GROUND POUNDER IT ALL RIDES ON THIS 

often over looked the boots carry everything and if they don't fit your not going to have a good day thanks for watching

I would add a bit to this conversation. I knew a guy many years ago who traveled the world doing extreme trekking and mountain climbing. I was a construction worker and on my feet for 12 to 16 hours a day. He taught me stuff about boots,socks, waterproofing, lacing, etc; that I continue to use to this day. I was also in to backpacking back then and wanted some very experienced advice. Keeping your toenails clipped before any long hike is important. Especially when you are going down hills. Too long and they’ll be pushed into the front, toe-box of your boots and be painful. Will also risk wearing holes into your socks. Look for boots that have a special lace hole at the flex point of the ankle. It will be slightly out of line with the other holes. It is specifically designed to lock your foot in place to minimize forward movement of your foot when on long, down hilling. You can loosen that up once you are back on flatter ground or at least not on extreme descents. Another trick he stressed on me was to lace your boots the opposite way from the usual way seen. It’s hard to explain without seeing it but it does make a massive difference in how much your foot moves inside your boot. In your closeups here, we see how the laces come from under each hole and then to the next crossed over hole and then again, feed from underneath through the hole. Instead of that method, start at the bottom but rather than coming up through the first two holes, go DOWN through them. Then you cross over as usual but AGAIN, instead of coming up from under the holes, you go DOWN through the holes. Continue with all the holes. This method allows you to cinch down and fine tune how your boots fit YOUR feet. Each pair of holes can be set as loose or tight as you choose and will stay that way. It sounds finicky but it’s worth it for long hikes or being on your feet for long periods and counting on your boots to support and protect your feet. Breaking in boots while wet is the best way for leather boots to be custom fit to YOUR feet. I also learned to use beeswax that you liquify in a double-boiler on the stove. Take your laces out and use a hairdryer to heat up one boot at a time. Move the dryer around until the whole boot is just on the verge of being too hot on your bare skin. I forgot to mention that after the wax is liquid, remove it from the stove and it will cool but stay liquid for quite a while. Use your fingers to dip wax and spread it into the warmed leather. Work it in well. Be liberal with it. Work it into every cranny. The warmth of the leather opens the pores and the wax soaks in deeper. Use the hairdryer to rewarm the boot a bit and continue to massage the wax in. The wax also fills in the tiny holes created by the stitching. It sounds messy and sorta is but again, well worth it. Water, snow, etc; will be repelled for a long time and it’s easy to spot-treat high wear areas that show a loss of waxing. I never wear the same boots more than 2 or 3 days in a row. For work boots, I rotated between a few pairs so they can air out and not remain stretched out from long periods of wearing them. I still don’t wear the same pair more than 2 or 3 days in a row. Sorry this was a long post but I’m still wearing boots that are nearly 30 years old and it’s because that dude who traveled the world in his leather boots, schooled me on what he had learned along the way from other people who had the experience and knowledge. Good stuff today Blackie. 👍

Hi Blackie! Take it from a man with a nightmare back, if you start noticing problems with you feet not no shoe seems to fix, have a serious word with your doctor. Back problems are NO JOKE. Thank you for this fantastic overview of footwear!

I thought I knew everything about tent stakes, but your example of using a shotgun shell was ingenious! I placed a shotgun shell over a tent stake, pounded it once with my mallet, and when the primer exploded, it drove the stake into the ground effortlessly! Thanks Blackie! I've since graduated to using my steel shank boot instead of a mallet. When I'm at campsites near other people, the "BANG!" attracts their attention, but I'm not embarrassed........it's a quick and efficient way to drive stakes into the hardest ground! I almost got arrested at one state campground when the park ranger thought I was discharging a firearm! Can you believe it????

I worked in private security for the last couple of years in Colorado. I figured out real quick that a Colorado winter is nowhere a properly raised southern boy wants to be. I used the bread bag trick to keep my feet from freezing in that snow and ice. I also replaced my broken laces with 550 cord which worked well.

Great introduction video into the footwear care. I was blessed with a father that worked in the boot industry during college footwear and footcare are two of the big things that got drilled into me as early as I could remember. Its amazing how much people should know, but it is not being talked about. Footwear is a big thing. Since the 90s everyone seems to be into whatever the shoe company or fashion industry says. No one is talking about the practical footwear and footcare. One step at a time.

