ISO the perfect playa boots

[Flirty]

I'm one of those folks who can't wear sandals at Burning Man--within 30 minutes I could feel my feet drying up and cracking under the influences of playa dust!

I've tried several variations on the theme: my first year I used plain ol' hiking boots, but the laces became a pain going in and out of my tent (tried to take my shoes off before entering) and entering others' tents where required. Next I had some awesome platform boots (only 3") but they zipped and the dust clogged the zippers at times.

I want to be able to slide in and out of them easily, want to them to come up about midway to my knees to keep the dust out, sturdy (duh) but not too heavy so I can walk for miles (for those deep playa wanderings that we find ourselves in midst of and then...oh yeah, we have to walk BACK).

Oh, and they have to look fucking sexy and awesome!

Any suggestions? What has worked for you?

[theCryptofishist]

Is velcro an option? Would you settle for a faux studs or laces thing with velcro?

Not that I have any sggestions, just trying to get a better sense of parameters.

[Flirty]

Velcro could work, I suppose. I'm thinking pull-on with buckles that tighten things up, something like that.

[SnowBlind]

Next I had some awesome platform boots (only 3") but they zipped and the dust clogged the zippers at times.

White Lightning bicycle chain lube works wonders on zippers. My tent basically wouldn't open any more, I applied this and the zipper works like the first day. It's amazing. Once it dries, it's a wax, but it doesn't attract the dust like an oil would. Make sure you get "Clean Ride", that's the dry one.

With that, you might reconsider your platform boots.

[Flirty]

Ooh, good idea, Snow Bind. Thanks! Unfortunately, I ditched the platforms I had (and they were perfect...wah!), but this idea gives me more options in terms of zippers, etc.

[EmilyD]

I had a sticky zipper on my boots and rubbed a bar of soap along the teeth. It worked fine after that. Finally a use for old slivers of soap.

[Nitevenus]

Flirty...check these out
http://www.pyramidcollection.com/itemdy ... 0&srccode=

they have possibilities of dressing up or dressing down on the heel height and not necessarily being a boot but looking like one.

[Sail Man]

Here's another option for you that have survived 2 burns and 2 regionals. They lace up and then you use the zipper to take on and off. Dont ask me how many drunken nights it took me to remember that damn zipper Comfy, easy to walk in.

Deviant Sneaker Boots

[EmilyD]

Here's another option for you that have survived 2 burns and 2 regionals. They lace up and then you use the zipper to take on and off. Dont ask me how many drunken nights it took me to remember that damn zipper :lol: Comfy, easy to walk in.

Deviant Sneaker Boots

OMG PINK!!! Sold!

[Flirty]

Ooh, I like the Deviant Sneakers too!

[Roberto Dobbisano]

[weirdscience]

never been to the playa but i usually use bates military boots those suckers last a long time and i put them through hell i have a pair that i go to work with play paintball with, pretty much use everywhere i go had them for 3 years and they are holding up and i just found these on the site http://www.batesfootwear.com/US/en-us/P ... leryId=G-F

[Roberto Dobbisano]

[Jerome Templaugh]

[Simon of the Playa]

[adam link]

[junglesmacks]

[Elorrum]

motorcycle boots?

[Elorrum]

motorcycle boots?

[theCryptofishist]

I have to say that the slogan:

Lasts longer than most prison sentences

might be a reason for my continuing to read shoe threads.

[ygmir]

I can never find, the playa boots, I want, in my size, that, I can afford..........

[Elorrum]

I bring my shittiest old shoes that I wouldn't mind tossing afterward. Then I bring them home and wash them, and keep wearing them some more.

[ygmir]

I bring my shittiest old shoes that I wouldn't mind tossing afterward. Then I bring them home and wash them, and keep wearing them some more.

hahahaa, me too..........but, I'd so like to find some tall, thick (3") soled black leather boots to wear when working Gate............

[Edana]

My knock-off Uggs are the PERFECT playa boot, and they fit your description, except of course for the looking "fucking sexy and awesome"

Seriously though, they were great. Easy to slip on and off. Warm at night, comfortable (felt like slippers). I think it might just be impossible to get a blister in an Ugg-type boot. And one of the best parts is that they cost me $15 on Ebay so I had no problem if they got trashed. When I came home I attacked them with a scrubbing brush and lots of water and then left them to dry. Look almost like new, and no trace of Playa left at all. Just needed to brush the suede again to fluff it up a bit.

[Simon of the Playa]

schmuck.

[Boijoy]

[Ugly Dougly]

Jesus Lordy, yes, Bob! These are great boots and yes I gots them in my improbable size.

[teardropper]

Not sure this will really help you, though they do go on and off fairly quickly I, too, get Bate's military boots. Nicely made, comfort out of the box, Vibram sole, Gore-Tex liner, just in case, Norwegian welt soles, so you can repair, put new soles on them when they wear out. Out of the box comfortable, easy to wear. And the same color as the playa. These are pretty utilitarian boots. Get a maintenance kit, brushes, clearner. 'Course I try to make them part of my apparently desert rat costume. It just turns out that way...




But I have had many compliments on how they look. Not unattractive.

Kick-ass?... not sure about that.

[theCryptofishist]

I think men and women are looking for different things in their boots.

[teardropper]

Well, it doesn't say it's for women, and on this board, man, you never know.

OK, I kind of knew. But my partner wears similar boots, though I doubt she thinks they're sexy...