Quicksand Fans

I’ve been going to this tidal mud pit that I have never reached the bottom of yet. I’ve uploaded videos on YouTube and the deepest I’ve gone is about waist deep but I can go much deeper if I wanted.

It is really thick and hard to get out of and in wondering if this is a good outfit to go in? I flooded my waders and I’m thinking of wearing these this time.

I'll bite. Bad idea. Anything with a heel and/or sole is a liability in natural locations (and sometimes even prepared ones).

The zipper is not a viable option because even if it doesn't jam, you may not be able to reach low enough to be able to get out of the boot(s).

If you trying to stay warm/clean/dry, I recommend a wetsuit - and a sinking partner/companion.

dlodoski wrote:I'll bite. Bad idea. Anything with a heel and/or sole is a liability in natural locations (and sometimes even prepared ones).

The zipper is not a viable option because even if it doesn't jam, you may not be able to reach low enough to be able to get out of the boot(s).

If you trying to stay warm/clean/dry, I recommend a wetsuit - and a sinking partner/companion.

I agree here, 100%. Boots, or any shoe with a rigid sole is a problem if it can't be slipped out of easily (don't ask me how Lazuli kept her heels on during the entire shoot - I am baffled, too). Anything with a firm sole presents a suction risk that will lock you in place.

For footwear, go and find a cheap pair of water shoes - like the ones you can find on Amazon (or any humongous, online retailer will have them). I definitely recommend footwear, there's all sorts of sunk stuff in the mud. I remember quicksand pioneer Kaol recalling a scene where a talent stepped on a submerged nail during the shoot of The Mind is the Key and it required a tetanus shot afterwards (I would also worry about other infection, too).

I have to agree, as someone who regularly enjoys coastal and inland tidal mud those boots are a bad idea, as the deeper you go the more the suction will pull and you'll not be able to pull your legs free in those boots as you would with wearing wellies or waders. I would also suggest clothing wise skinny jeans or lycra and a loose or tight fitting shirt.

It's a matter of safety while enjoying deep mud!,

Boots are dangerous to wear even if they have are easy to slip out of when not in the mud. A suction can form that might not be able to be broken. Socks are about all that it is safe to wear.

Tights are the best option in my mind.
You are protected against the pollution, stucking and cold weather.

Jumpoff_Joe wrote:stepped on a submerged nail

Footwear actually can't protect feets from the hidden nails etc so it's a sort of illusion of safety, it will punch sport shoes etc without any problem. So it's very important to properly walk in mud, without fast, breaking-through-mud movements. You need to step carefully, gradually pushing feet into mud and finding relatively solid layer with your feet. And only when you touch something like bottom - you can carefully step on this feet with all you weight. So if you feel someshing sharp or incomfort in mud with your feet you can move feet and avoid it any time. And extraction of feet should be made in the such a manner, gradually pulling out without fast forced movements, slowly "screwing out" your sole from the deep. It needs less efforts to overcome a suction and avoiding traumas.
In this way it's enough to wear aquasocks for protection, or even do it barefeet with some experience (but it seems to be a bad idea in the tidal mud because of natural sharp stuff inside it).
But such a way of walk isn't typical for our muscles so it may be difficult in the first time. But it will be much simplier after some mudwalks.
Now I use aquasocks only if it's too cold or if I need to move rather fast and far, barefeet is much more pleasure.