Hunting Boots, Did I do alright?

[mdwest]

Question on the Leddy boots. Does he build up any arch support or will he make them to accomodate a custom insole? I use SheepFeet inserts in all my shoes and boots.

My foot is very hard to fit, narrow heel, high arch, and tall midfoot. There are almost no slip on loafers that I can get my foot into because of the height of my foot and lots of boots are very loose in the heel once they are big enough for the rest of my foot.

I had custom Russell's for my bird hunting but after about 20 years my foot got a little bigger and they don't fit anymore. I'm considering a custom option for my safari boot.

He will literally do anything you want him to do..

Al must have taken 20+ individual measurements for each of my feet when I sat for a sizing/fitting and then built the boot to the specs I gave him (I wanted a squared toe box rather than a rounded one, I wanted the heel slightly different than his normal boot, etc)..

JL Boots is just a little shop on the side of the road in Abilene.. not much to it at all... I happened across it because one of my employees is a cousin to the Leddy family, and he knew I was looking to have some custom western/cowboy boots made from my cape buffalo hide.. he is who referred me to Al..

I priced several options for the western boots.. and JL Leddy was the most affordable of all of the truly high quality makers that I looked at... when I told Al I was looking to get the boots done from my cape buffalo, we entered into a conversation about hunting in Africa (he is a Zimbabwean that is now a naturalized citizen in the US) which led to a conversation about hunting boots... I asked him if he would consider making a pair of safari boots for me, and he laughed, and then told me he has been making safari boots since he was a kid, that he already has a design that he regularly produces, etc.. and that it wouldnt be a problem at all to make me a pair...

 

[pilar]

I think they are a testimony to the global truth that every foot is different and unique..

My wife absolutely loves her Courtneys… she’s got two pair… won’t hunt without them (in appropriate climates)… swears they are the most comfortable boots she’s ever worn.. and they are quiet on her feet…

I on the other hand don’t like them at all… I’ve tried them on a number of times, really hoping to find a pair that are comfortable because my wife loves hers so much… I’m convinced a comfortable pair just doesn’t exist for me.. the toe box bangs my big toe up, and the angle of the ripple sole is uncomfortable to me…

So I had Al at James Leddy Boots make me a pair of his Safari boots, which are very similar to Courtney in appearance, but are bespoke and purpose built for each foot…

The JL boots are nothing short of perfect for me… super comfortable.. quiet.. and honestly not that much more expensive than Courtney.. you just have to go to Abeline to sit for a fitting.. which may be a challenge for some…

I’m trying to talk my best friend I hunt with to get in the truck and we can drive over to abeiline to leddy to get fixed up with a pair ( it’s only 1.5 hours) we have our own buffalo hides. His toes are horrible with bunions from walking around in
ILL fitting Redwing composite toe boots ConocoPhillips gives him
He likes my buffalo Jim Green boots , we need to just go get fitted ( life is too short to have bad fitting boots)

 

[Tom Leoni]

I've worn NOTHING but Courteneys (models Safari and Selous) in the last 20 years, for:

Hiking (even hard hiking)
Hunting in 3 continents on various terrain
Standing on my feet for 9-10 hours at trade shows
Doing my daily 5-mile walks on concrete
...and more

I have never found them anything but crazy comfortable. And they are insanely quiet for hunting.

 

[DLSJR]

If you want QUIET boots, get a pair of Palladium’s. They’re lightweight, breathe well since the uppers are canvas and very quiet. They’re like Converse ‘Chuck Tayler’s’, but more substantial. The sole is rubber with a nice tread, but it’s a bit softer rubber so very quiet. They’re easy on your feet too, especially after a long day tracking. They’re my PH’s preferred boots, and now mine too after initially resisting them since they don’t look very substantial. They’re lightweight canvas and QUIET.

I have a pair of Courtney Selous’s, they’re not very comfortable if you’re walking much. If you get Courtney’s, be sure to leave enough room inside for a good cushioning insole. Your feet will thank me.

Do not get any of the highly cushioned boots like Hoka’s, as they’re noisy. I love my Hoka’s, but when I go to Africa they stay home.

 

[RLD]

If you want QUIET boots, get a pair of Palladium’s. They’re lightweight, breathe well since the uppers are canvas and very quiet. They’re like Converse ‘Chuck Tayler’s’, but more substantial. The sole is rubber with a nice tread, but it’s a bit softer rubber so very quiet. They’re easy on your feet too, especially after a long day tracking. They’re my PH’s preferred boots, and now mine too after initially resisting them since they don’t look very substantial. They’re lightweight canvas and QUIET.

I have a pair of Courtney Selous’s, they’re not very comfortable if you’re walking much. If you get Courtney’s, be sure to leave enough room inside for a good cushioning insole. Your feet will thank me.

Do not get any of the highly cushioned boots like Hoka’s, as they’re noisy. I love my Hoka’s, but when I go to Africa they stay home.

Any particular model of Palladium you recommend? They have a great clearance sale on right now.

 

[DLSJR]

Any particular model of Palladium you recommend? They have a great clearance sale on right now.

Pampa High or Pallabrouse.

Alan Vincent had a new pair when I hunted with him in May that I can’t find on their website. They’re were a heavy rip stop fabric upper in OD Green that were gifted to him and he really liked them, even better than the Pampa’s.

 

[RLD]

Pampa High or Pallabrouse.

Alan Vincent had a new pair when I hunted with him in May that I can’t find on their website. They’re were a heavy rip stop fabric upper in OD Green that were gifted to him and he really liked them, even better than the Pampa’s.

Thank you. Much appreciated.

