Sneaky Silent Shoes

[Green Chile]

If you can roll your feet in your boots, then you can walk quietly in the bush. Many times you will have to stop and reset your feet in the field to walk quietly.

 

[rookhawk]

What's your opinion on the "silent" shoes? EX: R.M. 'Thula Thula', to be specific these are shoes without a traditional external sole with the idea that these will be quieter than those with traditional rubber grip soles. My biggest concern with this footwear is essentially everything OUTSIDE of stalking... Moving quickly to get behind cover, fleeing a charging animal, any sort of quick sudden 'in the moment motion' that needs to be done 'in the heat of the moment', you ever slipped over? I am hoping more experienced individuals that use or have used these style of shoes/boots will chime in and give their experiences.
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For Africa, A pair of courteneys with the tractor sole, you can walk pretty darned quiet and you don't slip when climbing gomas and kopis.

The russels are cool, but you need to make sure you get them with the thorn proof inner sole or you'll have a spike go right through. They probably will quiet down when they are very worn and turn to suede, but at what cost of traction and longevity?

In the States for ultimate quiet, bowhunters will buy premium wool tube socks and dip the soles in rubber. No protection, but that's how you walk up corn rows with a bow and shoot a buck at 15 yards. It wouldn't work in Africa, you'd be at the hospital with sepsis and tetanus after a 100 yard walk.

 

[Sideshow]

Here's my 20 year old Russell's on the left still going strong with no repairs after many trips...and my new Russell's with 2 trips on them on the right...and my trainer GoRucks in between with lots of mileage. All great boots with no regrets.

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Bit of an old thread @Green Chile but the go rucks did you ever use them in Africa?

 

[Green Chile]

Good question. I’ve been in a good bit of thorn bush the last few trips and opted for my Russells. In camp and airports, I do wear the Go Rucks or crocs.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I don’t know how you keep those soles glued on. After 3 pair and multiple returns to Russell I’ve finally given up.

try JB Weld I just repaired a pair of Danner boots that split (no warranty) and they are holding up nicely

 

[Luvthunt]

Danners for me also . When I wear shorte I use the 452s and gaiters and a 8” boot (do not recall model) with long pants.
Africa, Alaska ,Mexico, Ca and many states never gave me a reason to change.

 

[Surgeon1]

Kennetreck Safari’s with Go Rucks my backups

 

[flying sailor]

I really want to like Courteney's, but, I, really, just don't get them. To me, they are not very comfortable and are about as "old school" as you can get.


I've worn Danner's with no problem on my safaris.

Learning how to walk silently is a skill that (IMO) only has a little to do with the boot itself.

I will probably wear Kennetrek Safari's on my next trip to Africa.

Very comfortable, super quality, super insoles.

I think many would consider them too "stiff", but, as a mountain hunter, I would rather err towards durability, than tennis shoe soles.

I wore Kennetrek Safaris' on my hunt last year and really appreciate the quality and support. They will be going back in'25.

 

[TSIBINDI]

...Sneaky?

Footwear I have worn in Africa.

Bata vellies. Inexpensive, quiet and comfortable.
Russell: Expensive. Hunter ll, quiet and comfortable and long wearing.
Courteney: Not quiet. Over hyped, overweight and overpriced. (In the US market.) *
Keens: Low cut sneaker type. Inexpensive, Comfortable, large toe box, and long lasting.
Rocky: S2v's Comfortable and quiet

*I've worn different models of Courteney boots, gave them all away. I retained the vellies I had made in Zim made of ele hide.

FWIW: I've spent over 600 days roaming around in the African bush. Most of that time in Zimbabwe. I have walked a lot of miles in the various named boots. Footwear, like rifles, fishing rods, whiskey and women are in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Rare Breed]

...Sneaky?

Footwear I have worn in Africa.

Bata vellies. Inexpensive, quiet and comfortable.
Russell: Expensive. Hunter ll, quiet and comfortable and long wearing.
Courteney: Not quiet. Over hyped, overweight and overpriced. (In the US market.) *
Keens: Low cut sneaker type. Inexpensive, Comfortable, large toe box, and long lasting.
Rocky: S2v's Comfortable and quiet

*I've worn different models of Courteney boots, gave them all away. I retained the vellies I had made in Zim made of ele hide.

