Safari boots opinions

[J.Santos]

Hi to all members.
I would like to know what do you think about Safari boots. Never been to Africa but I admire all the gear evolved.
So, in terms of quality, confort, durability and look, what do you think about Courtney boots or Jim Green? Wy they are so expensive and anyone knows where to find in Europe?
Thank you all.

 

[Sika98k]

@J.Santos If you really want a pair of Courteney Safari boots…. Varuste.net are selling them for €237. That’s a pretty good deal. Be aware they are a warm, dry weather boot.
if you are in Namibia I’d recommend Swakopmund Vellies. They make great shoes for 1/4 of the price.

 

[J.Santos]

Hi Sika 98k.
Thanks for your answer.
I live in Europe so I will visit the web site that you recommend. I appreciate!
. I did imagine like they are almost handcraft they were not made for wet or rainy days.
Many thanks

 

[pilar]

@J.Santos If you really want a pair of Courteney Safari boots…. Varuste.net are selling them for €237. That’s a pretty good deal. Be aware they are a warm, dry weather boot.
if you are in Namibia I’d recommend Swakopmund Vellies. They make great shoes for 1/4 of the price.

I like the idea about Swakopmund Vellies ( I have a couple pair) , but I would recommend waiting until you get to Namibia to buy , varying on country you live in due to taxes,tariffs , shipping, which can increase the price buy 2-3x they need about zero break in time ( kudu hide) and only a pair if intersoles which can be taken with you and cut to size there , I use Jim Green ranger also ( $225) , they like most other brands need a better inter sole and to be broken in before a safari.
don’t forget a pair of gaiters these low cut boots will definitely collect some dirt and crude without them

 

[Rare Breed]

Be careful though. For Courtney’s unless you have a wide foot get only those models available in D width. Unless you are flat footed make sure you get their medium orthodic so you have arch support. Learnings shared from having three pair of them. I hated and sold my first two given I did not realize the above. Now with my two learnings I like my third pair

 

[Tundra Tiger]

A meager two trips so far...

Trip one in 2021: Lowa Renegades... purchased used/like new on eBay - $50. They worked very well; I was happy.

Trip two this year: GoRuck MacVs... I heard about them on here. Same thing - used/like new on eBay - $75. Why change from the Renegades? WEIGHT. The GoRucks are about half the weight. I LOVED them. It was like wearing air on my feet everyday.

YMMV

 

[Doubleplay]

Hi to all members.
I would like to know what do you think about Safari boots. Never been to Africa but I admire all the gear evolved.
So, in terms of quality, confort, durability and look, what do you think about Courtney boots or Jim Green? Wy they are so expensive and anyone knows where to find in Europe?
Thank you all.

Wait till you get to Africa.
You can buy Buffalo hide Jim Greens for $120 ish or regular leather for less than $100.
Most people don't have a clue how much they are getting ripped off in North America.
Use a proxy and check Courtney and Jim Green's SA site.
Just bring a good insole for your feet and size and you'll be fine.

 

[revturbo9967]

I wore crocs for part of my hunt..

 

[steve white]

Buy in Africa--BUT BRING WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR. An expensive hunt is no place to get break-in blisters!

 

[Andrew62]

The last 4 or 5 safaris I've taken, I have worn Oboz, Sportsman's Warehouse. I've seen some guides wear Crocs and some that wore sandals, so don't over think the whole boot thing.

 

[thriller]

Hi to all members.
I would like to know what do you think about Safari boots. Never been to Africa but I admire all the gear evolved.
So, in terms of quality, confort, durability and look, what do you think about Courtney boots or Jim Green? Wy they are so expensive and anyone knows where to find in Europe?
Thank you all.

How wide is your foot? I ask because I am a 3-4 e and to me it makes a huge difference.

 

[Green Chile]

My favorite boots for Africa are Russell PHs with gaiters and crocs for camp use.

 

[wvfred]

I've worn Merrell Moabs my last two trips and will continue to do so.....very comfortable.

