Good Place to Find or Commandeer Shoes

[AlwaysLost]

My friends, I am having a die hard moment. My shoes are going to disintegrate at any moment. The thrift stores here are like Al Bundy, they only sell women's shoes.

I really don't want to but its looking like I'm going to have to do a switcharoo from Walmart and pray I don't get nabbed.

Does anybody have a better idea or place to score shoes? I could maybe walk out of Dicks with some boots. Last time I was there no one paid any attention to me.

But I'd really rather not risk jail. Things are finally looking up for me.

 

[VikingAdventurer]

I have a handful of suggestions, AKA what I would do in the same situation:

1. Check the dumpsters outside of sporting goods stores. I've found many pairs of like-new shoes this way.

2. Military surplus stores can be a good source of boots, but they might be a bit higher priced than funds allow.

3. Check with some of the local churches. I know that a lot of churches get donations of clothing and shoes for the homeless, so this option might work, AND they won't charge you anything for 'em.

4. Check the trash cans in a Walmart parking lot. Last time I did that, I shit you not, I found a pair of lightly used Red Wings boots. They were soaked, but a few days of drying them out, and they were good to go. These are the boots that I'm currently wearing.

5. If the other options don't work, doing the switcheroo at Walmart is actually SUPER simple, because no one is going to question you trying on different pairs of boots, and walking up & down a few aisles to make sure they fit properly. Everyone (?) Does this, I'd imagine.

5.2. If you choose to boost the boots from Walmart, choose which boots you want, and then try on several different pairs, starting with any, and ending with the ones you actually want. When doing this, try to dress like a yuppie if you have the ability, and don't bring all your gear into the store with you. Put your old shoes into the box the new ones came out of, and as long as no employees actually SEE you do this, or follow you, you can go right to the checkout and buy something small, like a drink or magic cards or something, and then walk right out, because many people these days will NOT notice what shoes a person is wearing.
Don't appear or act nervous. Carry yourself as if you know EXACTLY what you're doing, and as if the shoes were already on your feet.

If you get stopped at the door, just fuckin' book it. I don't think Walmart employees are allowed to chase shoplifters out of the store. (I'll check on that for ya.) Plus, you'll have on some new shoes, so you'll have an advantage, Lol!

Hope this helps!

 

[AlwaysLost]

I have a handful of suggestions, AKA what I would do in the same situation:

1. Check the dumpsters outside of sporting goods stores. I've found many pairs of like-new shoes this way.

2. Military surplus stores can be a good source of boots, but they might be a bit higher priced than funds allow.

3. Check with some of the local churches. I know that a lot of churches get donations of clothing and shoes for the homeless, so this option might work, AND they won't charge you anything for 'em.

4. Check the trash cans in a Walmart parking lot. Last time I did that, I shit you not, I found a pair of lightly used Red Wings boots. They were soaked, but a few days of drying them out, and they were good to go. These are the boots that I'm currently wearing.

5. If the other options don't work, doing the switcheroo at Walmart is actually SUPER simple, because no one is going to question you trying on different pairs of boots, and walking up & down a few aisles to make sure they fit properly. Everyone (?) Does this, I'd imagine.

5.2. If you choose to boost the boots from Walmart, choose which boots you want, and then try on several different pairs, starting with any, and ending with the ones you actually want. When doing this, try to dress like a yuppie if you have the ability, and don't bring all your gear into the store with you. Put your old shoes into the box the new ones came out of, and as long as no employees actually SEE you do this, or follow you, you can go right to the checkout and buy something small, like a drink or magic cards or something, and then walk right out, because many people these days will NOT notice what shoes a person is wearing.
Don't appear or act nervous. Carry yourself as if you know EXACTLY what you're doing, and as if the shoes were already on your feet.

If you get stopped at the door, just fuckin' book it. I don't think Walmart employees are allowed to chase shoplifters out of the store. (I'll check on that for ya.) Plus, you'll have on some new shoes, so you'll have an advantage, Lol!

