If you are going on long marches of 20 miles plus, is it better to have well broken in jungle like boots with mesh up to the ankle or leather all around. I know ventliation is an important factor thats why I believe that jungle boots are better, but I've also heard that for long marches it's better to have the leather support. Also, what are some good tips for feet care for marches that long? Any help would be appreciated.

Best bet is to have well broken in boots and really tough feet.
You can build up your feet by actually practicing marching/ hiking long distances.

Change your socks often and prevent trench foot or immersion foot problems and it will help a lot.

Best practice and wear boots to break them in.

I would recommend that you use boots that are not insulated and are single thick leather material. dries out when not in use and doesn't hold mosture in insulation.

best of luck.

Pd
OUT

are non-issued boots ok during the pipeline (hi-tecs, etc)? I thought that only the issued all-leather ones were ok. My hi-tecs are way lighter and half-mesh, I'd love to bring those if they are ok...

you can wear anything you want as long as they comply with AFI 36-2903.. BUT as for army jump, you need original issue leather wrapped boots.

AA,
are you sure? It states on the CCT Orientation info;
"two pair of all leather boots (no Hi-tech's etc. allowed)"
Just making sure <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

For those who have been through AF basic training within the last 3-4 years, there's a fun little week called "Warrior Week". The day after FTX you go on a measly 6 mile march. Our flight was specifically instructed to wear white cotton socks underneath whatever black socks we wore--I'm not sure about the science behind it, but the white cotton supposedly absorbs moisture better and helps prevent blistering.

Again, I'm not sure on the exact reasoning behind it, so anybody else who knows, feel free to expand.

For the sock thing, I think two pairs are worn to prevent blisters by having the rubbing occur between the sock layers rather than the sock and your skin, or the boot and your sock, which touches your skin. Whenever I go for long stuff or wear rental boots (for XC skiing) I always wear a thin dress sock under my wool socks. The dress socks slide easily with the wool, so if there is any rubbing motion it's not your foot that absorbs it.

A broken in pair of jungle boots and GOOD wool socks. Stay away from cotton (no matter what some TI pogue says). Good cotton socks come at a price though but it's worth it at the end of a long ruck. Look around at hiking/camping stores. They'll run almost fifteen bucks a pair but it's an investment that's worth it. The dress socks thing can be helpful too. Try it out on some shorter rucks first and see it you get hotspots before you dive into something too crushing.

I'm participating in a march in the Netherlands called the Nijmegan. It's 100 miles, 25 mile a day ruck march. t's mostly foreign military and thousands of civilians. Last year there were 38,000 marchers total. There were only 2 army teams and out of the 38,000 only 746 americans. There were about 3 air force members total. This is the first year that an Air Force team will compete. Training begins this month and the actual march is in June. That's a big thing I'm worrying about, feet care.

I learned a little trick from an ex-army ranger; soon to be PJ. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> Wear pantyhose. That's right- pantyhose. It will definetely keep the friction down. He used them on our 12 mile hell week march and i think his feet looked the best out of all of the team's when it was all said and done.
Definetely dont buy a new pair of boots and use them for the march. Wear them in for a couple of months.

LD--whats the reason for using wool and not cotton socks? I wasn't sure exactly why I was told to wear cotton and not wool, but I'd sure like to understand what the difference is.

I've always felt that wool has alot less friction than cotton. I think the reason is because the weave is a little loser and the material is a little thicker. Foot powder is important too like A51 said. Also changing them out at least once a day makes a big difference because when your socks get wet the skin softens and the blisters start happening.

Balforth,
Wool socks wick sweat away from your feet better than cotton and they also dry more quickly than cotton. Cotton absorbs sweat and then holds it against your foot. The best combination of socks I have found for hiking/mountaineering/rucksack marching etc. is one pair of liner socks made of synthetic materials such as polypro or capilene beneath wool or synthetic socks. I prefer synthetic because they dry faster and wick sweat away better but wool is probably just as good (and won't smell as bad). Panty hose should probably work the same as liner socks but I use liners. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

The best advice I ever got about what socks to wear was from a PJ who participated in the eco challenge. What he told me was, when i'm looking at buying a pari of socks put your hand into the heel of it and rub it with the other hand. If you start to see your hand that's inside the sock start looking for another pair because that pair won't hold up.

-2 cents

I leave in Mid-March for Basic. I was curious if I should grab some of those suggestion socks before I leave, at an REI or something, or do they have better stuff at the BX on the base? And/or should I worry more about getting something before Indoc. rather than for Basic?

Kev,
dont worry about socks or any equipment for basic, i would suggest maybe getting a couple of pairs after basic, while you are in prep team awaitin indoc.
-2 cents

For what it's worth, I learned everything I know about foot care for ruck marching at Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS).

We did two 5-10K movements (with various weights - nothing less than a ruck, LBE and weapon, though) per day while there for 3 weeks, plus a 12 miler in the middle and a 24 mile graduation ruck march.

Here are my suggestions from that experience:

1. Definitely wear two pair of socks - One polypropylene sock liner next to your foot, one issue wool boot sock next to your boot. **Wear both inside out**, so the seams don't rub on your toes. Powder your feet often, and change the liners when you can.

2. Differential lacing - Two pairs of laces per boot. I used black 550 cord, tied in a knot at the end and threaded through all the eyelets. Wear one pair to the ankle, tied firmly to keep your foot from slipping. Wear the second pair from ankle to top, tied looser to allow your calf muscle to expand as it pumps up. Tie the the bottom one in a double knot, and adjust it whenever you feel the need. Wrap the top one loosely around the top of your boot, and tuck it in. It looks kinda funny having a bow at your ankle, but I found this to be the best tip of all, truthfully.

3. Choice of boot - I used two types of boots during the course; One all-black jungle boot, one of the new issue "leg" all-leather boot. Both had the toe cap removed, Sorbothane insoles, and soft soles added at a shoe store. I also treated them with neatsfoot oil each day, to keep them soft. After nearly 10 years I still have the jungle boots. They feel really soft like moccasins at the toes, but still support well at the ankles.

BTW - Here's 2 more hints from SFAS that most people don't often think of:

1. Wear your LBE up high, so it's above the waist band of your rucksack. Keep it tight. It was DESIGNED to be worn that way, and you will be amazed at how comfortable it is, once you get used to it. Obviously you won't be able to wear a butt-pack with it, but if you pack correctly and explore other options, you won't really miss it.

2. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear the waist band!

A good foot maintenance program and proper preparation of ALL your equipment (boots, LBE, ruck, etc.) will get you through nearly any ruck marching situation. The rest is in your mind.

Hope this helps somewhat. Good luck!