Running shoes....Did under water egress training and in hikers it was impossible to swim any distance.Also hated trying to grab,hold and open the plastic life jacket bag.After flying floats for 20 plus years I now wear a compact mustang vest.
Back when I used to float fly (or fly at all for that matter) I used to wear "Merrell" soft rubber sole shoes. The ones I had were mainly constructed of neoprene. I found they had a good grip on various surfaces and could come off easily if I needed them off in a hurry, either emergency (never happened, thank the powers that be) or if I needed to wade in the water a bit.
A good pair of leather hikers from Marks in the spring usually lasts the whole season, even after a few soakings in loon shit. Don't buy a cheap pair...they'll never stand up to the abuse.
I always liked a leather running shoe for comfort but more for protection.
I lost the oil cooler line once in cruise while flying a DHC-2. An awful lot of oil poured into the cockpit foot wells and I ended up with minor burns. The results would have been much worse had I been wearing open toe sandals.
They also offer better protection if you have to climb out of a burning wreck and twisted sheet metal.
Just my thoughts..right or wrong. I can only suggest that you should plan for the worst cause shite does happen.
Hey Phillyfan, I don't know if I like that sandal and sock thing.... I wear the steel toed boots in case i have to kick a tourist in the ass. Easier to clean off the toes
TheHub wrote:A good old pair of chest waders for the swamps that we operate out of! I'm not lucky enough to operate dock to dock most days!!!
Jeebus! where are ya working man? I think of the 40 different spots we frequent.. all but about 10 have docks!
I was lucky enough to have chest waders on last week when I stepped off the float at one of the outpost lakes .. sunk right up to my waist in goose shit! Boy did I ever smell great for the next couple days!
Clogs are currently the choice among the Metro-sexual float drivers in Toronto. Here is Chaz of Cameron Air Service modelling their fall uniforms.
The brown stripes state a readiness for a fun frollic in the fallen Autumn folliage with a significant other, but the yellow croc clogs cry out for a few indian-summer wine coolies afterwards.
