Best hunting boot?

[Ike85123]

I had a pair of danner boots years ago that was perfect. Ive tried them since, seems like their recipe has changed. Ive tried the cabelas boots twice, both leave me with soggy socks and tired feet.
What boot do you use as an all weather hunting boot ?

 

[IvW]

Courtney or waxis.....for Africa anyway...
Wildebeest also make a good pair with soft soles but not so good for big thorn country...very quite but thorns penetrate the soles easily ...

 

[Red Leg]

North America - mountains - Kenetrek

North America - bird hunting and some deer hunting - Dubarry (early season doves - Courteney)

Europe and South America - light duty birds and stag - Dubarry

Africa* - Courteney (Hunter or Selous)

* Zambezi Delta, Moz - old style Danner Jungle Boot

 

[IvW]

This is the Waxies I refer to...

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I agree with you Ike85123... on the Danners changing. My favorite spring bear boots for a lot of years were a pair of the older style Jackals. Awesome! The newer ones haven't won me over yet.

To the question though... depending on the conditions/location: Bogs boots (thicker neoprene than Muck boots), hip boots, or 16" L.L. Bean Maine Hunting shoes. The Beans are going to Africa with me. They are light, I can hike forever in them, and I'm thinking the height solves the thorn and seeds issues I've read about.

 

[Tanks]

Africa -- Russell's PH, I switch between pairs daily.
North America -- Spring and mountains Russell's High Country Hunter Extreme
North America -- Fall and Winter Dubarry (thanks @Red Leg )
South America, Europe and Turkey -- Danner RAT Gore-Tex (might switch to Dubarry in the future).

 

[Red Leg]

I agree with you Ike85123... on the Danners changing. My favorite spring bear boots for a lot of years were a pair of the older style Jackals. Awesome! The newer ones haven't won me over yet.

To the question though... depending on the conditions/location: Bogs boots (thicker neoprene than Muck boots), hip boots, or 16" L.L. Bean Maine Hunting shoes. The Beans are going to Africa with me. They are light, I can hike forever in them, and I'm thinking the height solves the thorn and seeds issues I've read about.

View attachment 396769

The ones in the photo? Seriously? Your feet will stew in those things like in a crock pot.

 

[BC.Pat]

I daily wear a set of Danner patrols.
Hunting in North America mixed conditions Danner Canadians
Mountain Hunting ( Sheep & Goats) Hanwag Trappers ( very very stiff & hard to break in)
Danner desert boot for Africa ( was a issued item when I served)
Danner Jungle boot for swamp patrol

Pat

 

[Tundra Tiger]

The ones in the photo? Seriously? Your feet will stew in those things like in a crock pot.

Uninsulated... I have never had an issue with overheating with them, and I've put some serious miles on during some hunts.

 

[Tanks]

... 16" L.L. Bean Maine Hunting shoes. The Beans are going to Africa with me. They are light, I can hike forever in them, and I'm thinking the height solves the thorn and seeds issues I've read about.

Well, those weigh 4 lbs 6oz according to L.L. Bean site. My Russell's weigh 2 pounds lighter. Yes, I do have to wear gaiters (African Sporting Creations have nice pairs), but they hardly weigh anything. If one is hunting elephant then you are looking at almost 10 miles a day of walking and those extra 2 pounds per pair add up.

Not sure how much extra heat will be generated by the extra 9" of boot as well.

 

[Ike85123]

Well, those weigh 4 lbs 6oz according to L.L. Bean site. My Russell's weigh 2 pounds lighter. Yes, I do have to wear gaiters (African Sporting Creations have nice pairs), but they hardly weigh anything. If one is hunting elephant then you are looking at almost 10 miles a day of walking and those extra 2 pounds per pair add up.

Not sure how much extra heat will be generated by the extra 9" of boot as well.

Im not worried about weight. I wear steel toe brahmas daily.
I just need a comfortable boot that keeps feet dry.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have done 4-6 miles and maybe a bit more, bear hunting. I don't believe it will be quite that much for my particular Africa hunt. Also I have been blessed with exceedingly trouble-free feet. Exact fit and temperature have not been an issue over my 54 years. Maybe someday that will change. Also, my feet are very comfortable during fall moose and caribou in these boots. Temps are normally mid 40s to mid 60s. I believe that's similar to the range in Africa in late May?

 

[fourfive8]

Hmm? Interesting ideas about footwear. I guess whatever works for the individual... works. Can't really argue one way or another. I've slogged quite a few miles through wet tundra tussocks, small creeks and flooded beaver runs with alder and staub tangles in ankle fit hip boots, completely drenched in sweat because of exertion and humidity. But that is still different from the sand, heat and thorns of Africa. And that is different from steep, high mountain scree and snow/ice field conditions.

