I pack my hunting boots in my check back with my ammo and a change of clothes and some niceties for the camp staff that are part of my stay: PH, teacker, cook, laundress/maid, skinners, and taxidermy crew.
Since I normally wear Rocky Snake boots hunting locally, I wore them hunting in the East Cape, South Africa. For the flights and around the lodge I wore my orthopedic tennis shoes.
First trip:
The good: with wool socks my feet stayed warm when the days were frosty cold. Well broke in so they were comfortable. These high boots also protected my lower legs from thorns and jumping cacti.Never encountered any snakes while in RSA, did encounter a black mamba in Zimbabwe. Didn't get attacked so it was a glad I had them and not have to have them tested.
The bad: lesson learned the soles are hard, good for the terrain here at home, and in Zimbabwe, bad because walking on the shale covered ground in RSA sounded like I was walking on broken glass while eating Rice Krispys.
As for physical fitness; on my first trip I arrived in RSA while still recovering, still doing repeat physical therapy, from hip replacement surgery around a year earlier. My PH was aware of my limitations although he did his part insuring I stayed within comfortable physical limitations I pushed us to hunt harder. Not such a good idea on my part it was aspirin during the day and doxycyclone (anti inflammatory), and plenty of Ben Gay at bedtime.
Second trip:
Boots were over the ankle high, softer sole Rocky boots. And in a bit better shape than the previous year. The doxycyclone came in handy a couple of days. Didn't need to use the Ben Gay that I brought.
Third trip:
I took my snake boots for use in the sandy/loam type soil and my orthopedic tennis shoes. Unfortunately I wasn't able to wear my boots after the third or forth day due to swelling in my knees and ankles. Ended up wearing my tennis shoes for hunting and the rest of time in Zimbabwe and RSA trips.
In essence you want to have 2 pair of comfortable footwear regardless if both pairs are boots, hiking shoes, tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops, etc or a combination. Gel or Air Sole inserts are a plus in keeping your feet comfortable.