 

[KTMpilot]

If you want QUIET boots, get a pair of Palladium’s. They’re lightweight, breathe well since the uppers are canvas and very quiet. They’re like Converse ‘Chuck Tayler’s’, but more substantial. The sole is rubber with a nice tread, but it’s a bit softer rubber so very quiet. They’re easy on your feet too, especially after a long day tracking. They’re my PH’s preferred boots, and now mine too after initially resisting them since they don’t look very substantial. They’re lightweight canvas and QUIET.

I have a pair of Courtney Selous’s, they’re not very comfortable if you’re walking much. If you get Courtney’s, be sure to leave enough room inside for a good cushioning insole. Your feet will thank me.

Do not get any of the highly cushioned boots like Hoka’s, as they’re noisy. I love my Hoka’s, but when I go to Africa they stay home.

Forgive me for asking, this is an honest question, could you maybe please give some more explanation about why soft-soled shoes are more noisy walking in the veld? I can't honestly say I have ever noticed this or not, but if it is a thing I want to take note in future.

 

[CBH Australia]

My experience with Courtney’s is the sizing is inconsistent.
If I were to buy them again I would want to try them in store.
But if you found a great deal and a good fit then you will be very happy

 

[CBH Australia]

My experience with Courtney’s is the sizing is inconsistent.
If I were to buy them again I would want to try them in store.
But if you found a great deal and a good fit then you will be very happy

 

[Russ16]

Forgive me for asking, this is an honest question, could you maybe please give some more explanation about why soft-soled shoes are more noisy walking in the veld? I can't honestly say I have ever noticed this or not, but if it is a thing I want to take note in future.

The modern designs with the soft foam sole and/or midsole boots have a tendency to sort of echo. When you step on sticks and to an extent even leaves the sound is much louder than the same thing stepped on with a more solid soled boot. It is kind of hard to explain the difference but it is noticeable once you pay attention to it. The echo description is the best I’ve heard.

You can really hear it when walking on something like a gravel driveway.

Not sure why that is acoustically.

 

[spike.t]

Good point, my dad said he thought the Courtney's were uncomfortable when trying them on too. I am hoping with 6 months to break them in, I can make them comfortable atleast.

I find it strange to hear they weren't comfortable from first wear....the two pairs of selous elephant hide ones I had lasted years...and never had a problem...could have done a hunt from just putting on brand new if it was needed....no wearing in at all....

 

[spike.t]

I tried on several pair of Jim Greens.
I like the price and the style of the boot.
All of them that tried on have a hump in the foot bed that runs the length of the boot.
Very uncomfortable for me.

That's the steel shank in the sole..bugs me as well in both my pairs...but got used to it....would prefer it if they also offered the ranger boot with same sole but no shank ...

 

[RSL]

If you want QUIET boots, get a pair of Palladium’s. They’re lightweight, breathe well since the uppers are canvas and very quiet. They’re like Converse ‘Chuck Tayler’s’, but more substantial. The sole is rubber with a nice tread, but it’s a bit softer rubber so very quiet. They’re easy on your feet too, especially after a long day tracking. They’re my PH’s preferred boots, and now mine too after initially resisting them since they don’t look very substantial. They’re lightweight canvas and QUIET.

I have a pair of Courtney Selous’s, they’re not very comfortable if you’re walking much. If you get Courtney’s, be sure to leave enough room inside for a good cushioning insole. Your feet will thank me.

Do not get any of the highly cushioned boots like Hoka’s, as they’re noisy. I love my Hoka’s, but when I go to Africa they stay home.

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.

 

[KDF]

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. Was this a good deal? Will I be happy with these boots?

Boots are definitely a personal decision. I have hunted in SA, MOZ, ZIM, and Uganda in either Clark’s dessert boots or running shoes. I believe the concession you will be hunting is generally flat and sandy. I personally don’t see the need for boots in most safari areas. You might want to invest $15 in a pair of Tags gaiters. With that said, Courtney’s are nice looking and I would not try to talk anyone out of buying a pair.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I have only dreamed of hunting Africa so far in life, but since we are talking comfortable but quiet footwear, has anyone tried Vans boots??

Vans skate shoes (owned by VFC just like Altra, Timberland, North Face) has been making boots for at least 2 years now. I have one pair, and I'll be phasing out my Columbia for Vans at this point.

Vans shoes have lasted me years, been comfortable, and as quiet as slippers.

Just thinking out loud and wondered if anyone had used similar over there??

 

[rafter3]

One additional note…some boots pinch your pinky toe. After doing my above two step process I bought a pair of boot expanders for $20 and leave them in my boots until I wear them. My Courtney boots in elephant skin are now an absolute pleasure to wear all day anywhere

love my elephant skin Courtneys wear them 2-3 times a week

 

[Philip Glass]

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. Was this a good deal? Will I be happy with these boots?

Good choices but only time will tell what works for you, your feet, and how and where you hunt.

 

[Dublinpiper90]

I had a bad experience with Courtney boots in the beginning, are they priced high I feel as if so, but this time once I got my size dialed in which can be all over the place, between which model boot and soles, but the safari model boot in buffalo I opted for are now my everyday goto with the red sole insert, follow @Rare Breed on his break in method, wear every day and each day brush them off and apply the saddle soap that come with them do this every day until the jar of soap is gone, then maintain with sole polish, by far hands down feels like the pair of boots are part of my body and can go from a hike in the woods, on a hunt, to work or out to dinner

 

[Dublinpiper90]

love my elephant skin Courtneys wear them 2-3 times a week

Wish I could find a way to get a pair of Courteneys in elephant