Russell or Courteney - Safari Boots...

[James.Grage]

Well i made my decision and ordered a pair of Courteney boots today...

I will take this with the pair of Merrell that i am currently breaking in...Last year I gave my new pair away....and if my tracker has the same foot size he may very well get this pair also...

I am also looking at getting a pair of Simm's boots also to take along...

If a pair of shoes does not working out it ... goes into the good will bag...and sometimes they get a real good deal...

As far as looking the part...so what...if the shoes do the job that they are designed to do and i am able to walk all day with out problems...then they were the right choice...As i have gotten older my feet are more sensitive to the footwear i use...

By the way, New Balance make great boots...wolverine used to be a great boot, however when they moved over seas the shoes do not have the same fit...Filson has great hunting boots...the list can go on and on...

 

[enysse]

I think both boots are fine, so are danner and kenetrek and everything else. I have flat feet so most shoes are uncomfortable. And I don't get to do enough hunting to justify super nice shoes...too many other bills. I bought a used pair of Merrells hikers for $30 last year and they have been my go to shoes last year for a antelope hunt in WY and elk hunt in the high country of New Mexico. Yes, my feet got warm...but they didn't blister either. I wear them whenever I do a lot of walking.

 

[sondhi470]

Hi Buck I would tend to agree that the desert elite are the boots but are they water proof? and are they gore tex or are they lined with some other material? I tried to check on that but couldn't really turn up with anything.Pl advice
regards
Sondhi

 

[James.Grage]

MY new Courteney Boot arrives. Talk about soft leather and i am starting to train the tung...

They are wide and allow me to wear medium to heavy socks...i will add a 3/4 insert to provide more arch support...i usually have to do that for most shoes and tennis shoes...

So far so good...polished them up prior to going into the streets to break them in... and i changed the laces....

 

[Shakey]

Good to hear! The more I wear mine, the happier I am with them. I too started wearing a thicker sock. One of the few boots that actually fit my odd-shaped feet, and about the only one that is quiet.

 

[buckcurtin]

Sorry didn't see your response earlier, the answer is Gore Trex. Just had to give both pair of my Lowa's away. Din't fit, cannot believe your feet can grow in your 60's, went from a 11 to a 12. New Lowa's to be ordered!

 

[Double D]

One thing you might consider adding is a pair of gaitors with ur new boots as the courtneys are lower than most boots. Just a suggestion from a little experince.

 

[Red Leg]

Anyone know where to find the courtney gaiters? Can't find a courtney dealer on the web who carries them (other than Westley Richards in the UK with a L35 shipping charge!). They are impala leather, and use a drawstring rather than the usual elastic. They would be ideal for hunting in shorts.

 

[James.Grage]

Double D

i noticed that with the soles on the shoes that they pick up a lot of sand and small rocks and yes i have ordered a pair of gates from African sporting to wear...

 

[Shakey]

Anyone know where to find the courtney gaiters? Can't find a courtney dealer on the web who carries them (other than Westley Richards in the UK with a L35 shipping charge!). They are impala leather, and use a drawstring rather than the usual elastic. They would be ideal for hunting in shorts.

Looks like we’re moving into a gaiter discussion. OMG … we’ll really be accused of trying to look the part now!

Agree totally with the earlier comment regarding adding gaiters. There are enough exotics running around Texas that we hunt regularly year-round. I hunt in shorts often, and I’ve come to rely on gaiters to keep debris out of my shoes and, just as importantly, to cover my laces to prevent my shoes from coming untied while walking through brush.

The Courteney gaiters look good, but an elastic band at the top will not get snagged and untied, and it will flex with your leg. If the Courteney gaiters are what you really want, you might try contacting Jim Morando at African Sporting Creations (Shooting Sticks, British Campaign Furniture, African bi-pod shooting sticks, African Sporting Creations). He orders shoes from Courteney Boots, and could probably add gaiters to a future order (guess on my part).

I wore the gaiters from the Texas Hunt Co. for a while, but I find them to be too small at the bottom to stay low on the boot or shoe and keep the laces covered. This Jan at the DSC I happened to see some leather gaiters at a booth that looked much better. Like a fool I didn’t make note of the company who had the booth (gaiters were just a side item, not the focus of the display). They only took cash for the gaiters, so I purchased the last (2) pair of brown ones they had and moved on. I don’t know what leather these are made of, but they are very soft, comfortable, and cover my laces completely. I have routinely cleaned and treated one pair with leather preservative to make them last, and I have stashed the other pair for use when the first pair gives up.

The tag on the gaiters says “Namibia” on one side, and “Save your Socks” with “Cell: 0812965074” on the other. An adhesive sticker inside says “Cell: 09264-81-2965074”. My calves are large, but the only size they had at the booth in brown was medium. Their medium fits me perfect. I hope to see these at next year’s DSC.