 

[375Fox]

I haven’t found the perfect boot yet, but keep in mind Africa is a big place. The best boot for eastern cape in June isn’t the best boot for a tracking hunt in Zimbabwe in October. I’ve never had a boot not last 14 days but I have used superglue a few times. Almost all hiking boots in the US have soles that are too soft when it gets hot in Africa. Thorns and burnt grass start to puncture easily. In Cameroon the heat combined with worm mounds all over the ground bent the soles of my merrell boots with each step and caused bad blisters. I really don’t like the look of them but I want to try on some Courtney and Jim Green boots at DSC this year. The hard sole and being built for heat I think is worth it after my last hunt.

 

[PeteG]

I use Wildebees vellies.

Wildebees Mens Footwear Vellie Brown → Wildebees

Wildebees Online Shop CAN be resoled and repaired. *Photo display may differ from actual product in terms of colour etc.

wildebees.com

They are soft. Comfortable (I needed and insole for the arch support). They are soft soles which help with the quietness when walking.

And they are a fair bit cheaper than Courtney’s.

If you need a bit more ankle support, they also do a boot which I do have but don’t wear for hunting anymore as I prefer the vellie.

 

[BeeMaa]

I've been wearing Rocky S2V (uninsulated, no steel toe, not waterproof) for years and they work great. The laces are stiff for quick lacing and they are light for all-day comfort with good ankle support. I wear long pants when hunting regardless of the temperature so I've no need for short gaiters in Africa.

Just as important as the footwear are the socks. Merino Smartwool socks are top of the line and well worth the investment. I also have several of the Duluth 7-year lightweight sock for everyday wear.

In the evenings I switch to a pair of old leather loafers from LL Bean for around camp.

 

[WAB]

On a tracking hunt you must be able to cover miles of ground in comfort, and then approach in absolute silence. The combination is very difficult to find. Most NA boots are far too hard in the sole for a final approach inside 50 yards. I use Courteney’s but they are not perfect. They are ultra quiet but lack support for long treks in broken terrain.

Russell’s are a nice compromise but their sole glue is utterly unreliable.

Merrill’s are great for hiking but are hard of sole, thus hard to keep quiet when things get up close and personal.

 

[J.Santos]

I like the idea about Swakopmund Vellies ( I have a couple pair) , but I would recommend waiting until you get to Namibia to buy , varying on country you live in due to taxes,tariffs , shipping, which can increase the price buy 2-3x they need about zero break in time ( kudu hide) and only a pair if intersoles which can be taken with you and cut to size there , I use Jim Green ranger also ( $225) , they like most other brands need a better inter sole and to be broken in before a safari.
don’t forget a pair of gaiters these low cut boots will definitely collect some dirt and crude without them
View attachment 563537View attachment 563538View attachment 563539

Hi.
I want to thank you for the pictures and your opinion. Appreciate a lot!!!

 

[J.Santos]

On a tracking hunt you must be able to cover miles of ground in comfort, and then approach in absolute silence. The combination is very difficult to find. Most NA boots are far too hard in the sole for a final approach inside 50 yards. I use Courteney’s but they are not perfect. They are ultra quiet but lack support for long treks in broken terrain.

Russell’s are a nice compromise but their sole glue is utterly unreliable.

Merrill’s are great for hiking but are hard of sole, thus hard to keep quiet when things get up close and personal.

Many thanks for you opinion! Hellp me a lot.
Thank's

 

[375Fox]

Most NA boots are far too hard in the sole for a final approach inside 50 yards. I use Courteney’s but they are not perfect. They are ultra quiet but lack support for long treks in broken terrain.

Merrill’s are great for hiking but are hard of sole, thus hard to keep quiet when things get up close and personal.

I’m not sure whose terminology is incorrect yours or mine. Merrells boots have a very hard tread and aren’t quiet up close compared to courteney’s but I’d say they are very soft sole because they flex with the heat. In Cameroon I had some protection for the bottom of my feet but no support because they flexed so easily, front to back and left to right once it got hot mid day. My PH had courteney’s. They were much more quiet. However I’d say they are hard soled because they didn’t flex on the ground like my merrells. I’ve also had thorns and burnt grass fully puncture my merrell boots. I’ve had them stick in the tread of danner boots but not make it to my foot. I don’t believe this happens with courteney’s? After that hunt, I’m going to put more consideration into footwear on tracking hunts.