What footwear would you keep in your car if you might have to walk 5-25 miles through woods in an emergency?

Question

I'm a single mom with 2 teenagers (boy, girl). I want to keep some footwear in the car for summer and winter to guard against breakdowns when driving through the Adirondacks. My kids generally choose VERY inadequate footwear, summer and winter. I have some wilderness training, the kids have practically none, but are heathy and take direction well in emergencies.

Which would be better to keep in the car: sneakers or waterproof hiking-type boots? Keep in mind that these would be inexpensive, and wouldn't be broken in (would include several pair of socks and many band aids etc per person). Initially I thought sneakers, but now I'm leaning toward inexpensive hiking style boots, which say they're waterproof. I've seen some in Target for $18.

Keep in mind that I'd LIKE to afford "the best of everything," but being wholly unable to afford that, would rather have SOMETHING other than the flip flips I know they'll be wearing.

I think considering the region is important when you're outfitting an emergency kit for your car (or anywhere else). I also think the shoes are actually quite critical, given what I know they'll be wearing (inadequate, any time of year). Also, where we'll be travelling there can be 30 mile cell-dead spots because of the mountains. The roads can become impassible in a serious snowstorm. I grew up in this area (upstate NY), so I know its dangers. I also know if there's a serious storm, rescue could take a while, and it might be a serious hike to get cell service.

I'm not going nuts over this, I just like to be prepared (I'm a Virgo, ha ha). I can use a lot of the emergency stuff when I go camping in the summer myself.

Answer 1

This is my "short-list." As a backpacker, I always have hiking boots accessible.

Answer 2

My kids are older (19 & 22) but they've made a career out of making fun of something I have always done in the winter time. I actually pack a 'gym' type bag for all of our cars. I include a flashlight, a small first aid kit, highway flares, a few hand tools, an inexpensive, but warm blanket, a couple pairs of socks, a couple of pull-on knit hats and some Granola & Hershey bars. Each car also has a regular emergency kit from Sears (about $20.00). It contains some of the same things as above, but also has jumper cables, tow cable, a folding shovel, matches, and an emergency flag to hang on the car.

If you don't have a cell phone, get one and keep a charger cable in the car. I really think the emergency shoes are a little excessive. The idea is to be able to notify someone if you have a problem, anticipating a timely rescue. You hear all the time that people are found because they use their cell phones. If you could have only one thing with you, it should be the cell phone.

When my wife and I started our family, neither of us had cell phones yet, but as soon as my wife was hauling the kids around in the car, we got 1 phone ... for her! Eventually, I got one and now we all have them. Cell phones today are like white on rice. In as much as people abuse them while they're driving, in an emergency, they can save your lives.

Answer 3

It depends. Are you going to have to do any hiking? or are you just going to be walking down the road? One way or the other I suggest the boots. They may be the type of kids that think hiking boots are "uncool" but they will be thanking you if you have to walk in the rain/mud or for some reason cross a small stream. Boots are also more comfortable if you are having to hike. But since they take directions well, you have no problem. You may want to include more emergency items also, depending on how far you'll have to go. Keep a backpack with some things like bottled water, extra socks, and maybe an emergency blanket in your trunk.

I hope you don't have to worry too much about this though!

Answer 4

Having grown up in both the desert amd the mountains and frequent both on hiking and etc> I would recommend that you get a light weight hiking boot oppsed to teenis shoes,they protect your feet and ankle and provide more support should someone twist an ankle.Waterproof, and tennis shoes arent,and the treading is much better for woods,a few blisters on your feet is better than serouis falls resulting in serouis injuries and being in a HUGE mess compared to how you started out you know?

Answer 5

rocket boots.you know ones with little rockets in them so you can fly.then again i suppose why would you keep them in your car,you wouldn't need a car.did you say you had wilderness training?well in my experience your better off to stay with your vehicle but i'm not sure what you call wilderness,do you mean the far aisle in target?no 1 rule in the australian outback if you break down or have an accident stay with your vehicle it is the best way to not die from thirst or the extremities or snake bite or etc.etc. etc.in short stay put until someone comes.
PSthe best type of all purpose footwear is a good pair of work boots(you can even get them with an airsole-and dont say thats me i said air)they even look dressy and if you look after them they'll last years.

Answer 6

Definitely the water proof hiking boots. You could also check payless they usually have buy one get one 50% off.

Answer 7

Comfortable snow boots or tennis shows that are not made of canvas so that water does not enter as easily.

Answer 8

i think sneakers are more multipurpose. and also white socks.