Doug \"Woody\" and Erin Beal wrote:

One thing that always amazes me... most of the flight boots I see look more
like hicking/hunting boots than anything else? In this day and age, why not
use something lighter and that allows for a finer feel and touch?
_____________
José Herculano


José,

Standard answer is that the boot is designed more for what happens before
and after the flight (especially if there are more takeoffs than landings)
than for what it does in the airplane.

Ah yes. There was the time we had the wrestling match in front of the
fountain at the Rosey Roads O Club, and ended up in said fountain with
bag and boots on. For the dawn launch the next day, tossed the sneakers
in the helmet bag, and put them on once ensconced in E-2 cockpit (boots
still soaking wet). Flew the hop in my go-fasters. Forgot to swap back
after landing, and drew many odd stares from the E's during post-flight
walkaround.

It was interesting, flying with sneakers. The boots really muffle a lot
of the feedback you can get from your pedals.