Hope this helps!

Thanks Bro it does. I could a walked out with the whole store at Dicks last time. But I ended up buying the only boots that fit right. Problem is they are goretex thinsulate, Trench foot sets in quickly!

I'm gonna check the redwings dumpster right by my house don't know why I didn't think of it.

 

[Anagor]

Well, I'm a kinda expert when it comes to broken shoes, so my ideas:

(Disclaimer: I only traveled in Europe so far, situation where you are in US may be different).

First of all, do you need a special kind of shoe (boots or alike) or just any kind of shoe at least for the time being?

Foodruns
Often foodruns organized by churches or alike also offer clothes and shoes. Maybe not many pairs to choose from, but perhaps you are lucky.

Dumpsters
Commercial dumpsters or residential ones. Some shops throw out stuff on a regular basis. Maybe ripped or cut, though. Good place could also be places where students live. Sometimes (especially when a semester ends) they throw out a lot of stuff before going home.

Cheap shoes
Perhaps only a temporarily solution, but many shops offer shoes for a fiver or less. Flip flops are mostly the cheapest you can buy. Of course not an option if you need sturdy shoes for hiking or protection.

Let the road provide
Perhaps you can do a quick'n'dirty fix like with duct tape and carry on wearing them until you find something or someone offers you some shoes? Last time my shoes were totally falling apart, a guy offerend me to bring shoes the next day if I would be in the same place in the morning, another guy offered to buy a pair of shoes for me. All in one day.

Also got sometimes shoes from friends who found some somewhere.

That's what I can think of at the moment ...

 

[AAAutin]

Perhaps you can do a quick'n'dirty fix like with duct tape and carry on wearing them until you find something or someone offers you some shoes?

Emphasis on quick. I can tell you from experience that duct tape solutions—whether wrapped around makeshift cardboard soles or the shoe itself—do not last long. Bicycle puncture kits are slightly better. But the best option I've found is to cut tire scrap to fit.

 

[AlwaysLost]

Well, I'm a kinda expert when it comes to broken shoes, so my ideas:

(Disclaimer: I only traveled in Europe so far, situation where you are in US may be different).

First of all, do you need a special kind of shoe (boots or alike) or just any kind of shoe at least for the time being?

Foodruns
Often foodruns organized by churches or alike also offer clothes and shoes. Maybe not many pairs to choose from, but perhaps you are lucky.

Dumpsters
Commercial dumpsters or residential ones. Some shops throw out stuff on a regular basis. Maybe ripped or cut, though. Good place could also be places where students live. Sometimes (especially when a semester ends) they throw out a lot of stuff before going home.

Cheap shoes
Perhaps only a temporarily solution, but many shops offer shoes for a fiver or less. Flip flops are mostly the cheapest you can buy. Of course not an option if you need sturdy shoes for hiking or protection.

Let the road provide
Perhaps you can do a quick'n'dirty fix like with duct tape and carry on wearing them until you find something or someone offers you some shoes? Last time my shoes were totally falling apart, a guy offerend me to bring shoes the next day if I would be in the same place in the morning, another guy offered to buy a pair of shoes for me. All in one day.

Also got sometimes shoes from friends who found some somewhere.

That's what I can think of at the moment ...

Thanks man!! I've actually enjoyed reading about your shoe adventures over the years!

 

[Rob Nothing]

bum feed volunteers can usually help you with that question

nvm anagor already covered that

would delete this but apparently that is still impossible

 

[Anagor]

Emphasis on quick. I can tell you from experience that duct tape solutions—whether wrapped around makeshift cardboard soles

Well, never did that before. Perhaps I should try sometime ...

or the shoe itself—do not last long.

Depends ... if you can keep it dry, it can last quite a long time. Once my shoes both were held together by tape for about 2 weeks. But yeah ... then the rain came. Heavy rain/sleet all day long. No chance that the tape would last ... after 20 minutes walking I was shoeless.

So, it's a good but fair weather solution.

