Playa Boots

[graidawg]

my first year I had no problems with hands or feet - even though i did no care whatsoever - last year my hands and feet were a wreck - not painful but i thought i may be turning into a lizard they were so dry and scaly, so i would say Badger balm is essential (or some other moisturiser) because as eveyone says you never know

oh and the dust on your feet does feel so good.

[lucky420]

I actually felt better going barefoot. But you really can't stray to far from camp barefoot

[Savannah]

for the ladies

Those are adorable. I would wear them if the toes weren't individually delineated.

or


for the guys

Would a lighter more breathable option not be more comfortable in the heat than big heavy leather boots?
I've nice cons at the moment

anyone have experience with cons whether they are comfortable or not on the playa?

I've worn converse high-tops, low-tops and knee high out there. I find them quite comfortable, although you can't skip socks (because of the little vent-holes on the side) and socks should go up as high as the sneaker does to prevent rubbing. If you don't normally wear converse with socks underneath, you have to make sure there's room for your desert socks . . .

If your cons are as nice as the ones depicted above, know that it may be difficult to rehabilitate them post-playa. I toss my canvas ones into garment bags and machine wash cold, but if they're leather they're going to be a bit distressed.

[ygmir]

for the ladies

Those are adorable. I would wear them if the toes weren't individually delineated.

or


for the guys

Would a lighter more breathable option not be more comfortable in the heat than big heavy leather boots?
I've nice cons at the moment

anyone have experience with cons whether they are comfortable or not on the playa?

I've worn converse high-tops, low-tops and knee high out there. I find them quite comfortable, although you can't skip socks (because of the little vent-holes on the side) and socks should go up as high as the sneaker does to prevent rubbing. If you don't normally wear converse with socks underneath, you have to make sure there's room for your desert socks . . .

If your cons are as nice as the ones depicted above, know that it may be difficult to rehabilitate them post-playa. I toss my canvas ones into garment bags and machine wash cold, but if they're leather they're going to be a bit distressed.

how funny would it be to sew an extra toe on each?

On my daughters baby announcement, I took a pencil eraser, and dipped it in ink, to add a 6th toe to her baby footprint (from the hospital) that we printed on the cards..........the reactions were priceless.

[Savannah]

how funny would it be to sew an extra toe on each?

On my daughters baby announcement, I took a pencil eraser, and dipped it in ink, to add a 6th toe to her baby footprint (from the hospital) that we printed on the cards..........the reactions were priceless.

[Eric]

One more tip with my chucks (going back to Trilo's mentioning of comfort) - I wear gel insoles in mine all week, same as I do with Chucks in the city. Only thing I don't like about them in the lack of arch support, I would be in much pain without my Doc Scholls!

[Savannah]

Gel insoles are a wonderful thing. In 2010 a friend who was still on the road managed to get a call through to my rideshare before the event opened, and I was asked if I needed anything from the default world. I said, "All I want are some gel insoles. And a hooker. And some blow."

I got my insoles!

[edbrez]

I just thought reading stories about the issues with playa foot that five finger style boots would resolve that.
Feet would be nice and snug and would avoid contact with the alkaline dust. I should probably pack vinegar lemons Dr Scholls gels (thanks for suggestion Eric) and good quality wool ankle socks. I know it has been mentioned before how the playa plays havoc on nails so ill look into this as well. Best prepare for every eventuality i guess

In relation to footwear, they have to be comfortable. I really wouldn't fancy dragging big boots around all week. I'll go with light weight somewhat breathable material. My poor unfortunate feet get enough abuse as it is, I'd hate to think they might suffocate in the heat

Can I ask a question that may appear irrelevant to this thread
How cold does it get at night, is it relative to how hot it is during the day or does the temperature plummet? I know has been mentioned here about wrapping up feet at night, just curious if anyone has a rough idea of temperature at night?

[theCryptofishist]

Does anyone else look at those pictures and think "Magritte".

[edbrez]

Does anyone else look at those pictures and think "Magritte".

