I'm thinking that I will be in need of a new pair of boots for next years trip to Zim.

I like boots with high ankles (8-10 inches). Given the heat (October hunt) and amount of walking, I'm thinking non-insulated, and light weight.

What boots do others use and like?

Rob,

I always use boots myself. I think the ankle support is necessary. The higher boots also eliminate the need for gators if you wear long pants. Buy something lightweight with a flexible flat sole as they will be much quieter.

Mark

I'll get killed for being an overpaying elitist, but I have two pairs of Joe's Special PH by Russell Moccasin that I love. Comfy, quiet, and durable.

Now, the custom fitting process is flawed, and I've sent both pairs back to be remade, but the first remake was on the money. Once they get it right, they're just right for me.

I am very pleased with my pair of Courteney Patrol

quote:

Joe's Special PH by Russell Moccasin that I love.

Will, same thing here...a royal pain to get right, but once done they are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn.

Agree with Will on all points

I use US desert Boots. Very cheap and good!

Edit: The military boots, see pic

Yep, Russell and Courteney, it just doesn't get any better.

I love my Courteney Safari boots.I paid 4 million Zim$ back in 2005 which back then was about $80 i think. I will be using them again in a couple of days as i leave for Zim tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
I use US desert Boots. Very cheap and good!

I agree. these are what I'm wearing for our hunt, in Zim, at the end of July.

http://www.uscav.com/productin...51&tabid=548&catid=6


Mad Dog

They haven't been to Africa, but I have two pairs of Altitude 4 from Hi-Tec and they are very tough and comfortable. They are not so high as the desert boots but are comfy. If I were on a plane right now to Africa I'd have these on my feet. They are also very reasonably priced.

quote:

I will be using them again in a couple of days as i leave for Zim tomorrow.

Mike, Good luck and shoot straight!

Hello Rob,

Take a look at the Russell Mountain PH with the Newporter soles. They have a 7" standard height but you can order any height. Robin and I were measured this January at DSC. We were looking for good fitting boots that would be comfortable, quiet and grip the rocks when needed. We wanted the boots to work for us on our next trip to Zim in 2012 and also to climb the rolling foothills of the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. The Zim trip will be in the Matetse area known for rocks. We received our custom boots in May and have been wearing them to our Texas lease for the last month. The temps have been 100 to 106. My pare have exceeded my expectations so far. They are very comfortable, fit perfect and are exceptionally quiet even on the rocks. My feet were not excessively hot even at 106F all day. The boots and soles are flexible which I really like compared to the normal off the shelf stiff noisy ones I've been wearing all my life. Now, my wifes pare did not fit her heal and caused blisters. She has a very narrow heal. After trying several types of socks, she called Russell and explained the situation. They sent her a return UPS sticker to ship them back for repair or replacement. Once they get the heal right, I think she will love them as well.

quote:

i

Very glad I posted this thread, I have not heard of any of these brands/styles before. The russel boots are an attractive option.

I use the merrell refuge high top hikers.They have good ankle support,are lite weight,and cool on hot days tracking.

Meindl Desert Fox: Very light weight and excellent build quality....



Lowe Desert Boot (Jungle) Another light weight high quality boot:



(Not to be mixed up with the Lowa Desert Elite boots, which are a very good boot, but of a heavier build, more like a traditional combat boot)

Both have excellent soles which are a good compromise for hunting...

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:

quote:

i

Very glad I posted this thread, I have not heard of any of these brands/styles before. The russel boots are an attractive option.

Do a search on Russel boots before you order them..Many folks are very happy with the boots, but equally many are not happy with their fit or their build quality..There have been reports here in the past where people have had to send the boots back two or three times before they fitted properly...

I love my Courteneys. Have two pair, Selous and Safari.

Butch

what size boots do you wear? I might have some courtneys for you as I have the wrong size

Another very favorable vote for Courteneys. I have the safari.

I also have used for 2 hunts Russell PH's; they fit just fine but I prefer the Courteneys.

As a side note they were treated with Obenaufs leather preservative; they held back the heavy Limpopo morning dew (early May) (which will soak through to your feet).

New Balance 974.

I wear Russells and Courtneys.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
New Balance 974.

Absolutely. Save your money for trophy fees. These things are bulletproof.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:

quote:

i

Very glad I posted this thread, I have not heard of any of these brands/styles before. The russel boots are an attractive option.

absolutely- as long as you don't mind paying top dollar, then sending them back several times to get a custom made/fitted boot to fit properly. check out how many people here have had that exact experience, then check how many people have had the same problem with Courtney's. eye opening research.

