[Modern Firepower] Technothriller gear for secret DHS team in 2017

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by evileeyore

It's basically the same as combat boots. The biggest difference is that because the boot isn't laced up tightly (but some are buckled which is effectively the same) it has a small amount of play on the foot.

I'm led to believe (by various message boards that Google brings up) that a close fit is exceptionally important for cowboy boots, owing to the lack of laces to correct for less than perfect match for the foot.

Originally Posted by evileeyore

This sole is a standard cowboy boot sole, flat and made for ease of slipping into a stirrup.

Conversely this sole is pretty much a standard combat boot sole, it's fine for most adventure skills.

The first style I'd give a -1 to most adventure skills until you become Familiar (and even then I* might keep a -1 to Climb and Sneak). Your feet are just prone slip when running, or jumping, there is no grip for Climbing, etc.

The second is basically a combat boot sole, but it's not going to be as good in mud due to the narrow heel (below GURPS threshold).

Would these correspond to 'riding' and 'walking' cowboy boots, respectively?

I'm pretty sure that no one would expect Taylor to use a pair of flat-soled riding boots as all-purpose footwear.

Originally Posted by evileeyore

* I'm harsher than High-Tech, I feel that all hard soled boots should take a -1 to Stealth and Climbing. Running, Acrobatics, Jumping are all things you can acclimate to, but the restriction from the hard sole and tight decreased mobility in the ankle really does reduce Climbing and Sneaking in my opinion.

Skills tend to assume 'adventuring use' as unpenalised skill checks, which means that typical adventuring clothing and footwear probably ought to be +0. From TL3 to TL8, a lot of adventurers will be wearing riding boots (TL3 to TL5) or combat boots (TL6 to TL8) as their daily footwear.

I've always assumed that typical Climbing or Stealth checks assumed stout footwear built for adventuring uses, with DR 2*, if not actual armour. I'd give barefooted characters who were used to doing it barefooted a bonus (which might justify an Accessory Perk for low-tech hunter-gatherers and the like, that their bare feet are equivalent to purpose-built athletic footwear).

I'd say that Running actually takes a penalty from a lot of boots not designed for running. Hiking the same. In both cases, even a minor annoyance quickly builds up to a problem.

Originally Posted by evileeyore

As mentioned, High-Tech isn't going to penalize for riding boots.

Well, no, but lighter, purpose-made athletic footwear is good for a +1 to one or more skills.

And I'd penalise hard-soled footwear when using Stealth on hard surfaces, especially surfaces that make sounds easily, i.e. where there is no alternative but to try to tip-toe around hardwood flooring. But I might not penalise it when using Stealth outdoors, on varied ground, where proper use of the skill includes selecting a path that suits the footwear you are wearing.