I’m writing this post somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean from a coffee shop at Heathrow Airport as I get ready travel back to the USA. Besides providing a much-needed break from work, my three weeks in Europe have provided inspiration for posts that may help you in your preparations. This post is going to deal with two things that you need in good working order all the time…your feet.

The two most powerful tools that anybody has to deal with everyday life as well as emergencies are the mind and the body. If you take care of both of these first, you will be better equipped than if you neglect both and focus on acquiring a large inventory of products. Tools are useless unless you know how to use them and care for them, your feet in particular need special attention.

You walk a lot in Europe, that is no surprise to anybody who has traveled there. However, it is not easy walking. Most First- and Second-World countries have old streets with uneven surfaces. Cobblestones, concrete blocks, bricks, and other surfaces are the rule in cities that have been around over three hundred years. They aren’t easy to walk on and can be particularly treacherous when it rains (which happens regularly). Plus, you are likely to walk long distances between various modes of transportation.

So how is this relevant to preparing for the unexpected?

You’ll probably be walking a lot when things go wrong, after all transportation systems are regularly adversely affected by disasters. Think of the people that had to leave Manhattan Island on foot after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks; roads and trains were shut down so thousands of people had to walk to safety. In the wake of a blizzard, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, tsunami, or other natural disaster, not all roads will be passable.

Because of this, having good footwear and being able to walk long distances is essential. Before my trip, I purchase a pair of Keen hiking shoes along with a pair of Saucony ISO-series shoes because I knew I would be walking extensively. There were several days where I walked more than 10km, but the new shoes made this less burdensome on my feet. Plus, I exercise regularly so physical exertion isn’t a problem for me. It felt great to walk, see sites, and get fresh air during my travels.

My recommendation for anybody looking to become better prepared is to walk more and purchase good footwear. Take time every day to walk as much as possible to get in better shape and get your feet used to walking longer distances. Your body is a bio-mechanical machine that needs maintenance and activity to work properly, so make sure you train your feet so they will be ready when the unexpected happens. Humans are bipeds who were created to walk upright, so make sure your preparation fitness plans include taking care of your feet.