Wanted: Canadian army mukluks

[rob love]

I have been busy dismantling a fair size building this winter. I started out wearing the goretex combat boot, but common sense got the better of me, and I have been wearing my CF mukluks whether its -25 or even -5. Quite frankly, we only saw the -5 for about 3 days this winter.

There are surplus dealers this way that regularly sell them. The CF ones are quite durable.....I have been retired for just over 10 years and am still using the same pair.

Here is a link to the size 12 liners at a very good price. You'll want more than one pair of liners, especially for that warmer Ontario weather.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Canadia...item3cdbc5d515

[maple_leaf_eh]

How coincidental a question! Today I was out stomping around on snowshoes wearing my mukluks. I had to remember to tie the laces - about as long as skate laces - to the bottom loop and then double lace across the arch. Snowshoe harnesses go on next, and hope the 550 cord keeps the toe loop from riding up. Oh, the happiness of old lessons remembered! Next week, we'll try playing tent groups in the woods.

The QM received honest to God brand new in the cardboard box bearpaw snowshoes the other day. Magnesium with a plastic coated web harness. There is even a sticker with the NSN and a serial number!

Felt goes in first. Woven insole next. Duffel socks worn over whichever colour of issue wool socks you've got on. Hopefully the thread colours match too. (Read Scott Taylor to remind yourself of that silliness.) Wind pants are never bloused. Mittens with the snot wiper may or may not be attached with idiot strings.

And all the non Canadians are wondering, what Farking jargon is this?

[BCA]

Thanks Jeff. I'll PM you for details. I spent many years as a geologist in northern Canada and really appreciated my well-used surplus mukluks. They had already enjoyed a previous life in the army before I got them. This winter has been unusually cool in Ontario and they are my daily shoe in -15 C weather - but sadly showing the worse for wear by now. The magic about them is the double-wall wool duffle liner that just won't wear our. The felt ones sold in the stores today are junk after a few weeks wear. ... Brian

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Mittens with the snot wiper may or may not be attached with idiot strings.

The rule of thumb in my day was snot pad left, warming pad right. Idiot strings were not optional. They were part of the order of dress.

Snowshoeing: I seem to recall having the toes of the mukluk sneaking through the toe hole and causing great discomfort. Or stepping on your own snowshoes followed by a fall.

I would like to say I miss those days, but I do not.

[servicepub (RIP)]

The pleasures of runing through old forest with snowshoes! Landed on my ass or nose more often that I wanted. But I agree with the former-CF guys here - there is nothing better suited to our cold and snow than a pair of CF mukluks.

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Felt goes in first. Woven insole next.
Mittens with the snot wiper may or may not be attached with idiot strings.

Terry, an old dog like you, i'm surprised...

Green Mesh first, then the Felt. This is to give you an air gap between your insulation and the rubber sole. I've seen guys Felts become freeze welded to the inside when these are inverted, not to mention the mesh will sand away at your duffel socks. Another trick is to punch a hole through the toes of both liners and tie them together to hand from the tent lines at night.

Lastly, the rabbits fur on the mitts is for warming your cheeks not wiping your nose. That's what the issued "Squares" are for!

Another mistake I often see are guys passing their laces through the nub on the heel. That nub is keep your heel from popping out of the old "Bangy Board" binding.

There's a way to attach your bindings to the Snowshoes that doesn't require para cord. I'll snap a pic, as trying to describe it would be futile. But it most certainly solves the issue of the toe popping out of the binding or getting caught under the opening in the snow shoe. 98% of guys I see have the binding attached wrong.

It's too bad they went to those bear claw show shoes. As old as the originals are, they work great and do exactly what they were designed to do, support a soldier with his marching order. I've already seen a couple of busted new ones. Can't say I ever saw a broken old one save for the tails being snapped off from getting frozen when stabbed into the snow/ice overnight and then the troop getting too aggressive trying to free them.

I never stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, but was unlucky enough to be selected for Advanced Winter Warfare because I didn't play hockey.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Scott Bentley

Terry, an old dog like you, i'm surprised...

Methinks Terry has not been in a first line combat arms unit in a while.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by rob love

Methinks Terry has not been in a first line combat arms unit in a while.

Truth and not ashamed to admit it.

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Truth and not ashamed to admit it.

Definitely wouldn't be ashamed of having a marketable skill. As I creep closer to my 25, I realize that the CAF didn't exactly set me up for success on civvy street...

[Ed Storey]

Scott, you could always be a mukluk or snowshoe salesman in Yellowknife.