Best boot for digging catholes?

[Sarcasm the elf]

Hi All,

Over on a Facebook group I was told in no uncertain terms that I shouldn't be carrying a tool to dig catholes because I can just dig one with my boot. This brings up a few questions:

What make and model boot should I be using to dig my catholes?

What is the best method? Do I kick the ground with the toe of the boot? Do I stomp down until there is a deep enough indentation? Do I use the the foot hole of the boot to dig like a bucket excavator?

Since I hike in lightweight trail runners I will obviously need to buy and pack the hole digging boot separately. Is it necessary to bring both boots, or can I get away with just bringing one? If one is adequate should I bring the left or right side boot?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[MuddyWaters]

boots dont dig catholes, people dig catholes.

[Puddlefish]

Caterpillar sells an excavator boot.

37971

[Cheyou]

Logging boots must rank very high on the list. Quite heavy so one boot and one ultralight camp boot. Like a croc . You would have to determine if you are left or right footed cat hole kicker. Could hike in them as needed to rest your regular wet stinking shoes . You wouldn't look as weird as most of the other hikers I have seen on trail. Think of the time saved digging your many cat holes. Remember when you got to go you got to go.

Thom

[ScareBear]

How about using the heel of my old plastic Koflachs?

[rocketsocks]

Scottish "hammer throw" shoes

https://www.etsy.com/listing/219345640/hammer-blades-for-scottish-highland

[imscotty]

RocketSocks for the win!

[jimmyjam]

Scottish "hammer throw" shoes

https://www.etsy.com/listing/219345640/hammer-blades-for-scottish-highland

Those are multi-purpose, good for fighting off bears and roasting hotdogs on the ends.

[Patrickjd9]

One of the side effects of trail runners and light boots is that they aren't beefy enough to dig catholes. OTOH, most everybody carries hiking poles.

I once owned a pair of these boots, and they work well for digging.

http://www.backcountry.com/merrell-wilderness-backpacking-boot-mens?s=a

[Dogwood]

That's what you get for dwelling on Facebook.

[Toolumpy]

I usually use my right boot.

[rocketsocks]

I usually use my right boot.the left is for wipin' huh?

[Traveler]

That's what you get for dwelling on Facebook.

+1 - the only sure thing about Facebook is the colossal waste of time it can be coupled with notoriously bad information.

[Don H]

Why would anyone carry a trowel to dig cat holes when you can just use your spork?

[H I T C H]

Since you like lightweight trail runners, maybe something like this would work for you.


http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj570/WhiteBlazeAT/WB/20170122_185732_zpsgflfzay6.png (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/WhiteBlazeAT/media/WB/20170122_185732_zpsgflfzay6.png.html)



Hitch

[Odd Man Out]

Those big heavy boots can be hard to put on when they are wet and frozen. Fortunately I found one of the ultralight shoe horns
37978.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Those big heavy boots can be hard to put on when they are wet and frozen. Fortunately I found one of the ultralight shoe horns
37978.

That's clearly an ice cream scoop. :D

[Traillium]

Those big heavy boots can be hard to put on when they are wet and frozen. Fortunately I found one of the ultralight shoe horns
37978.

Nice!

( … Will it fit my Size 14s? … )

[Traillium]

BTW, I've been declared a hard-ass …

[Traveler]

BTW, I've been declared a hard-ass …

Regardless if thats a description or talent, it must be handy for catholing!

[Traillium]

It's a crappy help …

[Odd Man Out]

That's clearly an ice cream scoop. :D

Multi-Use!

Now if we can just find something to dig a cat hole with.

[Starchild]

You find a comfortable pair of boots, good to walk in, and walk to the store and get a tool to dig a cathole.

[flatgrounder]

i just took the neighbor's cat

[1234]

Next to all fallen logs are always thick leaves, they sort of get stuck there, any old footware can push over 8-10 inches of leaf litter, compose, then the flap can flop right back over your business. Dig with a trowel, roots, rocks, I would %$#@ my pants before the hole ever got dug. Maybe the trowel is better for pushing over the mountain coming up the hole in the out house.

[soumodeler]

Next to all fallen logs are always thick leaves, they sort of get stuck there, any old footware can push over 8-10 inches of leaf litter, compose, then the flap can flop right back over your business. Dig with a trowel, roots, rocks, I would %$#@ my pants before the hole ever got dug. Maybe the trowel is better for pushing over the mountain coming up the hole in the out house.
The secret is you dig the hole after. That way it is neither too large nor too small for the deposit :D

[Ktaadn]

The secret is you dig the hole after. That way it is neither too large nor too small for the deposit :D
But then you have to move the deposit. Besides, aiming for the hole is half the fun.

Wait, what's the other half again?

[AllDownhillFromHere]

a) Don't listen to Facebook, period
b) Don't listen to anyone who says you should "never" bring a piece of gear. Or "always"
c) Get a trowel - the orange trowel is a badge of honor and it shows others that you're serious about LNT

[QiWiz]

Hi All,

Over on a Facebook group I was told in no uncertain terms that I shouldn't be carrying a tool to dig catholes because I can just dig one with my boot. This brings up a few questions:

What make and model boot should I be using to dig my catholes?

What is the best method? Do I kick the ground with the toe of the boot? Do I stomp down until there is a deep enough indentation? Do I use the the foot hole of the boot to dig like a bucket excavator?

Since I hike in lightweight trail runners I will obviously need to buy and pack the hole digging boot separately. Is it necessary to bring both boots, or can I get away with just bringing one? If one is adequate should I bring the left or right side boot?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

You can actually use any boot, even a trail runner, even a sandal, as long as you attach a trowel, shovel, ice axe, or other digging implement to it.