Tevas...think about it

[bbarnhouse 0]

There are lots of folks that choose to fly with Tevas or something similar. Some folks skydive without foot protection at all (bare)
I just want to put a couple of thoughts out here for those that aren't aware of the risks.
This foot wear offers no support to the ankle, nor do they protect your toes or heels. (They get smelly after awhile too)
In the past week I have seen severe trauma to digits, ankles and heels, and not on the same person. Please think about off landings and what may happen. Think of what may happen if you drag your feet, especially on gravel or concrete. Are your canopy skills as such that you can afford the risks?
This post is not intented to open a discussion of "Well I wear Tevas" but rather to just get you to "think".
Difficult to land your wing if your landing gear isn't operational
B2

[Hazarrd 1]

i never saw any reason for the added risk.

.-.

[winsor 236]

My main reason for wearing Tevas is that I don't like stepping in dogshit when I land. They are also useful for walking across gravel or hot tarmac.

I would just as soon jump barefoot, but my feet are not tough enough at the moment to prevail against sharp stuff (tent stakes, glass, rocks, etc.) hidden by grass on landing.

I have worn sandals or boots as preferred footgear for some 40 years; normally I wear Tevas, but if I'm jumping anything where I expect to pound in I wear Frenchies.


Blue skies,

Winsor

[AntiPinkChrissy 0]

Alls I want to say is....excellent point.

~La La Gang Member #2~

[jerry81 10]

I started wearing mine on skydives hoping the high-speed air will somehow purge them of that infernal stench. This particular pair has walked with me over at least half of Europe and could, judging by the smell, almost be classified as a living organism.

Having your feet exposed is a cool sensation, but I agree completely on the landing inssues- I wore them both on a worn-out Falcon and on my current canopy- the first caused some really sore ankles and knees- the difference between the Tevas and my usualy footwear was obvious, while swooping the landings was fine as long as I didn't drag any toes. I think I'll put them on again when it's warm enough and hope for the best. Or at least a really cool scar if I do screw up.

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[freeflir29 0]

The air feels nice on my bare tootsies!

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

I would just as soon jump barefoot,

Not really an improvement in the ankle support, toe and heel protection of a sandal now, is it?

I'll always wear shoes from now on. Used to jump with Tevas all the time and I admit I enjoy the air, but the random 'solid' landing and running out on sandals just plain hurts. Also, it's harder to get a good grip on launches and climb out barefoot or in sandals. It's not worth it. I can put the sandals on while walking around, but not while jumping.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[happythoughts 0]

I landed off in a farmers field. The farmer gave me a ride back in her truck. She said they had just plowed in 2 tons of pig manure. It took me 3 washings and a lot of scrubbing to get that smell out.

I think everyone should wear some type of foot protection for 2 reasons. First, no one plans an off-landing. Second, in our landing area, there are small, sharp rocks and a few cactus plants.

I used to wear shoes until I got my feet wet on a landing.

[Kennedy 0]

Counter Point to consider:

Sneakers/running shoes provide no ankle support either. Most are little more than hightech soles with some cloth wrapped around the foot. I have torn up my fair share of sneakers, and they are not that tough and don't provide that much protection.

I am having trouble visualizing a scenario where sneakers would protect where tevas would not have done so.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[bbarnhouse 0]

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I am having trouble visualizing a scenario where sneakers would protect where tevas would not have done so.

How about coming in to a landing area short and having a bad landing on asphalt? Leather tennis shoes would have protected the toes far better. This is just one example.

[AggieDave 6]

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I am having trouble visualizing a scenario where sneakers would protect where tevas would not have done so.

I've seen bloodied toes and broken toes from wearing Tevas before, a good show could have prevented that.


I wear skateboard shoes, flat soles, not much tread type traction. Why? They're nice, comfy, look good and more importantly, they slide easily at the end of a good swoop.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Kennedy 0]

Dave, what I'm not getting is if it's enough force to break toes, how would a 1/8 inch peice of cloth stop that? Same deal for if it's sharp enough to serious mess up a toe. I've been broken and bloodied while wearing sneakers. Since I don't plan on lacing up my black boots for the dz, I'll stick with my Tevas.

ps - I had the best landing of my life this weekend, and my Tevas slid along just fine.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Vallerina 2]

I suck at freeflying, and I've hurt many others hands and whatnot by wearing my big shoes. (I won't wear my running shoes skydiving.) They like it better when I wear sandals!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[AggieDave 6]

Its not from slamming toes into the deck, yeah, that would go through a shoe as well.

