Safari boots and brands !!!

[Jonathan Kashouty]

Kenetrek. Best boots in the world for any hunt.

 

[rblum]

All leather outside. I once wore a pair that were partially fabric. The thorns tor them to pieces. They went from newish to rubbish in 15 days in the bush.
Pick a good pair of leather boots that fit you and make sure that they are well broken in before your hunt. Nothing magic about a particular brand of boot. Danner boots worked for me, but there are a lot of brand out there.

 

[Africa1]

Jim Green Ranger's in Cape Buffalo. Just returned in May from a Cape Buffalo hunt in Limpopo area of SA. Performed flawlessly, wore them every day of an 18-day adventure. No blisters... just bliss!

 

[coreydb]

I wear Kenetrek boots. Great arch support and easy to break in.

 

[txtrout75218]

I wear a pair of Red Wing Chukka boots for SA I've had no issues with thorns there or here I TX with them. However, not sure they still make that specific boot.

 

[rblum]

My last two hunts…. I decided to give away my boots at the conclusion of the hunt. Trackers footwear in TZ tends to be pretty marginal. A pair of boots is a wonderful gift and will really be appreciated.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I have a pair of Danner insulated hi-tops for winter hunting in NA but for Africa, I used a well broken in pair of Merrills. They are cooler and more comfortable on longer walking stalks. Also water resistant if I need to splash thru a creek (not likely in Limpopo).

I was attracted to the traditional construction of the Courtneys and almost bought a pair last year but passed. I did buy a pair for my PH and while he wore them for our three days of buffalo hunting this year, he exchanged them for a more comfortable pair of boots for the rest of our hunt. Like any traditional all leather boot, the Courtneys need to be broken in but even after, they are going to lack the support of good modern footwear. OK for the younger hunters but not a good fit for old broken down farts like me.

 

[Philip Glass]

Mostly Lowa Renegade and I am trying out some Solomon hikers. I am going lighter and lighter these days and it is better for me. It is terrain dependent however. Just break them in way ahead of time and with good wool socks.

 

[Bandera]

I spent 20 days in South Africa and wore Courtney Selous pretty much the whole trip last June. I also took a pair of Under Armour Valsets. Very light weight they have a mix of leather and nylon. I used them my last trip with no issues, no thorn coming through. I wore the Valsets one day this trip and it struck me how noisy the grass was on the nylon.
I like the Jim Green boots but the hump down the foot bed is very uncomfortable.
If foot wear is not comfortable when you try it on then I will not buy it.

 

[Rumrunner]

Last year was a pair of Keens. They’re very comfortable and performed well. Only issue was thorns would penetrate the sole. No matter what I will have a multi tool with me in the future.
Next trip will be Jim Greens Africa Rangers. These are the most comfortable footwear I’ve ever worn. Probably a year before I go I will have them resoled with a heavier, thicker lug sole to help with the thorns.

 

[Muskox]

It depends on where you are hunting.

For a mountain hunt, you should wear a decent hiker made for rougher terrain.

For desert hunts you want something tall so the sand doesn't get in your boots.

For savannah scrub type hunts, you can probably get away with a regular Vellie boot.

 

[Gerty]

Last year in the Eastern Cape I wore a pair of Courteney Safari’s & a pair of Merrell Moab’s with a Vibram sole. The Merrell’s are comfortable but quality has gone to $hit recently.

 

[Sabre]

Last year in the Eastern Cape I wore a pair of Courteney Safari’s & a pair of Merrell Moab’s with a Vibram sole. The Merrell’s are comfortable but quality has gone to $hit recently.

Yes, it is really unfortunate. The MOABs used to be a really good hiking shoe/hi-top. However, the last couple iterations of them do not fit anything like they used to, and are not nearly as comfortable.
They were a fantastic daily wear shoe that you could also wear on a hike, or going into the woods/bush for quick scouting or maintenance.

I would love If they went back a few iterations in their design and manufacturing.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Yes, it is really unfortunate. The MOABs used to be a really good hiking shoe/hi-top. However, the last couple iterations of them do not fit anything like they used to, and are not nearly as comfortable.
They were a fantastic daily wear shoe that you could also wear on a hike, or going into the woods/bush for quick scouting or maintenance.

I would love If they went back a few iterations in their design and manufacturing.

In my opinion the best boot they ever made was their Sawtooths. I had a couple pairs of them and of the original MOABs that I wore overseas. I’m down to one pair of and can’t bring myself to toss them even though they’re both pretty chewed up.

Salomon’s also seem to have lost some of the quality they had 10-15 years ago.

 

[Sabre]

In my opinion the best boot they ever made was their Sawtooths. I had a couple pairs of them and of the original MOABs that I wore overseas. I’m down to one pair of and can’t bring myself to toss them even though they’re both pretty chewed up.

Salomon’s also seem to have lost some of the quality they had 10-15 years ago.

I'm honestly dreading my Salomon's wearing out and having to go back into the market for another pair of uninsulated boots.