Boots-different brands

[Dublinpiper90]

Good morning everyone, I dang sure don’t want to beat a dead horse to death and I know this subject has been brought up more times than most topics but here it goes, I’m looking for a new boot low cut for everyday wear with pants and or shorts, I own a pair of Courteney selous boots with tyre tread soles I enjoy them they wear good, Ive been told that the safari model boots fit some what larger than the selous model, I also would like to reach out to the community and ask choice of soles on Courteneys, I haven’t had any experience with the ripple or cleat soles, I have also looked into Jim Green boots as well, wouldn’t toss that idea out the window but would like to ask people in the know before purchasing, Again they would be for everyday wear. Thanks in advance

 

[Javaman]

Just picked up a pair of JG Rangers - swapped the stock insoles for a pair of Superfeet Running resulting in good heel fit and roomy forefoot. I hit them with a coat of their leather balm, maybe would hold off on doing that next time until I broke them in. At $200 USD there’s a lot of value for money with JG.

 

[Dublinpiper90]

Just picked up a pair of JG Rangers - swapped the stock insoles for a pair of Superfeet Running resulting in good heel fit and roomy forefoot. I hit them with a coat of their leather balm, maybe would hold off on doing that next time until I broke them in. At $200 USD there’s a lot of value for money with JG.

@Javaman how would you say the sizing is compared to standard US footwear?

 

[Javaman]

I’d say spot on … I wear a 10.5 in my Nike Metcons for the gym. I wear a 44 in a Blundstone boot and in an Alpinestar motorcycle boot. I wear a 10 or 10.5 in a dress shoe depending on the brand. The 10’s were too small for me, toe was at the end of the JG. I swapped for a 10.5 and added the insole as posted before and they fit great. I wear a Smartwool PHD sock and never have blister issues. I ordered both the 10 and 10.5 at the same time to make sure, kept the 10.5 and returned (free shipping) the 10’s which they credited back to me right away. For $200 and free shipping both ways, it’s hard to argue the value for money over other options, plus my PH’s and trackers wear them!

 

[Rare Breed]

Good morning everyone, I dang sure don’t want to beat a dead horse to death and I know this subject has been brought up more times than most topics but here it goes, I’m looking for a new boot low cut for everyday wear with pants and or shorts, I own a pair of Courteney selous boots with tyre tread soles I enjoy them they wear good, Ive been told that the safari model boots fit some what larger than the selous model, I also would like to reach out to the community and ask choice of soles on Courteneys, I haven’t had any experience with the ripple or cleat soles, I have also looked into Jim Green boots as well, wouldn’t toss that idea out the window but would like to ask people in the know before purchasing, Again they would be for everyday wear. Thanks in advance

Let me present my stupidity to our forum please. I have tried three pair of Courtney boots all pinched my small toe or the e width was too wide. So knowing I was coming to Zim I reached out to Courtney directly. I asked them to please make me a Hunter Brand boot wider than a D width but less than an E width and I would pick them up in Zim. Next here is where the stupid part comes in. I did not realize the “polish” that comes with the boots is saddle soap. My PH Lou Hallamore then told me to coat and rub in the soap until I had used the entire container which I have done. I also had ordered before I came over high arch support orthotics. OMG they are now the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. Lou told me to use Kwiki shoe polish when I get home and they will last a lifetime

 

[Matfarnsworth]

I like Jim greens. Ultra hiking shoes are nice as well.

 

[Dublinpiper90]

Let me present my stupidity to our forum please. I have tried three pair of Courtney boots all pinched my small toe or the e width was too wide. So knowing I was coming to Zim I reached out to Courtney directly. I asked them to please make me a Hunter Brand boot wider than a D width but less than an E width and I would pick them up in Zim. Next here is where the stupid part comes in. I did not realize the “polish” that comes with the boots is saddle soap. My PH Lou Hallamore then told me to coat and rub in the soap until I had used the entire container which I have done. I also had ordered before I came over high arch support orthotics. OMG they are now the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. Lou told me to use Kwiki shoe polish when I get home and they will last a lifetime

@Rare Breed you would think they would maybe announce that to there customers, I think Courteneys are well made boots, but I guess it takes people in the know tans that are willing to share the info.

 

[Rare Breed]

It’s not people in the know. Their main distributor in the US is Africa Creations who are excellent if you are trying one of their mass produced boots. Mine was ordered outside them directly through Courtney with them knowing I would be in Zim to pick them up

 

[JimP]

If you don't object to a different brand and ones that you may be able to find a store nearby to try them on before purchase take a look at Crispi Boots.

I have been wearing a pair of their Colorado's for over 4 years now and they are still going strong. They no longer produce the boot that I have but have a Colorado II that took its place in their boot lineup.

Mine are uninsulated and have been on a number of fall hunts here in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona along with a couple of spring hunts in Arizona. The only thing that I have replaced on them has been a couple pairs of laces.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I've never worn a pair of Courtney's. The Jim Greens actually look like a good value for the money and are same design as the Courtney.

I personally had zero complaints about my Danner Recurves when I was in Africa. They are light, uninsulated, and I had no issues walking all day.

