Basejumper.com - archive

I'd like to hear people's recommendations on boots. Just reading around I know that you need good ankle support, shock absorption and slip-resistance (Vibram is mentioned frequently).

Problem is that there's a dizzying array of boots that claim to fit those criteria. Seems that you'd want something without lace hooks and something that offers good protection, but is lightweight.

Thoughts?

Way before I ever was old enough to jump I was a serious hiker. Try on all styles of boots (that in this case don't have hooks and are full ankle protection). All boots do not even come close to fitting the same and I'm forseeing a lot of time spent in them for some access stuff. For people with unusual shaped feet your selection is more limited, but its still a nice selection. I personally have narrow feet with extremely high arches. Tecnica's are the only boot I've found that fits my foot best. Merrells are nice for wider feet and if I could get them to fit me I would have loved a Vasq Sunddowner to hike in.

Look for one piece leather construction. Rubber toe's and Gore-tex is the shinitz and I can think of a few dozen different things I'd look at to get more boots. Weight is a key for hiking and jumping.Look at some of the Nike stuff... the ACG boots actually are nice for non-technical hiking trails.

The best boots I've found for BASE are paragliding boots. They are designed for pretty much exactly our needs (hiking approaches, foot launches, ankle support, low snag potential).

Two of the BASE gear manufacturers (Vertigo and Basic Research) sell paragliding boots. They each have a different brand, so it would be a good idea to try them both on. Unfortunately, they don't usually stock them (they just order them for each customer) so it's hard to try them on before buying.

Vertigo

Basic Research

If you find the paragliding boots too expensive (they are a bit pricey, generally running US$250-300), try Doc Martens (fair ankle support, no hooks, good traction), which are fairly good, and a great deal cheaper.

Agreed, most popular brand is the Hanwag 2000 or Crispy. Very good boots if you can afford them.

So a pair of 6-eye Doc Marten's would provide acceptable ankle support and slip resistance?

I don't know about Docs, but I am a very avid hiker. For nearly the past 10 years I've used USG issue infantry boots with no problem and lots of success. I have put many a mile with a pair of combat boots under me and climbed up many things with them under me, too.

*shrug* Just my perspective.

Sorry I was referring to the paragliding boots, Don't know about the Doc's

I think that depends on what you consider acceptable. I've seen people BASE jumping in everything from bare feet to walking casts. I've personally made jumps in everything from Tevas to Crispis.

But, I do know one experienced jumper who swears by his Doc Marten's, and uses them on virtually every jump.

A lot of footwear considerations revolve around your particular feet. I have a bad ankle now, so I wear paragliding boots and an ankle brace. I personally believe in stacking the odds as far in my favor as possible, but there are lots of considerations for every jump (will boots look out of place in the four star restaurant you have to sneak through on the 60th floor? will you have to climb a 5.10 friction slab to get to the exit? will it be easier to blend into the crowd on the beach if you are wearing shorts and sandals?). Shoes are just another piece of your gear, and like everything else, they need to be appropriate to the particular jump.

Get a pair of Hanwag's from Vertigo. They are most definately the shiznit.

Low snag potential means NO SPEED LACES. that is a good place for lines to get caught on. and, with lines caught on a boot, well, not a pretty sight. I have heard of people DUCT taping the speed laces to reduce snag potential. I like to wear a boot that is comfortable, and fits the situation. Yet to be on the 60th floor, but I can imagine the waiter saying
"That's not appropriate dress attire."
and I would say...
" Well, I am LEAVING quickly!"
Peace,
Thomas

Zennie, I can recommend the following boot: Adidas GSG-9 "wing walkers". They are tactical assault boots with a sort of knobbied sole. Very lightweight, durable leather (but not stiff at all), and fantastic traction. Another good option are the new tactical Oakley boots. Both are great choices.

Chuck

Can't go wrong with anything that has "tactical" in the name...

I jump Hanwag Fly 2000 paragliding boots. As far as I'm concerned they've already saved me hundreds upons hundreds of dollars in ankle protection.

I do know they saved two other buddy's of mine from probably serious injury in two separate instances. If they hadn't been wearing them, they would have almost certainly had broken ankles/feet.

Gardner

I use and recommend both the tactical Oakley boots and Hanwags. Cant go wrong with either.

Vertigo and Basic Research are actually APEX now, for the last couple years I believe. They carry the HanWag paraglider boots. Go to apexbase.com and be prepared to forget about every other option(doc martins for BASE?). Bad ankles=hard life. IMO.

Note the date of the post you are responding to: Nov 18, 2002, 7:31 AM. This was before the Apex merger.

Ouch!!!

I have been using Crispi Paragliding boots I rate them, very sturdy, a few mates have hanwags and I like my crispis more, they seem to have less snag points and aren't bright orange.

A word on HanWag. . .


as most of you hosers know, i had a super-major injury wearing hanwags.

I impacted the ground in an un-intentional 'swoop' going retarded fast, feet first, in what seems to be a futile attepmt at a PLF. the impact mostly destroyed both my lower legs. It is believed by my doctor that had i NOT been wearing these badass boots, my bones would be perennial decorations in the side of the mountain. (hard core compound fractures)

so... hanwags are awesome. I need new ones... emts cut them off of me. bastards.

that said, i love mine. i have had them for 4 years, show very little wear, and use them for everything from all aspects of BASE jumping and mountain paragliding to hiking through snow. I have worn them for mountaineering, but they do not insulate as good as i would like for constant contact with snow, even with their awesome 'waterproofness'.

Dammit Tom, what's up with the necro-posting going on here. I'm not the first one to fall prey to old shit lately. And DaveO, what are you laughing at, you live in friggin Missouri!

Myself and a famous high profile BASE jumper once had to cross some knee-deep water after a jump, he had Hanwags on and I had Crispis. Afterwards his feet were dry while I literally poured water out of my boots.

However the nearest hot chick we ran into gave us both the dickeye, me because I am fucking hideous and him because, I suspect, his boots were blue (as he is a devastatingly attractive individual).

i jump lowa trekking boots. they provide solid side to side support while allowing a little more back and forth movement for hiking/climbing. they have line catchers on em though, if i remember before i jump i roll my socks down over them cuz im scared.

Any decent cobbler (shoe repair store) can replace the hooks with eyes--it usually costs 20 or 30 bucks.

I'm all about my Hanwags. I bought em from Apex for getting back to jumping after a smashed ankle (that wasn't BASE related). I'm sure they've saved me from reinjury a few times. Too bad they're bright blue.

HEY!!! they are my colors... yellow, gray, and blue. its perfect.

better than all you homos in black or camo.