I work in boots, at least until I retired. I always alternate two pairs, not usually the same kind. So when I went for ele, I just wore one pair and packed the other. If they are good for 12 hours a day for work, they are good in Africa.

Make sure they are broken in and confy and quite.

recuring thread and i always have to suggest
Rocky Bird Shooters.
lite weight at 2.8 lbs
8" tops
uninsulated
soft gripping sole/ great for stalking
i wear them at work year round and if its not
sub zero,they are what i have on.
120 days a year guiding,from 11,000 feet in wyoming to the rocks and cactus of ole'mexico.
i've punished these boots in all terrian and ground cover.
they are the bomb and at 150.00 a pair......

I've never tried the Russell's so I can't comment but I've worn a pair of Filson Upland boots for many years and they couldn’t be more comfortable. After wearing them for a short time they fit like a glove. I especially like the cork insoles. The soles are quiet but give adequate grip on anything less than really steep mountains

This brings up an important point in any type boot, look for fit first since every brand is a little different, and then choose the features you want. What work on my feet may not work for you.

Good luck

IMO as close to bare feet as one dare - Courteneys and Tevas is what I carry, plan to give a Chuck Taylor's All Star a try.

Have in mind that Oct. temps in Zim might range from 90 right from the 3.30 AM up to 110F later in the day and terrain (even at Doma, Matobos or CS) isn't that bad to need anything serious) ...

quote:

Originally posted by Allout:
Clark's Desert Boots.

Fine as well IMO.

btw - anybody knows if those can still be found anywhere?:

OK found something simillar:



Palladium Connor

Speaking of a devil - Lest we forget - Legendary Palladiums Pampas (worn by Foreign Legion - proven in North Africa and Atlas Mountains):



hmmm - at 55$ might give those a head start...

I go with the Russell Safari boots. Comfortable, light weight and very quiet. I have tried at least 5 or 6 different kinds of shoes/soles in Africa and those were the best for me. Those with really aggressive soles are too noisy for someone as clumsy as I. They would not be good for extremely rocky terrain (mountainous) as the soles are too thin. In my mind, stealth and comfort are the two most important factors in that order.

Chuck Taylor high tops...in the zebra pattern

quote:

Originally posted by Pete E:
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 cannot comment on the 978's, but I have walked hundreds of miles in the 974's including a ten day buff hunt in Kitiangare and I have them on right now. They wear like iron and the padding is not a problem. Somebody told me about them about six months before my 2009 hunt (may have been Mike...don't recall), and I worked up to the hunt by walking 6/8/10 miles a day around my home town, much on dirt. No problem.

Good Cabela's Ingeneous midweight socks and your feet remain comfortable and blister-free for as long as it takes.

quote:

Originally posted by mouse93:
IMO as close to bare feet as one dare - Courteneys and Tevas is what I carry, plan to give a Chuck Taylor's All Star a try.

Have in mind that Oct. temps in Zim might range from 90 right from the 3.30 AM up to 110F later in the day and terrain (even at Doma, Matobos or CS) isn't that bad to need anything serious) ...

quote:

Originally posted by Allout:
Clark's Desert Boots.

Fine as well IMO.

btw - anybody knows if those can still be found anywhere?:

Just a heads up, but looking around the Net, you may see Clarks Desert Boots being advertised for sale in the UK...these are not the same boot as those sold under that name in the US, and are in fact far inferior...

I see on the Russell website that the single vamp Birdshooters with thin Vibram sole are available only via custom order and rather more expensive than I expected.

That said, I took a pair to Zambia for a hunt many years ago and they were perfect for me. I did add insoles, but those boots are now over 30 years old and may never wear out in my lifetime. Yes, they look scruffy, but they are so comfortable. If I lost them I would replace them immediately. I might think about getting the double vamp, but the single works fine.

BTW, I have had Clark desert boots (horribly unsuitable in African wet hunting conditions) and other Clarks and New Balance shoes where the soles simply disintegrated. I would not buy those brands ever again. YMMV.

This is a must for blister free feet.
http://www.long-grass.com/prod...egory/walking_socks/
We chased buffalo 10 miles no bull gps showed how far we went and had to turn around and walk back. Two safaris lots of walking and feet held out perfectly...

Mike

I wore standard Danner Military Desert Boots and could have not been more pleased.

Tread was about right neither to weak nor too agressive and very c0mfortable.

I will agree with whoever said good thick Smartwool socks I took 4 pairs and loved them.

