Are boots comfortable to fly in
 

I would just like to know if anyone wears boots whilst flying. I have seen a few commercial pilots that wear them, and just wonder what they are like. I am not talking about massive lace up boots just the standard slip on type.:ok:

It feels wrong if I wear anything BUT boots in the Yak.

I've had a liking for GP's since serving and find no problem with flexibility, although have seen many student's who can't wear them. Zip up side types are available that make getting through airport screening a lot easier too. Breathable sides make comfort a lot better too.
(Original SWAT - about $180 a set)

Good, unless swimming.....:rolleyes:

.....in which case take 'em orf!

Worn GPs while flying for 25 years - no problems!:ok:

Need to ask the QF pilots what stilletoes are like to fly in though......:E

I have been wearing boots for 39 years. Bought my first pair of RM Williams kid leather jodpur boots in December 1969 in Chinchilla. Cost me $26 - almost a weeks wages! They were THE MOST COMFORTABLE footwear that I have ever worn, but they only make them on custom order these days and they cost about $600 - and I can no longer afford them. I moved into RM Williams top boots in the early 80's, then went through a Tony Lama phase in the 90's. I am currently wearing a pair of Ariat top boots.

My advice applies to any footwear a GA pilot might wear. Make sure they are comfortable - and make sure that you can walk a good distance in them without getting blisters.

I think you are either a boot person or not!

Dr :8

PS: Army style GP boots are really comfortable if fitted properly. We used to take them to a good bootmaker and get a zipper sewn into the inward facing side so that you could leave them laced up - and just use the zip to put them on and take them off. Worked a treat until the RSM spotted them!

Some of the boys complain the spurs get in the way.

Rossi 301 Airsoles. The ones without steel toecaps.

Call the fashion police for any footware with zips. Docs, diggers and rms all do the trick but make sure they are broken in or you will know what a 'bootfull' of rudder is.

Bought my first pair of RM's 15 years ago. Cannot imagine wearing anything (feet wise) else! :ok:

Bud Davisson always wears cowboy boots for flying.

Personally I wear Rivers black boots unless I think I can get away with Rivers joggers.

I hear they are fine but their fishnet stockings are problematic due to snagging....:E

Red Wing Shoes

Carry a hip flask or Derringer in these suckers as well as yer Copenhagen or Snoose.

I wear these and they're fine...

http://www.sorel.com/images/productI...NM1023_4_l.jpg
:E

^ whats wrong with the mighty caribou? I wear RM's and hate them, the toe is not flexible at all even after 12 months, just scary at times. Prefer normal shoes but cant alway get what we want.... :ok:

I've seen a few float plane pilots wearing these.

http://www.stylechild.co.uk/products/1145.jpg

Nice stally. :} they issued or you have to buy em?.
I wear whatever I happen to have on my feet at the time I'm heading off to the aircraft. Done many many hours in thongs and bare feet (also done many hours flying in Jocks when it was really hot and I was on low level ops all day :} ). when doing charter work I wear rivers boots. look the part and are comfortable.
found my RM's and Thomas Cooks to be too slippery with a leather sole, so I avoid them if I can.

Standard issue for deep field work wiz.

So whats the news on the 18 meter core?. proof of a natural cycle or more sinister?. I bet the heaters get a workout at your place of employment.:}

I find slippers are much more comfortable.

RMs with the oil resistant synthetic sole.

Purchased the current RMs in early 2005 with leather soles. Re-soled in late 2005 with synthetic sole, and re-soled again early 2008, again synthetic. Should get a few more years out of them yet. Worn every day I go to work.

:ok:

Elastic sided boots are the go easy to pull on and off and with a reinforced toe wich is handy for disagreements at the pub.
I recently switched to rivers shoes but they rub against my achilles tendon when I have the seat clicked into my favorite spot, so back to the boots I go.

