Have you given much thought to what you’re wearing on your feet right now? If you haven’t, then congratulations! You have found the perfect pair of shoes for your feet. Having great footwear means you don’t have to worry about your feet. You might even forget that you’re wearing them.

If your shoes are leaky and uncomfortable however, they will hinder everything you do, especially in a survival situation. You may be able to put up with them while sitting behind a desk at your day job, but when the going gets tough, you’re going to be spending a lot of time on your feet. Whatever shoes you are wearing when disaster strikes can make or break you, so it’s best choose wisely.

If you’re a prepper who’s currently looking for a new pair of boots, the main quality you should be looking for is versatility. Right now we have the luxury of owning several pairs of shoes that are specialized for various tasks. But when the SHTF, you might only have room one set of shoes you can rely on. They should not only be comfortable and broken in, but they should be fairly lightweight, breathable, and durable. They should be suitable for the region you live in, but versatile enough to be useful in any climb or place. With those qualities in mind, here are the five best boots for preppers.

Timberland Basic Waterproof Boot

Personally, I don’t believe that any shoe is completely waterproof. Unless you have waders or rubber boots, water resistant is the best you can hope for. But if there’s one shoe that can come close to being waterproof, then Timberland boots are it.

These hardcore shoes have been in production since 1973, and were the first shoes made to be water resistant. While there have been several variations on the design, the original boot is still widely produced and has been kicking butt for over 40 years. Timberlands are well known as for their comfort, appearance, and long lasting tread, and they’ll serve you well if you need to survive live in any cold or wet region.

Caterpillar 2nd Shift Boot

Along with Timberlands, Wolverine boots have become a household name in America and abroad. They have dozens of different shoe designs, most of which are quite popular. However, if you want something special from their lineup, you should check out their Caterpillar Brand boots.

These have become quite popular among constructions workers and roofers. These industries are among the most dangerous in the world, and their workers need high quality shoes more than anyone else. If these folks like them, then you know they are great shoes for dangerous conditions. Not only are they comfortable and durable, but they are built with safety in mind.

Doc Martens 1460 Classic

These British made boots are probably among the most popular shoes ever made. Originally designed by a German doctor after WW2, they found service among postmen, cops, and blue collar workers, before gaining popularity among various subcultures in Britain. They were even used by British soldiers serving in Northern Ireland. With that kind of record, you know they’re versatile. Not only that, they’re well known for being super comfortable. These were the first shoes to ever utilize an air cushioned sole, and very few brands have been able to match that level of comfort.

Adtec Logger Boots

Like the Caterpillars, Logger boots are made specifically for some of the most dangerous jobs on earth, namely loggers and wildland firefighters. They sport a thick heavy duty tread that is tough enough to hammer nails with, and leather uppers that are oil resistant, and are capable of withstanding up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These hardcore boots will last you a lifetime, and will protect your feet through just about harrowing situation you can imagine.

Belleville USMC Hot Weather Boots

Last, but certainly not least, is my all time favorite pair of shoes. There are a ton of different combat boots on the market, many of them imitators, but these are the cream of the crop. They are by far the longest lasting, and most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. There are slight variations on the design such as tread pattern and toe protection, so you may have to shop around to find exactly what you want.

There are two main characteristics you should look for when buying this kind of boot. Brand name and tread. The label on the tongue should either read “Belleville” or “Wellco” (I’ve tried both and they’re pretty much identical) and the tread should be made by Vibram.

I wore mine for over two years, and walked at least 1,500 miles in them before trying a few different brands. I’ve recently gone back to them because frankly, I could have squeezed another thousand miles out of them. They are comfortable beyond belief, and in my experience they don’t require any effort to break them in. Even with a steel toe, they still feel lighter than the other boots on this list (with the exception of Doc Martens). Overall, they meet all the criteria for good prepper boots, and much much more.

At the end of the day you get what you pay for with footwear, and these shoes will give you the biggest bang for your buck, guaranteed.