Safari boots opinions

[J.Santos]

I prefer a mid ankle Chaka style. Moc toe. With a thin flexible sole. I have a pair of discontinued Red Wing Mocs that are perfect I only take wear them while stalking to save them View attachment 564232

Beautiful!
Thank,'s for sharing.
Total unknown to me this kind of boots.

 

[Elkeater]

I bought a pair of Origin Maine Bison boots a couple years ago. These are what I’m planning on wearing in Africa next year. Not cheap but for those of us in the U.S. they are made right here at home. They are a simple boot and to my feet they are comfy.

THE AMERICAN BISON 6 INCH BOOT - BIG LUG

Own one-of-a-kind, handmade leather boots. American bison are a unique, untamed animal. Each hide varies in shade and surface character. THE AMERICAN BISON BOOT features an expanded toe box for added comfort, a gusseted tongue to keep debris out, and a foam insole for comfort.

originusa.com

 

[BeeMaa]

I have 2 pairs of Wesco bespoke boots that are nearly 20 years old. They don’t see a lot of use outside of tree work but if I were to look for a dedicated boot for hunting Africa, I would choose them without a second thought.

Keep in mind that you will get what you pay for with something like this. There is a bit of sticker shock with full custom boots. When you spread the cost over several years of use, it’s justified.

Things I would highlight are a soft sole like a wedge style, uninsulated, no safety toe or shank reinforcement, leather liner, 8-10” height with lace to toe. Probably a dark brown for the color with dark stitching.

 

[Altitude sickness]

These are the Red Wings I protect because they are discontinued

and the perfect warmer weather stalking boot. For me.

 

[375Fox]

I bought a pair of Origin Maine Bison boots a couple years ago. These are what I’m planning on wearing in Africa next year. Not cheap but for those of us in the U.S. they are made right here at home. They are a simple boot and to my feet they are comfy.

View attachment 564233

THE AMERICAN BISON 6 INCH BOOT - BIG LUG

Own one-of-a-kind, handmade leather boots. American bison are a unique, untamed animal. Each hide varies in shade and surface character. THE AMERICAN BISON BOOT features an expanded toe box for added comfort, a gusseted tongue to keep debris out, and a foam insole for comfort.

originusa.com

How heavy are these boots? Would you wear them when it’s hot? I see a few mentions of winter in the reviews on their website. It’s nice to see something made in USA and actually list where components are from too.

 

[spike.t]

Have Russell moccasin boots...comfortable but a real pain to put on and take off, even after getting them to put speed lacing on them ...had them custom made but couldn't put them on when they arrived. Had to get some leather stretcher liquid and basically fist them over a period of time so they stretched enough I could start wearing them....but they sat in a suite case full of not used clothes etc for years till my last pair of Courtney selous ele skins boots finally died....I asked Courtney how much the canvas ones were....and thought fk that....didn't ask how much the ele ones are now as they said we can't ship outside of zim...not even to you in zambia...but at the price of the canvas ones I would hate to think of the price of ele ones.... earlier in the year peteg on here sent me a link to Jim green boots. so when we were in SA last June for my sister in law wedding I contacted them ,and they gave me info as to where nearest stockist was. Think it was called the vellie shop in boksburg....looked it up and was bout 30 min from hotel. I got an uber there and the manager/ owner was pretty helpful...told him I used selous ele ones so he said nearest to that is the Jim green buff ones....tried couple sizes on and the 8.5 were way too big , but the 8 seemed good. I was wearing the socks I use when wearing my boots...any way bought those and a pair of the suede looking ones as well. So back here we were in middle of burning so on went the buff boots....got a mother blister on my left foot heel....right was fine....also another problem I found out was after wearing them properly the socks were too thick and ended up using normal cotton socks...I spent some time feeling inside the heel area of both boots and found on the left one where the inner sole joined the leather was a ridge...tried a couple of things to smooth it down and ended up using the grip on my Swiss army knife to push it flat...worked perfectly....they are well broken in now.....I never thought about it as with my different Courtney boots I never had to do that...could put them on brand new and go do a buff hunt....or similar walking....another thing I am not keen on in the Jim green boots is they have a steel shank in the sole....I found when burning and walking around the whole day that on the rougher ground I could feel it pushing into the bottom of my feet....and it really caused then to ache....why they put it in I don't know...if they made same boots without I would buy them ....now only had them since June as I said ,but have noticed possibly some issues developing with the glue around edges of the sole...they are stiched but bits are coming apart in sections....so jury is out at the moment....Will see how they are in a few months...apart from the shank they are nearly as comfortable as my Courtneys were....but as I said I never had to break them in....I paid for the 2 pairs a lot less than the price I was quoted for the pair of canvas Courtneys......the suede ones I really don't think would stand up to much abuse as feel a lot less robust when I wear them...so I use them when driving to and from takeri and odd other time....after this long winded session my thoughts are that the courtneys are bit ahead, but not sure if the older ones were maybe bit better in quality than the newer ones from the odd issue brought up on here. The Jim green buff are next but as i said you will have to make sure you iron out any little issues first....and the difference in a half size was very big, at least on the 2 pairs I tried on....the Russel boots as I said comfortable but a total pain to put on and take off compared to the Courtney or Jim green boots....I hope the JG buff boots stay the course as now they are good....it says they were designed after consulting game rangers etc in SA....maybe the terrain and use in SA is easier than north of the limpopo/zambezi rivers....

