Discussions
Reply to: Greetings!! Posted December 3, 2022
Reply to: How do you prioritize gear purchases? Anyone have an organized system? Posted December 3, 2022

Hi Forager! Great question; an overview is that everyone’s priorities differ based on location. Hikerarmor also brought up a key point on one’s skill set, which we can address in a few. The primary breakdown is found or formed into two categories; Shelter in Place Bug Out (Secondary Site) Status = Warm Site Status = Cold Site Mobile From there, look at what is critical; each person has different needs based on the environment and if you choose to SIP or grab the BOB. Test your gear, every single item. Get to know your equipment, and learn to repair your gear and clothing. Then Practice, Practice, Practice what you have learned, from starting fires to minimizing your signature in the woods. Setting up tents, and reading a map, especially if you’re going to be on the move. Test your water purification, learn to layer clothing in the cold, and if you’re on the move, do you have hygiene products and foot care (Take care of your feet)! There’s a lot of planning that goes into it. Take your time and plan accordingly, based on your environment and if you’re staying or moving. I hope that helps you set up a baseline for your planning purposes. My suggestion would be to focus on the need to have (Basic Needs), then address the nice to have  Be realistic e.g. if your going mobile and your walking, don’t think your gonna cover 25 miles in 3 hours going up and down hills with a 60 pound backpack wearing flip flops. All the best.

Reply to: What was the catalyst that compelled you to begin prepping? Posted December 2, 2022
Reply to: Which are the best all-around boots: combat, work, or hiking boots? Posted December 2, 2022

Hi Conrad, lots of good info in the previous posts, but I’ll try to put my spin on it to share my thoughts without writing a multi-page response. No one boot does it all, and each has its pros and cons. When looking for a decent pair of boots, one must break them down by form/fit/function. A prime example of this would be looking at the boots used by the standard military vs. those used by the more elite units. Standard-issue boots won’t work well in a jungle environment, while cold-weather boots won’t work on a long walk in the middle of Georgia during August. My suggestion would be; to write out what you are looking for in a pair of boots and consider your location/environment before selecting. I’ll provide you with some sample questions you could ask yourself as a template, and viewers can modify them accordingly to suit their needs. (Upper) Boot Shaft- Full Length/Half Length/ Ankle Length Material External- Leather/Synthetic Leather /Suede + Mesh Waterproof / Water Resistant Internal- Thinsulate/Gore-Tex/Other Inside Support- Shank/Mold/Insert Walking with weight (Rucking) – 5-10lbs/ 15-25 lbs/30-55 lbs/55 + Lbs – (Remember Ounces =Pounds, Pounds=Pain) Environment – Rocky/Wet/Dry/Humid/Urban Avg Distance to walk: 3-7/8-12/15+ miles a day It will help if you run through these questions to isolate various brands. It’s essential to visit a store and have your boots fitted if possible. Wearing a miss-sized boot can cause you more pain and grief (Blisters/Blood Blisters/Infection) than you can imagine. Toss in limited medical support, you are putting yourself at risk of injury. It doesn’t have to be name brand, but it does need to fit, and most importantly, remember this; Your feet are your Cadillacs; if they don’t work, you don’t move. Note: You can also substitute insoles with color-coded insoles to help with arch support if needed. (Most running stores carry them) Once you lock your boots on, you’ll need a solid pair of socks. Thick wool socks, combined with a winter boot, while walking through the woods in the deep south, will quickly turn you into a heat casualty. Here again, it would be best to look at the various needs and match the socks with the boots accordingly. I hope that helps you and future viewers.

Reply to: Greetings!! Posted December 3, 2022
Reply to: How do you prioritize gear purchases? Anyone have an organized system? Posted December 3, 2022

Hi Forager! Great question; an overview is that everyone’s priorities differ based on location. Hikerarmor also brought up a key point on one’s skill set, which we can address in a few. The primary breakdown is found or formed into two categories; Shelter in Place Bug Out (Secondary Site) Status = Warm Site Status = Cold Site Mobile From there, look at what is critical; each person has different needs based on the environment and if you choose to SIP or grab the BOB. Test your gear, every single item. Get to know your equipment, and learn to repair your gear and clothing. Then Practice, Practice, Practice what you have learned, from starting fires to minimizing your signature in the woods. Setting up tents, and reading a map, especially if you’re going to be on the move. Test your water purification, learn to layer clothing in the cold, and if you’re on the move, do you have hygiene products and foot care (Take care of your feet)! There’s a lot of planning that goes into it. Take your time and plan accordingly, based on your environment and if you’re staying or moving. I hope that helps you set up a baseline for your planning purposes. My suggestion would be to focus on the need to have (Basic Needs), then address the nice to have  Be realistic e.g. if your going mobile and your walking, don’t think your gonna cover 25 miles in 3 hours going up and down hills with a 60 pound backpack wearing flip flops. All the best.

Reply to: What was the catalyst that compelled you to begin prepping? Posted December 2, 2022
Reply to: Which are the best all-around boots: combat, work, or hiking boots? Posted December 2, 2022

Hi Conrad, lots of good info in the previous posts, but I’ll try to put my spin on it to share my thoughts without writing a multi-page response. No one boot does it all, and each has its pros and cons. When looking for a decent pair of boots, one must break them down by form/fit/function. A prime example of this would be looking at the boots used by the standard military vs. those used by the more elite units. Standard-issue boots won’t work well in a jungle environment, while cold-weather boots won’t work on a long walk in the middle of Georgia during August. My suggestion would be; to write out what you are looking for in a pair of boots and consider your location/environment before selecting. I’ll provide you with some sample questions you could ask yourself as a template, and viewers can modify them accordingly to suit their needs. (Upper) Boot Shaft- Full Length/Half Length/ Ankle Length Material External- Leather/Synthetic Leather /Suede + Mesh Waterproof / Water Resistant Internal- Thinsulate/Gore-Tex/Other Inside Support- Shank/Mold/Insert Walking with weight (Rucking) – 5-10lbs/ 15-25 lbs/30-55 lbs/55 + Lbs – (Remember Ounces =Pounds, Pounds=Pain) Environment – Rocky/Wet/Dry/Humid/Urban Avg Distance to walk: 3-7/8-12/15+ miles a day It will help if you run through these questions to isolate various brands. It’s essential to visit a store and have your boots fitted if possible. Wearing a miss-sized boot can cause you more pain and grief (Blisters/Blood Blisters/Infection) than you can imagine. Toss in limited medical support, you are putting yourself at risk of injury. It doesn’t have to be name brand, but it does need to fit, and most importantly, remember this; Your feet are your Cadillacs; if they don’t work, you don’t move. Note: You can also substitute insoles with color-coded insoles to help with arch support if needed. (Most running stores carry them) Once you lock your boots on, you’ll need a solid pair of socks. Thick wool socks, combined with a winter boot, while walking through the woods in the deep south, will quickly turn you into a heat casualty. Here again, it would be best to look at the various needs and match the socks with the boots accordingly. I hope that helps you and future viewers.