I'm off to Zim on Tuesday, where is the best place to find a new pair of Courtney Selous boots while there? I will be in J-berg overnight at Afton, then on to Harare the next morning.
Thanks, SXS

call or email

Zimbabwe

The Courteney Boot Company (Pvt.) Ltd

P.O. Box FM 621, Famona, Bulawayo
Tel: (263-9) 245855, Fax: (263-9) 243059, Mobile: (263) 11 406 199
Factory telephone/fax: (263-9) 77833
e-mail: gale@courteneyboot.com

Johannesburg
The Powder Keg
60 Hendrik Potgieter Road
cnr. Gordon Road
Florida North, 1709
Tel: (27-11) 472 1720/1,
Fax: (27-11) 472 1799
e-mail: ecoafrik@global.co.za
website: www.powderkeg.co.za

Westley-Richards in Bozeman is their "official" outlet here. $285 a pair.

Rich
Buff Killer

That is a lot of cash money for a boot lacking arch support.

quote:

Originally posted by SXS:
I'm off to Zim on Tuesday, where is the best place to find a new pair of Courtney Selous boots while there? I will be in J-berg overnight at Afton, then on to Harare the next morning.
Thanks, SXS

Call your PH in Zim, give him your shoe size, style of boot and desired color and ask him to get you a pair.

quote:

Originally posted by Cdr_McBragg:
That is a lot of cash money for a boot lacking arch support.

Even the best/most pricy boots skimp on insoles. After market arch supports are key. Supper Feet are a good one.

Brett

Mal have a great trip and which doubles are you taking???
Good shooting...


Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Cdr_McBragg:
That is a lot of cash money for a boot lacking arch support.

What if one has flat feet?

Thanks again everyone; I'll hopefuly find a pair in Harare on the way in. I cant wait to break them in in some Zambezi mud before heading into the Dande.

Mike, the good old H&H 500/450 makes the trek again. 12x12x8x57 Saur drilling for the smaller stuff and hopefuly a few sand grouse, guinea hens, doves, etc.

All the best, Mal

I paid throught he nose for a pair, and wore them just a few times and gave them away. I was sorely disappointed in them for a lot of reasons. I hope your experience is better.

Jeff

I like my Courtney Selous boots, and wear them often out here on my ranch. As far as I've seen, I'm the only cowboy sportin' this kind of clod-hoppers.

My son & I wore Merrill Safari boots last October in TZ. Flawless.

I would suggest that you have your PH in Harare take you to the local shop and try them on before you buy. It shouldn't take you long to do that. I am sure that he knows where to get them, but try them on first in order to avoid any problems with fit, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by SXS:
I cant wait to break them in in some Zambezi mud before heading into the Dande.

Can you say blisters! I hope you aren't planning on walking much. Be 100% sure to take sock liners in addition to your socks to help with preventing blisters. A blister preventative and treatment kit might be a good idea. I generally start breaking in boots for a hunt months in advance.

Brett

Thanks for your concern re my feet. I only mean to begin the break-in process with some easy days on the river before the major walking begins. My very well broken-in "Hi-techs" and "smartwool" socks are along for the long slogs. I even do my 3 mile runs with them on.

It seems that many PH's favor the Courteneys, and I've seen some pairs that have realy taken a pounding.
All the best, SXS

A good idea with the "get the PH to pick a pair up in advance" (if he's got time and he may save you a few $).
With your "smartwool" socks and a pair of sock overs you should not get blisters with Courteney's .
Note I did say "Should"..
Just in case, you could use the Hi-techs to start with and use Courteney's around camp for the first few days.

quote:

I only mean to begin the break-in process with some easy days on the river before the major walking begins.

My experience with all of my courtneys is that they fit the best after I've walked through a muddy swamp with them and then let them dry. I think your plan is perfect. I've never had problems wearing a new pair of courtneys. I always take two pair with me and alternate them.

I was in Dande North last year, both on the river and inland. You'll have plenty of opportunities to get your boots wet in the Zambezi.

I have a pair of elephant Selous, and they are the only pair that fits me poorly. They're simply too big in the toe. I'm loathe to get them in the mud but I may have to.

I had an original pair that I had ordered from Westley Richards a number of years ago, and when I received them I wore them to try and break them in before my next trip. However, there was a place in the right boot that rubbed against my foot and caused an irritation. I sent them back, but had to settle for a different Courteney Boot. That's why I would try them on first in order to make sure that you don't have a noticeable problem right off with the boots. Just my 2 cents worth. I own five pair, including four pair of Selous and I hunt everywhere in them.

Bwanna, just what I was refering to. Those ele's must get dirty!
Thanks again for all the responses.
SXS

Courtney boots are to African PH's what pin stipe suits and hand-made shirts are to Wall Street guys and New York lawyers. Its a uniform of sorts. Kinda like tactical pants, overly tight polo shirts and serenghetti sunglasses to cops, shooting school instructors and other tactical wannabes.

Courtneys are not necessarily the best or the most comfortable for all. They have become a symbol of "The Brotherhood."

I have two pair and I love them. But they are not the best boot I've ever worn. Far from it.
I wear them around the US. Here in Colorado they draw a lot of attention. (Until I tell some tree hugger what they're made of.) When I go to Africa, I wear a real boot with real support and structure. Usually a Vasque.

But they do look cool. If you like 'em, go for 'em.

I have 4 or 5 pairs at all times. All of them are the safari model and they have all fit well and required no break in. They are what I wear when in Africa as the soles are nearly impervious to thorns and the uppers of thick buffalo hide are at least resistant to thorns and stickers.

Most of the ones I buy come from Fazaks in Bulawayo. I bought a pair at JNB airport several years ago but they don't seem to offer them there any more. I have seen them in Vic falls as well.

They are tough as nails and made of real leather, with a natural rubber sole and the style is utilitarian. They're not very stylish, but neither am I.

Just my experience, Adrian

I got my boots at the Powder Keg in JNB and mail order from them as well.

I wear custom orthotics so can't comment on what they would feel like "au naturale". However, the above advice to "try before you buy" is well put. The thickness of your socks may alter the size. If you do decide to use inserts, the size certainly will change.

More puzzlng is that I tried on a pair of Courtney's at SCI from WR, identical style to mine from the PK, and found that I needed one size larger to make them work. Go figure!