The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Trail running shoes for hunting Namibia.. Help!Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Trail running shoes for hunting Namibia.. Help! | Login/Join |
one of us |
I`m headed of to Namibia in 27 days.. I planned to buy a pair of leather boots, but couldn`t afford them at the moment.. The hunt has taken all of my money..  I remember a read a post here earlier about I guy that almost had his hunt in Namibia ruined, because his shoes did tear up.. Will I have a problem with trail running shoes? Hope you know what kind of shoes I mean.. Pretty solid snickers, kind of.. I used them in RSA.. Namibia can`t be that much worse?? I guess I`ll buy a pair of short gaiters on the way, as well.. | ||
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one of us |
What size are you ? I have tons of good stuff that I will send yoou for free I think your trail running shoes will do fine my PH in RSA used shoes like that. Cheers, Andr� | |||
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Moderator |
Anders, Your trail running shoes and gaiters should be fine. I know of a PH that hunts in nothing but running shoes and no socks. Regards, Terry | |||
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| one of us |
Eh... I don`t know if you`re joking Andr�...  But my size is 45-46 European... You know Norwegians... Free stuff! Where, where??  Thanks a lot for your reply! | |||
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| one of us |
Thanks a lot! That sounds like a good proof to me! I just want to be prepared for everything.. But I kind of get hung up on details.. Everything must be perfect. Can`t use the old rifle shells that have been shot a couple of times. I have to buy new shiny ones for my reloads... You know what I mean..?  | |||
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| one of us |
Anders I am 44-45 and I did mean it but I do not have anything that is too big for me/and would fit you I think.  I think yoou would do fine with your shoes. Cheers, Andr� | |||
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one of us |
I've used these and found them extremely durable and comfortable.  New Balance 974 Country Walker New Balance's 974 Country Walkers deliver all of the cushioning, support and high-tech comfort needed for your adventures. Their updated design has the rugged good looks that are perfectly suited for any casual outing or on-the-go activity. They combine a waterproof leather upper with a heel and forefoot constructed of shock-absorbing ABZORB� material so you can tackle the most challenging woodland trail or country road in any weather with painless ease. A specially designed Walking Strike Path� Outsole stabilizes the foot through the entire walking cycle for incomparable efficiency. The revolutionary Stability Web ensures midfoot support and torsional stability while reducing weight. A unique C-CAP� midsole creates lightweight comfort, increases flexibility and promotes long-lasting durability. Color: Light Brown. | |||
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| new member |
Last time we were in Namibia, we had to hunt one evening in ordinary training/running shoes because our leatherboots were still soaked from the morning dew. Gras seeds came through the fabric parts of the shoes, like needles, it hurt like hell! I also got a thorn right through the sole of one shoe, so my advice would be to wear something more solid, like boots you wear in winter. Mornings and evenings are very cold, and hot feet don't hurt as much as pierced ones! | |||
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| one of us |
We wore nothing but sandals on my hunt in Zimbabwe May 2004.PH included.One day I wore my New Balances and plyed hell with grass seeds in fabric parts of shoe.At least with sandals you can take 2 seconds and clear anything bothering you.Worked for me.You are going to lose blood,count on it. | |||
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| one of us |
I took my Garmont boots to RSA in Apr. this year and they are for sure packed in my suitcase next time I�m off to Afrika again! My boots are a low model but still wery tuff and rigid. With snakes and thorns in mind I wouldnt dream of using anything else than a good booth on a walking hunt! I use a thin wool sock closest to the foot and another thin cotton sock. The wool keepes the foot comfortable even if there is a lot of moisture in the boot, the cotton sock absorbs the moist and sort of keeps it avay from the wool sock. This works good for me. It�s easy to get blisters in the heat even if the boots are well run in. I tied the boots quite tight and I didnt suffer from any problems with my feet. We staked on foot about three h. in the morning and 3 h. in the eavening for a week. The temperatures was above 30 C lots of the time. My PH told us several stories of clients that couldnt walk after the first day on foot with new or poor fitting shoes. It�s the heat that causes problems with the feet most of the time....... Hope your trip will be as good as mine Anders! Stefan | |||
