Boots
Boots may be the 2nd most important piece of your survival kit. You’ve got to be able to run, climb, hike and fight in these things, so finding the right fit is gonna be key here. Depending on how much weight you’re going to carry in your pack you may need heavier varieties, but since we’re trying to keep things fast and light, we’re gonna talk about the top three mid-weight boots.
The Vasque St. Elias GTX
This is the lightest of the hiking boots Vasque has on the market today. I love the fit, feel and support of the Vasque boot setup. I’ve personally hiked over 2000 miles in Vasque boots and really can’t recommend them highly enough. The nice thing about a lightweight Gore-Tex boot is that they’ll keep you dry and they’re easy to clean.
Stomping zombies all morning? No problem. Just give them a quick rinse and a spritz with some antiseptic spray and they’re good as new. With boots of this weight you probably don’t want to carry a pack heavier than 40lbs.
The Asolo Trinity WP Hiking Boot
Here’s one for the ladies. This is a mid-weight hiker with some serious rugged lugs for great traction and a Vibram sole for awesome arch support. You can kick ass and take names in these fantastic over the ankle hikers. This boot is not Gore-Tex however it does utilize Asolo’s proprietary waterproof technology which is very, very good. You can rely on the traction and stability these boots provide to confidently ascend a mountain trail or make a quick sprint up some stone steps while leaving your zombie pursuers in the dust.
The Asolo TPS 520 GV
This, my friends is, as they say, where the rubber meets the road. These boots are FIERCE. Don’t let the classic rugged good looks fool you, this boot is chock full of modern technology. The sole of this boot is designed in such a way that it provides tremendous traction on uneven surfaces while simultaneously providing industry leading shock absorption and durability. That means you can pound the pavement in these bad boys without destroying the arch of the boot or more importantly the arch of your foot. It’s fully seam sealed with Gore-Tex linings that provide terrific water and zombie-juice protection. It also rocks a gusseted tongue, which basically just helps the boot stabilize your ankles more comfortably. All in all, this boot is tough, classy, stable and durable. Just the way I like it.
Remember folks, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and boots weren’t broken-in in a day either. When you get your boots, WEAR them. Go to the park, go to the grocery store, go to the mall, whatever. Put mileage on them to break them in or you’re feet might fail you when you need them the most. It usually takes between 20 and 50 miles of hiking in a boot like the ones we’ve reviewed today to break them in. So get your ass out there and get to hiking!