Shoes Fit for Samson
October 25th, 2008My Feet are Back on the Kibbutz
WHEEEEE my new IDF boots arrived. The first pair I bought were a little loose. My feet sort of defy those measurement machines they use in shoe stores; I’m never completely sure what size to buy.
I am dressed to kill. IDF boots, wool socks, cargo shorts, and a baseball shirt. I ordered 6 shirts from a company that sells Anvil shirts for under five bucks each. I got three colors. You could say I am getting over being a clothes horse.
I have to go buy Scotchgard. I just have to. I can’t take these beauties out in the dirt and filth without giving them some hope of protection.
These boogers are actually made in Israel. I didn’t know that until today. Walter Sobchak would approve.
Now I have to find a home for the old ones. I hate the thought of seeing them on some unrepentant wino on the corner. Maybe it’s time to make a Goodwill drop.
October 25th, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Steve, what size are your old boots? I just picked up my first order from israelimilitary.com today at the post office. An official IDF t-shirt, which I’m wearing now to go with my buddy to several gun stores (if you include Bass Pro as a gun store) to find him a Benelli 20-gauge semi-auto shotgun. The t-shirt is also made in Israel, and the washing instructions are in Hebrew. I don’t usually declare my sentiments on my clothing, but armed Jews defending Israel is a policy I can definitely support. I went to their website to check out your boots, but didn’t want to pay full fare since I have a pair of square-toe Tony Lama work boots that are near indestructible and very comfortable. The t-shirt was $17, which included shipping from Tel Aviv. Very cool!
October 25th, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Where did you get your IDF boots Steve? Searches pulled up some cool Golani boots which I am considering. The Isreali T-shirts look cool as well.
I just realized I need to replace my Harley-Davidson boots since they are scratching the crap out of my primary cover. You would think a company that makes motorcycles wouldn’t put all this metal crap on the sides of their boots. Oh Wait! They get to sell you a new primary cover and you have to buy new boots too. Nevermind!
October 25th, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Chris, what size do you need?
Vlad, I am going to be honest with you; these are pretty much identical to high-top Converse All Stars, except for the boot tread. I think they would be a little flimsy for a motorcycle. On the other hand, Danner Acadia boots with 200 grams of insulation are fantastic.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:22 PM
As you noted, shoe sizes are difficult to translate consistently. I can tell you I wear a 9 in Colehaans, and a 9.5 in Asics running shoes. Hard to judge from website photos and your Foxnews appearance, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you wear a larger size shoe than me.
October 26th, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Looks like it’s Goodwill for this pair.
If you buy these things, you should know that they run very wide, and you should probably go a half-size smaller than your smallest US size.
Ebay has the cheapest prices I’ve found.
October 26th, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Interesting followup on my first venture out in my new IDF T-shirt. I got a few interesting looks at Bass Pro. The guys at the gun counter were unusually helpful, they even invited me behind the counter so I could get a closer look at the Boker knives. The real interesting encounter was last night at Lowes to pick up a Dremel. I was picking out paint samples for my wife, and the guy at that counter asked me if I was in the IDF. I said no, I just like the T-shirt. Turns out he just got out of the Air Force, where he was a Hebrew translator, and also a Christian. We had a very interesting conversation about Israel and its role in God’s plans. He recommended a book called Epicenter, by Joel Rosenberg or something to that effect. Apparently he is a born again Christian, and the book looks at Israel through the lenses of current geopolitical affairs, history, and prophecy. Sounds interesting, I may pick it up from Amazon.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:49 AM
Steve,
Why not use the old boots as planters? My mum has mine on the front step with carnations in. It is rather disturbing looking at them and thinking of all the miles of Negev, Golan and other places I traipsed through in them!!
By the way, don’t be too surprised if the boots fall apart after a few months, they’re renowned for cracking width wise across the sole.