Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Hiking Boots for African Hunt

Thanks guys, I think I'll start looking at the sneaker/cross trainer type shoes, it makes a lot of sense when your going to be walking long distances. I was worried about sticky and pointy things in the bush.

Don't forget the gaiters! I spent way too much time picking stuff out of my sock tops.

donsm70

Don--wouldn't it be easier to wear a non-insulated pair of 10" hunting boots? I hate having stuff scratching my ankles.

Haven't been yet, but think these Lowa would work great

http://lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=3105350411&Category=4&Type=M

[img]http://media.kohls.com.edgesuite.net/is/image/kohls/884169?wid=1000&hei=1000&op_sharpen=1[/img]




Bring two pair...

That is essentially what all the trackers are wearing (although last year's model.)

They have potentially fatal snakes. No joke. I wore Georgia 8" Lacer Velva G7013 boots bought at grand opening of Tractor Supply in August ME and was the envy of the continent. Still my favorite boots, shot a moose and 2 deer while wearing them. Made in #%@&%$^ China though.

10" boots would be fine, but you still need to cover the tops of your socks.

donsm70

If the black mambas that we saw were "normal", the height of the boot didn't matter much. Those suckers are huge!

donsm70

In two trips to Africa, never wore gaiters, but then I wore long pants. I didn't/wouldn't huntin shorts. Your long pants will effectively cover your socks, with 6" or higher boots.


maddog

Sorry for being a PITA, any suggestions on where to get the gaiters? Thanks. I'm also not very keen on snakes!

Here you go.

http://www.texashuntco.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=22



maddog

NJelksmacker,

Where in RSA are you going, and when?

The odds of seing ANY snake during the typical South Africa hunting season are very low, because it's their winter. In fact I can't recall having ever seen any snake in RSA in a number of trips from late April to August, though anything's possible. If you do run into a black mamba, gaiters or even snake boots aren't like to do much good, as big one can easily raise its head to the height of a Land Cruiser's window, and even a small one can bite you on the thigh.

I've worn several different kinds of shoes/boots in Africa, depending on the area. My favorites if the terrain and vegetation are favorable are the ankle-height African shoe called veldschoen, with fairly thin rubber soles and one-layer leather. They're a lot cooler than any synthetic hiking or running shoe, especially when made of kudu leather, and very quiet. Some people who need arch support can't wear them, but I find them very comfortable. Unfortunately they're getting harder to find even over there, because of all the cheap Chinese hiking/running shoes, but they're good for at least 80% of typical safari terrain.

If the country is steeper and rockier I prefer unlined, leather bird-hunting boots. They turn thorns much better than any synthetic, and are also cooler. But even they are getting harder to find here, since everybody seems to think hunting boots HAVE to be lined with something, whether Gore-Tex or whatever.

On one safari in the Okavango Delta I took two pairs of Converse All-Star basketball shoes, the high-top model, on the advice of Craig Boddington. These were for wading the shallow lakes, and the two pairs were for switching them every day so one pair could be drying. They worked great, but you probably won't be doing any wading.

JB sportin' the 'Chuck Taylors'.

I'll be going the end of May into the beginning of June, I've talked to a bunch of PH's and they all say they hardly ever see snakes, I've read enough accounts from people who have hunted over there that have seen snakes to make me cautious. I'm going over there to hunt and enjoy myself, not worrying about being bit by a two stepper.

I've gotten a whole lot of recommendations on boots and I have enough time to check them all out, thank you. I'll let you know how I make out.

The wife & I hunted Limpopo Province in July of 2010; never saw a snake as it was to cool at the time (thankfully!). We both wore our Keen light weight hikers & long pants. Had gaiters but never had to use them. Our PH preferred the softer sole hikers as the typical "American" hunting boots are too loud to stalk quietly in for his taste.

On all nine of my hunts in Tanzania I wore old Addidas racket ball shoes. They were quiet, comfortable, and easy to get the sand out of - just pull 'em off, turn upside down, put back on. Not "cool" boots but never let me dowm.

Terry

I where Courtney when hot dry weather is expected and Vasque when wet and muddy condition exist.

As for snakes I ran across a Puff Adder in October in the Selous, and also one is SA Northern Provence in April. Both times really got my attention.

I wear shorts the majority of the time when hunting Africa, finding them more comfortable whenever the PH's do. many of my American companions don't, some admittedly due to snake-phobia. They admit it makes no sense, but that's what they do!

I have more fear finding a snake in the toilet than in the field. One night over cocktails the PH's enjoyed telling about all the snakes they come across in camp inside the toilets. Ruined my normal library time from then on. Sure adds an extra bit of attention to those late night nature calls