 

[sestoppelman]

I wore inexpensive gaiters for the first time this past June in Zim. I was more concerned about getting the little pepper ticks than anything else. THey worked great. Cabelas had them,. made by Boyts, called appropriately Safari Gaiters. Speaking of ticks, I had sprayed all my clothes with permethrin and never got any ticks on board. My PH mentioned he had them several times.

 

[Red Leg]

Been fortunate not to have to deal with the tick thing yet - even in the Caprivi - just not an issue. Grass seeds are another thing. Namibia had a lot of rain earlier in the year and the grass was calf to knee high everywhere. When wearing long pants I use tight fitting leather gaiters which go all the way to the knee. They are very soft and almost as quiet as bare skin (and a whole lot more thorn proof!). And because NO ONE wears that sort of thing, I'm not real worried about "looking the part." Still, I prefer hunting in shorts and have had marginal luck with the canvas gaiters by Boyt and Texas Hunt. Tag imports a leather gaiter but they are cut to fit over trousers and are much too loose for bare ankles. The Courteney rendition look ideal.

 

[Xpraetor]

Anyone know where to find the courtney gaiters? Can't find a courtney dealer on the web who carries them (other than Westley Richards in the UK with a L35 shipping charge!). They are impala leather, and use a drawstring rather than the usual elastic. They would be ideal for hunting in shorts.

Red Leg,
Westley Richards has an office in the states, the # (406) 586-1946, I ordered a pair from them, without the overseas shipping cost.

 

[Xpraetor]

Courteney Selous Leather gaiters- Impala leather

Not a spokes person for them, and certainly not trying to take anything form Africa Sporting Creations, but they prefer to push the canvas gaiters. I prefer the leather in dry conditions, like Shakey I like the fact that they cover the laces better. I also use a pair of neoprene gaiters (designed for fly fishing) in wet conditions. Some feel they would be to hot in Africa, but although Louisiana isn't the bushveld it gets pretty balmy here and they aren't uncomfortable. Then again it is wet so maybe that's why...?

here is contact info for US dealer-

Westley Richards USA
3810 Valley Commons Drive
Suite 2
Bozeman, MT. 59718
USA

T 00 1 406 586 1946
F 00 1 406 586 3326

enquiries@westleyrichards.com

or follow link-

Westley Richards | Contact us

 

[Double D]

I dont no who made my Gaitors I have had them for quite a while. They are soft leather and they have velcro up the back with snaps top and bottom. The snaps rusted off a long time ago but the velcro keeps them together. I would buy a new pair if I ever saw the same ones. I could probably take these to a tac or saddle shop and get new snaps put on and be good as new come to think of it. Another good thing they have is a hook at the front that you hook over the bottom of the laces so they dont come up. Function before beauty.

 

[Double D]

The buddy that originaly gave me the gaiters sent me this. I think these are prity darn good so if ur looking check them out.


Ankle Gaiters - Products - Safari Clothing - Safari Gear - Safari Clothes for Travel

 

[Xpraetor]

Tony Lama- Buffalo/Bison chukka boot

In case any one views this thread looking for ideas thought I would throw in an unlikely brand. Most in the US will be familiar with Tony Lama Boots, but not with the Buffalo/Bison hide chukka. It is a modern take on the well known "earth shoe" that was popular back in the '70s. I have a pair and wear them regularly. The shoe is very comfortable and has a sole that is very quiet. One draw back is that the soft sole & foot bed of the shoe has no protective shank so it offers no real protection from punctures. In short it offers about as much protection as a tennis shoe, so it won't stop a nail. I point this out due to reading about- on this site, and in many books written on hunting in Africa- warnings that stepping on thorns is a problem. Where I live we have a native tree called a Honey Locust that produces thorns that range between 3- 6 inches in length. The trees shed them and they get broadcasted all over the woods when a dead tree falls. I have found them imbedded in the bottoms of my rubber boots, which required pliers to extract them. To thwart those thorns when wearing my TL-chukkas I made protective insoles by tracing my feet on a scrap of 7- 8 oz skirting leather. I chose the leather because it is thick, but flexible and an added plus is it gives some additional cushion. Occasionally the thorns will stick through the sole, but they don't penetrate beyond the leather insole/foot bed I made.

Picture of a Honey Locust tree & close up of thorns--

I mention these simply because at $69.95, they are considerably less than a pair of Courteney's or Russell's.

pics of my boots/shoes--

This a link to a better description of the boot/shoe.

Tony Lama Men's Tan Oiled Buffalo Leather Chukka Boots


Happy Hunting!

 

[enysse]

These boots look darn comfortable and affordable! Great for bowhunting!

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks to those who recommended calling the Westley Richards US office. I ordered two pair and they are great. I replaced the ties with elastic cords and toggles. Now they are perfect!

 

[redriverjake]

Some interesting opinions on here, great stuff. I've seen the new Courtney Patrol, and I have to say I like it. Would like to hear any other ideas ya'll have.