We are headed up to the Northern Territory to hunt buffalo in a few weeks. What would people suggest for footwear? I'm not quite ready for bare feet....maybe by the end of the trip!

I hunted in Keene's last year an they worked great. In and out of water quite a bit- and they were perfect and dry out. Everyone that had regular boots were constantly trying to get them dry.

My favorite has become my Alberg jungle boots. They seem to work just as well in desert as water, weigh next to nothing and take the transition from dry and dusty, to burnt over areas to splashing through a creek, to boot sucking mud without complaint.

I haven't seen anything to make me think the the demands on footgear are high. I've used running shoes, and had guides that wore Crocs or went barefoot. I wouldn't recommend any of the last three as being best though.

A pair of worn in joggers will do you. Or what ever boots you wear in summer back home with some sock gaiters for the grass seed.

quote:

Originally posted by Bakes:
A pair of worn in joggers will do you. Or what ever boots you wear in summer back home with some sock gaiters for the grass seed.

^ What Bakes said.

I see a lot of posts on the African forum about boots and when I went I thought I'd better get a pair. I bought a pair of hiking boots that were on special at Kathmandu ($70 I think)When I lived in the NT I hunted in sneakers or my work issue GP boots. When I got to Africa my PH Dylan hunted in a pair of pull on work boots and Alan hunted in sneakers (Dunlop volley's I think). I think a lot of people over think the boot issue. In the NT it will be warm so but its flat so just hunt in whatever your used to.

Crocs, thongs or sandals. I like my Keen sandals.

If not hunting the costal floodplains then I use my Courtenay boots. If in swampy or early season the canvas type boots like Dunlop Vollys. Crocks are good for around camp or fishing

I think my post was a bit casual. While I do wear all those shoes, if I have to cover country that might involve going through mud, it's much better to wear boots, as they won't get sucked off your feet!

Actually, that reminds me: I still need to clean the mud off my flash work / dress boots from last week's adventure.

If you can get them at a reasonable price, Courtenays are good for hot weather. I've got the high-top ones (Patrol?) and found them so comfortable in Africa that I wore them every day for two weeks, ignoring my canvas back-ups. They are not waterproof, though, with gaps at the bottoms of the tongues.

I'll be hunting the NT next August for Buffalo. Thanks for the post and replies.

I ended up taking a 6" tactical leather boot and was happy I did. While the terrain was flat, it was uneven and the angle support was welcome. Our outfitter and his guides wore similar boots. We covered 10 or more miles a day on foot so it was important to have them well broken in.