Safari boots opinions

[WAB]

I’m not sure whose terminology is incorrect yours or mine. Merrells boots have a very hard tread and aren’t quiet up close compared to courteney’s but I’d say they are very soft sole because they flex with the heat. In Cameroon I had some protection for the bottom of my feet but no support because they flexed so easily, front to back and left to right once it got hot mid day. My PH had courteney’s. They were much more quiet. However I’d say they are hard soled because they didn’t flex on the ground like my merrells. I’ve also had thorns and burnt grass fully puncture my merrell boots. I’ve had them stick in the tread of danner boots but not make it to my foot. I don’t believe this happens with courteney’s? After that hunt, I’m going to put more consideration into footwear on tracking hunts.

No idea of
The correct terminology. IMO Merrells are noisy because the tread is hard (the part in contact with the ground). Courteney’s are quiet because the tread is soft.

 

[Luvthunt]

Well worn Danners do it for me.

 

[112Savage]

Danner tannicus for me. I have tachyons also but don’t feel as stable in the heel and midfoot as the tannicus. Both are light and built for high heat soft soil environments

 

[CBH Australia]

Courtney's are good if you get the right fit.

Beijing handmade they seem to have variations

 

[fourfive8]

I’d love to see a real and scientific study comparing the relative “noisiness” of various soles. I have an idea the results might be “surprising”.

No matter, it will likely be warm to hot and dry so wear broken in footwear that you can go miles in. And thin leather gaiters are the bee’s knees.

I live in mountain snow country but with warm and dry summers. So until it snows these Courteney Safaris are what I wear most of the time…add thin leather gaiters for Africa

I’m drinking coffee right now at a coffee shop and wearing these Courteney Selous… with tyre tread sole

 

[WAB]

I’d love to see a real and scientific study comparing the relative “noisiness” of various soles. I have an idea the results might be “surprising”.

No matter, it will likely be warm to hot and dry so wear broken in footwear that you can go miles in. And thin leather gaiters are the bee’s knees.

I live in mountain snow country but with warm and dry summers. So until it snows these Courteney Safaris are what I wear most of the time…add thin leather gaiters for Africa

I’m drinking coffee right now at a coffee shop and wearing these Courteney Selous… with tyre tread sole

View attachment 563730

I spent a month on safari in 2019 and took Courteney’s and Russell’s. I alternated days until it was clear that the Courteney’s were more comfortable and definitely quieter. The coup de grace was when the sole came off one of the Russell’s…. Again!

 

[fourfive8]

@J.Santos, I can't emphasize enough using gaiters. Here is thin leather gaiter on Courteney Safari.

 

[pilar]

I spent a month on safari in 2019 and took Courteney’s and Russell’s. I alternated days until it was clear that the Courteney’s were more comfortable and definitely quieter. The coup de grace was when the sole came off one of the Russell’s…. Again!

Which reminds me that if you do buy some vellies pack a bottle of gorilla glue to repair
if your Vellie sole starts coming off ( see the repair in 1st photo)

 

[Dewald]

I use Wildebees vellies.

Wildebees Mens Footwear Vellie Brown → Wildebees

Wildebees Online Shop CAN be resoled and repaired. *Photo display may differ from actual product in terms of colour etc.

wildebees.com

They are soft. Comfortable (I needed and insole for the arch support). They are soft soles which help with the quietness when walking.

And they are a fair bit cheaper than Courtney’s.

If you need a bit more ankle support, they also do a boot which I do have but don’t wear for hunting anymore as I prefer the vellie.

These are very comfortable shoes. A lot of the Wildebees shoes are made by Basil Maine from Redline in the KZN Midlands. He started up, and used to own Jim Green. Been around hunting shoes long enough in his life.

If you buy Courteney, Jim Green, Redline etc in South Africa, I agree an innersole withe softer arch support is a good idea. You can find quality ones at almost all Dischem and Clicks pharmacies made by Dr Scholl’s and cut to the correct size.

 

[J.Santos]

I’d love to see a real and scientific study comparing the relative “noisiness” of various soles. I have an idea the results might be “surprising”.

No matter, it will likely be warm to hot and dry so wear broken in footwear that you can go miles in. And thin leather gaiters are the bee’s knees.

I live in mountain snow country but with warm and dry summers. So until it snows these Courteney Safaris are what I wear most of the time…add thin leather gaiters for Africa

I’m drinking coffee right now at a coffee shop and wearing these Courteney Selous… with tyre tread sole

View attachment 563730

Hi!
Thanks for sharing pictures of your boots!!
Seems like simple but beautiful handcraft.

