Anyone have any experience with gluing the soles of Courtney Boots back on.
A pair of 21 year boots I bought in Bulawayo in 2001 is starting to turn loose under the toe of one bot.
Any experiences or suggestions before I resort to taking them into the bootmaker in the town nearest the ranch.
Thanks in advance for any help.

quote:

Originally posted by mel5141:
Anyone have any experience with gluing the soles of Courtney Boots back on.
A pair of 21 year boots I bought in Bulawayo in 2001 is starting to turn loose under the toe of one bot.
Any experiences or suggestions before I resort to taking them into the bootmaker in the town nearest the ranch.
Thanks in advance for any help.

A good brand of contact cement would do it however the leather and any other cushioning product that may be used to which the sole attaches will likely have deteriorated with age and a good result refixing the sole may not be achieved.

I wouldn't accept the risk of 'repaired' boots if going on expensive hunts or venturing into hard territory. There maybe some nostalgia attached to your boots but boots that fail can ruin a hunt.

quote:

There maybe some nostalgia attached to your boots but boots that fail can ruin a hunt.

Take a spare pair.

quote:

Take a spare pair.

That's what I do on all my hunts. To save space in my baggage I wear one pair onto the plane and pack a pair of slippers in my carryon bag. Once on board I change into the slippers for the long flight.

I hunted with an elderly friend in Zim some years ago. His boots delaminated near the start of the hunt, so I gave him my Russells to hunt in, and I continued the hunt wearing my Crocs. It didn't seem to make a lot of difference....I think we may over-think the footwear issue in Africa.

Buzz has been guiding hunts in Zim for years wearing only crocs…..

We overthink gear clothing footwear bullets guns sunscreen tick repellent. With a 22 bolt action single shot in a pair of cutoff jeans,a pocket full of thunderbolts, Chuck Taylors and a Barlow pocket knife I had the grandest adventures. Shirt? We don’t need no stinking shirt

I agree that especially with the internet we overthink much of our hunting attire.

For many years my African and fair weather Montana hunting boots were a pair of 6" high, $15 Walmart hiking shoes. I've worn most of the tread off and part of the soles are getting pretty thin now.

Prior to my 2018 hunt in Mozambique my outfitter there recommended Salomon's. I got a pair and wore them on two hunts with him and have been wearing them hiking and on fair weather hunts here at home ever since. Part of the tread is starting to wear thin and the sides are breaking down, but I've been very happy with them.

I recently fixed snowboard boots with Shoe-Goo. Used that plastic shipping wrap to keep it all tight. It is very strong stuff.

Barge cement in the can is popular and/or hand stitch them with two leather needles and strong thread. Shoe-Goo may be just as good. E6000 is pretty good too.

A good shoemaker will use Barge and stitching. Brian

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
Buzz has been guiding hunts in Zim for years wearing only crocs…..

I guess I can't make fun of my son for his croc collection anymore.

I always thought a pair of Vans would be a decent choice of shoes, depending time of year.

If you contact Courtney or the importer, they will sell and send you a new pair of soles. Take those to a reputable cobbler and they can shape and glue them on.

I did that and they are almost like new.

Try finding a cobbler outside of major population centers.

If you need a cobbler, try David page in Seattle. Those guys are amazing.

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
If you need a cobbler, try David page in Seattle. Those guys are amazing.

+1

His business listed as Dave the Cobbler.

also, John's shoe repair Sioux Falls, So Dakota

"Cobblers" down here are custom boot makers, a trade still practiced here in the cowboy country. I will get it glued back , as just an inch from the toe area has separated....Mostly wear them here in warm weather dove hunts with a pair of leather "snake Legggins"
My last trips to Zim I mostly wore acomfortable athletic shoe of my choosing and a set of gaiters, made kind of specifically for that type of shoe.
I remember working with Jeff Wimmer in the summer of 2011 on some early prototypes of these. The final version has served me well on my African hunts. Don't know if the Courtneys will go back over there again.

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
If you need a cobbler, try David page in Seattle. Those guys are amazing.

+1

His business listed as Dave the Cobbler.

