African Huntin Boots

[spike.t]

On the boots please buy/bring ones that have a soft type sole....a lot of these boots seem to have quite a hard sole, and it seems the people wearing them are oblivious to the noise they make at each step.....so soft rubber soles

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Boots are personal and much depends on your feet. For example, lots of people want cushioning and arch support; I neither want nor need it.

I do think as a general rule, American boots are too heavy, too stiff, too hard-soled. A mountaineering boot should be a specialized tool, not the default option. Also, keep your environment in mind: vent holes designed to let moisture out will also let dust and sand in. I have some Arcto sealskin boots made in Namibia that are about perfect for Namibia. Just picked up a pair of Jim green barefoot boots that I’m looking forward to trying. I think a pair of Chuck Taylors would be perfect for the Caprivi if only they didn’t have vent holes. I’d want leather if in thornier parts of the country.

Let us know your thoughts on the Jim Greens. I was considering ordering a pair the other day. Keep going back and forth between the Barefoot boots you got and the Rangers.

 

[Sideshow]

On the boots please buy/bring ones that have a soft type sole....a lot of these boots seem to have quite a hard sole, and it seems the people wearing them are oblivious to the noise they make at each step.....so soft rubber soles

Yes it’s amazing how some people have know idea on how to place your feet so as not to make any noise. Dont tell my wife she is a shocker stomping around! It’s like she trying to kill the entire ants nest in one go
Guess there’s not many who grew up playing Indians and Ninjas

 

[spike.t]

Let us know your thoughts on the Jim Greens. I was considering ordering a pair the other day. Keep going back and forth between the Barefoot boots you got and the Rangers.

I have 2 pairs of the rangers. The buffalo and the light tan colour ones...the buff ones are a lot more robust....the one thing that bugs the shit out of me with the ranger boot is the metal shank in the sole. I can feel it all the time, but worst for me is when walking on some of the very rough dried earth in our dambos ....as the shank becomes really noticeable and makes my feet ache...I only saw the barefoot ones on their website the other day as get emails regularly from the Vellie boutique in SA where I bought mine from when was down there....want to try them but will have to wait till can work out how to get them up here...the shank isn't a deal breaker just bugs me..possibly just me and others don't notice it ..I bought the Jim greens to try out as the Courtney's prices are lot more than when I bought my last pair, and also without going to zim I couldn't get the ele ones which are the ones I like...apart from the shank bugbear I am happy with the buff ranger ones...the guy in the vellie boutique shop when I said usually used ele Courtney boots said nearest in toughness is the buff boot so go for that....my tan ones use for general messing around wear...

 

[homeless]

I had been in the last Madrid fair and I saw a new boots brand.
Diotto, from Italy, and I fell in LOVE Diotto beccaccia pro

 

[Huntersedge]

Last year I bought a pair of Cortney’s but the stitching was right against the bone below my little toe making them painful to walk in.
I took two pair of boots to SA last year.

1- Irish Setters Wingshooter.
Good thorn protection and a smoother sole for
quiet stalking.

2- Oboz for general use

 

[Huntersedge]

I did have to dig thorns out of the Oboz. Luckily no thorns made it to my feet.

 

[peacemaker]

I use Russel Stalkers, they are a short boot with a Crepe sole, very quite for spot and stalk. You will spend a lot of time in dry riverbeds with sand and rock. The Russels don't offer a lot of support, I'm 220# and they work for me. Any light hiker should work well but be careful of hard soles, you might end up in your socks for the final approach.

