An Overlooked Routine

So I was cleaning up after work and as I did so I performed an important routine. This is something that I have never seen on any other survival sites so I decided that I would write about it on my blog. So what is this magical routine that I am about to share? It’s a prep that can be purchased for under $10 at any drug store and will save you a lot of money in the long run! It is applying mink oil to your boots. Every day I have to slog into mud holes and then back out again. It’s my job, and on a bad day it’s a giant puddle of sewage ankle deep. Over time this will destroy a pair of leather boots. As leather gets wet and dries, or is exposed to the sun, it loses its flexibility. Stiff leather cracks and breaks destroying your boots. Just think about how your skin feels after a week at the beach with no sunscreen! The obvious upside to applying mink oil to a pair of boots is the cost savings. If a pair of boots lasts twice as long with mink oil than without it means you save money which is great; now for some more serious thoughts.

In a survival situation your ability to survive completely depends on your ability to move. Stop and think about it for a second. If you are unable to run, jump, and climb you are screwed unless you’re Cody Lundin (For those who don’t know Cody Lundin is an aboriginal survival expert who hasn’t worn shoes in over 20 years!). Taking care of your feet is priority number one. Even the military reinforces this idea to the troops in the field. So what’s the best way to take care of your feet? Take care of your shoes. Besides, if we ever have a real SHTF scenario you’re going to have to take care of those boots!

Here’s what I use:

Simply wipe off the dirt and grime and apply a liberal amount of mink oil and that’s it! I know this post may seem like a very simple concept but I have yet to see a post on how important boot maintenance really is. Just remember, it is hard to stand up and survive with no shoes on!