Crispi's are top of the line. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to bring a pair to Africa as @JimP mentioned.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I haven’t tried Jim Green boots yet, but will soon. I like their custom order page where you can make some nice selections and modifications to get closer to what you want. I have a few pair of Courteney boots and like them all, but sizing is a clear and well discussed issue. I also love, love, love Crispi boots and have/had several pair, and if I need a rugged boot for the mountain anytime into the future, that’s what it will be. I’ve hunted with most major brands from Lowa, Meindle, Scarpa, Asolo, and none have given me a better fit and comfort than Crispi’s.

Some of Crispi’s soles are very soft, so can wear out rather quickly if seeing lots of use. Also gives lots of traction till they don’t. I wore a pair of Thor II for the summer hiking season in 2021 and did the John Muir Trail, then several additional sections of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Sierras and Cascades. By sheep season the soles were near slick, but so super comfy and still intact other than slicked out sole. Wore them for a backpacking trip into Waimanu Valley on the Big Island in November and totally ate shit twice, like cartoonistic, three-stooges type feet up over face and slip and fall, landing on my back. Hard packed slick mud, steep trail and slick soled Crispi’s proved a bad combination, but my fault. Their Colorados are great and really love their Brikstal’s, have used that model for Dall sheep hunts last 7 years. I wore a pair backpacking around the Tour de Mont Blanc and side trips. My daughter has also worn for her 2022 sheep hunts last and then to Africa this May, which she’ll also use for moose hunt this fall.

 

[jb1069]

I haven't been to Africa yet but I 2nd the Danner Recurves. I bought mine on clearance for $100 just to try. I am on my 4th year on them turkey and early season bow hunting. Comfortable from day one and still holding up.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

For Courteney’s, I have a pair of the slip on Nduna from 2024 (From Sporting Creations), a pair of 2023 Safari from Rigby, a pair of 2021 Selous from Rigby, and a pair of 2008 Hunter’s with a seam around the toe from Westley Richard’s. Reason I put the date they were made is there is a difference in sizing. The Hunters I got from WR back in late 2008 or early 2009 are 12.5’s and fit me wonderfully. I wear a 13 in most everything. Typically I wish I could get a 13.5, but 14’s are usually too big, especially in the heel. I like a wider toe box, but I don’t have the thickest (High volume) feet I think.

Skip forward to last couple years and when I got the newer pairs, they are all size 11.5 and could honestly have gone to an 11 I think in each except maybe the Safari. The exterior sole lenth on all 4 pairs match, the 2008 size 12.5 is spot on with the newer size 11.5’s. All of them have just about 1/4” of space in front of the size 13 green superfeet insoles I put in them. And the Nduna’s are honestly too big, the volume is too large and will slide around if not wearing super thick socks. I wish they were 11’s. All the others fit great and comfortable for however long I wear or hike in them. The Selous are comfortable enough that I don’t just wear for time in Africa, I wear them through the airport and flight. They are just plain comfy.

Just be careful on sizing. They don’t just run big, they run BIG. Westley Richard’s you can return to their US folks if sizing is off, and Africa Sporting Creations works with folks on sizing and returns.

 

[MacJenkins]

I’m on my 3rd week of hunting in Africa now out of 6 weeks total. I’m in love with my Crispi boots. Most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. Then to compliment them the Kuiu brush pants are incredible. I have my family over hunting with me now and they will head home in about 5 days and they all love the same Kuiu pants. All of us brought 3 different pairs and all of us love the Kuiu.

 

[Luvthunt]

Danners for me with more then 60 years and various models. Still wear the 452s and have a new pair from Midway sale waiting their turn.

 

[Bill J H]

I have 3 prs of Courtney (Selous and Safari) with the tire tread soles and 4 prs of JG African Rangers, both regular and the barefoot versions.
I like them all.
Courtneys are far heavier and far louder, but are bombproof.
JGs are lighter and quieter and so far, very durable.
Personally, I prefer the JGs over the Courtneys in all aspects both hunting and non-hunting. Therefore, when on my safari in May, I wore my JGs everyday!
Currently, my JGs are on vacation in Salem, MA.

 

[RLL]

Thanks guys. First thing in the morning and now I’ve got a pair of JG shoellies on the way…

 

[Red Leg]

I think I own four sets of Courteneys of one model or the other, and have worn them in Africa for fifteen years. I find then them perfect for that use. I bought a pair of the Jim Greens, and unlike @Bill J H I find they are very heavy and stiff compared to a similar model in Courteney. I suspect they will still be looking very new years from now.

I am also a big fan of Crispi and they have become my go to boot for hunting Europe and BC. They offer just enough ankle support to be useful without feeling like you are wearing boat anchors like Kenetreks.

 

[Rare Breed]

Interesting while I too find courtney to be heavy they are the quietest boots with the tire tread souls I have ever worn

 

[slam8031]

I too am a JG ranger fan. Two other pairs that I have enjoyed for different hunts—Asolo for the more mountainous hunts with ankle support needed. I have gotten nearly a decade out of each pair of the Asolo boots. I have also enjoyed Solomon forces speedcross 6 in the mountains of the eastern cape and the free state. However, they do not last nearly as long as the Asolo or JG Rangers.