I think for long distance walking in Africa under normal conditions, I'd still pick one of my broken-in and well fitting Courteneys's with gaiters. Never had a long thorn puncture the sole nor the buffalo leather toe or sides either. Many modern design models utilize molded plastics for support and sometimes are the primary material for most all the boot. All that synthetic material is really uncomfortable for me in the heat. All leather footwear, like the Courteney, seems better suited to the hot dry conditions often experienced in Africa. No doubt much of the modern footwear with high % synthetic make up, will be equally thorn proof. I'm just not convinced they are the best for long distance walking in hot and sometimes sandy conditions- especially out in much of the Kalahari.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I like what fourfive8 said: whatever works for the individual. I would never hold up my choices to be right for everyone. They have been right for me, refined through years spent afield. I have not been to Africa. Maybe my choice of footwear will be wrong. I do know that living in rural Alaska most of my hunts are such that there's no going back to get something or swapping out once I get where I'm going, and I'm sometimes gone ten days or more. I have grown comfortable with my ability to choose things that work for me and don't lead to regret.

Also, I am an eternal optimist and I don't piss and moan about stuff. If this isn't the right choice, that's on me. I'm a big boy and I'll survive.

 

[Red Leg]

I have done 4-6 miles and maybe a bit more, bear hunting. I don't believe it will be quite that much for my particular Africa hunt. Also I have been blessed with exceedingly trouble-free feet. Exact fit and temperature have not been an issue over my 54 years. Maybe someday that will change. Also, my feet are very comfortable during fall moose and caribou in these boots. Temps are normally mid 40s to mid 60s. I believe that's similar to the range in Africa in late May?

Uh no? And optimism has nothing to do with it, but a bit of common sense does.

Depends on where you are but in most of Namibia and South Africa, mid-day temps in May will be a 85 to 100ish depending upon where you specifically will be located. Even in July across most of southern Africa temps are going to push 80 or more even in July/August on most days. Moreover, you will be walking in sand, dust, or hard pack, again depending upon the specific location. I frankly think those boots are nonsensical for such an environment.

Should your destination be farther north like Zim, Moz, or Tanz (and closer to the equator), they would make even less sense.

Wherever you are other than the Caprivi and Zambezi Delta (and there you want a fast drying jungle boot or even tennis shoes), the terrain will have much more in common with high desert than Alaska.

 

[CBH Australia]

I have some Courtney Selous, they are quiet. I would be weary of thorn's being soft.
I haven't hunted wet weather or cold climate.
Australia is largely dry and moderate and I have a small radius of maybe 600 miles from home except 1 African safari.

 

[Tanks]

Boots and hats are personal. Also, terrain and conditions are different between seasons and locations so what works in one area in one season will not work in another.

It also depends on what one is used to. Buzz Charlton (Zim PH) has gone on hunts wearing crocs.

 

[Pheroze]

For Canada I really like my Schnees 200gr thinsulate Granite II. They are a stiff boot. But, I have slogged through bogs, streams and over snow covered deadfall with no problem. With my full pack they are great on uneven terrain. I have used them now for 5 years and I swear they still look new(ish). I coat them a couple times a year with Montana Pitch Blend dressing. They are great, supportive yet I can walk all day.

I took my Courtney's to Africa and use them on more forgiving, dry terrain in the Canadian summer.

With both I have recently started using Sole brand insoles. I find them better than superfeet

 

[K-man]

I have done 4-6 miles and maybe a bit more, bear hunting. I don't believe it will be quite that much for my particular Africa hunt. Also I have been blessed with exceedingly trouble-free feet. Exact fit and temperature have not been an issue over my 54 years. Maybe someday that will change. Also, my feet are very comfortable during fall moose and caribou in these boots. Temps are normally mid 40s to mid 60s. I believe that's similar to the range in Africa in late May?

I am glad you don't have foot trouble - yet. I think you should read a few of the hunt reports here on AH. I (for example) just finished a hunt in Cameroon where we routinely walked 16 - 20 KM per day every day for 10 days on uneven ground in temps of 90F. This was my 8th safari, so I was reasonably prepared for that kind of walking. I always had a change of socks in my day pack, and alternated my boots every day. I agree with most on here, a good quality leather boot that is not lined or too hard soled is best for a savannah hunt in Africa. Obviously a hunt in the swamps will use a different boot. A deep blister is one of the fastest ways to ruin a hunt.

 

[Ike85123]

I hsve some ariat boots that are great ay moisture wicking but suck at walking any distance. They have no roll or give in the sole.
Would be awesome to gind a cross between those and nike runners shoes.