Caving Boots

[Taylor]

Here is an in depth article by John Ganter on a variety of boots generally used by cavers. From Bata boots to Wellies, and everything in between. This is an older article, but someone new to caving could get an idea of the advantages or disadvantages of the various styles of boots used in caving.

technology.darkfrontier.us/Wearing/Boots/

[Azurerana]

Interesting article, as it entirely skips the sort of boots many people I know of use-- military boots known as Nam boots, and similar non-military versions. These are lace ups with cloth or nylon uppers, with really good tread and drain holes in the instep. Non-military similar styles (much more comfortable) are the nylon upper, suede lower/rand with plastic or rubber bumpers, from Hi-Tec...usually marketed as 'light hiking boots'. Yes your feet get wet , (polypro socks or neoprene booties a must) but they work better than either rubber boots or big all leather clunkies in a wet/muddy environment.

[L Roebuck]

Don't forget the Joop Boots

[Sharon Faulkner]

Yes, let's not forget the Joop Boots.

I spoke with Mark (Joop) at the TAG Cave Survey Meeting last month about the boots. He stays busy supplying these boots to cavers all over the U.S. At no profit to himself I might add.

Anyway, as we were talking he mentioned that he was going to start trying to stock the boots in various sizes so that he can deliver as folks order, instead of cavers having to wait until he gets a large order together to fill an overseas shipping order. I'll check with him again at SERA and see when he plans to have this system in place.

BTW - I can't endorse the boots as I haven't tried them yet. Unless the sizes have changed recently the manufacturer doesn't make smaller sizes. I know a lot of TAG cavers that use them faithfully though. Heck, I've caved with Mark while he was wearing them.

[L Roebuck]

Cavers have Soul!

At the most recent Blue Spring work day some cavers graciously modeling for a
Caving Boot "Sole Comparison".

(l-r) Joop Boots and two different styles of Bata Boots

[acenthahole]

www.xtratufboots.com/

Super warm neoprene wellingtons. Tested in Alaska. They come in three different boot leg heights. Insulated or non-insulated. And steel-toed. Great for alpine caving or wet multi-drops. The most comfortable boots ever. I hope this is of some help to folks looking for another option.

[L Roebuck]

Thanks for posting that link Stephen.

Do the XTRATUFs hold up well in a harsh cave environment?

[acenthahole]

Yes. But when you finally do wear a hole in the toe, like most other boots, you can use some rhino bed liner to cover the hole. I would even suggest doing this to your boots weather there is a hole or not. It provides an extremely durable toe cap that will last forever.

[L Roebuck]

This is the first time I have heard of this. But doesn't the rhino bed liner have to be sprayed on? Or is it available in some different form that I am not aware of?

[acenthahole]

It can be brushed on if you get in liquid form.

[L Roebuck]

Hey Thanks - I learned something new today.

[Chad Dubuisson]

I too use the [glow=red,2,300]X-Tra Tuff[/glow] boots for caving & have for a good bit of the last year. Stephen gave me an old used pair he no longer wanted to use & they have worked out great. Similiar to a welly, but much more flexible in the ankles & much warmer. The rubber sole grips great & while they do eventually get a hole in them like any boot, he's right.

If you go to some autoparts stores, you can buy spray on bedliner, also called "undercoating". I've been doing this for a couple of years, after I wore the toe-caps off a really nice pair of combat boots I liked. I applyed "rhino" lining to the toe caps, in layers, & it seems to repair the toe caps back to usable for several months , when I reapply the rhino liner again. It works very well as best i can tell. Infact, it works so well that I plan to put it on some new Joop boots right from the start, before I ever take them caving.

The Xtra Tuffs are great, but I'm going to try the Joop boots just to see what they are all about. I may come back to the Tuffs.