Safari boots and brands !!!

[thriller]

Courtney's Jim Greens neither fit my Fat Feet

How fat are your feet? I have a triple e and the Courtney wides are almost too wide for me. Count me impressed I refer to my shoes as cinder block covers

 

[CamoManJ]

Wore my Jim greens today to the range & grocery store, plus my walk. They are getting more comfortable by the mile…loving it!

 

[Lancaster]

It was interesting in a recent podcast Guav Johnson and another PH (I forget which one but on TIA podcast) said any shoes with a cushioned sole like Merrells make too much noise, you need a solid rubber sole like the Courteneys etc. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because you can’t feel the twig you are about to step on?

I have worn Meindl walking trainers/sneakers that are like Merrells hunting and can’t say I noticed them as noisy.

I’d wear the Meindls again but if I was hunting rocky, steep ground like we did last year in the Zambezi valley I’d wear my Lowa desert boots with ankle support. I figured that if you badly sprain your ankle on day one of your hunt it’s an expensive week sat in camp waiting for it to heal.

 

[WI-2021]

I wore a pair of the old model Under Armour Valsetz in Limpopo this summer. I got them on clearance when the updated version came out and wasn't expecting much, but I found them to be really comfortable so I took them along and ended up wearing them for all of the hunting.

These are the version where the lower portion of the boot is leather and I hunted in long pants so I didn't notice the noise of grass brushing against the nylon that another poster mentioned. The soles are soft, flexible, and quiet. They aren't too warm. They're a pretty lightly constructed boot, so ankle support isn't great, but that really isn't necessary where we were hunting. Every day I had to pull thorns out of the soles with a pliers, but nothing made it all the way through.

While they worked well for me, I don't think the soles would hold up for very long. Mine are already pretty shredded after one trip due to the thorns. The current version of the Valsetz is all nylon and I can't see myself buying them. I have been wanting to try the GoRucks, but I have this aversion to buying shoes or boots online. Maybe once the current boots are worn out I'll bite the bullet on that.

 

[wyosteve]

I'm going to profess my ignorance, so can someone explain why so-called 'safari boots' are any different than the boots I typically wear for big game hunting elsewhere? I mean, you're walking on dirt, rocks and maybe cactus just like in the U.S. so why can't Danners, Salomons, Crispis etc. work just as well. Or is it just part of the African mystique that guys think they need?

 

[Hififile324]

I am very satisfied with Zamberlan brand boots. I have a 1 pair of Wasatch, 1 pair of guides and a low cut sneaker/hiker. The boots are incredibly comfortable yet give me excellent support and traction.

 

[Bill J H]

WyoSteve;

It seems to me that safari style boots like Courtney, Jim Green, Russell PH boots, etc., are generally leather and non insulated. Further, they don't contain as many man-made materials, like you find in a great deal of American style boots. They are pretty simple, generally not waterproof or even very water resistant.

Further, they are usually at or just over ankle high vice a lot of boots you see here that are 7-8" high.

I wear JGs or Courtneys almost everyday as they are comfortable and I like leather.

Now, if its 20 degrees or snowing or extremely wet or I'm in the mountains - I'll adjust my boots accordingly.

 

[Rifleman97]

Courtney's Jim Greens neither fit my Fat Feet

Jim green barefoot ranger, or wait 6-9 months. In that time they're going to release a version even wider than the barefoot, it'll be called the Jim Green Anatomical Ranger. Go a size up if you need to

 

[slam8031]

The Jim Green's have worked well for me and fits my D width foot. I have worn two pairs of Solomons--speed forces and don't remember the other with good success in the Eastern Cape and my most recent hunt for the tiny 10 in the mountains. I don't think the Solomons will last as long as the Rangers.

 

[Lancaster]

I'm going to profess my ignorance, so can someone explain why so-called 'safari boots' are any different than the boots I typically wear for big game hunting elsewhere? I mean, you're walking on dirt, rocks and maybe cactus just like in the U.S. so why can't Danners, Salomons, Crispis etc. work just as well. Or is it just part of the African mystique that guys think they need?

I think it's partly re my post above regarding 'soft/foam' soles, partly the heat aspect (although I appreciate parts of the US are as hot) and yes, partly tradition where leather and rubber sole boots have dominated in Africa

 

[Bill J H]

I was helping a friend of mine vaccinate some calves today and he showed me a pair of these handmade by Craig Harris for Big Bend Saddlery in Alpine, TX.
They were made really well and similar to JGs and Courtneys. Sort of a Vellie style, with a cowboy flair.

Boots and Shoes

bigbendsaddlery.com

 

[Tintin]

Been happy with my Scarpa Terra boots - they've done well for hunting in a number of environments. Lightweight and very comfortable from day one.

 

[375Fox]

I'm going to profess my ignorance, so can someone explain why so-called 'safari boots' are any different than the boots I typically wear for big game hunting elsewhere? I mean, you're walking on dirt, rocks and maybe cactus just like in the U.S. so why can't Danners, Salomons, Crispis etc. work just as well. Or is it just part of the African mystique that guys think they need?