 

[spike.t]

I bought a pair of Origin Maine Bison boots a couple years ago. These are what I’m planning on wearing in Africa next year. Not cheap but for those of us in the U.S. they are made right here at home. They are a simple boot and to my feet they are comfy.

View attachment 564233

THE AMERICAN BISON 6 INCH BOOT - BIG LUG

Own one-of-a-kind, handmade leather boots. American bison are a unique, untamed animal. Each hide varies in shade and surface character. THE AMERICAN BISON BOOT features an expanded toe box for added comfort, a gusseted tongue to keep debris out, and a foam insole for comfort.

originusa.com

They look very heavy and sort of "clompy "... if you know what I mean

 

[J.Santos]

I bought a pair of Origin Maine Bison boots a couple years ago. These are what I’m planning on wearing in Africa next year. Not cheap but for those of us in the U.S. they are made right here at home. They are a simple boot and to my feet they are comfy.

View attachment 564233

THE AMERICAN BISON 6 INCH BOOT - BIG LUG

Own one-of-a-kind, handmade leather boots. American bison are a unique, untamed animal. Each hide varies in shade and surface character. THE AMERICAN BISON BOOT features an expanded toe box for added comfort, a gusseted tongue to keep debris out, and a foam insole for comfort.

originusa.com

Thank you for sharing.
Best regards

 

[Elkeater]

Not heavy. I’m not sure exactly how much they weigh but they are no frills and definitely weigh less than my Crispi Nevada’s which are my go to western hunting boot. They aren’t full of foam or padding just an insole and leather. With a lug sole that is only about 3/4” thick on the heel.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Does anyone use Filson Sebago tin cloth and leather moc toes. Ankle high. I have the above ankle for a great upland boot.

They Worth looking for.

 

[deewayne2003]

As someone with flat feet I can honestly say that Courteney boots changed my life.

The wide toe box and general shape of them fits me like a glove; I actually got my first pair of trackers from @Rare Breed on this forum.

I special ordered some Safaris straight from Zimbabwe to wear on my Australia hunt and could not have been happier with their performance.

 

[Altitude sickness]

These Orvis are nimble and quiet

 

[Altitude sickness]

Filson Sebago Tin Cloths

 

[Hillcountry63]

I own 3 pair of Courtney's, a pair of Russell PH's, a pair of LL Bean bison and a pair of Jim Green's.....all have been used in Africa and various other countries. You can't go wrong with Courtneys.....just MHO.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi to all members.
I would like to know what do you think about Safari boots. Never been to Africa but I admire all the gear evolved.
So, in terms of quality, confort, durability and look, what do you think about Courtney boots or Jim Green? Wy they are so expensive and anyone knows where to find in Europe?
Thank you all.

Courtney's don't fit everyone. My go to is Lowa Renegade GTX.

 

[VertigoBE]

Filson Sebago Tin Cloths View attachment 565175View attachment 565176View attachment 565177View attachment 565178View attachment 565179

Would these work as good wet boots? For use in swamps and very wet areas and such?

 

[Nhoro]

I have walked behind hunting clients many a mile and definite views on shoes. Hiking boots are bad, the soles are stiff and clomp down loudly whilst also making grass and sticks crackle like cornflakes. They also seem to give blisters more than they should. They are designed for ankle support/carrying a load/ long distance/ water resistance. A lighter veldskoen/ half boot/ desert boot is best followed by trainers or takkies- both running and walking. Flick the sole with your finger and see if they give a quiet dull thud or a loud' pock'. My best boots were CAT light boots and now i wear Courtneys. Any quiet veldskoen type boot will do- light,quiet and a little ankle support when you need it.

 

[noahlilly]

I’m not sure whose terminology is incorrect yours or mine. Merrells boots have a very hard tread and aren’t quiet up close compared to courteney’s but I’d say they are very soft sole because they flex with the heat. In Cameroon I had some protection for the bottom of my feet but no support because they flexed so easily, front to back and left to right once it got hot mid day. My PH had courteney’s. They were much more quiet. However I’d say they are hard soled because they didn’t flex on the ground like my merrells. I’ve also had thorns and burnt grass fully puncture my merrell boots discover. I’ve had them stick in the tread of danner boots but not make it to my foot. I don’t believe this happens with courteney’s? After that hunt, I’m going to put more consideration into footwear on tracking hunts.

Can anyone tell me where you can get good, comfortable, and functional old-fashioned safari boots? Like the ones used in Africa in the 1800s.

 

[375Fox]

Can anyone tell me where you can get good, comfortable, and functional old-fashioned safari boots? Like the ones used in Africa in the 1800s.

Courtney you can get from Africa sporting creations.
Jim Green is available on their website or on Amazon now.

 

[Green Chile]

Courteney or Russell boots have some classic designs.