Stockpile Shoes For An Apocalypse

Preparedness is crucial when one becomes faced with an apocalypse. Most individuals concentrate on food, water and shelter. While those are certainly important lets not forget that inexpensive shoes from China will no long be available. So, get them now while you still can. Though seemingly trivial in the grand scheme of things, appropriate footwear can prove to be not only a niceity, but a vital asset during post-apocalyptic scenarios.

Having a small stockpile of shoes can help you bridge the gap between modern living and transitioning to a living off the land scenario. Sure you can make your own shoes and I cover that here and here. However, slipping on a new pair of shoes frees up time in the early stages of rebuilding your world, so that you can provide yourself with shelter food and water. Let's say you are trying to build a garden. Do you have to clear land to do it? These extra steps initially take time that you may not have if you are doing other task that could be avoided by preparing in advance.

1. Protection and Mobility:

In a world ravaged by an apocalypse, the terrain becomes unpredictable and dangerous. A sturdy pair of shoes can provide much-needed protection against sharp objects, broken glass, debris or hazardous materials that may be scattered everywhere. Moreover, appropriate footwear facilitates mobility, allowing survivors to navigate through treacherous landscapes and escape hostile forces more easily.

2. Comfort and Endurance:

During a time where every step might be a matter of life or death, comfort and endurance become paramount. Properly fitting shoes, designed specifically for long hours of walking or running, can prevent blisters, sores and injuries that might otherwise hinder mobility. The right shoes minimize discomfort, providing the necessary cushioning, arch support and stability to enable extended periods of being on the move.

3. Adaptablity to Different Climates:

Not often considered, but apocalyptic scenarios such as nuclear winter can drastically alter weather patterns, making survival even more challenging. Stockpiling shoes suitable for diverse climates ensures adaptability to extreme hot or cold environments. Insulated, waterproof or ventilated shoes can protect against frostbite, hypothermia or heat stroke, ensuring the wearer's safety and comfort.

4. Bartering and Trade:

In the aftermath of an apocalypse, society as we know it may cease to exist. The survival instinct will drive individuals to trade and barter resources for survival. Shoes, especially those in good condition, could become valuable commodities. Apart from using them for personal needs, stockpiling extra shoes can provide an opportunty for future trading allowing survivors to obtain other essential items or establish alliances or incorporation with fellow survivors.

5. Psychology:

Undergoing an apocalyptic event can be mentally distressing, with survivors facing an abundance of uncertainty, loss and fear. Proper shoes can offer a sense of normalcy and psychological well-being among chaos. Having clean, intact shoes on, boost morale and increase you ability mentally to carry on. It is often the small yet significant things that help survivors stay motivated and resilient during trying times.

Tennis shoes are comfortable and provide protection if you need to travel long distances on good terrain such as roads and highways. These shoes should, of coarse, be part of your stockpile.
Hiking boots are the most desired foot wear if you had to choose just one. They are more long lasting in harsh environments than tennis shoes and provide more protection than tennis shoes. So, hiking boots should absolutely be your top priority when building up your stockpile.

Is there more you can do? Absolutely, and actually in areas with a hot enviroment all year I would put this third type of shoe at the top of the list. Water shoes, aka wading shoes. These types of shoes are designed to be worn without socks. They have ventilation everywhere so that water can flow in and out easily. They are also made of material that isn't going to be damaged from repeatedly being submerged in water like tennis shoes and most boots.
You can stockup on these shoes cheapply as well. The cost is a fraction of what you pay for even a cheap pair of tennis shoes. If you have the means you can also spend more money and get water shoes that will last for many many years under fairly heavy use. I would suggest a combination if you have the abilty to do so. Number and quality, you can't go wrong.

Conclusion:

In the aftermath of an apocalypse the significance of stockpiliing shoes should never be underestimated. Heightened protection, mobility, comfort, adaptability, trade potential and psychological well-bing are all factors that make shoes and essential part of any survival kit. As individuals embrace the importance of footwear preparedness, they equip themselves with yet another crucial asset to navigate the unforgiving landscape of a post-apocalyptic world. So, let us not overlook the sole importance of stockpiling shoes for an apocalypse.