African Huntin Boots

How do the Courteney boots run? True to size, small or larger?

PARA45 said:

How do the Courteney boots run? True to size, small or larger?

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Very true to size. Just remember you are ordering in British size

This is a used pair I’ve seen on e-bay, and it’s my size. In some boots I wear a 7 1/2 and in some 8s. Thank you for your reply.

PARA45 said:

This is a used pair I’ve seen on e-bay, and it’s my size. In some boots I wear a 7 1/2 and in some 8s. Thank you for your reply.

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I have a similar issue with the "mass produced" USA sizing, as my foot Sz is 9.5 in some MFG & Sz 10 in other MFG , but I've found I wear a Sz 9 in yet another. White's Boots my sizing is 9.5 length w/ C width. In the Courteney Boot Co. I ordered Sz 9.5 , and I found them to be perfect in length, but a bit loose in width. However, I have a mid-arch and use a 1/2 sole - mid-arch insert, for some reason that remedied the width issue for me. The 2 pair I have are the flag ship Selous which are 10yo & Safari which are 12yo. I wear them routinely for spring & early fall hunts, and summer time hunting ground work. Over the years I've had to make some repairs - soles re-glued & patches to the leather at crease / high wear points. Also, have 2 sets of the Courteney Boot Co. Impala leather gaiters, standard & long. Part of the longevity to the soles is I only wear the boots on dirt/sand/rock, rarely around town on concrete. [I included some pictures for reference]
All of that stated, I do feel Courteney Boots have become pricey despite being durable. I do believe I'll be giving the Jim Green line the nod once my current pairs of Courteney Boots wearout.

Ryan said:

You just went down a rabbit hole. People lose a lot of sleep over this subject around here for some reason.

I've had four Ph's and they wore four different boots. First was some heavy soled hiking boots, no gaiters. second, old school chukka type boots with leather gaiters, third slip on ankle high hunting boots I noticed a lot in South Africa and third some lace up boots. I don't recall what type of gaiters on either of the last two. I have a pair of Russel Thula Thula PHs and some Texas Hunt Co gaiters. Love both of them, though others do not and the Texas Hunt Co products are no more. Courtney boots are pretty classic and have their fans, Boyt Harness makes some good canvas gaiters I'd go with before I'd go with leather.

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charlieb said:

What's the best African Style boot you can buy, as well as gaiters? You know like you always see the PHs wear in shorts. I know I don't need a pair I'd just like to have them for my 1st safari.

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The two PH's that I've been with both wore soft chukka boots. Heavy, lug soled, boots like you might see in North America tend to be noisy and will.not be appreciated by your PH. I wore my regular hunting boots on my first safari. I won't make that mistake again. I got suede chukka boots for the next hunt.

I’ll chime in as I’ve owned and hunted in almost all of the Africa brands geared towards safari. Nothing beats the Russell’s Joes PH with the white Timberjack sole. Nothing. They’re air light. Deadly quiet. Fast in and out. And as comfortable as slippers. Buyers beware. Order a full size down. They run huge. Now I’m up to my neck in Courteneys and Jim Greens and of them all the Russell’s blow them away. They’re $800 though, but worth every cent.

ingwe500nitroexpress said:

I’ll chime in as I’ve owned and hunted in almost all of the Africa brands geared towards safari. Nothing beats the Russell’s Joes PH with the white Timberjack sole. Nothing. They’re air light. Deadly quiet. Fast in and out. And as comfortable as slippers. Buyers beware. Order a full size down. They run huge. Now I’m up to my neck in Courteneys and Jim Greens and of them all the Russell’s blow them away. They’re $800 though, but worth every cent.

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I will not buy anymore Russell's as I have 3 pairs anyway. But mine were made to measure after they measured my feet at an SCI show some 15+ years ago. It turns out there is a half a size difference between each feet.

It is a shame that they decided to go mass market and did away with custom boots.

I recently got a pair of Jim Green barefoot Rangers. I am really enjoying them! I’ve only been wearing them to work to get used to them. But I can already hear a difference in how quiet they are. I won’t be able to wear them during our hunting season as they won’t be warm enough. But I will start the season with them.
They will get packed for my Africa trip in 10 months!!

Tanks said:

It is a shame that they decided to go mass market and did away with custom boots.

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Don't even consider them anymore.

Kharn said:

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Don't even consider them anymore.

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Do you own russles?

The ONLY boot to wear in the African bush is a Jim Green, just feels right. Like homemade bread and fresh raspberry jam.

dchum said:

Do you own russles?

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I don’t consider them anymore either. Had a custom pair that lasted 20 years of regular use. My foot grew slightly and they don’t fit anymore. Had a second pair made and they never fit right. Sent them back three times to have issues fixed and they never got it right. Then they stopped making custom right after that. I’ve tried on some of their off the shelf offerings and none hold a candle to that fist pair in terms of quality and fit.

charlieb said:

Thanks, I'll take your word for it and search through the names mentioned, I use schnees for Alaska so I wanted a purpose built boot. I'll end the thread!

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I take two pair. My preference when walking long distances for PG I use Solomon which are super light like air on your feet but beware of thorns. When there is the need to get close think elephant, buff I wear my Courtney’s super quiet but very heavy

Rare Breed said:

I take two pair. My preference when walking long distances for PG I use Solomon which are super light like air on your feet but beware of thorns. When there is the need to get close think elephant, buff I wear my Courtney’s super quiet but very heavy

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It’s all relative. My Courtney’s feel like air compared to my usual Crispi hunting boots.

Courtney’s are great but wouldn’t work if it’s going to be at all wet.