Captain Sand Dune, are these the QANTAS issue you referred to?

http://www.bikemenu.com/photos/famou...motorcycle.jpg

Thanks everyone for your help, just wanted to check that they were ok before I went out and brought a pair.
Cheers,
Sam:ok:

If RMs are your thing, as soon as you buy them take them to "Mr Minute" and have "Protector Soles" put on them. Make sure they run them right to the base of the heel and be sure to tell the guy, "Do NOT cut into the leather soles - If you do I will cut you"!

It will overcome the slippery leather sole problem and the soles will last forever!

Dr :8

FTD

Much better to get the synthetic sole as original. Leather soles too slippery and wear out too quickly.

Been wearing RM's to work since 1970, or there abouts. Wouldn't consider anything else.

M:ok:

not that you would need them for very long if do actually use them for their intended purpose. Nothing quite like being hung up on a spooked hoss with a heap of scrubber mickeys strutting their stuff. :bored:

A mate who is a retired FSO, likes to tell the story about a rather large gentleman who flew DC-3's to King Island for one of the freight companies(Brain and Brown or Air Express), the guy always flew wearing slippers.

I was told by an RMs rep, that the protector soles, referred to by the Forked one, caused damage to the uppers over time because they didn't allow the boot to flex as it was designed.

Not being a boot maker, I took the advice to heart and go with the RM's soles.

I bought a pair of Colorado boots in 2005.... still wearing them every day at work, and haven't had to re-do anything on em.
It took a while to "break in".... but once that was done... they very comfortable.

also great when it is pi$$ing down with rain, and walk-around involves the odd puddle

Pity that "Boots" Balmain isn't still around....he coulda told ya.

:ok: Gumboots for dirt strips and thongs for sealed ruways !

Howabout,


Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!!!:E

MCKES: $100 blundstones work just fine for me. I did have some colorados and they were excellent too. I have had trouble with rivers. More time in boots than shoes by far, but whatever you prefer, comfort, walkability and toes that don't get tangled up with brakes and stuff under the dash board are important considerations, for example i don't think that those revival styled winkle pickers that I have seen in the big smoke will catch on in a pitts for instance.

Howabout; I also have a set of pipes just like that on my Harley and sometimes a girly just like that as well, only for special occaisions though, and, boy oh boy, does SHE wear BOOTS.

HD

I'm with the good Doctor, Captain Claret and Maui (at least I think that was who) - RM Williams are the go. Swallow your ego and buy the "Gardener" variety which come standard with a synthetic sole. They last for ever and are good in the bush, safe in the hangar (around oily floors) and secure when it's raining. Err on the larger rather than smaller side and wear thick socks. Toes stay warm even in the coldest winter and you will thank them when things go wrong and you end up somewhere unexpected!

Have worn GP-style lace-ups on a daily basis since the Green Machine in 1980, in several different jobs including flying. Still wear 'em today while flying. :ok:

Problem with slip-ons....they also slip-OFF. Not necessarilly desirable when yer ankle deep in mud at Augathella:ouch:.

Lace-ups have proven their worth to me in the above type scenario, as well as providing great support for towing / pushing when required, and protection (recently had a 4100kg aeroplane roll over my foot without injury).

I recommend some sort of boot, whether slip-on or lace-up. FWIW

Jamair......wheel chocks mate!!!:ok:

Bare foot/Thongs is a really **** idea. I thought i would try it the other day and after 5 hours in a 172 that requires constant rudder throughout the cruise i won't be trying it again in a hurry. Think i still have a rudder pedal imprint on my left foot now. Sorry, slightly off topic.

povopilot

VH-XXX - Nice boots :ok: - won't catch me in them or any other footwear whilst flying for that matter though. Still - must confess I got caught without shoes on an unplanned overnight stop at a five star island resort. Fortunately the photos of me in white fluffy slippers never did make it back to the office despite the resolve of the island staff.

...

C208 pedals can be a bit hard on the feet - after a while you learn where to put your feet. I think the sole of my right foot has moulded to the shape of the pedal - either that or I've killed the nerves in my foot.

....

Povopilot - suggest you get the plane fixed - if you need that much pressure in cruise something is out of whack.

Wait until you stomp on them peddles for a few hours in 48 deg heat in bare feet. they get really hot. :eek: save bare feet for the winter :ok: