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I'm planning my first African trip for 2007. What type or brand of boots is most common over there. Here I always use Lacross rubber boots, but have not seen any in the films I have watch. Any and all suggestions are much appreciate.

Thanks,
WoodsStalker

It depends on where you are going as the terrain varies but you won't need the Gum Boots. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Light, ankle support and rugged. A pair of short gators is nice to keep out the seeds and dirt.

I usually take some boots with me, such as the those made by The Courteney Boot Company, or the Russell PH II's, but more often than not I find myself wearing the more comfortable New Balance shoes offered through Cabelas. With all the walking you'll be doing, these things are hard to beat.

NB walking shoes are great and I also take a pair for around camp and such but when I am going to be climbing among rocks for glassing or doing much hiking I like a mid lenght from a company such as Hi Tech. They are lite and offer good ankle support. Unless you are hunting in a river delta you won't need muck boots an even then I wouldn't take them.
make yourself a set of gaiters out of an old pair of jeans . About 6" long to fit over the tops of your boots, sand,grit and seeds are definetly an issue to deal with.

I took two pair---Russel Ph boots and the Courtenay ankle boots. Ended up wearing the Russels most of the time. I like the "running shoe" boots, but worry if they'll turn a thorn---and there are some really nasty a$$ thorns in RSA.

I wear and reccomend Irish setter soft paws kangaroo leather 6 inch light hikers. Good for anything in southern africa and LIGHT!

Just like Steve, I took two pair, Russell PHs and Courtenay 406s. Liked them both very much. The 406s were better for climbing rock kopjes, and both were equaly comfortable for long treks. I'm sure sneakers would be very comfortable, but thee is a tradeoff when it comes to ankle support and thorn protection. jorge

I took a pair of Russell PH's and a pair of 7" Browning kangaroo leather boots. I hated the Russell's, not enough arch support and it seemed to me very hot on the bottoms of my feet. Tried a pair of Courtney's there and didn't like them either, no arch support.

My PH loved my Russell's and I gave them to him about half way through. He never went back to his Courtney's.

The Browning's were fine but I'd love the same boot w/o goretex.

JPK

The soft paws that I like and wrote about do not have any thermal lining, which is better for most south african hunting and pretty useful in the US as well.

Safariman, I'm interested. Wher would I look for them?

JPK

I wore a pair of leather hiker boots. I think they were Hi- teck. More like a tennis shoe than a heavy boot. I broke them in for about a year while walking to prepair for the trip. My plan was to pick up a pair of Courtneys while there but the store was closed and we were not able to return due to time constraints.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions made here. This will surely make the job easier as to which ones to bring. Thanks again and good hunting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My favorite safari boot is Russell's "Mountain PH", in Weather-Tuff leather.

I also pack a spare pair of light Russell "Safari PH" boots with soft, brown Vibram Air-Bob soles.

www.russellmoccasin.com

AD

I've wondered about the cabela's kangaroo light uninsulated upland boot[no gortex]. Granted, they are 9" tall, but they only weigh 2.4 lbs., and they are high enough to keep sand and weed seeds out. I have a narrow foot , and somewhat weak ankles, and thought this would be my boot of choice for RSA in July of 07.

maddog

Maddog, those Cabela's boots would work very well in Africa. I prefer a taller boot myself to keep out grass seeds , thorns, debris, etc.

On of my friends always wears Browning Kangaroo Featherweights on his safaris, which are about the same ting as the Cabela's model you're looking at.

AD

I too am planning on going to RSA in 2007. I snagged the Old Man's Irish Setters last fall for bird shooting but don't remember is they're the uninsulated ones or not. I fthey are they'll be getting boosted for my trip as he doesn't wear them anymore.

Come to think of it, I've scurried off with lots of good stuff he doesn't wear anymore. He did catch me in the act with a fine Woolrich jacket and has been pretty careful to watch me pack after vacation ever since.

The only issue I have with the light weight running shoes is the thorns. I have had my foot pinned into my low boots once and have full penetraion of thorns several times now. These are called Gordons "thorn Proof" boots yet they were also penetrated. The one time my foot was pinned into the boot that sickle bush thorn went through the sole and stuck into my foot about 1/4". I could not get my boot off and the thorn then brok off flush with the sole. Thankfully I almost always have my little multitool with pliers and was able to extract that thorn from the outside to be able to remove my foot. My sock was soaked in blood but it was just a small puncture in juat the exact spot to cause a lot of pain and bleeding. That thorn was into the ball of my foot about 1/2" behind the joint of my big toe.

Not sure why this this was a surprise to me, I have a flat tires on average once per week and often times 2-3 times when trying to get close to the hunters trophy to load it on the truck.

It's a fine line between a sole too stiff to stalk quiet and one that will still give some thorn protection. I also have a pair of Russell boots with the turtle skin laminate that is 100% snake bite proof and they lined the sole for me to prevent the thorns from sticking all the way through the bottom. I had them made just lower then calf high because I'm getting tired of the seeds, thorns, and sand getting into my boots. It also eliminated the need for gaiters during the time of year when those grass seeds are so bad. They have been 100% so far, but they are only a year old now!

I wore a pair of Cabela's Upland Hunters, think they are like the Browning Kangaroo Featherweights, and was served well by them. My PH wore sandals...

I had a PH that was either bare foot or wearing sandals on one of my trips. He must have had 2" thick callous on the soles of his feet!
I own and wear the Cabelas brown kangaroo upland boot,(featherlites) non insulated no goretex they work SUPERB
Though I suggest you buy any boot 1 size too large and wear and extra pair of socks as when it heats up your feet will swell.

Well, I had a rebate card from cabela's so I went ahead and bought the upland kangaroo boot[green] uninsulated. Got them yesterday, and like the other pair I have that is insulated, they feel broke in, right from the box. Gonna wear them the next 3 weeks, and take both pair to Texas with me on my hog safari. These boots will be WELL broken in for RSA in 07. I might add, that these boots are as light as any sneakers I ever had.

Mad Dog