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Note 1: Boots
| Our son is serving in northern Japan and was told to bring a pair of warm
winter boots that wouldn't detract from the missionary image. A different
mailing told him to get something that could be polished...not suede.
So....in July, we were trying to find warm winter boots in Maryland. Not
one pair was to be found. That was good because after we'd called
everywhere and talked to returned missionaries from the Sapporo Mission,
we knew what we needed to get. In fact, during the delay, Adam heard from
his Mission President who recommended boots which are rated to at least 40
below zero. We bought the Alaska series from Sorrel at $135 (on sale) plus
$20 per pair of extra liners (3 were recommended). I have been thankful
time and again that my son has the best boots we could find. In fact, in a
tape he sent home, and to the cadence of Dorothy in the Wizard of
Oz....Adam kept repeating, "I love my boots. I love my boots. They keep me
warm. I love my boots."
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Note 2: Shoes
| Here's our shoe experience. My oldest son ended up not liking Doc Martins
though I know that they are the ultimate favorite of 99% of missionaries. The
problem was that they were too heavy-- not just for airplane flight weight but
just daily dragging his feet up and down the streets of Argentina. He walked
about 15 miles a day (no bikes, cars or public transportation) and found the
Docs wearying. He loved Rockport Walkers but alas they don't last as long. He
thought they were terrible shoes when they wore out in 6 months but the poor
puppies had over 2,000 miles on them. So with son #2 going somewhere where
packages generally make it through he took Docs (no he hasn't been wearing
them--- too heavy) Rockports and boots. In his mission because of the active
volcanoe there are a lot of pebbles, ash, dust, filth everywhere. He ended up
wearing his boots (which were on his mission list) every day because they keep
the junk out of his socks and feet. Can't remember the brand of boots but
we're very glad now that we bought the very best, waterproof, hiking boots
(Church specified they had to be "polishable" not suede and they are) that the
Camping store had-- because he's wearing them daily. They've been good for
volcanic ash and mud.
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Note 3: Shoes 2
| Don't absolutely count on the Doc Martens (shoes) to last, either. One of my
sons wore out in about 2 months - he could have taken them back for credit but
they don't always have that kind of time and access. They have seemed to be
the best, but we didn't buy Rockports so I am not sure. You are very lucky if
1 pair will last a entire mission.
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Note 4: Shoes 3
| When I took Jason shopping, we decided on the Doc Martens. I was a little
apprehensive about the price but he was paying for everything out of his
savings and it was what he wanted so that's what we got. I like what I've
been reading about the Docs and feel a bit more at ease about him buying
them. As he wears a size 12 shoe and is going to Mexico where large
sizes are unavailable, he is going to need shoes that will last the
whole 2 years.
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Note 5: Shoes 4
| We were told the Rockports were the best, so that's what we bought. Resoling
is definitely an option, but with 3 more going out, we may have to rethink our
choices.
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Note 6: Shoes 5
| About the shoes.....all three of my boys have taken Rockports, and they
swear by them because they are lightweight and comfortable. Cameron is also
going to take the same thing. If they do a lot of walking, such as in
Mexico, the soles will wear out, but it's fairly inexpensive to have them
re-soled. (that's what my son did). Now as a side line.....I know a lot of
missionaries wear Dr. Martens, but this is what my other son's mission Dr.
told him. He said that the Dr. Martens don't have the proper support in them,
and that so many of the missionaries are coming home with foot problems from
wearing them.
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Note 7: Shoes 6
| Sounds like our next missionary may want to take a pair each of Doc and
Rockports. Then he can choose to wear whichever pair suits the situation.
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Note 8: Shoes 7
| This is a suggested update from a MM:
My last son wore Eccos and the 2 pair lasted him the whole mission in Brazil.
They are lighter than Doc Martens, but durable. Many here are buying Eccos.
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Note 9: Shoes Pants
| We had bought a cheaper brand of shoes before knowing that he would most
likely be on a walking mission. He hasn't left yet, so we went out yesterday
and purchased a pair of Rockports with a thick sole. I know that most votes
favored the Doc Martins, but Rockports are so much lighter.
As for pants, we found wrinkle free wash and wear dress pants (Chaps
Ralph Lauren) at Costco for $22.00. The tags say $49.00. Late last
summer I got Arrow oxford wrinke-free dress shirts at Costco for $12.99.
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Note 10: Shoes and Boots
| Neil was supposed to take "winter boots that look like dress shoes".
Romania gets very cold and lots of snow. It was difficult finding a
lace-up boot that would also look dressy and be waterproof. What we
finally ended up with was only what we could get in late May--some
clearance boots at Fred Meyer. It turns out they were the best thing we
got him. He ended up wearing those the last 6 months of his mission and
still wears them this winter in Utah. Sometimes the cheap brand does pay
off, but I wouldn't recommend it as there is no guarantee. Go figure.
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Note 11: Shoes and Boots 2
| I wanted to tell about shoes from our experience. My son is serving in
Madagascar which is in the South African Continent. We sent him with a really
good pair of light weight but sturdy leather shoes as was recommended to us by
some other mm's. My son was in the mission field exactly 1 month when he
wrote home to say his shoes had fallen apart. They have very hot summers and
then a rainy (and I mean rainy - 9 inches in 45 minutes) season which is
pretty hard on shoes. He asked if we would please send him a pair of Doc
since that is the only type of shoe that seemed to stand up to the conditions
of Madagascar. So, we sent Doc's (ouch to the pocket book). Exactly one
month after he received the shoes he wrote to tell us that the sole of his
Doc's had split width wise and that he was once again getting very wet feet.
It was not beneficial to send them home so a kind member who is a cobbler by
trade, glued his shoes and they are for now holding up fine. I guess the
moral of this story is that I'm not sure there is a perfect missionary shoe.
It is probably best to buy the best quality and most comfortable shoes that
your missionary has tried on and hope for the best. Maybe send more than one
pair because they may not be able to get another pair if they are outside of
Canada and the U.S. In Madagascar my son is considered a giant at 6'2" and
his feet are a size 13 (totally unheard of in Mada). They don't make clothes
to fit him nor do they make shoes his size so there is no chance of him
getting a new pair of anything there.
I hope I haven't confused your decision making any more.
Just thought you should know.
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Note 12: Shower Sandals
| My son was a lifeguard before his mission and the only sandals he
didn't totally destroy were Okabashi.
You should be able to get them at Rite Aid, on line, or at a local grocery store.
They are heavy and rubbery and might cost a lot to send unless you
can fit them in one of those flat-rate packages. Don't you just love those?
I've sent some nice things to my missionary in them and they have always
gotten there. They cost $13.45 to send from here.
MM Diane,
Elder in Lima Central Mission, 5/09 to 5/11
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