This is unquestionably THE BEST, most informative video I have ever seen, about boots. THANK YOU for sharing all of this valuable information. I will use this to make way better choices of boots from now on👍👍👍

I wore boots from the age of 17 and tell ountil I was 65 years old.I did everything from Bricklayer and painter

The way that you explained how to break in a pair of all leather combat boots is EXACTLY the same way that I was taught by an old timer (Old Platoon Sergeant / Combat Veteran) when I first got in the military (National Guard ) months before shipping out. I got my initial set of boots issued a few months before Basic Training and had time to break those in the correct way. Glad that I did too!

This might be a Top Ten most valuable video to watch. I am going to try this. I know a few Veterans who have talked about boot camp and wearing their boots in the Shower. What great INFO! I am going to buy me a new set of boots and do this to them. Walking/hiking is going to be even more important as our society devolves.

That is the most important Information. Thank you for your advice. For all your good Videos on this channel. I wish you a good Health. Sigi from Bavaria.

Yes i did enjoy the video as ive enjoyed all of your videos ive watched already.You know most younger people cant sit through a longer video like yours because most younger peoples attention spans seem to be very short but i love a longer video as you learn much more.

This is exactly why I love this channel!!! Ya gotta take care of your feet!!! Must watch !!

Thank you again you've taught me a lot I really do appreciate what you do

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

I use to do that when I was a LOT younger to a new pair of blue jeans. It helped to make my butt look better when I was a teenager.

Thank you for the great info on boots, that was very informative so thank you!!!

Dammit, Blackie! You're a treasure!

Excellent video, Blackie! On point and informative, as always.

Blackie , Great Video and Outstanding Information on LPCs Leather Personal Carriers is what we called them in the Army , boots by another name. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate you passing on your knowledge and sharing your time. You teach so everyone can understand. Yes , You Are The Master Woodsman and Buschcrafter. Hope to see you on the trail soon. Tim L.

Very informative Blackie. I’m gonna go to the surplus store and check those out. The ones I wore in the early 80’s were exactly leather and steal toes for the flight line. My feet burned up in those year round even when I was in Germany. I would make them fall apart from the inside out. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent video blackie, thankyou 😊. It re-enforces the way you you should look after your feet 😉 Thankyou for your time to make this video available Blackie 😀 .

When I was a teenager I wore the Vietnam era jungle boot, green canvas with drain holes, one size too big and filled them with thick socks. Loved those boots. Wish I could find me some like 'em.

I got a pair of those Danner RAT boots too, I love em. They are currently a steal as they are so easily available on the surplus market, but that won't last Some will remember Swedish stainless steel mess kits 5 for $20, Swiss salt and pepper canvas rucksack for $20, and $30 Italian wool blankets - all long gone now.

I'm a surplus boot hound. I'm always searching online for more boots. Buying online can big a big gamble but I've learned mostly what brands and sizes work for me so it's no longer such a gamble as it once was. I have bought probably 2 dozen pairs online and have narrowed the collection down to 6 pairs of surplus boots but I constantly check for good deals on boots I love that work for me. It's one of my hobbies. Great video, Blackie!

Always invest in good boots and socks. Nothing irritates more than seeing someone take a pair of boots in their size and walk to the teller without so much as trying them on! I grit my teeth when I pay $25 for a pair of socks but I am worth it. That wicking function was a lifesaver in the Arizona heat....not just a gimmick. My cold weather hunting socks were 85% wool and was never disappointed. My approach to purchasing foot ware is like my life depends on it! I will try a pair and if one foot feels off I would have the salesperson bring me a couple of the same style and swap out until they both feel right. Later in the day after you have been walking around is the ideal time to shop. Please carry a fresh dry pair when trying them on.

Gotta love the marine boot for general use best I’ve ever worn I’m tough on gear and they take everything I throw at them. Welding over them didn’t really even bother them. Few different weight pair of socks and a pair of muck arctic pros and your set for 4 seasons. Only complaint is going no socks they will destroy your feet in 3 days that inner liners rubs bad. Wet the old jungle boots. Something to try is put the insole from a pair of jungle boots under your regular. Seams to do the squish water out on the Danners also.

Great video and topic Blackie, thank you. When I lived and worked in the Colorado mountains I would see hikers with a thousand dollar outfit and fifty cent boots. I knew the were going to be in for rough time.

Thanks Blackie!