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
I use US desert Boots. Very cheap and good!

Edit: The military boots, see pic

Are those the Converse Special Forces boots with the Kevlar toe and the zippers on the inseam side? That's what I have (not in or ever been in SF) and they're great and about as light as my Nike running shoes (not that I run either lol) ...

Rob, I'm probably going to be taking my Danner Marines. Unless I pick up a another pair of Pronghorns (or something else entirely as I'm a bit of a boot whore).

I've got really wide feet so boot selection is rather limited. Seems that most boot makers seem to think that most people have skinny feet.

I just ordered a pair of lowa uplander gtx. they are 9" boots that claim great ankle support. Will try them out in Zambia next week! 7 days and counting!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F2R676muN4Y/TgvvepLWloI/AAAAAAAAAE4/0YSpobrnxc4

I like Lowa goretex boots with Vibram soles. Mine are just short of the ankle, not high. I buy them through the mail from Zappo's. I don't see any reason to wear boots any different than I use hiking around a national park all day in America.

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:

Are those the Converse Special Forces boots with the Kevlar toe and the zippers on the inseam side? That's what I have (not in or ever been in SF) and they're great and about as light as my Nike running shoes (not that I run either lol) ...

No that are the original wellco desert boots, made for the US troops.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
New Balance 974.

The New Balance 978 is an ankle height version that is almost perfect for both long hikes and stalking. It's quiet, comfortable, and with a little more support.

Another vote for the New Balance 974. They come in 4E widths, too.

Sorry, I meant 978.

Another vote for military styled desert boots. I really like the Converse Desert Foot Pursuits. Light weight, quiet sole and good support. Unfortunately, they discontinued the model a few years ago, but I bought 3 pair on close out at a ridiculously low price from LA Police Gear so I am set for life.

The Meindl boots look good as do the Danner. You won't need Gore Tex.

I have a pair of Courtenay Safaris I bought from Westley Richards when they were in Missouri but I hardly use them. After the boot loosens up my feet seem to slip around in them despite good Smartwool socks. Began to develop blisters so I stopped using them.

I have 3 pair of Russell products and really like my South 40 Birdshooters but lately they have been hit or miss with reports of sole separation, poor ftting, etc. Not sure if they are worth the hassle for the price. Lots of good products out there such as the New Balance footwear that do the job for much less cost.

Don't skimp on footwear but you don't HAVE to have Russell's or Courteney's to hunt in Africa!

Do get good wool/merino blend socks such as Smartwool.

RCG

Clark's Desert Boots.

The one thing I dislike about foot ware like the New Balance 978 and similar fabric light hikers is the amount of padding in the collar..

Padding = insulation and I find such boots to be very warm and cause my feet to sweat..

I much prefer as little padding as possible, especially around the ankle or on the tongue.
When I used why fabric boots tended to be so padded, I was told it to provide "body" to the boots as otherwise the boots would have too little support.

In that respect, many of the military desert boots seem to better...

Also many of the cheaper fabric boots lack a proper sewn in tongue, which I prefer as it helps to stop the ingress of sand/soil...

I've hunted in off the rack Russell PHs (not custom fitted) on my last several trips and been very happy with them. The crepe sole is super, super quiet. These are easily the quietest boots I own.

I ordered a pair of custom fitted Thula Thula's at this year's SCI show but haven't seen them yet.

Someone else mentioned that Russell has been somewhat controversial - there are other threads that contain the complete discussion, but suffice to say that it seems people either love them or hate them. There seems to be little opinion in the middle. My conclusion after reading several of these debates is that the people who are in the "hate" camp are mainly people who ordered custom boots that just didn't fit and then had trouble with customer service, which seems highly dependent upon who you wind up dealing with.

My experience with Russell boots is limited but positive. I'm wearing my PHs to Zambia next week.

quote:

Do get good wool/merino blend socks such as Smartwool.

+1

Walmart has good boots at good prices. They can be had with lug soles or with softer soles, whichever suits your soul. I bought one of each and they worked just fine. Of course, I added my own hard plastic arch support inserts beneath the foam ones, but I do that with all my shoes. My $.02 worth.

I own four different pairs of Russell's and think that they're the cat's meow.

Each pair fits perfectly and seem to wear forever. On day one, they've all felt on my feet as if I was born with them.

What else could I want in a safari boot?

quote:

quote:
Do get good wool/merino blend socks such as Smartwool.


+1

+1000

Smartwool socks are the best thing to happen to the feet besides a wax an pedicure... ;-)