Reserve duty – shoe dread

Hi,
When was drafter to the IDF, about 20 years ago, we got brill shoes. We had to tie them in a specific way, ended up in a dread and not with shoelace knot.

We started with a thumb knot (that was later pushed against your foot) and moved the lace end from side to side all the way. That meant you have one end, and you need to somehow tie it up.

The knot is done by tying the lace around itself with many small knots until a dread is created, which you later push into the shoe or the sock.

The reason, by the way, to tie it up this way is that if your feet are wounded, the medic can quickly cut through the lace with one sweep cut. I have never tried it, but I got a feeling it does not really matter. And I know it because now days, when the soldiers have more advanced shoes, they just tie them up in a regular shoelace knot. Those better shoes as the upper is not made completely from leather and the sole is Vibram. They are also more lightweight than what I was wearing during my service*

Take Care
Gad

My Brill shoes (newer edition) with the old shoelace knot - dreadMy Brill shoes (newer edition) with the old shoelace knot

The newer IDF shoes just being tied up with a regular shoelace knotThe newer IDF shoes just being tied up with a regular shoelace knot

 

An Explanation video of how to tie up the shoelace dread knot

The view around the base – Dread

Looking South from the base on the Sartaba - dreadLooking South from the base on the Sartaba  (The hill on the far ridge)

Going down to one of the creeks leading to Tirzah Stream

Grenade launcherMk 19 Grenade launcher

We are Engineering Corps, but when precipitating with Infantry we end up walking like they doWe are Engineering Corps, but when precipitating with Infantry we end up walking like they do (while practicing with Armored Corps we have the APC)

Last day - giving back the equipment you were signed onLast day – giving back the equipment you were signed on