Great information and advice Blackie. I know I should have bought a bigger size winter hiking boot because I would be wearing thicker/warmer socks in them. I ordered them online which I usually never do when it comes to footwear, but they were a really good brand for a great price on clearance and I didn't stop to think about getting a size bigger. Fortunately I can get a decent thickness wool sock in them and the boots have good insulation. Thanks for sharing the good information that no one talks about and is so important. 👍🥾

Great video

I enjoy your videos thank you

Thanx Blackie for the lessons! I always go with 1/2 size larger on my boots, works for me. Also up here in central.WI. Redwings for fall/winter and VN jungle boots for summer.

Thanks Blackie. I have the same MC boots as those, except made by Wellco. Mine say “Hot Weather R.A.T.” On them. They have a lot less of the insulation inside, maybe a 1/16 inch at best. I love them in the summer. Don’t have any problems with hot spots or anything. One thing that I do with them is to treat the leather on them with neetsfeet oil to keep them supple, and to protect them from the elements and getting dried out and cracking. I also try to go out of my way to not walk on tar or cement to keep the soles from wearing out prematurely. Thanks again, Blackie, keep ‘em coming.

Blackie , excellent informational video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

thank you blackie wonderful source of info I need to get some new boots and break them in

100% on point Sir. So many boot topics could be their own videos. I do take a small knuckle kitchen type brush hiking, for multiple uses. One of them is my boots at night. Feed the animals, clean and reload my weapons, clean my boots and gear, clean myself, eat and good night.

Another great video. I run the surplus army hot weather combat boots. Work well. Comfortable and last almost forever. Also budget friendly.

GREAT video as usual

Great video with knowledge that ain’t too common nowadays. Thanks sir

Excellent points Blackie! The old saying: every pound on your foot equals 5 pounds on your back, but lightweight boots is less support Jungle boots with the panama soles were what we (1970s Rangers) were issued and were great for muddy terrain. 550-cord is very popular for replacing boot laces.

Lot of useful information in this one. Appreciate it sir. Putting it to use as we speak. Buying new boots.

I have a pair of Georgia boots 👢 with vibram soals and I live in Rhode Island our winter is wet and snow ❄

I use a the thin socks too We call them onion socks. BC they are usually thin as onion skin.

Good video. Keep up the good work. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.

Hi Blackie, love your vids, I watch them all the time! You mentioned shoe laces, what I do is I change out the laces to paracord right off the bat. I keep the laces in my cordage bag but every pair of boots I have I've replaced the laces with paracord. Have you ever had a pair of laces get soaked or full of burs from vegetation and it causes the laces to knot up? That doesn't happen with paracord. I've hiked trails all over the east, north midwest and now the south midwest, paracord laces are the best. Thanks for reminding me of the things my Pops taught me when I was a youngster. I truly enjoy your time. Stay strong and keep the Faith Brother!

I have literally been trying to decide which danner boots I wanted to buy. Good timing!!

Thanks Blackie! These last two weeks reminded me that if you have grumpy feet, you will have a grumpy life. Every tendon took a turn flaring up. Still no idea how it started. Took both weeks to redistribute the tension in the foot, and more than one ibuprofen. Only thing more painful is gout. I agree that a liner sock, over sock of wool, and 500g thinsulate boot, makes a more comfortable 10 degree (or less) hunting day, especially during a sit, here in PA. I have been in some spots in the shade, so cold, that the normal cold runs away...even the ghosts wont go there. For the same reason, the deer don't show up either. They probably went to Georgia on vacation.

Thanks

Blackie, this is the first video I've seen on boots, and you are spot on.. When I did my time in the Air Force we had the all leather combat boots. Cold in the winter, hot in the summer, and soles that the devil didn't even want..lol. I'll see about those marine boots if they have my size..9 1/2 or 10. Wide.. it will be a hunting expedition.. Thanks for the info.

Those look like the Danner Pronghorns I hunt and camp in, have both insulated and uninsulated versions. Great boots! I work in concrete, in and out of mixer trucks all day, climbing around on equipment and on jobsites. Thorogood leather moc toe boots with the flat crepe sole is all I’ve worn for years. However, for rough outdoor ground pounding you can’t beat those modern technically designed Danners. Match the boot to the task.

Yep I need a new pair of boots. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts.

Well explained information. For years, I wore the same size shoe or boot. Thinking my Bushcraft boot (issued desert boot) would stretch and form to my foot the more I wore them. Thanks for sharing.

The altama modernized jungleboots or jungleboots 2.0 as they call it is my favorite 3 season boot. They breath great, hold up well and dry out quick. During winter I love my old pair of Sorel Artic pac boots. I keep a spare set of boot liners in my pack typically ontop of at least 2 or 3 pairs of silver thread merino wools socks. Be a sad day when I wear out those sorels since I haven't seen them recently. I'll have to see if they are even still made. As for laces, I typically use those heavy duty wax braided laces. They seem to last forever and are not very expensive.

