I'm one of those people who picks up an interest or hobby for awhile, gets to near-obsession levels with it, then moves on to the next... and often back again, years later.

As such, I've learned over the years to value good storage containers, so all that neat junk you invested in will still be in good shape when you get back to it. For high-end stuff like binoculars I buy Pelican boxes right away, and I'm assured that nothing short of a direct bomb hit is going to damage them while my attention is elsewhere. Other than a strange problem with their rifle cases and airlines, the only drawback is cost... which is significant.

For the price, though, you can't beat plastic paint buckets. They're sturdy, they stack, they're waterproof and air tight, they're resealable, they can carry more weight than you'd want to pick up by their handles, and they're available with lids from most "home" stores for $5 or less. With mylar liners (Major Surplus & Survival, thanks Chris) they can even store non-perishable foodstuffs. Get some surplus silica-gel dessicant packs, and they can protect just about anything that will fit inside for any length of time.

Not only that, but when you do need to empty it out and use the gear inside, it's still a very useful tool to have around.

When you get used to the "normal" uses of these paint cans, you might want to investigate some other products that use them as the foundation for porta-potties, the most handy home toolcarriers you can have, and who knows what else.

Tom,
Do tell, what brand shoe do you love so much? I have some thom-mcCanns and some rockports. The Thom McCanns work well on the trial but have too casual a look to wear with a suit, The Rockports work with the suit but would be totally inadequate with a pack on a steep trail.

'Fess up! What shoes have you got.

Jet, this may make your buckets a little too easy to open, but it is easy to install and open and close with out prying off the lid.

http://www.wisementrading.com/foodstorage/buckets.htm

This place just had the best picture, shop around for a better price. If you are still into off roading use these in the back of your jeep for dry storage.

Ray,
I have a couple of buckets with these lids.They work great and are a big save on the finger nails and torn knuckle dept..I've even use for a tackle box for fishing.I was going to mention those too.

Brad,

Hey, they're cheap, to boot! Skechers - If I can believe the website, the style is called "Alley Cat" (I didn't know that before you asked...) - They are NOT as obviously waffle stompers as the perspective in the picture seems to indicate and they look better in RL than in the pics.here is a link to them.

I prefer the brown scuff-resistant style. They hold up rather well and are very comfy. Not wing tips or uniform low quarters, but they go fine with sports coats on down to jeans. I've never worn them with a 3 piece suit because I think they would not go well with a 3 piece suit - shiny shoes get the nod then, eh? OTOH, maybe I've reached a point in life where style is machts nichts, LoL - YMMV.

They do require breaking in, and I have no idea about resoling - looks feasible, but why bother - as I wrote, these are inexpensive. Until I get seasonally POed at snow getting in my shoe, these have been my "EDC" shoe for about 5 years now - the first pair I bought is reserved for the woods and those days when I KNOW I'm going into a nasty place. That first pair has a lot of miles on them and still look decent enough to get by in casual situations.

I don't buy footwear I haven't tried on - too many variables to trust someone's stated sizing.

You might keep in mind that I set my own dress standard at work - one of the perks of being the boss. I don't consider these too dressy or too casual - just right. As I said, YMMV - but you asked.

Regards,

Tom

I don't know how typical they are, but the lids I get from the local Home Depots have this strip around the bottom which peels off, and after that's gone they're pretty easy to re-seal and open. I bought a couple of claw-type openers at first, but I've only needed them when I tried to use the lids without peeling the strip off... it also required a rubber mallet to seal... but, in the end, I couldn't see any evidence that all that effort was resulting in a better seal. On the contrary, it took so much force with the rubber hammer to get the edges to seal that it was fairly easy to miss a spot. Once that strip is gone, it seems easy enough that all the special devices and tools seem sort of redundant.

As usual, I might be missing something.

Sportsmans Guide has them too for $6. I picked up some food grade buckets from Dunkin Donuts. They get their icing in them and typically toss them in the trash. They have some smaller sizes, compared to the FYI store paint buckets.

A "bucket" strategy could be to purchase one gamma seal and store items that may need replacing over time. The screw off lid allows for relatively easy access to replenish. The rest of the bucket would have the default snap on lids. Then place one of the claw lid remover tools (available in most paint stores, I bought mine at Ace Hardware).

