Hunting boots

[WAB]

Watch out for Courtney boots. I ordered months ago and still no boots. So disappointed

Are you in the US? If so deal with Jim at ASC. He’s outstanding.

 

[African Sporting Creations]

This is Jim from African Sporting Creations. I do not know your real name so cannot determine if you are waiting on an order from us. If you are and wish to cancel your order, happy to issue a refund.

If you ordered directly from Courteney, I am happy to back their play and if we have something in stock you are welcome to it. I assume you contacted them to voice your concerns before posting this and if that is the case I am a bit puzzled as I have found them to be some of the most honorable folks on the planet.

Almost all of our African suppliers have struggled to supply products this year. Many of them are dependent on outside raw materials so the 120 day shutdown (they were not permitted in their businesses and had to shelter in place for that period) that happened across sub-Saharan Africa had two impacts; they shut their factory down for that four months and when they "re-opened" they did not have enough raw materials to operate continuously and delayed shipments out of the UK meant in some cases they were only able to produce as a lower rate.

As we speak I have four orders in transit and all four have been bumped off the limited flights SA Airways (now in bankruptcy) operates (down to one a day) multiple times over the past several weeks. The cost (gouging) for those shipments has more than tripled as they have us over a barrel. People like myself who took money at the Safari shows in good faith have to get our backorders filled and have no choice but to pay the asking price. In two of the four shipments, the cost to ship the product now exceeds the cost of the merchandise. We hope shipping costs normalize in 2021 as selling product for less than it costs is a bad business model.

While I appreciate your frustration....it could always be worse......during the shutdown, they broke into the Courteney Boot Company and carted off everything that was not nailed down and actually stole several pieces of equipment that were bolted to the floor. When the owner and one other staff member were escorted to the factory by the police they welded all the doors and windows shut to prevent further theft which had other impacts when they reopened.

Just in Time inventory is not something that anyone dependent on African supply can practice so on all of our "A" items we still have plenty of stock. If you ordered a custom boot or something relatively new that sold out, that is where we have had the unfortunate delays covered above. Here to help.


Best Regards,

Jim
cell (419) 961 6900

 

[meigsbucks]

I wore the same pair of Rocky Outback’s on both safaris and on some hunts and hiking here in the states. I haven’t had the pleasure of a thorn going thru them. They are fairly light and I’ve found them to be very comfortable.

 

[The Engineer]

I have worn canvas topped Russell PH shoes/boots of some sort on all my hunts with no complaints. For me they are comfortable as soon as I put them on. However, they are not dress items. All of mine have come with a few picked stitches, missmatched seams, slight visual differences from the left to the right shoe. etc. Just cosmetic but visible. I have not had any adhesion problems but the wear rate on the quieter soles is not great. For me that is not a problem as the hunter I do not walk nearly as much as the PH during a year.

My exception to the above comments is my Art Carter Traveling Sportsman;s's which is all leather, heavy, and well finished. They are the most comfortable shoe I have worn and I am on my second resole. I wear them on the flight as I could hunt in them if my luggage is delayed.

 

[Rare Breed]

Are you in the US? If so deal with Jim at ASC. He’s outstanding.

Thanks so very much...I went from complete disappointment dealing directly with Courtney company to complete happiness with AFC in US!!!

 

[mikecatt13]

If you deal with @African Sporting Creations, they will work with you until you get the correct fit. They are outstanding to deal with.

I bought courteneys after doing research and wore and stalked/hiked with them for the first time in Texas recently. Very impressed. Comfortable right out of the box (I didnt walk too far just a couple miles, they will be well worn before Africa). I was suspect on the hype of how quiet they are supposed to be but its amazing

And ASC is a great company to buy from!

If they last nearly as long as people say, I may very well buy more and wear them every day because I kill boots.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Plenty of plenty of PHs wore running sneakers and sandals back in the day. Wear whatever you want. I like the comfort and durability of Kenetrek. Never ever had a thorn or fang go through any true hiking boot. The terrain varies considerably more in America. In trekking through all southern African countries all I've encountered is large flat Sandy areas with the occasional Rocky hills as well as wet and muddy riverine areas, each with its own brand of thorn bush and grasses. Based upon how much walking you will do proper fitment and comfort is Paramount.

 

[African Sporting Creations]

Rare Breed and Mike,

Thank you for your comments!

Jim

 

[gesch]

Here in the mountains, most guides and serious hunters wear Meindl or a Meindl copy such as Kenetrek, Crispi, Hoffman, Lowa, etc... It’s colder here and the terrain is generally more steep. These brands are expensive and stiff for climbing but last a long time with great durability. Once you get used to the stiffness, you probably wouldn’t wear anything else again. It’s almost impossible to get a blister with these boots if you wear them fairly tight, as designed. They are stiffer and more durable than what you need in Africa. They are taller so gaiters aren’t necessary unless you want to protect your pant legs.

