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10-25-2016, 06:24 PM | #1 |
Join Date: May 2016
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Armored... Shoes?
While designing a loadout list for a post-apocalyptic scout, I was doing my best to keep costs low by avoiding "cool but expensive" gear. For instance, the Assault Boots are tough as medieval plate at TL9, but prohibitively expensive to a wastelander. Even if they were looted/stolen, having them as standard-issue would require a ton of scrounging that would equal or pass their listed price.
So I was looking at cheaper, lighter, but still somewhat protective materials. For instance, the Reflex suit. At $1,200 it's very expensive, but its remarkable lightness and low bulk got me thinking--if there can be Reflex gloves, why not Reflex socks? It was an amusing idea, but had some speedbumps. At the end of the day, armored socks wouldn't protect from the wear and tear on ordinary shoes, and would be a bit silly if they outlasted the boots they hide in--so I took a step back. My idea? Using the Tailoring Armor rules and crafting Reflex "shoes" using the coverage for "feet only". This gave me this nifty little item! Reflex Shoes Cost: $80 Weight: 1.6 lbs[1] DR: 8/3* [1] I added an additional pound to represent a thickened footpad with a basic +1 Hiking bonus. Not as nice as Assault Boots, but very popular among frugal scouts. :) |
10-25-2016, 06:38 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
Shoes have fairly specialized wear pattern; a smart material like reflex armor would likely not do well on the soles of the feet, though it might be okay further up (and could likely be programmed for things like ankle protection).
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10-25-2016, 06:41 PM | #3 | |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
Quote:
Smart fabrics may help relieve impact stress adjusting for walking, hiking with baggage, and running. But for just armor, it's hard to be rigid inserts like steel toes.
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10-25-2016, 06:56 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
Checking, it looks like 4th edition UT considers reflex armor to be ballistic fiber impregnated with shear-thickening fluids, which means things like D3O are a precursor. D3O is already used in running shoes (for impact absorption in the insole, apparently), though running shoes are generally not expected to last for all that long. I suspect the major problem would be durability, while steel is both durable and armor, many materials are only one or the other.
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10-26-2016, 01:58 AM | #5 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
Quote:
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10-26-2016, 02:07 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
Depends on how much you use them. For daily use, maybe six months. And the trend is towards lighter and better padded, not more durable.
Last edited by Anthony; 10-26-2016 at 02:17 AM. |
10-26-2016, 02:50 AM | #7 |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
You assume that what can be done will be done. Right now, it's possible to make products that last years but aren't. We live in a "disposable society", and hypothetical UT cultures could be similar regardless of technology.
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Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
10-27-2016, 09:18 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Armored... Shoes?
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Tags |
armor, armor design, reflex, shoes, ultratech |
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