Boots for sandy soil

[jpr9954]

I'll be heading to the Northern Cape for a hunt on the edge of the Kalahari next year. This has gotten me to thinking about my boots and more importantly their soles. I hunted in Limpopo this past August and walking in the sandy soil on the roads I felt like my lug soles were digging in too much.

Is a boot with a flatter tread pattern like on Thorogood or Redwing boots better for walking on sandy soil?

My James Leddy safari boots have a Vibram half sole similar to the tread pattern in the picture below.

If it just doesn't matter, tell me and I can stop worrying about it.

 

[375Fox]

I don’t think the tread pattern matters, however I’d tell you wider is better in sand. I used a pair of Namibian vellies this year that were wider than my foot. They help stop you from sinking into sand. Jim Green Rangers are a very similar width.

 

[ftrovato]

I'll be heading to the Northern Cape for a hunt on the edge of the Kalahari next year. This has gotten me to thinking about my boots and more importantly their soles. I hunted in Limpopo this past August and walking in the sandy soil on the roads I felt like my lug soles were digging in too much.

Is a boot with a flatter tread pattern like on Thorogood or Redwing boots better for walking on sandy soil? My James Leddy safari boots have a Vibram half sole similar to the tread pattern in the picture below.

View attachment 669431

If it just doesn't matter, tell me and I can stop worrying about it.

Big and flat soles are most quit. I wore Keen low hikers last fall. It was impossible to be as quit as the PH & Trackers in those (I'm sure some of that was just me too). Now I'm breaking in some Jim Green African Rangers for my next safari. They have big flat bottoms as the shoes you picture. It's what my PH & Trackers wore.

 

[jpr9954]

I don’t think the tread pattern matters, however I’d tell you wider is better in sand. I used a pair of Namibian vellies this year that were wider than my foot. They help stop you from sinking into sand. Jim Green Rangers are a very similar width.

I tried on the African Rangers at the DSC Convention. I would have loved a pair of them if I could have gotten a pair that fit my feet. I had heel lift with a 10 and a 9.5 was too tight. I still would have needed to have the leather stretched in a spot or two. Neuropathy in your feet sucks!

 

[Neophyte]

I worry about fit first.
That’s most important.

 

[Rimbaud]

The Courtney boots/vellies sure have gotten expensive. I like mine, but I don't think I'd spend $400 on the boots if I had to do it over. It's likely some sort of sacrilege to say this but Chuck Taylors or some Salomons are hard to beat in sand and elsewhere.

 

[RR 314]

The Courtney boots/vellies sure have gotten expensive. I like mine, but I don't think I'd spend $400 on the boots if I had to do it over. It's likely some sort of sacrilege to say this but Chuck Taylors or some Salomons are hard to beat in sand and elsewhere.

Amen! I have posted pics before, but Chuck’s with puncture proof/resistant insoles are my go to. Unless really cold or terrible thorns, I cannot think of better ( for me anyways).

 

[Rimbaud]

Amen! I have posted pics before, but Chuck’s with puncture proof/resistant insoles are my go to.

I've never heard of puncture proof insoles for them. That's an aftermarket add on, right? I've got to get a pair.

 

[RR 314]

I've never heard of puncture proof insoles for them. That's an aftermarket add on, right? I've got to get a pair.

Yes sir. Think I bought mine on Amazon. I really like the Chuck’s in the boulders too. I hate getting into the big rocks, but did better with Chuck’s than stiff boots.

 

[Sideshow]

Don’t forget your short gaiters to keep that sand out! If it gets in you mars we’ll have sand paper as an insole!

AussieBoots > Insoles, Footbeds & Accessories > Over-Boots Oilskin (Pair)

Water-repellent 100% oilskin fortress fabric sock shields. These will keep your socks and the tops of your boots debris free and dry. Perfect for indoor or outdoor work, these over-boots are worn by gardeners, building site workers, sawmill workers, farmers and walkers.

www.aussieboots.co.uk

Light weight, Fit and flexible for the boots.

 

[Russ16]

Haven’t worn them on a hunt yet but got these recently. Been wearing them on local hikes and working outside etc. they are super comfortable and I think will fit the bill for a lot of things.

Attiva Mid

Are you not seeing your size? Select the size and color and click the "Notify me when in stock" button to receive an email notification when your boot is available. Gore-Tex® waterproof lining Vibram® sole with EVA Elastoflex system midsole 2 Flex Rating Board Lasting Mechanical...

www.crispius.com

 

[CBeck]

I like the Jim Green ranger barefoot version so well I’ve just bought a second pair.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I wear blue steel work boots in sandy areas, which is half my farm, and half the neighbours where I also work, if they are comfortable enough to wear all day working, then they should go ok to hunt in. And I do wear them hunting
Gumpy

 

[coreydb]

I recommend Kenetrek boots. I had the same questions three years ago prior to my first hunt in the Kalahari desert. I couldn't have been more satisfied. Good tread pattern for traction, but shallow lugs that dig in just enough to keep you stable. I wore them in all my subsequent
hunts in the desert as well as in Spain.

 

[PARA45]

I hunted the Eastern Cape, and then the Kalahari, and the Under Armour boots I had didn't do well on the rocky mountains of the Eastern Cape. However, in the sandy soil of the Kalahari, they did well, and I attribute that to the flat soles of the boots, the bottom looked almost like the boots showed by @CBeck. I'm hunting the Eastern Cape again this year, and I'll be taking a pair or Crispi boots, with a stiffer sole and better ankle support.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I hunted in the Kalahari with a pair of Redwing 2233’s and a pair of chukkas. The chukkas are much easier than big heavy boots to move around in that sand. It’s like being in the dune part of a beach. I’m used to rocky desert terrain, but the sand needs something lighter with a flatter sole (low/no heel).

 

[Bandera]

I like the Courtney Selous boots. Soft tread, they are wide but I have wide feet.

 

[ACE (in CT)]

African Vellie

The Field Ethos African Vellie is a lifestyle boot made in Africa. We reshaped the toe and and reinforced the leather in certain areas to give you the best, most indestructible shoe in the world.

shop.fieldethos.com

I’ll plug a Sponsor here, Field Ethos has Vellies that fit well and aren’t crazy expensive. I found them just right for the sandy soil we hunted in. When I bought mine they offered them in a Cape Buffalo skin option for a few bucks more, I expect these to last a few hundred years, might have to re-sole them though.

 

[Muskox]

Years ago I hunted in the Khomas and then in the Kalahari. My boots I wore on the plane were a pair of military boots and I wanted to die when I got to Windhoek. They book me to a sporting goods store in Windhoek and I got set up with a pair of canvas Israeli type combat boots and they were great in the Kalahari. They kind of sucked in the Khomas as they were not supportive at all.

I think it depends on what else you are doing and how much you want to pack a bunch of extra luggage.

 

[Luvthunt]

My PH on the Kalahari fringes wore Walabys(?) The tracker wore Clark’s. This hunt was in the early 90s.
Hunted with that same PH a few years later in the Caprive and he still preferred Walabys.Exceptionally big man also.