Don't forget the very basics...
 

There are many excellent threads here on preparing for survival and I offer these humble thoughts based upon my experience at a local Homeless Shelter:

At any Rescue Mission in any American city you can easily find food, clothing, and shelter. People donate this stuff all the time...except for three very important things: Shoes...socks...underwear. There is never enough to go around for obvious reasons. Imagine being homeless and you can't obtain these three basic things. Imagine wearing used or wrong-sized.

Before loading up on the Gold and Silver please go to Wal-Mart and buy a big supply of each for Hard Times. This stuff is now very cheap [$24 shoes] and China is practically giving it away. Now you can get exact-fit new. Buy plenty in your size and there can be extra for barter.

Water...Food...Clothing...Shelter

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Good point.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Very good advice,thanks for reminding us of the other survival items.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

I grew up poor (pretty much still am), and new a bunch of po folks.

There was one black family in town, and they were worse off than everyone else. I remember one time an older guy for whom I was working bought a pair of boots that didn't fit. He dropped them off by old Norris' house (Norris was probably 80 and still worked like a slave).

He said, "Will they fit?"

Norris said, "Aint but one size don't fit. That's waaaayy too small."

Good idea to stock up, though. I have probably 2-3 years supply of everything I wear, but could always use more. Not like you won't use it even if the stuff never hits the fan.

:eating: beef

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

I was thinking about shoes and boots a few days ago. They are now all made in China it seems. More than likely when "it" happens the supply will be cut off at a time of collapse and chaos. Imagine how easy it will be for a few hundred million Chinese troops to conquer barefoot, television brainwashed Americans.

Someone who visited China once told me that China has a "sock town". The entire town is dedicated to one thing: making socks. They make these socks for who knows...two cents a pair and flood the worlds markets with them. Now they have a monopoly.

Undies on the other hand are made in several third world countries.

I'll take your advice, Book and stock up now.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

At the local Rescue Mission I've witnessed guys wearing mismatched socks with holes in the toes. Skivies with skidmarks because none available. Foot fungus from wearing somebody else's donated boots. Funny, because there were plenty of nice shirts and pants...even new donated men's suits to be had. Outerwear is never a problem. Jackets and coats galore always.

At Wal-Mart this stuff is very cheap and you NOW get to pick your exact size and favorite colors. Imagine waiting until Hard Times and then having to hand over your precious Silver Eagles for some guy's old boots...

Load up now guys. China ain't gonna give it away much longer. :-)

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Maybe not as important as socks and underbritches, but GET WORK GLOVES. Summer, winter, fall... we'll all need 'em, as there will be a lot of HARD work to do. Some of us will have to work harder than we've ever worked just to survive... hard work is much easier with GOOD work gloves. Buy several pair. I have a pair or two in each truck, car, on the tractor, in the barn, in the shop, and a few more stashed hither & yon...

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

underwear? can do without that :D
Shoes..... yea and socks. I go to a "jew" owned place nearby.
Best quality around. NOT made in China

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

A GOOD pair of boots will last a lifetime.I have a pair 30 years old.I dont wear them often,but they will outlast any 'collapse' Im sure.They have years of use on them and still in fine shape.All leather.

Spuds:sheep:

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Ah, gloves are for girle men with office day jobs........ahahahaaaaa

:elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant:

Just ribbing ya......good point....blisters are no fun.

Welcome out of lurker status, Cedar Valley !

( CV and I know each other from other boards and I know him well enough to rib a little.......:haha: )

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Or worse some guys old boxers.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

I've been ribbed on much harder by lesser men, Andy... you ain't hurt my feelin's none. :beer:

Now, for y'all lumberjacks and mountain men, y'all might oughta think about gloves too, though. When there is no doctor's office to run to, or GOOD first aid people handy, a cut, scrape, or splinter can turn deadly. Infection sets in, gangrene starts crawlin' under your skin, and you're SCREWED, Gloves prevent a lot of minor injuries. Glass can cut ya- reckon you'll run across any glass when the shtf? Even in the woods, livin' off the land, the odds are better than even that you'll sustain a cut, scratch, or splinter. Little cuts in the woods ain't no jokin' matter, especially if you're out of iodine, alcohol, betadine, or peroxide, and hospitals are closed or restricted to bird flu patients or the like. You need your hands to survive. :beer:

CV

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

I reccomend a sturdy pair of boots.... the standard army issue style a great, but any pair that supports your ankle is good too.