I've got family that's mixed & full breed & the other half use to make fun of the way I'd walked in the bush. European heel heavy, & that wear in the heels of my boots still shows today...LOL!

Boots are by far the most important gear

yep, that leather hot bath on boots works. I did that with every pair I owned, and I wore them until the leather dried on my feet. Usually all day. I have those marine boots as well. sometimes you have to prepare your feet and Band aid blister gel pads are a very good friend. I use to carry them (or something like it back in the day) to help my feet where no one has ever gone before. that and a good talc powder to help keep your feet, and other parts of your body dry where sweat can cause chaffing. My experience is 8 years on Fort Bragg, with mandatory 12 mile road marches every 3 months. trust me, I have learned from experience.

I have been known to buy a pair of boots Friday night, wear them all day Saturday and if they aren't good enough take them back and try another pair by Sunday. After a couple hours of walking I can feel if one has a spot not sewn right or assembled half a$$ed. If I do find footwear that works great I immediately buy 2.

Boots are a bit of a sore spot with me :). I have dealt with blisters on my feet since I was a kid. I have two different sized feet at two different widths. Oh and they are both Narrow. I have sold shoes and boots so I know a lot about them. I was aware of a lot of what you covered in this video but I still learned a few things. Finding boots that will fit my feet and not give me a blister is impossible but I am always open to suggestions (although wear extra socks is something I have heard plenty of times already). Thanks for the video.

Stock up on boots , shoes , clothing in general . My dad was a WWII disabled vet . He always talked about how hard it was to get civilian clothing after the war , stuff was still being rationed . Today , manufacturing is a ghost of what it was the 40s -- 70s . Blackie , your right on ! I like leather boots that I can oil - using mink oil , Fiebing Care 4 , etc . 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Best boots I ever had were leather Redwing/Irish Setter boots. I could wear them comfortably all day on a concrete warehouse floor, or slogging through mud, rain, snow and mounds of dirt at work and all day doing yard work on the weekends. Sadly they no longer make those particular ones and others haven't been comfortable or lasted as long. I have wanted a new pair of boots for hiking/exploring the desert since we moved to Arizona a year ago but there's really nowhere around that sells anything besides hiking shoes or hightop hiking shoes and I hate to buy mail order only to end up with the wrong size. I've always worn a 10 1/2 dress/casual shoe/boot or 11 tennis shoe and my feet measure 10 1/2 on the old foot measurering devices they used to have at the shoe stores, but in hiking shoes I have to wear a 12! Those Redwings were 10 1/2 and were just right even after wearing them all day.

I remember Coach Gerald Clausen's circuit very well..😄

Thanks for another excellent video. The diversity of topics you cover is amazing. You mentioned insoles a few times. I like the idea of larger size boots with double insoles as I was a double sock guy for many years. What type/brand of insoles do you use and recommend?

You never cease to amaze! I just bought a pair of Vietnam style jungle boots and was looking for ways to break them in. They're a little rough on the inside, so I need to get a pair of thick socks for some padding. Any recommendations? Also, what are your thoughts on using waterproofing spray on them?

Danner boots are amazing. I went threw many army schools from the artic to a development to iraq. And Danner boots were and are my favorite boots. There are many brands out. but the army only allowed us to use danner. or the army issued. I love them tho more like wearing regular shoes.

I have as I have gotten older, it is harder to find good comfortable boots. I have worn them my entire adult life for working in.. the old dawgs are tired..

Red wing loggers. I have a pair that is over 20 years old. I live off grid as a lifestyle.

I don't own any non leather boots but I like the information

Interesting information. I learned some things today. Do you recomend using something like shoe grease or Mink oil during break in and for occasional waterproofing treatment? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

That particular black all leather combat boot, the speed lacer type, came out roughly during the mid to late 1980s. I was still on active duty when they came out, and a " VAST." improvement over the garbage I was issued initially. I still lament on the cows that gave their lives to make such travesties. Later on I obtained two pairs of Rocky all leather combat boots and they even superior to the new speed lacer types by Altima. Only draw back with the Altima, were the soles were vulcanized, they could not be replaced / repaired. Again thinking on it, I shall lament further on sacrificed cows. LOL. My boots are always a half size bigger, I wear a 10 wide, so my boots are 10 1/2. Like you I wear thick work socks. Dickeys always seemed to work and lasted the longest. On active duty I would dye them dark green, then wash them a few times. They looked issue. I got away with it. LOL.

