Ozbow

chasing a new set of boot's and just wondering wot sort of boot's do you consider are best
Flyne

Flyne

I like the high top jogger type myself, especially the ones with the Gortex waterproof lining. I find these boots much more comfortable than 'full-on' bush walking boots. Most high top joggers have excellent soft (quiet) rubber soles. The thing I like about them is that they usually have a thinner sole too, which means they're much more comfortable when contouring steep hillsides. I have a good pair of expensive hiking boots, but they're a pain in the rear end to wear in steep country, as they make you much more liable to turn an ankle, being so thick and high in the sole. The thick sole makes feeling for twigs, etc, through the sole impossible when stalking.

Mick

Boots are a very personal thing and it depends a lot on where you are going, wet or dry, hot or cold. Feet are the most important part of you when walking bush I reckon, well almost! Don't go to a shoe shop or Kmart type store, go to safety equipment supplier or specialist as below:

For 'best' I always buy tactical boots at army specifications from somewhere like www.kitbag.com.au (they have a sale at present ).

For 'normal' I wear the cheapest Olivers, $40-$50, and they last three or so years of daily use and don't slip and slide in the bush. I have tried all the other well known name brands such as Blunnies and none are as good as the Olivers. I have Olivers' high-boot AT's with a new lightweight steel-toe cap as well and after a few weeks they fit like a glove and are very flexible.

If you like thin soled shoes in the bush to feel your way, have a look at climbing shoes and boots, they can be low or high cut but you can walk up a wall in them yet feel what is underfoot. I had a pair of P.A's, smooth-rock climbers when I was building and they lasted well as they are made for professional climbers. Saved my life a few times when I was working on steep-pitched wet slate roofs!

As far as stalking goes you can't go past neoprene diving boots, I remove the tags from the zippers and replace them with thin cord (no Noise), in hot conditions cut holes in the uppers to allow for better ventilation.
Cheers Lindsay

they will be for hunting the high country mainly and a up coming trip to N.Z. thank's for you input so far
Flyne

G'day Flyne,
If your going to hunt NZ don't skimp on your boots, by them early and wear them daily, the most comfortable boots are the ones that are half worn, go for something with a "Goretex" lining (nothing worse than wet feet). In alpine country I use "La Sportiva" made in Italy (a serious alpine boot) they have a full length steel shank but are not the easiest to stalk in, prices start around $400.00 they used to be available in OZ through "Mountain Equipment" in Sydney. For general hiking and something a little easier to stalk in "Scarpa" make several good hill boots and are readilly available in OZ. Danner (USA) make few different hunting boots reasonably good to stalk in and "Goretex" lined, a mate has a pair and swears by them, they sell for around $260.00. If your hunting NZ with an outfitter see what they recommend, they know the country best. One boot I would'nt recommend is anything made by "Meindl" i've had two pairs and they both fell apart in less than six months (that's only my opinion) hope this is of some help.
Cheers Lindsay.
"Keep em sharp"

flyne wrote:they will be for hunting the high country mainly and a up coming trip to N.Z. thank's for you input so far
Flyne

I have had a pair of these for about a month and have to force myself to take them off they are fantastic.
Cheers KIM
http://www.footwearbyfootskins.com/stor ... D=&SKU=740

My experience differs from Lindsay when it comes to Meindl boots. I've had Koflach, Scarpa and now a pair of Meindls (Makalu) that I've put a ton of mileage on them in the last 5 years and they're still going strong. Will need to resole pretty soon but even the insides are in good shape. Had a pair of Danners as well but they are back of the line behind the other brands I've used as far as I'm concerned.

Regardless of the make you end up with get the best you can afford and buy them from a store that KNOWS how to fit boots properly. You really shouldn't have to suffer through a "break in period" with a quality pair of boots.

RC

if ya hunting dry bush / scrub nothing beats Dunlop KT26's, cheap and comfortable, and you can hunt all day in ther tere very light and dry in no time flat.
Kind Regards, Brett

IMHO value for not excessive $....if you are looking for light/100% dry/warm...Irish setter (Div of Redwing) Shadow Trek made in USA. Google for best deal.
Tony S.

what ever is on special at big w only went through three pairs last twelve months,done a lot of walkin but.

any of you guys have or ever tried a pair of military jungle boots?
last year i purchased a pair of magnum thermal high lace up boots for the winter. yes they a comfortable and warm and not expensive.but the cleats on the sole are just to close together and soon get clogged up and i ended up doing a bit of surfing down the steep muddy banks in our wood. good job i had shot all my arrows because the last time i went down on my side and landed on the quiver.
now i know the jungle boots are more for warmer wet and muddy climates.but have wide self cleaning cleats in the soles.and with a good pair of thermal socks might be a better option.and like my old military mate keeps telling me. you go over on your ankle with wellingtons on and its going to blow up like a balloon.

Morning Flyne

Back in the days when I did lots of walkiing - and I mean lots I wore Rossi's.

Currently I wear Rivers but I no longer head head off on huge hikes.

Have a look at Rossi's. Australian born and bred.

thanks for the input any body had any experince with solomon's

James,
I like Hi Teks myself, they have enough ankle support, a good cleated tread and a square heel you can dig in to stop your self landing on your back side.

I have also used Rossi Falcons, they are a good solid stable boot. They need an inner sole for a little extra comfort and are a little heavy, but they really grip the hillsides.

Personally I reckon any thing less wont handle walking up in the high country.

As youre planning on going to New Zealand, I would probably go up in quality, that sort of country can blow out a cheaper quality boot fairly quick.

I have no time for running shoes etc. You wont stalk deer in the Australian bush if the country is dry, too noisy and its then mission impossible.

If every gum leaf is soggy from good rain and quiet enough to give you half a chance stalking, steep country is then too damm slippery to trust anything less than a good solid boot.

As you have done a bit of walking them up, you already know this, which is why your looking for a good boot

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Produc ... =TopSeller

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/2726 ... Boots.html

If you buy boots from the states, be careful on sizes, their size system is different. I take a size 9 in Australia, but need a 10.5 in US boot size.

Hi Woody

I understand that Falcons have been discontinued from the Rossi range. My opinion, sports footwear are not a good choice if you are going for a long walk for a few days . Ankles appreciate support.

I would steer clear of the boots that have the hook style for the upper lacing. Not sure what this system is called but if you are walking in some dangerous terrain and your laces from one boot hook into the other boots hooks you could trip yourself.
I had a pair of the jungle boots and whilst walking through a rocky section my boot hooked together. I was lucky but it could have been a lot worse.

I have been doing a lot of reserch into this lately, as I am planning a trip to hunt some chamois.
The boots that I have decided to go with are the La Sportiva makalu.
After advise from a few mates who have done trips up into the steeper country, and have used these boots have had nothing but praise for them.
Might be worth looking into

GrahameA wrote:Hi Woody

I understand that Falcons have been discontinued from the Rossi range. My opinion, sports footwear are not a good choice if you are going for a long walk for a few days . Ankles appreciate support.

I havent used Falcons for a few years now, but they were a good boot.

Agree 100% on ankle support.

Sports shoes are for flat country hunting

i just got a pair of Hi Teks v lite's they way as much as a pair of plugers but they have ankel suport i will let you know how i go.
They will have a good work out in a coupel of week's when i go for anouther hunt up eildon with the winer's of the runing pig comp from the donolly shoot.
Went up thea weekend just gone and have decided that steel caps suck for hunting the hill's my leg's are still dead
Flyne

ok personally i wear a pair of olivers the new at ones for everything from work to hunting. but for proper stalking like deer not goats it is volleys.