If you are going on a PG hunt it doesn’t matter that much. If you are going on a DG hunt where the shots will be close it matters a lot. Most US hunting and hiking boots have a foam midsole between the tread and your foot. The safari boots are just rubber tread. The foam really seems to amplify the “crack” noise from stepping on a stick or in the wrong spot. You don’t notice it yourself while wearing them, but I’ve had trackers use Merrells they were given on prior hunts and the difference in noise is really noticeable.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Love the puttees and pith helmet, I have a photo of my grandfather in both in Uganda (he was a policeman) pre WW2, I hope to hunt there one day and wear both in his honour!

That one is a bit of a special, it is made entirely of hand-stitched elephant hide and is over a hundred years old. The puttees are from the 40's I believe, Northern Rhodesia BSAP issue.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I'm going to profess my ignorance, so can someone explain why so-called 'safari boots' are any different than the boots I typically wear for big game hunting elsewhere? I mean, you're walking on dirt, rocks and maybe cactus just like in the U.S. so why can't Danners, Salomons, Crispis etc. work just as well. Or is it just part of the African mystique that guys think they need?

Hunting, especialy in Africa, is so special that it deserves the attention of all the senses, the full package. This is not a rule that anyone has to obey, but I think it adds so much to one's enjoyment to consider every facet - the history, those who trod the path before you, and yes, the mystique. When your boots tick off the quality and comfort boxes, the quiet stalk and also pay homage to a bit of African history too, then I am all in.
Admiral McRaven said 'make your own bed'. I recon an equally worthwhile investment in the outcome of each new day is to tie up your boot laces well!

 

[Bejane]

I'm going to profess my ignorance, so can someone explain why so-called 'safari boots' are any different than the boots I typically wear for big game hunting elsewhere? I mean, you're walking on dirt, rocks and maybe cactus just like in the U.S. so why can't Danners, Salomons, Crispis etc. work just as well. Or is it just part of the African mystique that guys think they need?

mate, I'd say just wear what is comfortable. Thats the most important thing. Don't over complicate it

No point walking miles when you're feet are on fire. Ive done it and now maintain whatever I can walk distance in that is comfortable gets packed.

most Bufallo hunts are done in the dry season and yes the leaves etc are more "crackly"etc

But the PH should just slow down the approach to cater for noise etc.

 

[Sideshow]

My take on is if your a stalker and know how to walk quietly. It’s an art that you only get through a lot of practice. I would hazard a guess that anyone that knows how to get in close to take the shot will know what to look for in a boot. You can’t just go stomping about not looking where you place your feet.
My Crispis are good for the winter when the ground and leaves etc are soft. They have a harder sole. But in the summer I stalk in some Salomons (which are on there last legs) I can feel the leaves and sticks under foot. A softer sole. I tried some Courtney’s and also had a look at the Jim Greens but there just not comfortable for me.
Still looking for the perfect stalking boot which is going to suit DG in Africa. Had a pair of timberland chukker boots in the early 2000’s that would have been perfect but there long gone and there product now isn’t the same.

 

[Lancaster]

That one is a bit of a special, it is made entirely of hand-stitched elephant hide and is over a hundred years old. The puttees are from the 40's I believe, Northern Rhodesia BSAP issue.

Wonderful. Unfortunately I don't know where my grandfather's ended up, the only thing that I inherited from him was his Rigby 7x57. The fact that the barrel was all but shot out showed want a full and interesting life he lived!

 

[Bejane]

My take on is if your a stalker and know how to walk quietly. It’s an art that you only get through a lot of practice. I would hazard a guess that anyone that knows how to get in close to take the shot will know what to look for in a boot. You can’t just go stomping about not looking where you place your feet.
My Crispis are good for the winter when the ground and leaves etc are soft. They have a harder sole. But in the summer I stalk in some Salomons (which are on there last legs) I can feel the leaves and sticks under foot. A softer sole. I tried some Courtney’s and also had a look at the Jim Greens but there just not comfortable for me.
Still looking for the perfect stalking boot which is going to suit DG in Africa. Had a pair of timberland chukker boots in the early 2000’s that would have been perfect but there long gone and there product now isn’t the same.

try Merrell Phaserbounds, comfortable and quiet

 

[Sideshow]

try Merrell Phaserbounds, comfortable and quiet

No had a shocker here in the uk trying to deal with Merrell. I tried to buy a pair and they lost the boots then took over a month to refund. Could not contact them very very poor customer service so will definitely not be using Merrell our recommending them to anyone over here. They may/may not have a good product but if there customer service is so tried it can’t offer a telephone number or reply to emails or then promise the funds returned in 48hr then take two weeks to deposit. I’d not advise another hunter to go through the same.
There customer relations here just sucks. When looking on reviews it showed as well.

Ummm rant over sorry