Plus you need to have good duct tape. Forget the crap you can buy at 1 pound/dollar/euro shop. Here a proper roll of good tape is about 10€ ...

Bicycle puncture kits are slightly better.

Will keep that in mind ... thanks for the tip!

But the best option I've found is to cut tire scrap to fit.

Never did that either.

In the past, when my shoes fell apart I got replacement quite quickly or I just bought a pair of cheap flip-flops. Only once I had a bit of a problem cause it was winter and the cheap shops didn't sell flip-flops. Cause they are "summer footwear" ... how stupid is that?

 

[Anagor]

I've actually enjoyed reading about your shoe adventures over the years!

Haha, yeah. The other day I browsed through the tons of photos I took in the last years (generation smartphone) and I was surprised how often I wore shoes falling apart, flip-flops in winter or no shoes. lol

Best shoes for this lifestyle are boots, obviously. Army- oder Hiking-Boots. Unfortunately I never really got along with those. I had a pair of Timberland hiking boots, very comfortable. But every time I walked in them for a longer period of time I got trench foot after an hour or two and stuff.

And I dislike heavy footwear. Perhaps cause I'm not used to it. Last time I wore boots every day was in the Army 20 years ago. Since then always chucks-like shoes or even more lightweight.

 

[DrewSTNY]

One thing I have had help with trench foot is wearing some kind of wool blend socks. They are a bit pricey, but they are super durable and two pair can be swapped daily so you always have a dry pair. My feet have stayed drier even when it's 90+ degrees out with heavy steel toed boots. Although, I normally have a clean pair daily, I have had weeks where I swapped between two pair everyday without problems.

The other thing is to have some time everyday to let your feet breathe. I'll admit I'm horrible at this.

 

[Bedheadred]

I've had buddies fly a sign at Wal-Mart saying need boots, and do it barefoot. Both times they got boots in less than an hour. Shit, that's how I got my sleeping bag

 

[AlwaysLost]

One thing I have had help with trench foot is wearing some kind of wool blend socks. They are a bit pricey, but they are super durable and two pair can be swapped daily so you always have a dry pair. My feet have stayed drier even when it's 90+ degrees out with heavy steel toed boots. Although, I normally have a clean pair daily, I have had weeks where I swapped between two pair everyday without problems.

The other thing is to have some time everyday to let your feet breathe. I'll admit I'm horrible at this.

Believe it or not I was wearing a wool/polyblend when I got trenchfoot lol. But wearing 800mm thinsulate goretex boots in 80* weather was a bad idea lol

 

[AlwaysLost]

I've had buddies fly a sign at Wal-Mart saying need boots, and do it barefoot. Both times they got boots in less than an hour. Shit, that's how I got my sleeping bag

That is a good idea Red. I will try that before I resort to the switcharoo.

 

[DrewSTNY]

Believe it or not I was wearing a wool/polyblend when I got trenchfoot lol. But wearing 800mm thinsulate goretex boots in 80* weather was a bad idea lol

I can't speak to the thinsulate, the boots I wear are Carhart branded with some kind of padding inside, but I don't know if it's insulating, they get damn cold in the wintertime even with good socks on.

I really dig Durabilt branded socks. I get them from the local outfitter and they are a merino blend. I have no idea where he gets them, but I actually prefer them over cotton socks now and have had good luck so far this summer. If I don't wear them, I have problems with my feet in a couple days, which sucks. I have found that if the socks are too thick and I have a lot of walking in front of me, my feet get pretty raw, but that might be because I don't do enough walking.

I have used the military socks before with the silver threading, I don't know what the term is, and they tend to be really hot, but they weren't bad other than they tend to get crusty pretty fast.

A really old hiker's trick is to wear two pair of thin socks to keep feet drier. It's been a while, but I generally do this in the winter time and not so much in the warmer months with a thin pair and a thicker pair for warmth.

