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Melbourne Urbex Newbie. Question about drains...
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G'day all. I'm a hobbiest photographer entering the world of Urbex. I've been reading up on the "leave nothing but footprints" and couldn't agree more...

One newbie question for you folk though - If you're heading off into drains (particularly the round ones) - is there a type/variety of footwear that you folk can recommend for (hopefully) staying upright?

The couple of breif expeditions I have had just poking my head in, I've had serious trouble staying on my feet! (Tall and uncoordinated right here, lol...)
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Welcome, Beeb!
The best footwear is leather work boots with a chunky tread (grip is very important, especially in older drains), or rubber boots if the drain is particularly wet or muddy. I hear a lot of stories of people wearing normal shoes, filling their socks with grit - Not my idea of a good time, and a real health hazard.
Try to keep your feet clean and dry.

I too am a tall bugger, does make it difficult sometimes!

Cheers.
acually is nuggs
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Redback work boots
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Oh and Beeb, one foot either side of the slime/water should see you stay upright.
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Dunlop Volleys. The last pair of drain shoes you'll ever need.
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Nuggs wrote:Welcome, Beeb!
The best footwear is leather work boots with a chunky tread (grip is very important, especially in older drains), or rubber boots if the drain is particularly wet or muddy. I hear a lot of stories of people wearing normal shoes, filling their socks with grit - Not my idea of a good time, and a real health hazard.
Try to keep your feet clean and dry.

I too am a tall bugger, does make it difficult sometimes!

Cheers.
Haha, cheers. Yeah not my idea of fun either...
Enigma wrote:Oh and Beeb, one foot either side of the slime/water should see you stay upright.
True enough, but there is a few entries near me that are flat - so the whole entrace is often covered in slime.

I have a pretty decent pair of walking boots, might give them a go I reckon - But might wait until the warmer months - WAY too much rain lately.

Thanks for the tips so far all!
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Mambo wrote:Dunlop Volleys. The last pair of drain shoes you'll ever need.
I'd be keen on them if I could avoid getting my feet in the water altogether, but I don't fancy coming out with soggy feet I'm afraid! :oops:
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why be afraid of water and wet feet?

Don't go draining if it's an issue. The 2 go hand in hand I'm afraid.
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Enigma wrote:why be afraid of water and wet feet?

Don't go draining if it's an issue. The 2 go hand in hand I'm afraid.
True enough, I realise it'll happen - but I'd still prefer to minimise it as much as possible. ;)
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you could just accept that you are probably going to get dirty and wet and buy a pair of volleys which are cheap, grippy and dry pretty fast.
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Maybe waterproof military boots (use dubbin after each time out) and a tiara
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Ok - point taken folks.
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Wow, I thought Dunlop Volleys was mentioned as a joke! They still sell those?!
Any old footware should be fine Beeb. Old pair of thongs perhaps.

; )
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Sparks wrote:Maybe waterproof military boots (use dubbin after each time out) and a tiara
No, the problem with Tiaras is that don't provide enough head protection. Plus I'm autistic and get distracted by shiny things so when I wear a tiara in the drain I like forget about it till I bash it on some low obstruction and then I notice and I'm like "Oh wow, a shiny thing" and shine my torch at it to make it shine better only that gets me square in the eyes and I go blind momentarily and end up stumbling and falling over. So yeah, that's why I don't wear tiaras in drains any more. :lol:

I used to worry about keeping my feet dry. Then I gave up, wore cheap shoes and stuck them in the sun to dry between expos. They reeked and lasted maybe a month before they got up and walked away of their own accord due to the microbes living in them.

I recall a conversation once with a guy about tabi boots. Boots with toe holes like a glove for your feet. Apparently ultra ninja. Good for climbing fences. Not that I've encountered many fences in drains. But there's always a first time. :shock:
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And read the damn Newbies FAQ and guide to writing a first post! viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4257&p=40693
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Damn those bright shiney objects. They get me a lot too. :-)
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Nuggs wrote:Wow, I thought Dunlop Volleys was mentioned as a joke! They still sell those?!
Any old footware should be fine Beeb. Old pair of thongs perhaps.

; )
I know at least 50+ drainers that favor Volleys. They're the shoe of choice, cheap and disposable, easy to walk in when soaked; Ideal for the avid drainer. Dunlop has had a few deals selling them for $5 each in the last few years, so many people stockpiled.

Thongs are definitely not recommended as you can't walk on any angles without your foot slipping off the sole of the thong. You'd be better off with bare feet than thongs.
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"Oh! That's YOUR web site!" ... "Yep, that one." http://www.uer.ca/urbanadventure/www.ur ... windex.htm
And read the damn Newbies FAQ and guide to writing a first post! viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4257&p=40693
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