[Eric]

There's no telling the temperature range until closer to the event (usually the build blog gives a general idea if conditions are abnormal), but expect in the 90s+ (32c+) during the day, and they have gotten as low as the mid 30s (1.6c) at night. There have also been years where it never got colder the the low 60s (18c-ish). Enough conversion, Fahrenheit from here out: one year it hit about 39 on Weds, but then was in the 60s by Friday at night.

You really do need to be prepared for anything - and never, ever, ever, just bring one pair of shoes & think you'll be fine. I did that my first year, with extremely comfortable boots (off-playa), by the end of the week I was literally cutting slits in them to relieve the pressure on my feet. Even though you're coming from overseas, bring at least two pairs of shoes so that you have something to fall back on if one doesn't work out.

Also - never break shoes in on the playa. Trust.

[MyDearFriend]

I just thought reading stories about the issues with playa foot that five finger style boots would resolve that.
Feet would be nice and snug and would avoid contact with the alkaline dust. <snip>

No oh no, don't be thinking like that please Eddie. There is no avoiding the dust.

There is no avoiding the dust.

Playa dust particles are about 4 microns across. They float in the air, constantly. That dust gets in everywhere that air does. Whatever strategy you use should deal with the fact of dust on your skin.

Embrace the dust. It really is lovely.

Of course it will eat you if you are careless...



Safety Third!

[theCryptofishist]

Of course it will eat you if you are careless...

I've had lovers like that...

[edbrez]

Of course it will eat you if you are careless...

I've had lovers like that...

The lady protests too much

[edbrez]

embrace the dust

In keeping with tradition I shall bend down onto my knees and kiss the earth on my arrival on this sacred soil

[FIGJAM]

I would'nt buy wool socks.

Most of us just buy a "bag-o-socks" at walmart for the week.

[VultureChow]

I would'nt buy wool socks.

Most of us just buy a "bag-o-socks" at walmart for the week.

Yep. Made that mistake last year. Got really nice socks, but didn't bring enough to change during the day. Next year is more socks of lesser quality.

[theCryptofishist]

Of course it will eat you if you are careless...

I've had lovers like that...

The lady protests too much

I cannot draw the inferences here...

[theCryptofishist]

Well, here's more stuff to consider. Are socks the best choice?

[edbrez]

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

I cannot draw the inferences here...

Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III, scene II
Sorry I was a little vague as to what I meant

Hopefully this clears things up

[edbrez]

Well, here's more stuff to consider. Are socks the best choice?

I guess its socks or tea towels i'll be packing so

[theCryptofishist]

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

I cannot draw the inferences here...

Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III, scene II
Sorry I was a little vague as to what I meant

Hopefully this clears things up

No, I did recognize the reference, just didn't know how to apply it. I guess you're suggesting that I don't actually mind those lovers who ate me if I was careless.

[Roark]

This is what I LOVE about this place: In just *one* post, we have Shakespeare, Socks & Sex.

Man, I am SO home.

[ygmir]

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

I cannot draw the inferences here...

Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III, scene II
Sorry I was a little vague as to what I meant

Hopefully this clears things up

No, I did recognize the reference, just didn't know how to apply it. I guess you're suggesting that I don't actually mind those lovers who ate me if I was careless.

you can't pay for humor like this.

[Savannah]

This is what I LOVE about this place: In just *one* post, we have Shakespeare, Socks & Sex.

Man, I am SO home.

This makes me want to write a poem.

(Although it would be easier to take a sonnet and just fuck with it.)

[theCryptofishist]

Yeah, you think you want to fuck with a sonnet. But the next morning when you wake up next to it, you realize it was a big mistake.

[Savannah]

[ygmir]

This is what I LOVE about this place: In just *one* post, we have Shakespeare, Socks & Sex.

Man, I am SO home.

This makes me want to write a poem.

(Although it would be easier to take a sonnet and just fuck with it.)

*gets chair and popcorn*

[Elorrum]

and then the couplet at the end... whew. Don't give away your personal deets, and stay hydrated.

[Savannah]

My sonnet got weird, quickly.

Maybe we should talk about boots . . .