Hunting Boots, Did I do alright?

Rare Breed said:
You got a steal on value so good on you. I had trouble getting any boots to fit comfortable until I did two things: 1. buy saddle soap, that is what Courtney polish is, 2. buy the highest arch orthotic. The reality saddle soap is not polish!!! You should rub in a heavy layer and let soak over night. Next day wear them all day. At night repeat until your bottle/can of saddle soap is gone. Then apply true polish. You will be absolutely amazed how well your boots fit!!!
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Guys that don’t think Courtney’s are comfortable or thinking of tossing in the towel, TRY THIS 1st
 
RSL said:
I really liked the looks of these on the website and Amazon. But, then I found out Palladium is a Chinese Company. I try my best not to do business with any Chinese Companies. My personal boycott of China probably does not "amount to a hill of beans", as my Granny used to say. But I feel better for doing it.
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It started in France and from what I can tell still French.
 
To the OP, You made a great purchase. For plains game and most of my hunting, I wear a pair of Red Wing Chuckas or a pair of Russel boots. Both are fine for my RSA hunts and I typically switch back and forth on alternate days of hunting. I probably prefer the Red Wings and of course they no longer make that boot. They are quite to wear in the brush. I'll take both of these pairs of boot sot Namibia in a couple of years.

And note that I would expect the Leddy boots to be good. I also wear a hard arch insoles, So I don't like a soft cushy boot. The hard arches and soft don't work together. I have a narrow foot, weak arch and a very narrow heal.
 
RSL said:
Palladium is owned by Xtep, a Chinese Company.
Headquartered in Quanzhou, China.
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Thanks. Didn’t see that on their website or Wikipedia.
 
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obmn said:
Thanks. Didn’t see that on their website or Wikipedia.
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To make matters worse, it does say on their Wiki. Don’t know how I missed that, haha.
 
obmn said:
To make matters worse, it does say on their Wiki. Don’t know how I missed that, haha.
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You were right, though, they did start in France and made boots for the French Foreign Legion quite like the canvas Pampa or Pallabouse. Somewhere along they way they were acquired by a Chinese company. I think my Pampas are marked made in Vietnam.
 
I have many pairs of Crispi boots. I have never been to Africa, but I have a hard time seeing myself wearing anything other than the Crispi Nevadas. A perfect boot for everyday wear and most hunting
 
Rare Breed said:
You got a steal on value so good on you. I had trouble getting any boots to fit comfortable until I did two things: 1. buy saddle soap, that is what Courtney polish is, 2. buy the highest arch orthotic. The reality saddle soap is not polish!!! You should rub in a heavy layer and let soak over night. Next day wear them all day. At night repeat until your bottle/can of saddle soap is gone. Then apply true polish. You will be absolutely amazed how well your boots fit!!!
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RB, have you tried this method and tested it for a good timeframe after? The only reason I ask is I saw something on another forum here where Courteney specifically calls out to not use saddle soap as it will rot the stitches.
 
JCHunter62 said:
RB, have you tried this method and tested it for a good timeframe after? The only reason I ask is I saw something on another forum here where Courteney specifically calls out to not use saddle soap as it will rot the stitches.
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Interesting. Lou Hallamore is the one who told me what Courtney provides all new boots is saddle soap his words not mine. He told me exactly what to do. Previously literally I had to give up on Courtney but he told me to buy one more pair and do this. It is just amazing how now I wear them about three days per week they are so comfortable. My boots are less than a year old so I cannot say what will happen to my stitches.
 
Rare Breed said:
Interesting. Lou Hallamore is the one who told me what Courtney provides all new boots is saddle soap his words not mine. He told me exactly what to do. Previously literally I had to give up on Courtney but he told me to buy one more pair and do this. It is just amazing how now I wear them about three days per week they are so comfortable. My boots are less than a year old so I cannot say what will happen to my stitches.
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I just saw that one another forum here, when I went to their website it didnt say exactly so maybe its good now.