Its from catching an exposed toe during landing. A shoe DOES prevent that.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Fireflyer 0]

you can get white thick canvas ankle supports to lace around your ankle. they look like converse chuck taylors with no toes or sole. put them under your socks and tennis shoes or vans or whatever, and your ankles are solid. i dunno, on a few of my botched flares it was nice to have them. i don't think i rolled an ankle once on a plf, and using them on a few unstable landings were nice. don't use em anymore. vans now.

[Kennedy 0]

How about not having that bad landing? Sorry, but I saw someone land perfectly soft on the tarmac this weekend, while someone not thirty feet away was trying to earn a free ride to the emergency room (on the grass landing area)

Scraping leaves scars but is not serious to the tootsies. Cutting is not stopped by sneakers, same thing with force great enough to break things. Also, my sneakers are not leather, they are some sort of plasticy synthetic fabric and cloth. If you aren't sure enough of your landings to feel safe about what's under you, find a better landing area.

Let me rephrase: I am having trouble visualizing said scenario when good decisions were made.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[kallend 2,150]

Quote

How about not having that bad landing? Sorry, but I saw someone land perfectly soft on the tarmac this weekend, while someone not thirty feet away was trying to earn a free ride to the emergency room (on the grass landing area)

Scraping leaves scars but is not serious to the tootsies. Cutting is not stopped by sneakers, same thing with force great enough to break things. Also, my sneakers are not leather, they are some sort of plasticy synthetic fabric and cloth. If you aren't sure enough of your landings to feel safe about what's under you, find a better landing area.

Let me rephrase: I am having trouble visualizing said scenario when good decisions were made.

I concur. For anything more than very minor abrasions, Tevas are as good as sneakers.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[sunshine 2]

After breaking my ankle, i think i'll be looking into more supportive footwear.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[DrunkMonkey 0]

I figure someone else wearing Tevas wont hurt me or my feet, so not my concern...

[chopchop 0]

good point, Betsy.. I sometimes wear sandals and I almost always drag a toe on landing.. If the terrain is rough.. I wear down the corner of my left big toe... It's kinda cool but now I have this strange fungus.. so I wear tennies... better in the winter anyway.

chopchop
gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking..

Lotsa Pictures

[Kennedy 0]

Just remember, running shoes won't cover you like that. You need high tops like basketball sneakers, or something equally tall. Or you can get laughed at for wearing big black boots.

Hope you're feeling up to jumping soon.

edit: it might be easier to just get a brace or sports ankle support and wear whatever you like.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[bbarnhouse 0]

Quote

How about not having that bad landing? Sorry, but I saw someone land perfectly soft on the tarmac this weekend, while someone not thirty feet away was trying to earn a free ride to the emergency room (on the grass landing area)

Well what I can offer is that SDA puts up a hecl of a lot of jump every year. If one can not imagine a sceneiro, perhaps it would do well to pay a visit here and sit and watch.
This post was to have people think about their choices, not to open a debate.
I will also add that there are folks out here with tens of thousands of jumps that are well honed canopy pilots. They won't wear tevas for above mentioned points.

[sunshine 2]

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Just remember, running shoes won't cover you like that. You need high tops like basketball sneakers, or something equally tall. Or you can get laughed at for wearing big black boots

I generally jump barefoot in the summer. Once i start PT in a month, i'll ask what kinda shoes i should get for jumping. I think my barefoot jumping days are over....

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[jlmiracle 7]

Quote

Let me rephrase: I am having trouble visualizing said scenario when good decisions were made.

Many people drag their toes when landing. Its not necessarily a mistake or bad decision , but a rock, twig, or anything could snag that toe or toe nail (which I have seen many times) and rip it right off or break the toe(s).

Judy

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[katiebear21 0]

Good point Bets. Due to a poor exit out of the King Air this w/e I tore about an inch of skin off the top of my big toe 'cuz I had my Tevas on.

What lesson did I learn? Don't hit the airplane next time! Seriously, though, you're right. If we choose to jump with Tevas or bare we should be prepared (at least) or think about what COULD happen. I usually only jump with mine if I'm familiar with the landing area or I'm wearing my bootie suit or birdman suit. The chances of them getting caught on something with booties on is far less.

Katie
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