Footwear to pack

[pilar]

I know this topic is probably beat to death
I need some new boots for my upcoming safari and also work
help With opinions
1.Courtney selous ( very expensive and got a bad online review)
2. Bell Morgan
3. Jim Green Ranger
4. wildebees
5. Merrill 3/4 top water proof
I truly can’t deside , maybe should stick with my redwings? Add others I should consider

camp shoes are going To be some crocks
socks alpaca or wool

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I know this topic is probably beat to death
I need some new boots for my upcoming safari and also work
help With opinions
1.Courtney selous ( very expensive and got a bad online review)
2. Bell Morgan
3. Jim Green Ranger
4. wildebees
I truly can’t deside , maybe should stick with my redwings? Add others I should consider

camp shoes are going To be some crocks
socks alpaca or wool

Some people don’t like Courteney’s (I like mine). They’re well made. Cost is subjective. Quality costs more generally

How soon is your trip? I’d be more worried about whatever I bring being broken in.

What model Red Wing are you talking about?

Haven’t tried alpaca socks. Personally I’m wearing wool. Whatever you do don’t wear cotton socks. Your feet will thank you.

 

[JimP]

I'd just keep going with what you have. There is no reason to get the expensive "safari" boots for a single or even multiple trips.

On both of my trips I just wore some over the ankle non insulated hiking boots that I wear every day and on most of my hunting trips here in the US. That is unless it is going to be wet and cold.

Your Redwings will work quite well.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Also, going to hunt Africa is a very special thing. Don’t just wear anything.

 

[chashardy]

I have used Kenetrek hiking boots on 4 safaris in Africa. They are great for lots of walking. You will want to get gaiters also. Everything in Africa has thorns on it--even the grass.

 

[pilar]

Some people don’t like Courteney’s (I like mine). They’re well made. Cost is subjective. Quality costs more generally

How soon is your trip? I’d be more worried about whatever I bring being broken in.

What model Red Wing are you talking about?

Haven’t tried alpaca socks. Personally I’m wearing wool. Whatever you do don’t wear cotton socks. Your feet will thank you.

1 year til the safari, but I will be hunting and working in them alot
redwing

 

[Rick HOlbert]

I know this topic is probably beat to death
I need some new boots for my upcoming safari and also work
help With opinions
1.Courtney selous ( very expensive and got a bad online review)
2. Bell Morgan
3. Jim Green Ranger
4. wildebees
5. Merrill 3/4 top water proof
I truly can’t deside , maybe should stick with my redwings? Add others I should consider

camp shoes are going To be some crocks
socks alpaca or wool

Kenetrex makes a good safari boot but I'll stick to my Courtney Selous boots.

 

[Borderer]

I have Courteney Safaris, they are very comfortable and there were a few pairs on eBay at the time.

I noticed that the everyone on the farms we visited had Jim Green boots.

I met a man who spends three months each year on Safari. He had cheap builder's steel toe cap boots on. He started using them after his PH stepped on a gin trap. He now prefers them to his old Courteney boots.

I have seen a PH hunting in crocs.

 

[pilar]

I have Courteney Safaris, they are very comfortable and there were a few pairs on eBay at the time.

I noticed that the everyone on the farms we visited had Jim Green boots.

I met a man who spends three months each year on Safari. He had cheap builder's steel toe cap boots on. He started using them after his PH stepped on a gin trap. He now prefers them to his old Courteney boots.

I have seen a PH hunting in crocs.

Funny you mention steel toe boots, my safari partner wears them, he hunted in Zambia or some place where everyday he hunted they found traps and snares

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

1 year til the safari, but I will be hunting and working in them alot
redwing View attachment 526529

Red Wing are great boots. Not what I think of when it comes to a safari though. I’d buy something else for my hunt. You’ve got plenty of time to break something in just wearing them casually. Also, you’re about to spend five figures to hunt in a foreign land. A few hundred bucks on quality footwear falls into the same category as premium ammunition IMO

 

[JimP]

I have Courteney Safaris, they are very comfortable and there were a few pairs on eBay at the time.

I noticed that the everyone on the farms we visited had Jim Green boots.

