Has anybody used these on Safari, my son and I are going to South Africa next summer and I am looking for a pair of lightweight noninsulated boots.

I used a pair of Lightweight Kangaroo boots from LL Bean on my last trip and found them to be fantastic. Kangaroo Boots-LL Bean
They provided great support when walking on rough ground and kept the prickly stuff out.

Andre

Based on your comments, you were obviously happy with the boots performance, but I would have thought the Gore-tex would have made your feet sweat more than leather in hot weather?

I haven't used the Browning ones, but I bought the Cabela's one and was very happy with it, felt good, light weight, but it you are hunting steep hills the Cabelas could use more traction, but darn sure comfortable. Tried them both on at Sidney and didn't feel any difference between them.

I bought a pair of the Cabela's version as well for my hunt in Zim last year. I thought they were great. Nice and quiet while walking through the mopane leaves and enough stability while scrambling up the big rock kopjes.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/sta...cat601926&hasJS=true

quote:

Originally posted by DPhillips:
I bought a pair of the Cabela's version as well for my hunt in Zim last year. I thought they were great. Nice and quiet while walking through the mopane leaves and enough stability while scrambling up the big rock kopjes.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/sta...cat601926&hasJS=true

The model pictured has a lot more tranction than the ones I got, must have changed designs.
Those look good

I have owned a pair of Browning's for over twenty years. Best lightweight boots ever made.

Only complaint I have about them is the chrome lacing metal. Other than that, they've been great and lasted over 10 years!

I found mine (Cabela's version) unnecessarily clumsy - pimarily because the upper seam around the foot makes them feel a lot larger than their size would indicate. In addition, the lacing system allows no control over the tightness of the boot in the front foot, and is not particularly well suited to easily lace up the boot tight around the ankles either. Not for me.
- mike

The kangaroos are light and comfortable walking on stuff thats not too rough, but don't provide much ankle support. I have a wimpy ankle from a football injury a long time ago and changed to Meindl "Black Canyon", also at Cabelas. No insulation, no Goretex, and they breath well while providing more ankle support and have great traction. They weigh a little more (3.2 lbs), but are not clunky. They are not mountain climbing boots, but worked great in Namibia climbing around boulders and up steep hills. I like them so much I bought another pair as a "spare".

I had a pair of the Brownings several years back. They are exceptionally comfortable and light BUT the down side is the leather was very soft and consequently tore/punctured easily which ultimately ended my use of them. If you are hunting in the thorns, I would chose something else, otherwise, a great pair of boots.

Martinbns,

The best advice "I" can give, is try and get somewhere you can try several types/brands on. Everyone's foot is different, their requirement for comfort vs wearability is different, and as I found out in preparing for my first African Safari, so are the boots.

Anticipating a significant walk and stalk, I went to Bass Pro and tried several different brands. As far as I was concerned there was a tremendous amount of difference in comfort. I ended up with Danner's and they performed great.

I am not necessarily recommending Danner's as much as the importance of physically trying them on and having an immediate comparison against other. Fred

Have had a pair of those for over 25 years. They are still my favorite boot when it is not too cold.

Kangaroo leather boots should be fine for any area I've hunted in southern Africa. I nearly destroyed a pair of Brownings during a single javelina season in southern Arizona's rocky, cactus-covered terrain many years ago, however.

Bill Quimby

I have a pair of the browning boots. I bought them for my hunt this year in Namibia. I wore them one full day and found, that when the foot is flexed the toe box pinches my toes.
Anyone want a pair cheap?

quote:

Originally posted by Dr.C:
I have a pair of the browning boots. I bought them for my hunt this year in Namibia. I wore them one full day and found, that when the foot is flexed the toe box pinches my toes.
Anyone want a pair cheap?

What size?

thanks for all the replys, keep them coming. My problem is I live 4000 km from the nearest basspro/cabelas. It's hard to find uninsulated hunting boots in Norhtern Alberta where I live(for good reason). Whatever I buy, its probably going to be ordered and shipped to me, a chance on my part. I have lots of shoes I never wear because they cause me pain.

One question about these various boots, I like a tight heal, tight across the top of my foot and a fair amount of wiggle room for my toes. IN you rguys experience, do these moc style boots offer that?

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
thanks for all the replys, keep them coming. My problem is I live 4000 km from the nearest basspro/cabelas. It's hard to find uninsulated hunting boots in Norhtern Alberta where I live(for good reason).

martinbns,
That was my situation, you just can't many uninsulated boots in Alaska, unless they are Xtra Tuffs. I ordered mine from Cabelas their sizing runs very close to how tennis shoe companies make their sizes.

They don't give a lot of ankle support and the leather is soft, but I really like mine for use here in AK for working or in Zimbabwe's lowveld.

I used USA issue desert combat boots. Good color, tread, weight, support, comfort and price. $80.00 is reasonable for good boots.

JimD they are size 10.

I've owned several pairs of Browning Kangaroo boots, I like em' a lot. They are light and comfortable on my feet. When I hunted a lot in west texas, birds, bucks, varmints and such, I wore out a pair every year. They were comfortable enough to me that I would spend the money to start fresh every year. They didn't turn the thorns very well and I always suspected that a big diamondback wouldn't find them too much of an issue..sorta safe from the smaller praire rattlers and sure enough safe from the pigmys. Being something of a packrat, I still have four or five pair with holes worn in the sides. I don't live [hunt] down there nearly as much now...a lot older too.

I bought the Cabelas Pittard leather uninsulated upland boots, they have a review on the site that states you get to try them for 60 days, if you don't like them they take them back. Too good an offer not to buy them.