FWIW: I've spent over 600 days roaming around in the African bush. Most of that time in Zimbabwe. I have walked a lot of miles in the various named boots. Footwear, like rifles, fishing rods, whiskey and women are in the eye of the beholder.

so very true!!!

 

[Safari Dave]

...Sneaky?

Footwear I have worn in Africa.

Bata vellies. Inexpensive, quiet and comfortable.
Russell: Expensive. Hunter ll, quiet and comfortable and long wearing.
Courteney: Not quiet. Over hyped, overweight and overpriced. (In the US market.) *
Keens: Low cut sneaker type. Inexpensive, Comfortable, large toe box, and long lasting.
Rocky: S2v's Comfortable and quiet

*I've worn different models of Courteney boots, gave them all away. I retained the vellies I had made in Zim made of ele hide.

FWIW: I've spent over 600 days roaming around in the African bush. Most of that time in Zimbabwe. I have walked a lot of miles in the various named boots. Footwear, like rifles, fishing rods, whiskey and women are in the eye of the beholder.

I've worn Courtney's also, and was not impressed. A friend owns them now. I don't recall ever seeing him wear them.

 

[spike.t]

I don’t know how you keep those soles glued on. After 3 pair and multiple returns to Russell I’ve finally given up.

Also a fkn pain in the arse to put on....mine sit as spares just in case

 

[spike.t]

I really want to like Courteney's, but, I, really, just don't get them. To me, they are not very comfortable and are about as "old school" as you can get.


I've worn Danner's with no problem on my safaris.

Learning how to walk silently is a skill that (IMO) only has a little to do with the boot itself.

I will probably wear Kennetrek Safari's on my next trip to Africa.

Very comfortable, super quality, super insoles.

I think many would consider them too "stiff", but, as a mountain hunter, I would rather err towards durability, than tennis shoe soles.

OK as I have said before in at least one of these never ending boot threads .....yes the boots make a difference....just get with a soft bloody rubber sole....yes you are never going to silent...but all the walking/hiking whatever boots/trainers with the hard long wearing bloody soles are shit....just saying....but we look at each other when even on only plain dirt/gravel and all we hear is crunch crunch crunch.....from the clients boots ...superb or whatever they are supposed to be...

 

[WyoBull]

Being quiet or sneaky is not so much about what boot/shoe you are wearing as it is about how you walk and your pace.
I have worn many types of boots over the years and my go to’s for many years have been Kenetrek. They are not known for their soft and pliable soles but I have had no problem being stealthy and getting close to game.
Wear what is comfortable for you but don’t rely on your boot to make you stealthy.

 

[Green Chile]

As has been stated many times, shoes are a very personal selection. I do agree that a lot of people have trouble walking quietly because of how they walk...not so much what they are wearing. This whole flat footed stomp, stomp thing is NOT the way. If you can't stop in the middle of a step, you should consider reviewing your technique.

I know many love the Courtenays (mostly my African friends) but those things are heavy and clunky. I feel like a clown when I"m wearing them. Thankfully, I have found other types that work well for me and I'm proud of the fact that I get compliments from PHs and trackers on my quiet walking/stalking.

 

[steve white]

I wonder if the OP could get another sole glued or stitched on if he becomes unhappy with the Thula Thulas? Wonder how the American Indians coped with just moccasins....

 

[steve white]

I own a pair of Russell Thula Thula boots and would likely require a day or two to find them. The true moccasin sole is a clever idea - assuming you never use them where a thorn, slick slope, or rock may be encountered. Assuming I can find them, they really need to go to Goodwill. The Russell PH with crepe or tread sole is a superb boot. I used a pair in the Caprivi many years ago. My only issue is that they bind the top of my foot too tightly. For me, hunting dry areas in Africa, I have found nothing better than Courteney.

Don't give them to Goodwill--what size are they...

 

[Red Leg]

Don't give them to Goodwill--what size are they...

Too late - they were a size 11.

 

[wysongdog]

What about a Solomon trail running shoe? I’ve been using them for elk hunting here in Wyoming and am fairly impressed.

 

[Green Chile]

What about a Solomon trail running shoe? I’ve been using them for elk hunting here in Wyoming and am fairly impressed.

Solomons are ok but the thorns will eat you up.