Take care of your feet.

[J]

Something that came to mind here due to a problem someone I know has been having. They have been dealing for about 6 months with an Ingrown toenail problem and it has really affected their daily life. This person has finally had something done to correct the problem but it brought to mind the fact that many people do not give much thought to their feet unless they are causing problems.

This thought is old hat to anyone that has ever done any ground pounding in either military or civilian life; others tend to take footcare for granted, it seems.

Your feet take a lot of punishment in daily life and will take even more in a SHTF situation. I strongly recommend having some basic first aid stuff for foot problems on hand, should they be needed.

For anyone that dont have the “pleasure” of experience relating to Ingrown toenails, they really suck.

[Echo5Charlie]

A couple foot tricks I use are; dress socks under my boot socks to reduce blisters. Wool socks in winter for warmth. Fragrance free aerosol anti perspirant spray when I wear rubber boots hunting. Air your feet out every couple hours. Plus, I keep mole skin in my medic bag. Honestly, I’ve rarely used the mole skin due to the dress socks but better to have…

Definitely have to take care of your feet, I’ve had a few foot issues in the past and it was extremely tough to push through. Any small problem can become a big hindrance if left unchecked and living primitive and dirty.

[J]

Thanks for the input. I used the moleskins on my daughter this fall; she had problems with blisters from marching band shoes. I usually use the small, round Band Aids when it is necessary for myself.

We talk a lot about bugout scenarios and what type of packs to use and what to carry in them, but it seems that, all too often, we overlook the rule that if your feet can’t do the walking, we aren’t carrying anything. Adding another 50 pounds or so and trying to carry it with any spped on uncomfortable feet can make things unbearable. I had an issue once with Planter’s Warts on my heel. Simply walking unencumbered felt like I was stepping on a nail with every step.

[PJ]

Great topic. I’ve never done the dress socks under boot socks thing but have heard it does wonders. I’ve always subscribed to foot powder and moleskin if necessary. I know exactly where my blisters will appear and when the mileage gets in the 20, 30, 40 range (over days) nothing can really stop the blisters from coming on. It’s all about managing them.

Right now I’ve been working outside on my feet for 3 weeks and it’s COLD. my skin is cracking on my feet and it’s pretty uncomfortable. I use this stuff called Corn Husker’s Lotion, it’s outstanding and has helped with the healing process.

One more topic that should be brought up reference feet: Shoes and boots. Let’s put it like this, none of my running shoes ever cost less than $120 or so. My hiking shoes are always over $100/pair. My boots are similar, $120 to $150 per pair. Even my socks are expensive, because quality costs money.

My feet are important, and I’m not wrapping them in 10 year old socks and $40 surplus boots made of who knows what.

[Echo5Charlie]

I go cheaper on the shoes 30 to 50 bucks is my goal since I wear them out fast. I buy quality but last year’s greatest is cheap this year.

Boots I used to do the same thing, every 6 months I’d buy cheap but comfy boots. 7 years ago I bought some great gortex rockys for 220. I’m still wearing them for work. It is worth the money

For home or humping I have a couple pair of 120 to 150 boots that are great. Wish those were available when I was in. The vet nam era issued sucked so bad and fit so poor my left arch fell. That really messes up your stride, totally not worth it.

[PJ]

LOL Vietnam era boots. Worthless.

I can buy a modern pair of boots, roadmarch 12 miles in them with zero break in or run 2 miles in them. Show me a pair of boots from the 60’s with similar qualities.

[Echo5Charlie]

If they existed, they sure weren’t purchased by our military and issued to me. In their defense they worked great on base and for small ceremonies! Other than that…garbage.

[Author]

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