What are you wearing for boots?

Howdy folks.

Just a question about footwear. I have a hunt booked in South Africa, taking place late December. It will be very hot, and of all my gear, I am most concerned with footwear.

Can anyone recommend a particular boot? I think something light, breathable, and water resistant. With good support of course.

I can forget a few items, I can bring a few wrong items, but if I bring the wrong boots, I may really regret it.

Any help would be appreciated. Also I am in Canada, and would like to try them on, so please recommend boots available in North America.

Regards
Ryan.

Oh, what about socks?

 

I like my ,broke in, US military boots, and my Cabelas Hikers. With wool socks. Comfort is key, but they have to be quite walkers as well.

 

I wore Merrell hiking shoes..worked perfectly and you can wear them on the plane and on your sight seeing.

My only negative was that I got poked by a few acacia thorns...but those damn things will poke through about anything!

 

Watch this website for deals on Danner boots. I've gotten some GREAT deals on hunting boots from here over the past few months. The last deal I took advantage of was a pair of Danner goretex boot that retail for $175 for $60!

They do require you to sign up for the website but they don't send you spam, etc.


https://www.hitthebreakroom.com/invite/?r=140316

 

I still like my genuine leather Rogue and Jim Green Boots (RSA brands), they look like something out of a 1930s safari and with a pair of gators, they manage to keep the acacia thorns out. They are relitively inexpensive but last a long time. I have a pair of Merell hikers, but I find that the "steekgras" (Aristida sp.) grass seeds, manage to work there way throught the goretex and will bring a man to tears with the constant itching and scratching.
I think the main quality in a boot is that it be properly broken in as blisters can ruin an adventure in the bush.

 

Ryan,
It really does not matter what boots you use. As long as they are quiet. Don't buy yourself something with a 3" sole, like the fancy ones they sell at Cabelas. Look for something with a thin, flexible sole, which will enable you to roll your feet while stalking.

Take Care,

Best Regards,
Marius Goosen

 

I wear Danner TFX for hunting and hiking. They are lightweight, breathable and comfortable. They also get a good grip on almost everything. You can get them with or without Goretex. I hunt Australia, and believe me, there are some thorny things around here as well! Also, they come in standard width (D) and extra wide (EE). If, like me, your feet have started splaying out after decades of use, EE is a godsend, particularly at the end of the day. One last advantage, especially with traveling between Australia and New Zealand, which are both understandably paranoid about nasties carried in on shoes, you can put them through the washing machine without problems (I would not try the dryer, though!). Happy hunting!

 

I'm a huge fan of the Italan Scarpa. A very strong and well cushioned sole. Full one piece leather upper and a guested tongue. Goretex lining. They are not the lightest boot but I think more than acceptable. A stiff shank keeps my foot in line as I'm very prone to rolling my ankle.

I have been looking after my current pair once 2005. They have protected my feet over 12 weeks on safari in that time and countless hunts at home in sand, mud, swamp, grassy country both wet and dry. Thorns and the toughest of burrs have never punched through the boot. As long as the water I walk through does not come in over the top, my feet always stay dry, a creek crossing on a hot day is a joy, and on a cold day my feet stay warm and dry. If water does get in they walk dry nice and quick.

For socks, I wear Holeproof Explorer extreme impact; it's mostly because I have a fee supply through work, but they've been great! I always take a few pairs of new socks and run new laces through my bots before an extended overseas hunt and carry spares.

I expect everyone will have a similar story about their chosen boot so really it might come down to your on taste and how they feel around your foot. Mine didn't need breaking in, their first hunt was 10 days in the summer in far western Queensland - mid 40's every day (that's 113 ｺF plus) and 10km a day chasing pigs. Great boot. Good luck ith your feet! You're wise to be giving them a lot of thought before a big hunt!

 

I also use a pair of Scarpa. Solid boots, wich I have used on two safaris now and the third are coming up....

