Boots - recommendations?

[ftrovato]

For Africa Courteneys of course. Ripple sole and the box toe version. They are just the part. Get one size up and fit correct insoles made for you. The very best of all worlds.

Good advice! The soil is different there and this style shoe simply is the best....

 

[rookhawk]

For Africa Courteneys of course. Ripple sole and the box toe version. They are just the part. Get one size up and fit correct insoles made for you. The very best of all worlds.

Ripple sole is excellent if you're using them in the USA, they don't hold dirt. The tire/tyre sole I find to be better for Africa, particularly climbing kopis and for walking in the sand. Unfortunately, the tyre sole is terrible in America, dirt falls into the tread and comes out all over the house/doormat and its a pain to clean the sole.

Hence, I own 5 pairs of courteneys: one pair of jamiesons and two pairs of shoes for America, 2 pairs of courteney jamiesons with tyre soles for Africa.

 

[JimP]

Good advice! The soil is different there and this style shoe simply is the best....

It all depends on where you are hunting.

My two hunts in the Eastern Cape were more like elk hunting in the Rockies.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Ripple sole is excellent if you're using them in the USA, they don't hold dirt. The tire/tyre sole I find to be better for Africa, particularly climbing kopis and for walking in the sand. Unfortunately, the tyre sole is terrible in America, dirt falls into the tread and comes out all over the house/doormat and its a pain to clean the sole.

Hence, I own 5 pairs of courteneys: one pair of jamiesons and two pairs of shoes for America, 2 pairs of courteney jamiesons with tyre soles for Africa.

I have a pair of each type and I now use the ripple soles exclusively and found the grip to be adequate. The ripple soles are also quieter.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Another praise for Crispi Boots. I’ve had and have several pair in few models and use for almost all hunting, hiking activities. Simply love them.

 

[bakerb]

110+ miles in Botswana on these Crispi Monaco’s last year. I wear them in the cities, the mountains, everywhere.

 

[Tra3]

View attachment 651063110+ miles in Botswana on these Crispi Monaco’s last year. I wear them in the cities, the mountains, everywhere.

That is exactly what one’s legs look like after a good day hunting africa. Dust, blood, sunburn, old scratches underneath new ones.
Best part, you are too happy for it to hurt.

 

[Andrew62]

I've worn Oboz hikers found at Sportsmans Warehouse for the past several safaris.

 

[steve white]

That is exactly what one’s legs look like after a good day hunting africa. Dust, blood, sunburn, old scratches underneath new ones.
Best part, you are too happy for it to hurt.

The PH's say their legs toughen up the longer they go bare legged through the grass and bush, and don't scratch as much or as easily. You and I--probably not so much.

 

[Safari Dave]

Just, my opinion - I don't like Courtney's.

I think they are extremely overpriced for a very simple shoe with no modern technology. Clark Desert Boots, would serve the same purpose, IMO.


I think will be wearing these on my next safari -

Safari

Whether you hike or hunt in warmer climates, here or abroad, the Safari is like buying two boots in one. Although they'll be your go-to early season or desert boot, they'll quickly become your first choice around town. The durable full grain leather uppers have a Cambrelle lining that...

kenetrek.com

I've worn various Danner's on my previous hunts, but I think you would have a hard time finding a better safari boot than Kenetrek.

I'm of the opinion, that a soft sole does not, necessarily, make a good hunting boot.

I believe that learning how to walk quietly, regardless of footwear, is much more important.

(My last PH wore black, no-name, high-topped basketball shoes with low socks, no gaiters, and did much better than me!)

Heck, half the fun is planning for the next hunt.

I might even wear a monocle on my next hunt, even though my 60 year old eyes are still just fine...

 

[Bejane]

I think we should ask what PH's wear? The ones we've hunted with and what you see on videos differ greatly.

 

[wiyofa]

Right folks, I know the main points are:

-Something that fits the individual/you

-Wear the boot in before you go.


Now I don’t know if I’m being ambitious but I’m looking for something lightweight and waterproof.

I’ve got big, heavy, shin height boots for stalking in heather in the uk. But the rest of the time, I just need something for a hike on a weekend or that I can put gaitors over to achieve the same thing with less weight.

I’ve got 8 days in KZN in May.
I’ve got a few weeks,(non hunting) in NZ in their summer.


Is there anything lightweight and waterproof that would cover both? I’d have thought waterproof would still be an advantage for Africa as well Schuhen bei Hallux Rigidus?


Thanks!

Hello. I have to but a new pair of boots pretty much every year and about halfway through the season my feet start getting wet because of holes that they get. I would finally like to find a nice pair of boots that will last me for more than a year. So what boots do you guys think are the most durable and comfortable. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

 

[Hooknbullet2]

Merrill hikers have been my go to for years.