I met a man who spends three months each year on Safari. He had cheap builder's steel toe cap boots on. He started using them after his PH stepped on a gin trap. He now prefers them to his old Courteney boots.

I have seen a PH hunting in crocs.

On my first safari the outfitter was known for going barefoot, or just wearing a heavy pair of socks. This was in the Eastern Cape.

But to add to my first post, a safari hunt is no different than a lot of hunts here in the US. Each entails a lot of walking and hiking over uneven terrine. If you boots can handle the US they can handle Africa. A good pair of boots is a good pair of boots.

Also, don't pack them. Wear them onto the plane for your flight over. That way if your luggage gets lost you still have a good pair of boots to wear.

 

[Red Leg]

Here is a very positive online review - I have been wearing Courteney boots to Africa for over a decade. Before that I wore the Russel PH. I found the Courteney far superior and have never looked back. At last count, I think I have four different pair (two are the Selous). They fit me beautifully, and I have found nothing better for a long trek trying to walk down a buffalo or eland.

They are also a perfect dove hunting boot for here in Texas.

In South Africa, I think I have seen more PHs and farmers wearing either Redback or Blundstone paddock boots than anything else (never in Moz, Namibia, or Zambia). I have a couple of pair that I use on the ranch here. Very comfortable as well with no laces to worry about.

My travel boot is a similar design by RM Williams. They have a bit more fitted look, but will also serve as a hunting boot if the airlines aren't cooperating.

All that said, if you have any boot that is well broken in and fits you , then you are already equipped for your trip.

 

[Nyati]

Any boot you are comfortable with will be fine. I recommend that you wear a light hiking boot for traveling. It will be a backup you will be able to use it for hunting.

And always gaiters, don´t forget them.

 

[zephyr]

Last PH I hunted with wore a Blundstone type slip on boot

 

[JimP]

On both of my hunts the trackers wore oxfords. None of my PH's or trackers ever wore gators, but then they all wore long pants.

 

[zephyr]

I have a pair of tired Russell boots and have been thinking about a pair of Courtney..... Does anyone have any experience with their "Wide" boot

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Courteney Safaris, but they must have your orthotic inserts in them, especially if you have heel problems. Two pairs, in case one gets wet. Ripple soles. For evening wear around the fire or getting up for the loo slip on Ortho Comforts, they come with inserts.
Each night before turning in roll Osteo Freeze onto heels and big toe joints and anywhere else that is sore.
Never walk bare foot in your tent or around camp, a scorpion can ruin your hunt.

 

[Andrew62]

Warrior alpaca socks for me, 100% of the time!! In fact I wear them everyday!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

On my first trip to Africa I used a pair of Lowa Renegades I picked up on eBay used/like new for 50 bucks. We hiked as much as 8 miles a day. They were fabulous.

I had planned to use them again in June this year. But because I can't leave well enough alone, I recently bought a pair of GoRuck MacV1s (also eBay/like new, no box) for 70 bucks - after learning about them on a thread on here - and will probably use them. They are suuuuuper light!

For traveling I have a pair of favorite Cabela's slip on/offs I have had for years. Comfortable and easy-peasy through airports.

 

[fourfive8]

What foot wear to pack? What ever you want I guess. You can hunt around on the net and find any number of opinions that agree with yours. You can hunt around on the net and find just as many bad reviews for any opinion including favorite footwear not just Courteney foot wear.

I wear light weight hiking shoes, Dunham Clouds, for airports and travel. I put an old pair of indoor/outdoor leather slippers in my carry on. When I get on the plane for 16+ hours of torture I put on the slippers. Better wearing the old camp slippers than wallowing around top of pee splatters, etc on the lavatory floor in a pair of socks during the flight. When they wake up the cabin for last meal and prep for landing I put the slippers back in a plastic bag and into my carry on and put on my hiking shoes. I wear my hiking shoes again for everything around hotel or transit or next short flight. I have one pair of hunting boots in my checked bag- either Courteney Selous or Courteney Safaris. Around camp I wear the slippers. For hunting I wear the Courteney's along with Courteney impala gaiters to keep crap out of my socks and boots. Reverse process for return trip.