Mountain boots for South Africa

[Pheroze]

A year and a half until the next hunt, time to start obsessing

This time it's off to the mountains in the eastern cape. I have a pair of Courtney Sealous that I used last time. Love the boots and wear them all the time. But, do these mountains require a boot with more support?

 

[Alexandro Faria]

I have 3 boots I wear when hunting: My Wildebeest Vellies (RSA brand) are worn when the hunting isn't too intense- wingshooting, for example. My Courteney boots are for just about everything else except for snow, in which case I have a pair of wolverines that I love.

To answer your question: I'll be very shocked if your Courteneys aren't just the ticket. Personally, I feel like guns and boots are similar in that the ones you are familiar with are usually the best option.

 

[Pheroze]

I have 3 boots I wear when hunting: My Wildebeest Vellies (RSA brand) are worn when the hunting isn't too intense- wingshooting, for example. My Courteney boots are for just about everything else except for snow, in which case I have a pair of wolverines that I love.

To answer your question: I'll be very shocked if your Courteneys aren't just the ticket. Personally, I feel like guns and boots are similar in that the ones you are familiar with are usually the best option.

I wear my Courtneys for everything unless it is very wet, or snowy. I used to have insoles in them, but took them out this year as my feet seem to have changed?? NOw just using the stock insoles

 

[Ridgewalker]

Pheroze, JME, but I need ankle support in rocky terrain. Sadly Courtneys don’t do that for me. I hunted an area near Atlanta, Limpopo which was flat except where we hunted buffalo. My ankles constantly rolled! I wished I had one of my Colorado hunting boots with good support.
Sadly I haven’t hunted the Eastern Cape, so I cannot give you a real world example, but just from the pictures in the reports on it, I’d be prepared for rough terrain. Maybe just take an extra boot and be prepared.
Best of luck and hopefully someone can give you a better, real world experience.

 

[Nkawu]

Where exactly in the EC will you be hunting and what time of year? I lived in the EC for 6 years and it can get damn cold up in the mountains in winter when the cold fronts roll in from the west bringing snow. Personally I’d take my Courteneys with gators + a pair of Lowa Tibets.

 

[John Telford]

I would advise you use a hiking type boot for the EC hills. Wolverine , north face or any that goes past the ankle. They must have a soft step to cushion the heel . Also buy socks that are padded on the bottom rather than just thick socks. I have just done a weekend hunt we’re we ended up walking 50 km over 3 days. Feet were ok but the calf muscles took strain...

 

[Pheroze]

I will be there in early September. I have a set of Schnees Granite Mountain that I use a lot moose hunting. they are really mountain boots.

 

[JLF]

Buy something for all terrain ... water, snow, dirt, stone ..., they are waterproof, and the great thing is that they keep the feet at the same temperature, cold or hot ... buy a pair of bows or short boots miner...
Many told me that they were heavy, I have walked 8 km back and forth and I do not notice them ... Look for something similar in your country.

 

[bruce moulds]

if any boots are made for mountain walking it is top of the line scarpa.
bruce.

 

[nztimb]

My vote for the best boot is the Lowa Tibet. The most comfortable ( long lasting) and stable in any condition boot I have ever had on my feet. Wearing Lowa Rangers now but dont do the hard hill work I used to do.