Boots - recommendations?

I think the technology of the Courteney design is a bit older than 1980, more like 1880. :). IMO that is a positive feature, not a defect. All-leather footwear will break-in to your foot. Conversely, if stiff synthetics are used in footwear, wouldn’t the foot then have to break-in to the footwear? Also, after reading this thread, the footwear industry is not starving for fresh, trendy offerings. For thorn infested, hot, dry climate hunting, as is common in Africa, hard to beat Courteneys with thin impala leather gaiters. If the criteria is for magic footwear ideal for hot, dry climate and severe mountain and swampy wet… good luck ;)
 
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Lowa
Renegade

Ttust me!!!
If you have a wide foot beware. They are awesome boots but I could not make them work, to narrow even in the wides. Thankfully REI took them back.
 
Like Ontario hunter, I've had expensive boots and I had cheap boots. Don't overthink things. Basic boots that give your feet good arch support, fit well and have a stiff enough sole to keep your feet arches from aching when walking on rough terrain; and don't forget your parachute cord laces;)
 
I think the technology of the Courteney design is a bit older than 1980, more like 1880. :). IMO that is a positive feature, not a defect. All-leather footwear will break-in to your foot. Conversely, if stiff synthetics are used in footwear, wouldn’t the foot then have to break-in to the footwear? Also, after reading this thread, the footwear industry is not starving for fresh, trendy offerings. For thorn infested, hot, dry climate hunting, as is common in Africa, hard to beat Courteneys with thin impala leather gaiters. If the criteria is for magic footwear ideal for hot, dry climate and severe mountain and swampy wet… good luck ;)
I have both Safari and Selous Courteney models. I prefer the "tyre" :) tread. The only issue I've had with the tyre tread is it picks up pea-sized gravel and will bring it inside- not best for floors. Makes no difference for hunting outdoors ;) For most Africa-type conditions they work very well for me . They pick up mud similarly to the well known "waffle stomper" Vibram sole. The grooves in the Courteney tyre tread are parallel sided and pick up and hold onto occasional pebble. The Vibram tread has more tapered grooves so less likely to hold onto gravel. I have also found the tyre tread to work the best in that extremely fine, "slick" sand of the Kalahari. I occasionally see some preferences posted for trendy attire like flip flops and shorts for Africa. Whatever blows the skirt I guess :)

Here's a pic of what I prefer for hunting and long distance tracking common to most of hot, dry, sandy or rocky Africa. Courteneys with thin impala gaiters and long pants

0-21.jpeg
 
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Heading to New Zealand in May for 10 Days.
Ordered a pair of Zamberlan 700 Sierra GTX Boots. I hope they aren't too narrow…


View attachment 661867

We’ll be there right before you at the end of April…

Are you hunting with Jim at New Zealand Safaris?

The wife is going for a tahr.. I’m going to try to chase a red stag if there’s time (we’re just going to be in camp for three hunting days)..

Im planning on giving my schnee beartooths and my wife’s crispi wind rivers a workout..
 
We’ll be there right before you at the end of April…

Are you hunting with Jim at New Zealand Safaris?

The wife is going for a tahr.. I’m going to try to chase a red stag if there’s time (we’re just going to be in camp for three hunting days)..

Im planning on giving my schnee beartooths and my wife’s crispi wind rivers a workout

Lochinvar Safaris.
 
We’ll be there right before you at the end of April…

Are you hunting with Jim at New Zealand Safaris?

The wife is going for a tahr.. I’m going to try to chase a red stag if there’s time (we’re just going to be in camp for three hunting days)..

Im planning on giving my schnee beartooths and my wife’s crispi wind rivers a workout..
Red Stag up to 500 SCI, a Bull Tahr, a Chamois, a Fallow Buck and an Arapawa Ram - 10 days
 
You’ve got a much bigger hunt planned than we do.. we’re doing a combo tourism/hunting trip.. I’ve got a buddy in Christchurch that owns the local Harley Davidson shop that we’re going to link up with and see Christchurch with.. then we’re going to spend a few days in a couple of the national parks and a few more days running around Queenstown, Wanaka, etc… and then we’re going to finish things off with a short hunt before we go home..

I feel fairly confident about a tahr.. but I’m not sure how much time will be left after that… assuming the wife bags the tahr quickly, I’ll spend the remaining time going after a stag… if somehow all the stars align and both get knocked out quickly and we still have time left over we might add on something “easy” like a “meat hunt”…

Definitely looking forward to it though… I’ve been blessed and privileged to see a lot of Gods big green planet (well over 100 countries at this point), but for some reason have never made it to New Zealand before.. we’re excited about the opportunity
 
Lightest most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever worn on safari.

Which model of Solomon? I am a big Kenetrek fan but am in need of an every day around town and light hiking trails kind of boot.
 

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updated available dates for 2025 season,

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Thank you for the bookings Gents headed to USA soon get your dates booked they are going quick!
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updated available dates for 2025 season,

14-19 March
1-7 April
22-28 April
16-24 May
9-30 June
25-31 July
19-31 August
September and October is wide open

jump on these dates fast, I am about to head out on my American marketing trip and they will go quick,
 
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