Then in an emergency, you'd open the gamma seal bucket, get the claw and open the others as needed. I'd also add a lanyard of some type to the claw if you have a lot of buckets.

Tom,
Thanks for the details. I have looked at Sketchers a couple of times since they do look sturdy. So far I haven't been able to get past the ruggedness of the look for suit wear. I will try them on next time as a possible replacement for the Thom McCans tho. Have you looked at / tried the Doc Martins. These look similar to the sketchers and come in roughly the same price point. I've also been recently looking at the cap-toed danner duty boots from cabellas, seems that they might look decent under a pant leg. The magnum -stealth line from Brigade Quartermasters looks similar but all these look like good boots that might hide under a dress pant but still quite a bit more tactical than the rockports. I just haven't been able to put much real mileage on a pair of rockports.

Thanks for the details, I will check out the sketchers as the search continues.
Brad

Brad,

Yes, I've tried on Doc Martins and they seem fine. I don't have any "brand name loyalty" in foot gear - but there are more shoes/boots out there that I *don't* like than those I do <grin>. My feet hover between regular and wide, so wider than "normal" footgear usually fits me best. Shoes simply must fit well or they're worthless to me (worse than worthless). At least we can usually get by with some sort of durable and practical shoe - women have a really tough time of it, IMHO. Ever notice that most female office workers kick off their office shoes whenever they're at their desk for very long? Fashion - ptuii! There's a time for that, but it's not daily office wear... a lot fewer choices for women than men.

Objectively - you're correct in that the Alley Cats are a departure from conventions in appearance. Funny thing - since I've taken this job (not quite 3 years) I've noticed that nearly all my male peers have switched to something very similar to what I wear - except, of course, for those 3 piece suit days. Perhaps we're just a bunch of MidWest clods, LoL! Of course, there are plenty of occupations where dipping the casual bar is verboten because all the animals in the herd must look the same. Heck, I know folks who sweat where they buy what brand of underclothes, let alone the rest of the (visible) ensemble... sorta like folks hanging around a medevial court, if you think about it.

Hmmm, I could tell some amusing true stories about that, now that I think about it.

Anyway, here's another idea: Look at uniform shoes for police and firefighters. Specifically go to shops that cater to them and try some on if they catch your fancy. We still expect uniformed officers to look spiffy around here and there are some interesting shoes that are supplied to that crowd. Not many really good ways to conceal a decently thick sole, though. If you're stuck with a thin sole appearance, perhaps the best alternative is to have an inexpensive pair of lightweight hikers stashed at work and/or in your commuter vehicle... taking a leaf out of the professional woman's book (for the same reasons), I suppose...

There is a downside to waffle stomper shoes like the Alley Cats - they kick my butt if I dance in them <grin> - but that's when more "fashionable" footgear seems more appropriate, eh?

It's a GOOD day when I buy a shoe or boot that feels great - hope you have one of those GOOD days, too.

Tom

Piling on... I've written before how much I like Gamma seals for plastic buckets. If you subject them to very frequent use and keep them outdoors, the o-ring MAY eventually stretch enough to make it drop off the spin-on lid <shrug> no big deal. Perhaps that would be alleviated by lubricating the o-ring with a bit of silicone grease, but why bother?

AFIK, in the US the 3, 5, and 6 gallon buckets all use the same size lid (maybe some 3 gallon don't). Also, for the majority of the uses being discussed here, Willie brings up an often overlooked point: Use food-grade buckets. There's no reason not to, and they are more versitile containers that way - who wants to drink out of a used driveway sealer bucket? BUT...

...even food grade will eventually "pass thru" some organic vapors (petro fuels, for example), so pay a little attention to what else is stored in the vicinity. If you really want to be sure, line with a mylar bag and seal that up with a household iron.

Franchise sandwich shops also obtain many supplies in these buckets - and they may be a bit aromatic at first. A good scrub with dishwashing detergent and a few rinses later, fill with cool water and add plain old bleach - as much as 1/8 cup or so per gallon (it should be pungent with chlorine smell) and let it sit in a safe place out of the sunlight for a few days. Dump into the sanitary sewer and rinse - should be good to go. Pickle buckets seem to be the toughest to deoderize but I've found that a week or so in the sunlight after sanitizing usually does the trick.

Buckets + gamma seals are awfully versitile.