 

I guess I'm the weird one as I've used Cabela's Kangaroo Featherlite boots for years now. One pair on 3 African hunts
For me, very comfortable as they can be bought in widths wide enough for my snowshoe size feet. You can get them in insulated and non-insulated styles. The biggest problem with foot wear is width. Make sure you get the correct width or you're in misery all the time. Don't ask me how I know. Break in is quick and easy with them also. Very light on the feet. I use a thick hunting sock from Cabalas also. Never a blister yet. I put on a couple of coats of Cabelas boot wax before each Africa trip to keep the water at bay. The sole is flexible enough for quiet stalking

 

Not to say that Cabelas don't sell any good boots. Just find it amusing that hunters will rather go with name brand and looks over stealth and practicality. After getting back to camp, taking off their boots, you realize that the hunter is a foot shorther than normal. I hunt with some leather slip-on safety boots for one reason. Because they are flexible and quite. With flexibility comes comfort.
Hunting is simple,gentleman. Let's keep it that way.

 

I definitely agree with the lightweight breathable trend. My hunting boots sat in my room my entire first safari, I wore the Roper riding shoes that I use when starting colts. That is all I have used since and they have performed great, even extreme South Africa is tame compared to hunting in the Rockies where I swear by my 1000 gram Irish Setter Elkhunter boots.

 

I have tried lots of different boots from many different brands and the best I have used so far comes from LOWA.

 

Marius- ergo why I use the kangaroo boots at Cabelas. Very soft leather, good ankle support (I have to have that with my ankles) and soft flexible soles.

 

Cliffy, I'm with you there! I have worn Cabelas boots for my whole PH career as I have impact damaged heels and need the cushioning and I love the comfort!
Really look for the comfort above all things! Water proofing is good! If its wet, you're gonna get wet! But it's not that common. The dew fall can be heavy and thus yr shoes'll get wet as you walk through the grass. Use all leather uppers as the grass seeds can be a pain as they work their way through fabric uppers.
You don't need to have insulated boots in Africa. Don't worry about the thorns either! Look where you're walking and you'll be fine! If you have good ankles, I've seen clients in all models of running shoes and it works out fine! It's good to have 2 pairs of shoes that you can hunt in. If one pair does get properly wet you can wear the other pair the next day...so those Kangaroo / Featherlites by cabelas are a great choice!
Wear cotton socks...it's gonna be hot so you're feet most likely sweat quite a bit!
Wear you boots in around the house and out to the woods a lot before you bring them hunting.

 

had a pair of courtney selous elephant hide boots for years, but finally wore them out :sad: they were like gloves and i wore them allover and did everything in them . i have a new pair but its not the same.... also have a pair of russell mocassin ph boots which are good, just a pain to put on/take off as mine have eyelets all the way instead of speed lacing hooks, so you have to unlace them halfway and then re thread the laces.

 

The Courtneys used to be good...but they always lacked support and decent cushioning inside. My other gripe with them is that the soles picked up stones and were heck of a noisy!

 

yeah i know what you mean when you get a stone stuck and you walk on a stone floor or similar! i got mine in 1992 i think , my new ones dont seem as comfortable as the old ones did when i got them. the selous is a bit higher on the ankle so i found the support ok if you went over. the russells have more cushioning in the sole , but i did a lot of walking in the bush with my old courtneys and never had a problem or was uncomfortable in them. might have them framed :biggrin2:

 

Ive worn an Australian made boot, called Blundstones for the past 7 or 8 years, they are an all leather slip on boot, very light weight and very comfortable, the model to go for is the #550, they really have treated me well. go look them up on the Blundstone website Blundstone :: Boots, Footwear & Accessories (Socks, Bootguards, Polish, Belts, Footbeds, etc).

seriously if you dont like them ill pay for them...

 

Boots

When I go to try on boots, I plan on taking a pencil, putting it on the ground, and seeing how sensitive the boots are to things underfoot. I am probaly overthinking this a little too much, But I want to do my best to ensure my first safari is all it can be. As Marius said, "Hunting is simple," but the idea of going 7 days with screaming feet, is frightful!!