Many times out in the bush, a decent pair of boots has turned a broken/dislocated ankle into a mild sprain, as well as preventing snake bites etc.

I reccomend everyone who is planning on surviving in a wilderness situation to go out and spend at least a week in a tent (ie no refridgeration/power/gas etc.) so you can pick up on all the little things you dont think about.

Like Cedar said, the little injuries can become infected very easily, and its better to learn these things when you still have a major medical infrastructure to run back to.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Good luck with that. When you work in them, boots wear out. Even good ones.

One good trick is to rotate between two pairs. Three is better. It gives them time to dry out between wearings. Two pair of boots worn alternately will last almost three times as long as one pair worn every day. Plus you always have a spare pair.

:eating: beef

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

You can go out and stock up on cheap pairs of footwear, but the older shoes and boots have another advantage: They were made to be repaired. Stitched and nailed soles, without any injected molded anything. As in every other "economic downturn" the cobblers are doing a booming business.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

AND dont throw away any of your old shoes! We have a shelf of old boots! THey might come in handy some day!

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Seriously, you know a cobbler?

How many of that profession are there still around in this day and age of throw away merchandise? Last time I had a shoe repaired instead of just replacing it was over 20 yrs ago.

For that matter, leather working is a dying art. I know, I used to do it.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

We still have them here, not as many as their were years ago but they are still here.

Keeps the cowboy boots soled and heeled plus other leather work.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Actually, the shop that does uniform alterations just off post also does shoe/boot repair. The last time I was getting name tags stitched on something, I saw a fellow in there getting the soles of some dress shoes mended.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

We have one in town, and bring him any business we can.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Buy repairable boots with stitched on soles and stitched uppers.

And buy a Speedy Stitcher.

http://www.speedystitcher.com/

With spare needles and a good supply of thread.

Unreal what you can do with that little unit.

I've had mine since 1967, still going strong............


scyth

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

The original post is over 3 years old. Seems it is not to late to take the O.P's. advice and stock up on the cheap clothes and shoes at Walmart. The Chinese haven't caught on yet.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Another point to consider: Those of us w/ kids. For some reason, either low stocking or an abundance of my kid's age around here; there is very little selection for her size. And has been this way for a few years now.

SO, what I try & do, is not only buy her 'current' size, but also buy the next size up. When I first read GIM, I was hyper-prepping; and got the next 3 size shoes for her!

I neglected her underwear, and winter coats (beyond 1 year) situation though... still time to do that I guess. Hand-me-down coats are one thing, but underwear??? No thanks if I can avoid it!!

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

this was one of the first posts i stumbled upon while reading gim in early 2007

flashforward to today and i have a drawer full of socks and underwear and a couple extra pairs of shoes

thanks book:ok:

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

There are at least 3 within a casual 15 minute walk from my place.

Cordwainers are the real rarity.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

I invented something when I was in the Air Force. GI socks have to be washed separately because they will leave lint all over anything else in the machine. I deeply resented having to spend the full amount at the laundromat to wash just six pairs of socks. So I didn't. Instead of washing my socks I bought new ones. Eventually I had enough socks to make one whole washer load. I didn't have to buy socks again for the rest of the hitch. That has worked so well that I have done it ever since. When I buy socks or underwear I buy enough to fill a washer, and then I wash them all in a single load, whites in one machine, socks in a different machine, and everything else in a third machine. Another nice thing about this plan is that I never have to sort socks. Since they are all identical I can grab any two socks and I have a perfect match.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

do callouses qualify as basics ?

i have about 20 pounds of walnut to shell (removing the outer shell) & cure.

i let them sit in the sun for a week, then started using my hands to push/pull/finagle the outer shell off. sometimes it comes off in one piece ... other times it takes a lot of working.

making it very clear that, as far as my hands go, i'm a TENDERFOOT. maybe i shouldn't be saying it so loud.

anyway, after getting a big blister & then getting a piece of walnut shell inside the blister, i realized - i need some bigger callouses.

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

There's a new invention out: it's called a nutcracker. You might look into it & save your hands! :23_1_22:

Re: Don't forget the very basics...
 

Magpie, while most common shoes are unrepairable (and sadly, more and more work boots), most halfway decent cowboy boots are glued and stitched. And I do know a thing or two about cobblery, though I'd claim to be one--a good friend was one.