My rocky safari boots have finally bit the dust last month in Zim. They were just what I like in a boot, and lasted for 15 safaris and a whole lot of miles.

I am looking for an 8 inch all leather, non insulated, non gor-tex, flexible non aggressive sole. I have looked at countless stores and countless online hunting, military and tactical suppliers. All I have found is a mixture of leather with cordura sewn in inserts or something with very aggressive soles that I do not like

Thanks for any help you can give

quote:

rocky safari boots

Danner Bull Run...

Since you already like the Rocky safari boot, why not just buy another pair?

Rocky quit making them years ago

Mike, I wish I could help you, my friend, but almost everything you don't want is something I want!

Goes to show that choosing the right boots is trickier than choosing the right wife!

Hey Michael,

They have some fantastic looking tactical boots with nylon sewn in inserts but I worry about thorns through the nylon. Over the years I have pulled numerous thorns out of my rocky soles and other parts of boots. It seems to me the thorns would go through the nylon pretty easy. Hell I do not know but some of the rocky and other tactical boots are super light!

Lowa has a light weight hiking boot. They are fantastic.

I've worn Rocky outbacks for years and really like them.

Thanks for the replies. There are a huge number of boot manufacturers out there but I will keep looking. The Danner outback is closest to what I need but I hate the mocassin toe. I need an 8 inch boot with flexible soles and non aggressive.

If you have tracked an eland for 8 hours in Botswana you know what i want

This outfit in South Africa may have something suitable. Some years ago I had a pair made and shipped to New Zealand. Can't remember the model but it was a light, comfortable boot with a non aggressive sole, quite soft but made for comfortable walking / hiking. A couple of years ago I hunted in Cameroon and the worm casts completely wore the soles down but I was able to get them resoled here easily enough. If you order boots allow them a few weeks to make and ship them. Cheers.

https://rogue.co.za/

Have you considered some of the all-leather 8" work boots from Red Wing or Thorogood? Some have moc toes and some don't.

The Red Wing Supersole 2.0 seems to meet all that criteria. https://www.redwingshoes.com/w...d=mens-work-soft-toe

Likewise, the Thorogood American Heritage also would work.

https://thorogoodusa.com/ameri...wear-wedge-814-4364/

I have a pair similar to this in 6" with a moc toe that I'm breaking in now.

I have Meindl pioneer Boots. Not sure if they are available in the US. Full leather and fine boots. Maybe the soles don't meet your criteria though.

https://meindl.de/pionier-2889-05/

I have had several pairs of Red Wings and poor service from all of them. Whites boots in Spokane makes boots and shoes to my liking.

Brands that I use that have at least one SKU/Model that meets your requirements: Kenetrek, Courtney, Scarpa, La Sportiva. Buy 4-6 pairs of the best suited models/sizes and try them on, return the ones that don't fit. Rinse and repeat if needed.

some of the best on the market. Schnee boots

Thanks so much for the replies
I am going to check on the Courtney’s
Hell I did not know they made 8” boots

I have a pair of Danner Recurve 7" uninsulated boots that I've been wearing for 2 years and I love them.

Danner Recurve Boots

My go to boots for 16 safaris in Africa have been Courtneys, Kenetreks and Hokas.

They are all different. Find the best for your feet.
If I was buying, I would look at these three brands (I have liked them all):

Meindl
Zamberlein
Crispi

Same pair of Courteneys for 12 safaris.

They make one called the Jameson that is taller but I have never seen it.

I use Salomon X-Ultra.

Look at Russell Boots

I think I am going to order Jim Green's AR8, 8 inch boot with the African Ranger sole

MLindsay,

I have the same boots bought in '93. I have kicked my butt many times for not buying a 2nd pair perhaps in the rough out style that they offered. To me they are the perfect safari boot for most areas with the exception of the Cameroon Savanah.

Mark

Those Jim Green boots look awesome. Never heard of them until now.

Also, Amazon sells them, so returns will be easy.

I was thinking about trying a pair of these. All made in the USA.

https://originmaine.com/durable-goods/boots/

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What is a non agressive sole ??


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Non-aggressive sole, at least to me, means no large lugs, like you would find in most U.S. leather hunting boots

Have you looked at Jim Green?

I just ordered some brown AR8's. Tread might be more than you want.

https://jimgreenfootwear.com/product-category/all/

Amazon has some.

The Jim Greenes look like Courteny clones- and I love my 20 year old Courteneys.

My custom Jim Green AR8 with the African Ranger sole are on their way. I will give a report as soon as I get them. Thanks for all the replies

delloro, I ordered the AR8 with the OR sole, which is the sole they put on the African Ranger.

Like with our guns and calibers and other aspects of African hunting...I think we tend to overthink our footwear needs. As long as they're comfortable and somewhat rock and thorn-proof, they'll work fine.

Biebs, the thorn proof is the problem with the nylon inserts on many boots now

I loved my Palladium FFL boots until a 4” thorn went through the sole. That hurt and my birdboy owns them now. He’s happy to have something he didn’t before.

Browning kangaroo are great, but get the non insulated version. As upland hunters, we walk and walk, thorns be damned. I’ve never had one penetrate.

Courtney boots are great, but like a mud tire. The damn laces never stay tied.

A typical hiking boot might be the best for you.

I wish I could be like my grandfather and grab the one gun I owned, a mix match of ammo with grains and whatever, grab my non digital camo jacket and hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by MLindsay:
delloro, I ordered the AR8 with the OR sole, which is the sole they put on the African Ranger.

My brown AR8's should be here in a week.

quote:

Biebs, the thorn proof is the problem with the nylon inserts on many boots now

Yes, for sure. I'm not much on boots that aren't all leather.

Whites are the best and the most expensive but last a lifetime for rough country..for much of Africa I like one of the sketchers slip on to have an option as Africa has different terrain..

Whites suck. I won't ever waste money on that company again.

They only fit certain people. They don't fit everyone. If you have a very large size with shallow insteps Whites are not for you.

Whites has a Meindl type boot they export. I own those, they are fine. I am not so sure they were not made by Meindl.

The safari boot made by Luccesse also sucks. It just isn't made well.

For most people accustomed to wearing running shoes every day, or casual hikers they would be better off in a hybrid runner/military type boot like the Oakley, Rocky, Danner, or others that cost about $150-250. Knowing that they will toss them after 6-18 months of wear.

Go to Rose Anvil on youtube. He rips boots apart and does reviews of them.

Russells are have cut all their big and very small sizes. Not sure what is going on there, but they really are not custom.

Courtenys are ok if they work for you. This is a very tough traditional boot that needs a ton of wear to be broken in. They do not work well for anyone on concrete daily.

My Jim Green's are to be delivered Tuesday, I will have a report