Mike, that takes care of the your blisters, but what about your bunions, hammertoes, and general overall foot-funk!!! :-)

Juat wear what the pro's wear

My Russell Mbogos will leave for their third safari next month. 7 years old and none the worse for wear. Ive had three pairs of Russell boots and my only complaint is that sometimes the soles need regluing, but not on the Mbogo, knock wood.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:
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 am having a change of heart on footwear for Africa. I have worn Danner boots on 2 trips and noted the PH's all wearing sneakers or crocs. I just returned from Cameroon and wore PF Flyer high top sneakers. The were great. I wore an extra ankle brace on one weak ankle and had no issues.

The PH's wore sneakers and the pygmy trackers wore flip flops.

Go light and cheap, then leave the shoes behind when you leave.

On the recommendation of my brother I got some Blackhawk boots and I am mightily impressed with how comfortable they are.
Looking at the Blackhawk webpage I also saw the Desert Ops boot, which has a permeable fabric, allowing for air to circulate when in hot environments. Not much good in England, so I didn't get them but I am seriously considering a pair for my next African adventure

http://www.blackhawk.com/produ...ps-Boots,1062,20.htm

I have been out to the Calahari with Lundhags scouts and I can heartily recommend them: comfortable, cool and with an iron grip on the terrain (which was all rocks, shale and thorns. they came back the same way they left England: unmarked! The only downside is that they need to be broken into before going for a long hike)

best wishes,

Finman

Most interesting thread. Contrary to what some seem to think that you MUST have a "special" boot for some reason for African hunting, most any well fitting, well broken in boot you wear here in the USA while hunting will be just fine in Africa.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

well broken in boot you wear here in the USA while hunting will be just fine in Africa.

Must be part of the African mystique...need different boots, different rifle, different ammunition, etc!

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Most interesting thread. Contrary to what some seem to think that you MUST have a "special" boot for some reason for African hunting, most any well fitting, well broken in boot you wear here in the USA while hunting will be just fine in Africa.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

To be honest the only difference is you don't need heavy boots (like the one for hiking or mountain hunts) or warm winter boots. Every light boot will do the job.

Last time I wore a pair of Justin Chukka's; comfortable and quiet.

quote:

Originally posted by cable68:
Last time I wore a pair of Justin Chukka's; comfortable and quiet.

I thought about doing that this year but wondered how they would hold up. Nice to know that they work fine.

There is only one boot suitable for all african needs.



Von Gruff.

quote:

Originally posted

Must be part of the African mystique...need different boots, different rifle, different ammunition, etc!

right on! if it is for Africa, it is used no place else!

I don't like fabric tongues as the grass seeds and thorns can really cause problems; even with gaiters / sock protectors.

Aside from that most areas are fine with lightweight boots. If you are in a very rocky area you may need something a bit more robust.

I've used High Tec Altitudes with great success, but the last pair squeaked badly on the tongues and that was no good (bit of rifle oil in the mornings sorted it out, but not ideal).

Well, that may be, but more often than not, other standards apply.

When I hunted in Africa, I had the khakis, Clark desert boots, Russell Birdshooters, SA felt bush hat, shorts, etc. several of those in the same camp were from Texas and wore blue jeans and cowboy boots and hats. Guess who was more protected from the tsetses and more comfortable crawling through the thorn bushes. <g>

The best thing I brought was a waterproof Barbour jacket that warded off the chill on the ride back to camp in the dark. Second best was the light-weight Russell Birdshooters with sewn-in tongue.
___

QUOTE]Originally posted by Finman:

quote:

Originally posted

Must be part of the African mystique...need different boots, different rifle, different ammunition, etc!

right on! if it is for Africa, it is used no place else![/QUOTE]

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Most interesting thread. Contrary to what some seem to think that you MUST have a "special" boot for some reason for African hunting, most any well fitting, well broken in boot you wear here in the USA while hunting will be just fine in Africa.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I hear ya. the difference for me is, I live in the Pacific NW of the US, so up here, insulation and water proof is important. When I lived in your country (Went to school in Cruces) warm weather created a need for a different boot. I am assuming Zim will be similar. I noted on Cabelas, etc, that there is a limited supply of high top un-insulated boots, hence my question.

But I could not agree more, walking is walking, so what works here, will work there-assuming the climate and terrain is similar. The needs for his hunt are just a bit unique from my usual hunts.

This thread is full of great info! Many great options. Thanks!

The shoes/boots that accompany me on safari are: My 2003 Courteneys (still going strong, and as tough and as comfortable as ever), my New Balance trail running shoes, and last but not least, my Croc thong sandals for camp!

Bought two pair of Courtneys in Bulawayo in 2003.....don't know why I bought the second pair as they are still in wood box awating the first pairs deteriation......musta been the price at the time....