Really don’t want to pay for shipping boots 3000 miles and back plus the cost of repair.

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When in doubt chuck them out! Twice I've had the sole come off a boot while hunting.
First time was just embarrassing. A victory of function over fashion. Shooting driven pheasants in England wearing the typical 19th century tweed uniform with old heavy leather brogue shoes. (traditionally if polished before shooting they are a sure sign of a novice) Sole came off in the mud and had to borrow a sensible pair of gumboots off the gamekeeper.
Second time was less amusing. Hunting Banteng on the Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory. Sole came off a pair of Meindl army boots 4 hours from the truck in 34c. Ended up with huge burst blisters.
Never try and save money on footwear!

Given what you are spending on a safari, I wouldn't try to save a few hundred bucks using a questionable pair of boots. My two cents.

I have spent more on boots lately than I would ever have thought possible.

Ecco - I have given up.

Kenetrek - Way better.

HOKA - WOW! My old feet are in love.

My words of wisdom:

Do not scrimp on footwear.

Mike,

Tell me about Hoka.

An aside, Mendles don't like high temperatures. Have had them completely unwind after being kept in the garage in hot Houston Texas.

lavaca - happy to do that, as it's a great product, IMO.

I bought them in September. The boots are the HOKA Kaha GTX.


I used them last month on a wingshooting trip to northern Italy. Lots of walking on very hilly terrain, some of it quite steep.

They are simply the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Springy and cushioned.

Highly recommended.

Well times change and I guess I need to change with them. They look like space boots, but if they work, I'm game to try.

Thanks, I'll check them out. Like the adjustable lace idea. Could totally custom the fit.

I’m very keen to try Hoka boots. My daughter and her boyfriend are both distance runners and they swear by Hoka footwear. Her boyfriend just completed a 100-mile race in under 23 hours last weekend while wearing Hoka shoes. I’m looking forward to trying a pair.

I ordered a pair and they have arrived. I tried them on and I like the fit and finish! Well built shoes! And, very comfortable!

Cross reference to the Jim Green boot thread, which seems more my speed.

This conversation has shifted from asking for anyone with experience in repairing Courtney boots to a more general discussion of hunting boots.
Let me suggest a USA boot maker, DANNER. It a premium label for the LACROSSE Boot Company.
One can order direct on the DANNER web page.
Personally, I have worn Danner boots for over 20 years. Their boots do wear out, but I have never had a sole come off or need shoe glue.
Sincerely,

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
lavaca - happy to do that, as it's a great product, IMO.

I bought them in September. The boots are the HOKA Kaha GTX.


I used them last month on a wingshooting trip to northern Italy. Lots of walking on very hilly terrain, some of it quite steep.

They are simply the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Springy and cushioned.

Highly recommended.

I just bought a pair today. They were so comfortable when I tried them on that it was an easy decision. Looking forward to putting some miles on them this week.

Glad you guys are liking them.

I should be getting a commission!

Pair them up with some Smartwool socks, and they will make you as happy as weary feet will allow.

You should. Just picked up some SmartWool socks today to pair with the boots.

Its a suckers game..a fashion show in Africa. Wrangler lace up, a good pair of Tennis shoes are best in most of Africa and based on what I liked and what I saw among the most experienced hunters, also ball caps not wide brimmed with Lizard skin hat band, a pair of Kakis or denim or the clothes of yesteryear..but to each his own, its your hunt.

quote:

Its a suckers game..a fashion show in Africa.

No fashion show Ray. I personally prefer shoes that offer support to my arthritic right foot and give me stability and protection from thorns, as well as great ankle support. I have to have shoes that do not over flex to keep me from experiencing pain in long walks-be it bird hunting or dangerous game hunting. Moreover, a good pair of Tennis shoes ain't worth shit for me in Africa amongst the thorns. I've had thorns go way up into my Courtneys and others that I've worn over there in 16 safaris. But, each to their own in way of shoes for hunting. Stay well Ray, and happy Thanksgiving to my Idaho friend and his family.

Both my pair of Courtney’s had their soles come unglued near the toes. I used glue and they are serviceable, just not pretty.