 

[PCC600]

I own wear Courtney boots . They are very comfortable for me . But I always travel with a roll of heavy tape . The soles have become unglued twice while hunting - and while still fairly new. Pretty disappointing .

 

[J.Santos]

I own wear Courtney boots . They are very comfortable for me . But I always travel with a roll of heavy tape . The soles have become unglued twice while hunting - and while still fairly new. Pretty disappointing .

Hi PCC600
Thanks for your opinion. I imagined that situation before, due the sole is only glued and not stitched,and is not easy find a cobbler during a safari
I like a lot the design and the simplicity but in my opinion the price is a bit high unfortunately like I said before..

 

[PCC600]

Hi PCC600
Thanks for your opinion. I imagined that situation before, due the sole is only glued and not stitched,and is not easy find a cobbler during a safari
I like a lot the design and the simplicity but in my opinion the price is a bit high unfortunately like I said before..

Yes they are expensive . I am always in the look out for good comfortable hunting boots .

 

[Velo Dog]

I’ve worn the same pair of Courteny “Safari Boots” (essentially a thin leather high top tennis shoe, with lug sole) for 6 trips to South Africa and Namibia now, with perfect satisfaction.
However, one man’s bread is another man’s poison.
So, whatever shoe you settle on, be very sure that you break them in = wear them for many miles at home before you wear them in Africa.

 

[J.Santos]

Yes they are expensive . I am always in the look out for good comfortable hunting boots .

Here in Europe Safari items are always very expensive and difficult to get it due the lack of stores.
As we mostly hunt driven hunt (wild boars) or bush rabbit hunt, woodcock or partridge, the shoes factory concentrate theyr hunting boots in this type of scenarios. Give an exemple of CHIRUCA boots made in Spain, excellent quality with many many different types of models but I don't know any model made to African safari.
Although I recognize the importance of local economy where Courteneys or Jim Green boots are made,justifying the price.

 

[J.Santos]

I’ve worn the same pair of Courteny “Safari Boots” (essentially a thin leather high top tennis shoe, with lug sole) for 6 trips to South Africa and Namibia now, with perfect satisfaction.
However, one man’s bread is another man’s poison.
So, whatever shoe you settle on, be very sure that you break them in = wear them for many miles at home before you wear them in Africa.

Absolutely right Velo Dog.
The look is importante but confort is primordial. It's a pity with so many many shoe factories here in my country, no one disign or produce something "pointed" to Africa.

 

[J.Santos]

@J.Santos If you really want a pair of Courteney Safari boots…. Varuste.net are selling them for €237. That’s a pretty good deal. Be aware they are a warm, dry weather boot.
if you are in Namibia I’d recommend Swakopmund Vellies. They make great shoes for 1/4 of the price.

Hi.
Thanks for your comment. No I don't live in Namibia, I live in Europe dreaming some day traveling to Africa to hunt my beloved animal....The Cape Buffalo .
...i need to win the lottery first...but still dreaming...i've got my CZ 550 9.3X62 ready in my safe

 

[J.Santos]

I’m not sure whose terminology is incorrect yours or mine. Merrells boots have a very hard tread and aren’t quiet up close compared to courteney’s but I’d say they are very soft sole because they flex with the heat. In Cameroon I had some protection for the bottom of my feet but no support because they flexed so easily, front to back and left to right once it got hot mid day. My PH had courteney’s. They were much more quiet. However I’d say they are hard soled because they didn’t flex on the ground like my merrells. I’ve also had thorns and burnt grass fully puncture my merrell boots. I’ve had them stick in the tread of danner boots but not make it to my foot. I don’t believe this happens with courteney’s? After that hunt, I’m going to put more consideration into footwear on tracking hunts.

Always had bad experience with Merrell Snickers, shoes and boots. They tend to fall apart specially the rubber intersection between the sole and the uppers.
I think the rubber they use is "natural" or "ecological rubber making so fragile to cracks. And they are not cheap to!

 

[J.Santos]

I’d love to see a real and scientific study comparing the relative “noisiness” of various soles. I have an idea the results might be “surprising”.

No matter, it will likely be warm to hot and dry so wear broken in footwear that you can go miles in. And thin leather gaiters are the bee’s knees.

I live in mountain snow country but with warm and dry summers. So until it snows these Courteney Safaris are what I wear most of the time…add thin leather gaiters for Africa

I’m drinking coffee right now at a coffee shop and wearing these Courteney Selous… with tyre tread sole

View attachment 563730

Lovely imagethank you

 

[Altitude sickness]

I prefer a mid ankle Chaka style. Moc toe. With a thin flexible sole. I have a pair of discontinued Red Wing Mocs that are perfect I only take wear them while stalking to save them