mountains, thick brush and black wet cedar swamps ... and don't find the boots cause the fatigue ... it is usually the bushwacking that gets me ... travel during hunting season is rarely much over 2 mph on average for the day. point here is that the converse boots are light, relatively cool with proper wicking boot socks and I have yet to have anythink poke its ugly head through the sole and into my foot. I have been stuck however in the hand when removing the boots ... gotta be a little careful especially after a visit to RH(Rich Hill) or LSD(Little San Domingo). LSD trips always seem to find a cholla cautus ball on the blind side of the boot when I grab the heel to remove it ... but them I am sure I am the only one that has ever happened to! Mike F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLNugget Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Thanks for all the information guys. Hey Mike, specifically what brand socks have you found to work best with the Converse boots? Might as well get the whole "system" before heading south.Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Stan if you buy the Converse boots from LA Police gear you three pair of socks free....try them before you buy others...I have several (to many) socks from LA Police and also their 5.11 brands....I just started wearing a brand new pair madeof a different material and I sure like them so far....It's their 5.11 brand and the material is: 80% .....wicking polyester....5% nylon....13% spandex....2% rubber....I got the 9"so I can double down the tops for better protection from the laces which I like pretty tight.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Converse boots for me and Like Garimpo, I look for the sale and get a pair for a back-up. They may not last forever, but are so comfortable and supportive they just can't be beat. No, not snake proof, but when needed, I use these http://www.turtleskin.com/Snake-Gaiters.aspx They breath and are also waterproof. Just have to remove the 2 little metal eyelets at the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Furness Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Stan I personally didn't like the stretchy tight socks that LAPG sent with my boots. They itched to much ... may have an alergy to lycra ... and when I removed my boots at the end of the day they were soaking wet and stunk ... my feet usually have a stick to them after being in boots all day but not this bad ... phew!I prefer Cabelas medium weight boot socks with Merino wool ... must be my Northern New England roots ... just can't seem to get away from a good quality merino wool sock.Mike F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Dang Mike.....sorry to hear about your root and feet stinking....it's not your boots or socks that's causing the problem.....it's called "jungle rot" :gig: don't worry I have the solution to your problem.....wear "pink flip-flops" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLNugget Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 Mike, El Dorado, Garimpo, thanks for the additional information. I usually prefer wool to most synthetics myself. Kinda old school but has always worked for me. I will watch for the Converse to go on sale. Sooner than later hopefully.Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacGump Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 SLNugget---something to keep in mind is when and where you are prospecting.I wear full length snake-chaps when I'm not sure about the local species. Hot as hell and shortens my beeping day but better than a nip. Sometimes I wear lower leg protection when I know more about the local habitats. Sometimes I don't wear snake protection if I'm in an old cleared area but will use walking to and for from camp thru high weeds.Truth is the danger time for snakes are usually just after sunrise and just after sundown for "vipers" which tend to be nocturnal hunters.Dredging in north Ga---copporheads where a menance. Don't know how I avoided getting struck. Did however pay the price of non-deligence by way of a cotton-mouth while looking for arrowheads in south Georgia.I too like the converse boots---a bit heavy but I like to lower center of gravity. Sometimes the zipper may get picked up with a larger coil--but then I figure I'm using bad form and really concentrate on how I'm swinging.Seems like many like the pants from LAPolice. For twenty bucks when on sale you can't go wrong. Well made--many pockets and the d-rings a prefect for my snake chaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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