Sneaky Silent Shoes

[wysongdog]

Solomons are ok but the thorns will eat you up.

Well damn there went that idea lol

 

[Rare Breed]

Well damn there went that idea lol

I used solomon’s on my April elephant hunt. Most comfortable hunting shoes I have ever owned lightest too. Two problems, they were loud and yes a thorn went through them fortunately not long enough to penetrate my foot

 

[Green Chile]

If they could make available that thorn proof liner that some of the boot makers use, that would make a lot of shoes more viable. I've never seen it offered as a stand along product? The thorns can be such a problem in some places. I fear them more than snakes.

 

[robertb4wd]

I wore Danner Crag Rats on my trip. No issues at all. This trip coming up I bought some On Cloud 5 waterproof thinking they would be good. After reading the comments, I didn’t think about the thorns. I guess since none went thru my danners. I’m packing my Crag Rats. No sense in fixing something that isn’t broke.

 

[HankBuck]

I used solomon’s on my April elephant hunt. Most comfortable hunting shoes I have ever owned lightest too. Two problems, they were loud and yes a thorn went through them fortunately not long enough to penetrate my foot

@Rare Breed - good to know those details——, won’t be buying those boots.

 

[dneaster3]

LEMs shoes & boots currently have my attention the most (followed close by Gokey) but of the LEMs I am considering one or two pairs of any of these.View attachment 618954

I own a pair of LEMS Outlanders just for kicking around town and have thought several times that they would make a good stalking boot on soft/flat ground. Waterproof, zero-drop heal, light weight, decent tread grip, and very quiet.
There isn't enough structure or support for dealing with significant terrain, but if you are in sandy soil or flat ground, they'd work well.

 

[dneaster3]

What about a Solomon trail running shoe? I’ve been using them for elk hunting here in Wyoming and am fairly impressed.

I wouldn't go with the trail runners, but I love the Solomon Quest 4D GTX boots. Light enough for summer hiking, hanging tree stands, etc. But structured enough to pack out an elk and sidehill a scree slope without blowing an ankle.

Almost any boot that has a rubber outsole, rubber rand, and EVA midsole is going to have a bit of rubbery "bonk" noise on rocks wood. The softer, more flexible leather boots are naturally going to be quieter.

But the softer and thinner your outsoles or sidewalls, the more vulnerable you are to thorns, sharp rocks, or barbed wire.

As with all things, there is not perfect solution. Only trade-offs.

 

[getazem]

I wouldn't go with the trail runners, but I love the Solomon Quest 4D GTX boots. Light enough for summer hiking, hanging tree stands, etc. But structured enough to pack out an elk and sidehill a scree slope without blowing an ankle.

Almost any boot that has a rubber outsole, rubber rand, and EVA midsole is going to have a bit of rubbery "bonk" noise on rocks wood. The softer, more flexible leather boots are naturally going to be quieter.

But the softer and thinner your outsoles or sidewalls, the more vulnerable you are to thorns, sharp rocks, or barbed wire, so sol beauty and care should also be considered when choosing footwear that offers both comfort and protection.

As with all things, there is not perfect solution. Only trade-offs.

I think the silent shoes are excellent for the actual stalking, especially when moving slowly over dry leaves and grass. My concern would be exactly what you mentioned: once things get exciting, traction becomes much more important than absolute quietness. Wet grass, rocks, loose soil, or a sudden change of direction could make a slick sole a liability. I’d personally rather have a quiet boot with a low-profile rubber sole that still provides dependable grip. You can control how much noise you make by how you place your feet, but you can’t compensate for a sole that loses traction when you suddenly need it. For me, the silent shoes would be a specialized stalking option rather than the only footwear I’d take on an entire hunt.

 

[Hedge774]

Jim Green barefoot Rangers would be my choice. I've worn them, and they are almost like moccasins.

 

[Field28]

Jim Green barefoot Rangers would be my choice. I've worn them, and they are almost like moccasins.

Jim Green released a moccasin foot boot not long ago. I like the Jim Green products, I wear a pair of Jim Green Shoelies all the time at work.

Never owned a pair of Courtney boots, I do have a pair of their Kudu suede Vellies, wear them for dress casual and not in the field.

I love my Russells but the new owners have lost their minds with price increases. I'm probably going to buy a pair of Gokey Simba or Chuis before too long.

 

[deewayne2003]

If they could make available that thorn proof liner that some of the boot makers use, that would make a lot of shoes more viable. I've never seen it offered as a stand along product? The thorns can be such a problem in some places. I fear them more than snakes.

My custom orthotics cover 3/4 of my foot with a hard PVC liner, even for those without flat feet I would encourage you to talk to your podiatrist about them.

As for a little more protection, for wade fishing in rivers and floating central Texas rivers I take a flimsy rollable cutting board sheet and trace the tennis shoe liners on them and them cut out, then slips of cutting sheet plastic and insert under the liners.

It’s not fully thorn proof but they’ve saved me several times on broken glass and fish hooks.

 

[Adam S]

Please forgive if this is a foolish question, but would canvas Converse Chuck Taylors protect against African thorns? I can walk pretty quietly in them through the woods.

 

[Green Chile]

Zero protection of thorns.

 

[375Fox]

Please forgive if this is a foolish question, but would canvas Converse Chuck Taylors protect against African thorns? I can walk pretty quietly in them through the woods.

It’s actually the short burnt grass sticks you need to worry about more than thorns. Depending where and what time of year you’d be hunting they could possibly be a good choice.

 

[pc3]

LEMs shoes & boots currently have my attention the most (followed close by Gokey) but of the LEMs I am considering one or two pairs of any of these.View attachment 618954

I have a pair of the LEMS trailheads....I wore them to Africa, but didnt hunt in them, travelling shoes I suppose. I took a pair of non-gortex Hanwags some of the country in the Eastern Cape was steep and Rocky, glad to have the support of a proper hiking boot.

 

[Green Chile]

EC is one place I would recommend proper hiking boots, especially if going after the Vaal reebok or mountain reedbuck. I beat my feet up wearing my typical tracking shoes in EC.

 

[Hedge774]

Please forgive if this is a foolish question, but would canvas Converse Chuck Taylors protect against African thorns? I can walk pretty quietly in them through the woods.

I've seen more tha one PH wearing Chucks....

 

[Green Chile]

PHs and trackers are much better at walking through the bush than any client. They don't come out all scratched up and some of them are wearing sandals or crocs. I did laugh at one tracker who would crunch leaves while I was standing still and he would turn and shush me often.

 

[WhatIHaveSeen]

Gokey Chiu boot two trips to Africa and did not disappoint.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Anyone tried the Sitka Ascent shoes?