Cabela’s used to carry Meindl but might not anymore. Hoffman sells their own great boots and also Meindl. As guides, we haven’t had the greatest customer service with Kenetrek. One of my guides had a pair that leaked water and returned them. Kenetrek said the boots didn’t leak and refused to replace them. Not a good move to do that to a guide that guides lots of hunters!

I have heard good things about Courtney boots/shoes and would like to try them sometime but I’m not sure I would want to use them in the States so I haven’t tried them yet. Do any of you guys with Courtney boots wear them in the States?

Yes I have worn my Coutney’s For the last two years in my deer stand. They also work great for stalking and walking in and out of the woods. I try not to use them if there is a lot of water around as they need to be carefully handled to keep them in good shape. Also in my deer stand I have some quilted foot warmers that slip on over the boots. Therefore I no longer get cold feet. I must admit that part of the reason that I wear them is that they remind me of Africa and my AH friend who sold them to me as a favor—thanks again Ridge Walker! They are fantastic!

 

[Philip Glass]

Russell Moccasin, Lowa, Kenetrek Safari. Any of these will likely be better than what you are currently looking at. Best of luck.
Philip

 

[expresshunt]

This is Jim from African Sporting Creations. I do not know your real name so cannot determine if you are waiting on an order from us. If you are and wish to cancel your order, happy to issue a refund.

If you ordered directly from Courteney, I am happy to back their play and if we have something in stock you are welcome to it. I assume you contacted them to voice your concerns before posting this and if that is the case I am a bit puzzled as I have found them to be some of the most honorable folks on the planet.

Almost all of our African suppliers have struggled to supply products this year. Many of them are dependent on outside raw materials so the 120 day shutdown (they were not permitted in their businesses and had to shelter in place for that period) that happened across sub-Saharan Africa had two impacts; they shut their factory down for that four months and when they "re-opened" they did not have enough raw materials to operate continuously and delayed shipments out of the UK meant in some cases they were only able to produce as a lower rate.

As we speak I have four orders in transit and all four have been bumped off the limited flights SA Airways (now in bankruptcy) operates (down to one a day) multiple times over the past several weeks. The cost (gouging) for those shipments has more than tripled as they have us over a barrel. People like myself who took money at the Safari shows in good faith have to get our backorders filled and have no choice but to pay the asking price. In two of the four shipments, the cost to ship the product now exceeds the cost of the merchandise. We hope shipping costs normalize in 2021 as selling product for less than it costs is a bad business model.

While I appreciate your frustration....it could always be worse......during the shutdown, they broke into the Courteney Boot Company and carted off everything that was not nailed down and actually stole several pieces of equipment that were bolted to the floor. When the owner and one other staff member were escorted to the factory by the police they welded all the doors and windows shut to prevent further theft which had other impacts when they reopened.

Just in Time inventory is not something that anyone dependent on African supply can practice so on all of our "A" items we still have plenty of stock. If you ordered a custom boot or something relatively new that sold out, that is where we have had the unfortunate delays covered above. Here to help.


Best Regards,

Jim
cell (419) 961 6900

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the report on Courteney factory etc... its times like these, that small to medium business needs support. These guys have made a home grown, stunning, tough and good looking product and employed many local people in Zim... yet managed to reach the small market spread all over the world..!! Like outfitters, safaris and conservation in 2020 and 2021, they will be impacted too.
One of my guides who knows better gave me a pair of courtneys, that fitted my wide hoof, and with my supportive inner sole, I am happy as hell. Grip to go up and down river embankments, tough soles that wards off most thorns, and real, strong, sexy leather, tough laces and I'm now addicted. Forget the price, just buy them. We spend $150 to $250 for 4 to eat out for dinner.! and $1500 on a good scope rather than $275 on one from china.!
Eventually after 5 years of hard use, dirt, mud, heat, rocks, sploshing through creeks mine look very very old and tired. Must have a new pair for the 'next' convention.! And yes best advice ever, take two (2) pairs of comfortable, worn in, hunting boots on safari, and wear 1 pair on the plane..!!
Like all shoes, they must fit.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have a pair of the old Danner light weight stalkers and on my last trip I picked up a pair of the South African Wildebeest boot. They have a very quite sole on them and are very comfortable. I will look for another pair when I am next there.

 

[mark-hunter]

I am using similar type desert "SWAT" boots.
In africa, and at home hiking. No issues.

 

[Punyi]

I recently purchased two pair of Danner hiking boots. The first is the South rim hiking shoe, the second is a full leather Mountain 600. Given the varying terrain of Namibia and South Africa, how do you think a non leather boot like the south rim would work?

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Good set of gaiters won't go astray mate. I wore Keens for the whole month I was in SA last time. Cheers,

 

[Rickmt]

Lightweight hikers . My feet get hot. I used no insulation, not waterproof, Keene targa