I’m wanting to try these. But haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/tracker-forest-esc-mens-aw22?colour=Forest%20Bracken

 

[ftrovato]

Merrill hikers have been my go to for years.

I’m wanting to try these. But haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/tracker-forest-esc-mens-aw22?colour=Forest%20Bracken

They look quiet...

 

[Beaufort]

I’ve worn Russell PH’s for years. My current pair is about 15 years old and have been all around the world. Lightweight, comfortable and you can make them reasonable waterproof. Lots of leather and sole options, too.

 

[Russ16]

I’ve worn Russell PH’s for years. My current pair is about 15 years old and have been all around the world. Lightweight, comfortable and you can make them reasonable waterproof. Lots of leather and sole options, too.

I’ve always been a Russell fan. My birdshooters have hundreds of miles on them over 17 years. But my foot grew so I ordered a new pair in 2020. Got fitted at the Russell booth at a show. The new pair was a massive disappointment and I replaced them within a year and a half. I hope Russell has their quality control back where it should be but I would want to see some examples before ordering another pair.

That’s from someone that used to tell everyone they were the only way to go.

 

[rookhawk]

Just, my opinion - I don't like Courtney's.

I think they are extremely overpriced for a very simple shoe with no modern technology. Clark Desert Boots, would serve the same purpose, IMO.

I can't argue with your opinion that Courtney's are old technology. They truly are 1980s technology, no synthetics, no membranes, etc. We can agree to disagree on whether that is a feature or a defect until we empty a bottle of bourbon together.

I would debate the "overpriced" comment. A handmade boot in select leather (exotic gameskins no less) for $350-$380 is in my opinion, an absolute bargain. Russell Moccasin can make you a different design with the same quality leathers, soles, and hardware right here in Wisconsin, USA. You'll pay $800-$1200 for those boots of course, but that is what the cost of goods plus reasonable profit demands.

Keep in mind, a Kennetrex or Merrill probably costs about $8 to make and they run off an assembly line. Same for a Nike or a Converse. The majority of their costs are not labor or materials, its sponsorships, marketing, logistics, dealer channel, consumer packaging, and advertising that eats up the other $150-$250 in cost of goods sold.

We might not like how much hand crafted items cost (materials and labor) but this has always been the issue, it's why our grandparents got one pair of shoes per year as school kids. Even then, the costs adjusted for inflation were roughly what the Courteney Boots cost today. The difference is that today we are able to buy third-world mass manufactured footwear for 1/10th the price our grandparents paid (adjusted for CPI) for US made shoes in 1930.

 

[Rare Breed]

Right folks, I know the main points are:

-Something that fits the individual/you

-Wear the boot in before you go.


Now I don’t know if I’m being ambitious but I’m looking for something lightweight and waterproof.

I’ve got big, heavy, shin height boots for stalking in heather in the uk. But the rest of the time, I just need something for a hike on a weekend or that I can put gaitors over to achieve the same thing with less weight.

I’ve got 8 days in KZN in May.
I’ve got a few weeks,(non hunting) in NZ in their summer.


Is there anything lightweight and waterproof that would cover both? I’d have thought waterproof would still be an advantage for Africa as well?


Thanks!

One thing I have learned which can be so important when stalking DG animals with the need to get close is the type sole you choose regardless of brand. In April this year I was wearing Solomon’s which were incredibly comfortable and yes I just gave about worn everything Courtney’s etc. Besides comfort having a soft ripple sole versus a hard crepe one can make all the difference in terms of enabling you to move quiet through the jess.

 

[wiyofa]

I can't argue with your opinion that Courtney's are old technology. They truly are 1980s technology, no synthetics, no membranes, etc. We can agree to disagree on whether that is a feature or a defect until we empty a bottle of bourbon together.

I would debate the "overpriced" comment. A handmade boot in select leather (exotic gameskins no less) for $350-$380 is in my opinion, an absolute bargain. Russell Moccasin can make you a different design with the same quality leathers, soles, and hardware right here in Wisconsin, USA. You'll pay $800-$1200 for those boots of course, but that is what the cost of goods plus reasonable profit demands.

Keep in mind, a Kennetrex or Merrill probably costs about $8 to make and they run off an assembly line. Same for a Nike or a Converse. The majority of their costs are not labor or materials, its sponsorships, marketing, logistics, dealer channel, consumer packaging, and advertising that eats up the other $150-$250 in cost of goods sold.

We might not like how much hand crafted items cost (materials and labor) but this has always been the issue, it's why our grandparents got one pair of shoes per year as school kids. Even then, the costs adjusted for inflation were roughly what the Courteney Boots cost today Schuhe bei Hallux Valgus. The difference is that today we are able to buy third-world mass manufactured footwear for 1/10th the price our grandparents paid (adjusted for CPI) for US made shoes in 1930.

thank you so much for your suggestion