 

[Rare Breed]

On the boots please buy/bring ones that have a soft type sole....a lot of these boots seem to have quite a hard sole, and it seems the people wearing them are oblivious to the noise they make at each step.....so soft rubber soles

In your opinion which boot has the most quiet soul. I wore Salomon’s two weeks ago. light comfortable but very loud

 

[spike.t]

In your opinion which boot has the most quiet soul. I wore Salomon’s two weeks ago. light comfortable but very loud

Don't know much about most of the boots mentioned...I found my Courtneys good and these Jim green are good as well....Russell moccasin boots as well...bout covers ones I have worn....they just need to have a soft rubber sole as these ones do....a lot of the other hiking boots seem to have a harder type sole, and its noticeable when you walking along....a crunch crunch on the dirt....I know @PeteG Uses a different SA brand and they good as well

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I have 2 pairs of the rangers. The buffalo and the light tan colour ones...the buff ones are a lot more robust....the one thing that bugs the shit out of me with the ranger boot is the metal shank in the sole. I can feel it all the time, but worst for me is when walking on some of the very rough dried earth in our dambos ....as the shank becomes really noticeable and makes my feet ache...I only saw the barefoot ones on their website the other day as get emails regularly from the Vellie boutique in SA where I bought mine from when was down there....want to try them but will have to wait till can work out how to get them up here...the shank isn't a deal breaker just bugs me..possibly just me and others don't notice it ..I bought the Jim greens to try out as the Courtney's prices are lot more than when I bought my last pair, and also without going to zim I couldn't get the ele ones which are the ones I like...apart from the shank bugbear I am happy with the buff ranger ones...the guy in the vellie boutique shop when I said usually used ele Courtney boots said nearest in toughness is the buff boot so go for that....my tan ones use for general messing around wear...

Thanks for the insight. I’ve owned several pairs of Courtney’s and something about them just doesn’t like my feet. Might be me having flat feet but after a day or two my feet ache as well. They're either too small and too tight, or too big and loose. Trying to find a shoe with a much softer sole because you’re 100% right about US boots being hard and loud.

 

[JT68]

Any experience with the Kenetrek Safari Hiking boots?

 

[HuntingFreak]

I ran Lowa Renegades last August in SA and loved them.

 

[Rare Breed]

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.

Curious to build on this. What is the quietest shoe? My salmon’s were the very best comfort but were loud

 

[CamoManJ]

I have plans to wear my Ariat Terrains on my Botswana safari. They are broken in, comfortable, waterproof, but I’m not sure how “quiet” they are.

 

[Rare Breed]

Yes it’s amazing how some people have know idea on how to place your feet so as not to make any noise. Dont tell my wife she is a shocker stomping around! It’s like she trying to kill the entire ants nest in one go
Guess there’s not many who grew up playing Indians and Ninjas

To your point, I have been taught by my PH's long ago to walk heel to toe which I then know when having done this I have noisy shoes.

 

[Nkawu]

Rogue boots made in South Africa (near Kruger Park) are very well priced and very comfortable. Apparently they are the boots of choice for the Kruger trail guides. https://rogue.co.za/collections/work-and-trail

 

[Nhoro]

Don't know much about most of the boots mentioned...I found my Courtneys good and these Jim green are good as well....Russell moccasin boots as well...bout covers ones I have worn....they just need to have a soft rubber sole as these ones do....a lot of the other hiking boots seem to have a harder type sole, and its noticeable when you walking along....a crunch crunch on the dirt....I know @PeteG Uses a different SA brand and they good as well

I think it is a hard outer sole and a soft foam midsole that makes that loud POK . One piece soles are better. Steel inserts are terrible for quietness as well, people thump their feet down like they are stomping grapes. Good boots are hard to find but Courtneys or something similar are hard to beat.

 

[Sideshow]

To your point, I have been taught by my PH's long ago to walk heel to toe which I then know when having done this I have noisy shoes.

My uncle taught me this. Gave me a salt shaker and told me I could catch rabbits by hand if I sprinkled some on there tails‍got pretty close before I figured out he had been pulling my leg. Taught me to walk quietly though.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Courteney Safari all day and twice on Sunday. I use them as hiking boots as well, and after a good shining they make excellent smart-sporty shoes with heaps of character. Comfy, light, lots of traction and—of course—look the part. Will never switch.