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| one of us |
Thanks a lot anyway, Andr�! I`ll stick with a pair of solid running shoes.. I guess they`ll do fine.. Well, so I hope.. Regards Anders | |||
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| one of us |
You will do fine, if you ever get a chance to watch one of Saeed's videos you'll see he hunts in sneakers! My dad always uses 'walking shoes' unless we are going to really steep areas that require ankle support... | |||
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one of us |
I case Elk in the Rockeys and Boar in the Blue Ridge in trail hiking boots. No problems with well made hikers. I use Vasque and Merral w/gortex. Waltzin' around a flat ground should NOT be a problem. Good luck on your hunt. | |||
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| <mikeh416Rigby> |
I would love to buy a pair of the Merral's, but unfortunately they don't make them in EE width. | ||
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| <mikeh416Rigby> |
Stefan-here's a little trick to help prevent blisters. On my left foot, there are two areas that are very prone to having a blister rise, no matter what boot or shoe I wear. Several years ago, my foot doctor told me to put a piece of adhesive tape over the area that is prone to blistering, before any irritation starts. Since I started doing that, I no longer get blisters. The sock rubs over the tape, and not your skin. Problem solved. | ||
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| One of Us |
I highly recommend the Rocky sandals that you should be able to buy in the Joburg airport. I wish I had bought ten pair of them the last time I was there. As a second choice, try the Clarke's Desert boot. Both options are very reasonably priced. Best, JohnTheGreek | |||
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| One of Us |
As to thorns there isn't a boot sole made that will stop them if you step directly on them, H*ll just look what they do the 8 and 10 ply tires, eh. | |||
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| Moderator |
With all due respect, Namibia is not Zimbabwe. Of course, the softer footware may be fine but much depends on where you are hunting. If you might be hunting the rubble strewn hillsides of the central highlands I strongly recommend a tougher, more rigid leather boot, even if of a low cut design. Believe me when I tell you, your feet will thank you for it. | |||
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One of Us |
Ditto JTG - Rocky sandals are about bullet proof. I finally retired my pair after 5 years of hunting and lots of metropolitan miles. I purchased a pair of Teves for replacement, but they already look worn after a few months. I purchased my Rocky's in Pietermaritzburg. It�s good to know they are available at the Jo�Burg airport. I�ll grab another pair this Fall. Every once in a while a thorn will work through the bottom, so I grab the Leatherman and pull it out. No big deal. Sweaty feet are prone to blister and sandals solve this problem. The other benefit to sandals are they�re very quiet. You can walk over potato chips with little noise. | |||
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| one of us |
I arrived in Namibia with a pair of fabric hiking boots (Nike) and a pair of leather hiking boots. Told PH I had my heart set on Courtney's and would like to purchase them when we were in Windhoek. He took me to a store in Windhoek where he buys all his stuff. They had no Courtney's. He (Peter Kibble) said why don't you wear what I wear. They ended up looking like military surplus, high top tennis shoes, olive drab and black soles. They cost $18 a pair. Pete and all his trackers, etc wore them and , when in Rome, etc. No problems. Only wore my much more expensive ones when in Zimbabwe and running down and flushing guniea fowl for shots. Needed more cushioning then. I managed to stick a thorn through both the cheap shoes and the expensive ones with thick soles. In my opinion, only a steel plate in the soles would prevent any thorn stick. The thorns that lay on the ground and look like a version of kids "play jacks" will puncture any boot made without a steel plate. | |||
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| one of us |
Most of the hunting will be around Gobabis, in pretty heavy thornbush, I guess. But some hunting in the mountains north-northwest of Windhoek for Hartmanns Mountain Zebra etc. I contacted Westley Richards and they could ship me a pair of Courtney Boots in a week, so... I`ve made a small budget, and will look into it to see if I can afford them.. I will bring some simple gaiters as well. They might come out handy.. Thanks to everyone for good information! Just can`t wait for the hunt to start. | |||
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