Cavechat.org

JoeyS wrote:You seem to know alot about Mark, Mark...

I cave with him quite frequently.

Mark made an order late last year. He may have a few boots left over.

The first time you walk on a steep mud bank in these boots you will be amazed. While everyone is hanging on for dear life you can just walk like normal. They are like a mudtire for caving.

Last time I was at Camps gulf bore hole no one could stand because the mud was so slick. It was like everyone had to learn to walk all over again.

I am interested in some of these "Joop Boots". Can someone that has Mark's contact info have him shoot me an email?

*EDIT* Got 'em.

Does anyone know if Mark is okay? I still haven't heard back from him ... I know people get busy, but it's been a couple weeks since I sent over my "footprints" to him.

Caver1402 wrote:Does anyone know if Mark is okay? I still haven't heard back from him ... I know people get busy, but it's been a couple weeks since I sent over my "footprints" to him.

Mark has a temporay new e-mail address, I'll PM it to you.

Thanks!

Hi fellow cavers,

I am still importing the Etche cave boots from France. But I was recently let go from my job at Shaw Environmental during a large RIF, so my email address is now at home (only viewed at nights once employed again). The address is cavexplorer@charter.net. My home address and phone number are in the NSS Members Manual. I just received an offer for a new job in the same business, so don't worry about me not being able to continue to import the boots. I start on April 16th.

For those who are interested in the "Joop Boots", the best method for long-distance fitting is to email or mail an accurate trace of one of your socked (normal socks) feet, being careful to not tilt the pen inward as you round your toes and heel, giving a false length. Or you can place a sheet of paper against a wall (with no 1/4-round molding) or door jam, put your foot on it with your heel against and perpendicular to said object, make a mark on the paper at the end of your longest toe, and then measure in centimeters the distance between the edge and the mark and email me the measurement. The reason why I cannot simply use your American shoe size is because Etche boots come in whole centimeter sizes only, which do not correspond to shoe sizes. I have to determine which whole centimeter size would work best (allowing for toe room), and if the width will work (which is why I prefer the trace). Or if you see me at any caving event, I can measure you personally.

As far as getting the Etche Mic Canyon boots from an online distributor, feel free, but you will probably pay more. I only charge what it cost me to buy them and what it cost me to send them to you. I am doing this for 2 reasons: to get American cavers exposed to the benefits of rubber cave boots through word of mouth experience, and to do my part for the caving community. I will not sell them at cost forever. I plan to start a caving equipment company, selling only original designs, and then I will have to sell the boots (or an improved facsimile thereof) for a profit.

Mark Joop

I forgot to add this picture of a Joop Boot, since my last one was on the old forum and is archived. The wellies have the same deep-lug sole, but are not lace-up, and come as high as 35 cm, measuring from inside the boot. You can also go to their website at http://www.etchesecurite.com, under Clark model.

Mark Joop

mjoop wrote:... I am doing this for 2 reasons: to get American cavers exposed to the benefits of rubber cave boots through word of mouth experience, and to do my part for the caving community. I will not sell them at cost forever. I plan to start a caving equipment company, selling only original designs, and then I will have to sell the boots (or an improved facsimile thereof) for a profit.

Mark Joop

Hey Mark, It's great to hear that you're taking action to a niche demand that's in need of clever capitalists. I hope you have some plan to tackle the knee pad demand too (hint hint..). I don't have your boots, but Aimee does, and I can personally attest to their sure-footedness because I lent my shoulder to her as a foot hold while exiting Gourdneck a few weeks ago, and I thought God Himself had put the Vulcan Death Grip on me. (she loves em, of course)..

mjoop wrote:The wellies have the same deep-lug sole, but are not lace-up, and come as high as 35 cm, measuring from inside the boot. You can also go to their website at http://www.etchesecurite.com, under Clark model.

Mark, are you now importing the Clark (wellie) model also? If so, I'm ordering a pair ASAP... the treads on those soles are the best I've tried, I just need more than ankle height!

driggs wrote:

mjoop wrote:The wellies have the same deep-lug sole, but are not lace-up, and come as high as 35 cm, measuring from inside the boot. You can also go to their website at http://www.etchesecurite.com, under Clark model.

Mark, are you now importing the Clark (wellie) model also? If so, I'm ordering a pair ASAP... the treads on those soles are the best I've tried, I just need more than ankle height!

Yes, I have always been importing the Clark wellie, it's just that not many people ask for it. I use both types of boots (lace-up and wellie), as both have their place. I have 3 pairs of wellies coming on the next shipment (spoken for). Just email or mail me your trace, and I'll get them on the next order.

Used my Joop boots last weekend in Tumbling Rock. They are the stickiest soles I've ever used, period. Love 'em!~

Anyone have mark joops email ? the one in the members manual doesnt work.

adleedy wrote:Anyone have mark joops email ? the one in the members manual doesnt work.

The address he uses to subscribe to TAGnet is cavexplorer at charter dot net.