I've been looking at the Austrian boots that have been recommended on StP. They are not too expensive, but I wonder how they will reform to my feet since they spent time being on someone else's feet for some amount of time.

Matt mentioned that he wears Keens, and loves them. I have to agree with him, I'm on my second pair and the are comfortable, but they aren't very durable. I had a pair that was supposed to be water proof and they started leaking after 10 miles to the point where if someone spit on the ground my feet got wet. The current pair is not water proof, so I just plan accordingly. I have hiked in them wet and it sucked, but it was because I had a 40# pack and was hiking in a torrential downpour through a creek bed.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Lost. I know you were looking for ideas on scoring footwear, not a sock discussion. Given the condition of most stores these days, I would do as suggested above and be discrete, but do what you must to keep your feet happy.

 

[AlwaysLost]

I can't speak to the thinsulate, the boots I wear are Carhart branded with some kind of padding inside, but I don't know if it's insulating, they get damn cold in the wintertime even with good socks on.

I really dig Durabilt branded socks. I get them from the local outfitter and they are a merino blend. I have no idea where he gets them, but I actually prefer them over cotton socks now and have had good luck so far this summer. If I don't wear them, I have problems with my feet in a couple days, which sucks. I have found that if the socks are too thick and I have a lot of walking in front of me, my feet get pretty raw, but that might be because I don't do enough walking.

I have used the military socks before with the silver threading, I don't know what the term is, and they tend to be really hot, but they weren't bad other than they tend to get crusty pretty fast.

A really old hiker's trick is to wear two pair of thin socks to keep feet drier. It's been a while, but I generally do this in the winter time and not so much in the warmer months with a thin pair and a thicker pair for warmth.

I've been looking at the Austrian boots that have been recommended on StP. They are not too expensive, but I wonder how they will reform to my feet since they spent time being on someone else's feet for some amount of time.

Matt mentioned that he wears Keens, and loves them. I have to agree with him, I'm on my second pair and the are comfortable, but they aren't very durable. I had a pair that was supposed to be water proof and they started leaking after 10 miles to the point where if someone spit on the ground my feet got wet. The current pair is not water proof, so I just plan accordingly. I have hiked in them wet and it sucked, but it was because I had a 40# pack and was hiking in a torrential downpour through a creek bed.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Lost. I know you were looking for ideas on scoring footwear, not a sock discussion. Given the condition of most stores these days, I would do as suggested above and be discrete, but do what you must to keep your feet happy.

Socks are technically footwear right. You didn't hijack the thread you just accessorized it. Lots of good info there thanks.

 

[Bedheadred]

That is a good idea Red. I will try that before I resort to the switcharoo.

Crossing my fingers for ya

 

[Anagor]

I've had buddies fly a sign at Wal-Mart saying need boots, and do it barefoot. Both times they got boots in less than an hour.

Yes, good idea! Stupid me I haven't thought about it.

Never did that myself before, but from my experience (for example being offered shoes while wearing trashworthy ones twice in a day without expecting it) you should be successful quite quickly.

@AlmostAlwaysLost , I would suggest you try that. Especially if you want to be a bit careful about doing something illegal ...

 

[VikingAdventurer]

Lol.

I feel a little dumb for not even thinking of flying a sign that just says "need boots".

::wacky::

 

[DonnyDerelict]

I've had buddies fly a sign at Wal-Mart saying need boots, and do it barefoot. Both times they got boots in less than an hour. Shit, that's how I got my sleeping bag

Can back up this statement. I was there.

 

[DonnyDerelict]

My friends, I am having a die hard moment. My shoes are going to disintegrate at any moment. The thrift stores here are like Al Bundy, they only sell women's shoes.

I really don't want to but its looking like I'm going to have to do a switcharoo from Walmart and pray I don't get nabbed.

Does anybody have a better idea or place to score shoes? I could maybe walk out of Dicks with some boots. Last time I was there no one paid any attention to me.

But I'd really rather not risk jail. Things are finally looking up for me.

Ya try any flea markets/swap meets?