Another great one, Blackie. What do you use for an added insole? Do you buy one or make one? Thanks. Also, have you tried foot wraps used by Napoleon's armies and others, even today, instead of socks which weren't invented until later? Some soldiers swear by them.

I didn't mind the combat boots when walking on the on dirt, mud, sand, gravel... where the lugs on the bottom could wiggle to the ground. But on paved roads or concrete floors the bottoms had no give and and was hard on the balls of the feet when you turned or pivoted. There were times when I just cringed when stomping down getting into them. The Jungle boots with Nylon uppers were the best boots to have. No canvas to rot off your legs. Leather still turned green. We were told to wear white socks so they could be bleached, but only the black wool socks were available. What's ya gonna do GI? I still spray lysol into my boots or shoes every night when I take them off.

"Feet don't fail me now" ... You need good rubber on the wheels. Cold feet (& hands) suck. I worked construction all my life in the NE, always wore 2 pairs of socks in high cut boots. First sock was always a thinner sock. Switched to low cuts and one pair of thick socks when I worked inside for long periods of time. Timberline was my favorite brand, all leather, no steal toes. Always 'waterproofed' them with mink oil before they came 'waterproofed' from the factory. In extreme cold weather always wore the boots with felt liners, rubber bottom, leather upper. Very heavy to lug around all day but warm and dry. Sometimes used a thin sole pad of reflectix duct insulation before switching to my felt lined boots for the winter. No matter the boot, the pressure after lacing was always important not too tight, not too loose, had to be just right. Factory laces never lasted long, I was always looking for a good substitute, when I found a good brand, I bought a bunch. I preferred lacing eyelets over the hooks, never bought boots with lace hooks after that first pair. If I remember correctly always preferred Vibram soles with a steal shank, waffle pattern for outside work, pattern didn't matter when working inside out of the weather. ps: I used to have thin silk long underwear, uppers and lowers, swear by it. Same idea as the thin first sock, then layers. Dressing for the weather was an art, everyone had their own tried and true formula. But there were days that brutally challenged my and everyones artistry and skill to battle the weather.

Jungle boots

I called them when I was in we call him recruit boots but yeah they were the worst thing to put on your feet definitely have to put an insole in and I don't know how many ingrown toenails those things cause and I was down getting a profile from the Medics after they dug out that ingrown toenail I switch to the Cochran brand

What do you think about 550 Paracord for laces? I'm thinking maybe dress the ends with some thin bankline. I'd never heard of bankline before I watched your video the other day. It feels good to be learning new things again. Your videos should be required watching for BSA and GSA. Thanks for your time and sharing!!

Danner rat boot w drain holes (for future me to find when I forget the name)

Laces? Coming up on 30 years of wearing Army style boots every day. You are correct the laces will fray when used with speed lace eyes. Here's what you do. When the laces are new, take them out and drag them (with force) through neutral wax shoe polish. Once they are permeated with the wax, take a rag and wipe the down. Then re-lace (include the knot Blackie showed/ I also add a knot to the end of the string - it serves as a stopper to let you take them off quickly). They should now last the life of the new style boots. Of course, keep away from the fire.

Blackie, do you ever wear snake boots? If you do what kind

Thanks Blackie, what are your thoughts on waterproofing your boots? I’ve heard some that are for it using mink oil or sprays and others against it saying it keeps your feet from breathing.

What do you use, if any, for boot dressing for waterproofing or snow?

The very best boots I have ever had are 10 inch lineman's boots from Carolina boots. I want to be buried with them !

Hey Blackie, are those 15660's or 15670's?

The one thing you don't want to "cheap out" on is your footwear. A cheap boot might be okay while you're hanging out at the house etc, but they'll fall apart in the woods.

What is the advantage of wearing boots? Nevermind he just answered that

Sir, I have to ask, 16:16 "witchcraft". I have heard you mention at least in a couple of videos where you mention "witchcraft". Is this a slip of the tongue? Or are you actually involved with or in support of "witchcraft"? I mean no offense, but I do find that concerning. Thank you,

If you’re “hiking the Appalachian Trail” a “big, heavy-duty boot that won’t let you down” is not the best way to go. Basically nobody doing an Appalachian Trail hike follows the “indestructible boot” philosophy. Those boots are just way too heavy.

I made adjustments to my good boots by adding ⅛" cork sheeting in the necessary places under the insole to customize the feel and fit of my boots. It also works to customize the heel cup fit.