Men's Shoes At BM

[dav725]

Ok, this is something I never get right....guys, what kind of shoes do you wear at BM that are easy on the feet, easy to bike with, and what do you wear at night that are all of the above, plus good looking?

Thanks for any feedback.

[Sensei]

All you need to remember are these two little words: black wingtips.
They just never go out of fashion.

[Kers]

Good looking?
Everything looks good when covered in dust

[MikeVDS]

Doc Martins work well for just about anything.

[EB]

After going with Teva-style sandals for a few years, I've come around to the comfort of the tenniboot.

You walk SO much at the event. Even when you bike from place to place!

I wear mine 24/7. As far as looking fancy for going out, mid-calf Doc Martens seem to be a popular choice.

[skygod]

Someone always asks this question.
Last year there was a pix posted of a guy who wrapped his feet in duct tape.
Hiking shoes don't work so good cause they are heavy, the playa is flat so really lightweight walking shoes are best I think. Even sandals (with socks!) are good. Don't worry about keeping the dust out cause you'll be soaking your feet in aloe vera or bacon fat or some kind of lotion several times a day anyway.

[Ron]

This year a lover of mine is helping me prepare some costumes for the burn. She's a former theatre costumer as well as an experienced burner so I tend to value her opinion. On the topic of shoes she told me, "On playa everyone gets a fashion get out of jail free card for their shoes. Comfort first out there...." :)

Ron, wearing his old grey running shoes with the white unicorn outfit and not at all apologetic for doing so.

[phil]

>SNIP<
Last year there was a pix posted of a guy who wrapped his feet in duct tape.
>SNIP<

Personally, I agree about the wing tips. You _never_ go wrong with wing tips.

Everybody's mileage varies. Wearing sandals and flipflops worked for me in terms of foot support, but the playa powder ate my feet alive. It took a few weeks for my skin to heal and turn back to flesh color (well, what passes for flesh color vis-a-vis my feet). I've started wearing ankle-high walking shoes and low rise sneakers or comfortable work shoes.

The playa is level and there's no gravel, but on occasion the surface has been rugged and the use of shoes with thick, stiff soles made walking on that surface _much_ more comfortable.

My opinion is that the variables are each individual's ability to withstand the alkalai playa powder and the condition of the surface of the playa. Without that information, any suggestions I make are guesses based on how I deal with it.

[misfit]

>>>>Hiking shoes don't work so good cause they are heavy<<<<

its your call. i prefer my heavy docs, (hiking boots), but thats me..... just remember to wear socks

[trilobyte]

Comfort first and foremost. Personally, I bring a couple pairs of shoes. An old pair of Nikes and an old pair of Doc Martins. Both are great for wearing/walking hours on end. This year I'm being fancy and am treating myself to a Dr. Scholl's gel insert deal for added comfort.

When running around at night I usually double up on socks.

Then, at least once a day whether I need it or not treat my feet to playa foot salad. Wash the feet in vinegar (which counteracts the alkali in the dust), then massage them with olive oil (which takes the edge off the vinegar and feels really good).

~Trilo~

[Hoolie]

I go with a pair of Vans without laces. Full foot coverage. Canvas upper keeps feet a bit cooler. Easy slip on and off which is nice for going in and out of a tent. Great for walking or riding your bike.

[Dr. Pyro]

Big ol' red clown shoes to match my big ol' red clown hair.

[MikeVDS]

Don't worry about keeping the dust out cause you'll be soaking your feet in aloe vera or bacon fat or some kind of lotion several times a day anyway.

I have to disagree. If you keep your feet in clean dry socks and shoes, you should be able to avoid the damage. If you run around with exposed feet, you will probably have those problems. I prefer to keep mine sealed up 95% of the time. Others like to run through barefoot all the time.

[mdmf007]

I bring 10 bucks in brand new socks from wally world, cange htem twice a day, and never have a problem with playa foot. I wear tenny runners. unless working, then I am in leather boots.

later

[Sensei]

I prefer to keep mine sealed up 95% of the time. Others like to run through barefoot all the time.

Yep, it's true. I'm a goddamned barefoot hippie. But here's the thang these flat-footed shoe wearers won't tell you: the playa feels fantastic in bare feet! I love to go most of the day barefoot (around camp, that is) and I put the hightop tennys on 'bout sunset after a good rinse and wash. Use lotsa goop before you put your socks on and you're good to go.

[Bambi of Finland]

I just got me some of these... http://vibramfivefingers.com
They are very strange to walk in it is pretty close to bare feet, but enough protection for around camp and short strolls. Boots for longer jaunts into the wilderness, and some sort of athletic shoe for extended periods.

[Eric]

I wear mostly Converse, both low & high tops, as well as Doc Martins & occasional dress shoes. I put soft inserts in all my shoes for comfort, and change my socks once or twice a day (I tend to wear thick white socks regardless of the shoes out there) and have never done the playa salad foot wash thing. I baby wipe my feet when I change socks and I'm good to go.

[theCryptofishist]

i don't ever have to wear shoes again.

[gyre]

Aww fishy.

[robotland]

I like to wear playaplatforms after a run behind the water truck.

For the new, remember that it's a very hard-packed surface, like pounding pavement more than anything else. Insoles can really help.

Second the new-bag-o-sox idea. And a shot of Gold Bond in each one.

[BAS]

How about steel toed work boots? They help avoid the whole rebar in the foot problem.


B.

[mdmf007]

Thats what rebar can do to a foot without any shoes on - i wear shoes

[Teo del Fuego]

For the new, remember that it's a very hard-packed surface, like pounding pavement more than anything else. Insoles can really help..

very true normally, but my sources out on the Playa (as we speak) claim that the Playa is looser and softer than they've ever seen it for many years due to a really dry winter. So, maybe factor in a more sandy condition.

[mdmf007]

that is going to make for a dusty, hard to get around BM 2007. I say we postpone until Early October - Ill drop BMORG a note and let them know we want to wait.

later

[Burp!]

I like Teva type sandals during the day and a tennis shoe type thing at night.

Now the key I find to preventing playa foot is to give your feet a nice bath every morning. Take the melted ice water from your coolers and put it into one of those turkey aluminum bins, throw in some doctor bramers(sp?) soap and soak as long as you can. Dry off and apply some lotion, put some clean socks on and you are good to go.

T.

[Dork]

Any type of shoes that you can handle walking a few miles in will work fine. I've worn heavy hiking boots, mocs, and water shoes. All were fine. It's not so hot or so cold that too heavy or too light footwear will completely ruin your experience.

I always wear socks out there and change them often. I've become a big fan of good hiking socks. They last forever and are more comfortable than even brand new cheapo socks.

[skygod]

If you have a palanquin you won't need any shoes.

[MikeVDS]

If you have a palanquin you won't need any shoes.

I'd build one if you'd bring me 4 slaves.

[robotland]

For the new, remember that it's a very hard-packed surface, like pounding pavement more than anything else. Insoles can really help..

very true normally, but my sources out on the Playa (as we speak) claim that the Playa is looser and softer than they've ever seen it for many years due to a really dry winter. So, maybe factor in a more sandy condition.

Good point.....*packing the snowshoes*

[phil]

If you have a palanquin you won't need any shoes.

Video of palanquin from last year:
http://civilizedexplorer.phanfare.com/album/112694/130742/6110307#imageID=6110307