Also funny about Lou, we were this close to booking our buffalo hunt with him. Heck of a guy!
 
JCHunter62 said:
Starting to prep for our Safari in July to RSA with Zander Osmer Safaris.

The topic of discussion, footwear.....

I am a western mountain hunter and normally wear Crisipi or Irish Setter high topped mountain hunting boots, not something that seems appropriate for an African safari.

So at DSC 2025 I got hooked up with Andy Buchanan with TIA , another story for a different post, and he took me to the African Sporting Creations booth for the "correct" pair of boots. They told me the best boot was Courtney Safari boots for the low price of $749 (brown hippo leather). I decided to pass at that time so now I am back to thinking about it.

A quick eBay search yielded a couple pairs of safari boots in my size (US13 EE). I sniped a pair of Courtney Mens Leather Safari and Men's AL Safari by James Leddy boots for $100 each, similar to some listings you might find referenced at https://stylewe.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html. Was this a good deal? Will I be happy with these boots?
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$100 each is a great price. New Courteneys run $400+, and Leddy's are similarly priced or higher, plus your $749 ASC quote was on the high end for exotic hippo leather. You likely picked up used or clearance pairs. Both brands have strong reputations. Courteney is the more established name, with decades of proven field use in tough African bush conditions. James Leddy's safari boot is a well regarded alternative, sometimes noted for quality materials, though it's a smaller operation without Courteney's long track record. Since these are used and not made to your foot, break them in thoroughly before July and check fit carefully. Safari boots are much lighter and less structured than your Crispi/Irish Setter mountain boots, so expect a different feel entirely. For $200 total, you got a good chance to test two respected brands against each other before committing to a full price custom pair.
 
I just finished a 14 day elephant and buff safari in Zim. I opted for Converse Chuck Taylor’s. I had previously worn Clark’s chukkas. Don’t think I will wear anything besides Chucks going forward. Quiet, comfortable, and because they hug your ankle there is no need for gators.
 
Look at what Buzz Charlton of CMS wears on his feet for Zimbabwe hunts. That is reality. Not the BS of every hunting magazine and boot manufacturer who wants to sell you on what you MUST wear in order to be PROPERLY outfitted on your safari. Buzz wears CROCS with a little more grippier sole added. Another well-known outfitter and PH in Botswana wears running shoes. Comfort for the area you hunt combined with common sense. Save your money for the OTHER animals you will inevitably be seduced into shooting! Have fun! My last hunt last year found me dressed in turkey hunting clothes with my MUST have Jim Green Cape Buffalo leather standards. Well broken in before I did my Cape Buffalo hunt. No blisters, great stalking boot. Very comfy. This is your safari. Realize most of the gear you MUST have to hunt Africa is mostly hype. Have fun! Make comfortable memories!
 
Try walking (seriously hunting) any distance in scrub or sand or rocky regolith mixed with all manner of grass seeds and thorns then report back on using flip flops, sandals or whatever the “Africa experience” is supposed to be. Jam a thorn into your foot and you’ll be spending all your time in the bakkie or at camp having your “safari”.
 
fourfive8 said:
Try walking (seriously hunting) any distance in scrub or sand or rocky regolith mixed with all manner of grass seeds and thorns then report back on using flip flops, sandals or whatever the “Africa experience” is supposed to be. Jam a thorn into your foot and you’ll be spending all your time in the bakkie or at camp having your “safari”.
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I agree. I’m also amazed at the footwear some of the PHs use. I wouldn’t trust it and assume their feet are just conditioned to it. That includes Buzz. Crocs are comfortable when walking around the house but even a decent length walk with the dog on a level sidewalk and my feet are complaining. I need more structure in my foootwear. I don’t kniw how he does it.

I do love both my Courtney and Jim Green boots. Neither is perfect and both have good and weak points. I think I’ll be taking the Courtney’s to Zimbabwe in three weeks.
 
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