lightweight boots ?

[Buckshot]

Can anyone help?

My old walking boots have just about had it and so it's time to find a replacement.
Because I only wear them in the summer I'm not looking for hardcore walking boots, more waterproof, strong mochasins. Perhaps with a slightly thicker sole. I want to use them for stalking so feel is important

Any ideas?

I'm not able to get on the net over the week end so don't think I'm ignoring you if I don't reply till next week.

Thanks

Mark

[Gary]

Pukka Moc's would be expensive and not so long lived!

I would recommend either - Hi tech trails, a suede and nylon boot which has a decent sole and are incredibly light - I wore a pair of these for many years until they literaly rotted of me. Ideal for both street and field btw.

Or

Rogue boots, south african made with a distinctive tread (as the guys on the last tracking course will tell you) these are ankle boots and all leather. A little spongy in the wet but if only want them for summer use they will be fine.

For the Rogue boots seek out John Muirden at unbeatentracks.com - the hi-treks you can get all over the place.

One last thought Tracpac make a Desert boot which is getting good reviews so if you want a hi-leg boot try those.

Hope that helped.

[MartiniDave]

Mark,

I'm with Gary on this one, he's named my 2 favourite boots. The Rogues are what I will be taking with me on my woodlore course, they are so comfortable its beyond belief. The Trails were my first joice for stalking bunnies and general knock about use. I haven't seen them in the shops for a while though.

Dave

[Adi007]

I've never had a lightweight boot ... currently I'm wearing Lowa Combat's (which weigh in at just under 2.5 lb or just over a kilo each :shock: ).

The Hi-Tecs look good tho ... I think Kath has a pair somewhere and had some she wore a few years back too.

[narsil]

If you like hi-leg boots then hi tech magnums are not at all bad. You can get them quite cheap if you shop around. I've had quite few pairs now. They do tend to fall to bits after a while, mine usually give up the ghost after about 18 months, but then they're not very expensive to replace and I do wear them pretty much all the time. The standard one aren't very waterproof as they have nylon uppers but for summer use thats not much of a problem. There are also a lot of similar boots by other makers at widely varing prices.

[Buckshot]

I've looked at the magnums, they now make a desert version, light brown rather than black. I think I would prefer to have something a little softer if possible.

When you say Rogues, which model are you refering to, I think the Veldskoen would be OK but I don't think it comes with a sewn in tougne.
When you're walking through a corn field at five in the morning it's surprising how much dew is around even in the height of summer !
I've been soaked up to my knees on many occassions.

I was wondering if anybody did man made mochasins, say with a goretex lining to make them waterproof, mid calf length, sewn in tougne amd a very light sole. Perhaps something like a boxer boot - or should that be the type of boot a boxer wears ? But with a slightly deeper tread on the sole.

Cheers

Mark

[MartiniDave]

Mark,

My Rogues have a sown in tongue. They are the Trans Africa, not cheap but very good IMHO.

Dave

[Stuart]

I've been looking for good moccasins for a while (I'm now making my own) but these guys sell moccasins for stalking:

http://www.russellmoccasin.com/boots_stalkingtracking/boots_stalking.html

[Gary]

CHEAP AS CHIPS THOSE STU!!

[Brynglas]

If it's dry, and you can get hold of them, a great pair of (very) lightweight stalking boots are the old fashioned British Army hockey boots. They're very similar to the Converse Alll Star baseball boots but are dark green in colour.

I know that Silvermans had some limited sizes in stock, and I doubt that they'd be too expensive.

For stalking and trying to move quietly over broken ground these are very good, however they wouldn't be suitable for any particularly long walks or where you'd need a lot of support.

Otherwise, and you may scoff at this. A revelation to me this spring has been a pair of Dunlop 'purafort' wellies. £25, extremely lightweight, comfortable enough to wear all day, really good grip and a soft compound rubber sole which is absolutely fantastic through the woods, and of course waterproof. I bought mine at my local farmers co-op and I've been really impressed. Not fancy, no gimmicks but they do the job.

[Stuart]

CHEAP AS CHIPS THOSE STU!!

thats why (with the help of the pattern you lent me) I'm making my own :-D

which by the way are almost finnished

[Gary]

Cool - well done!

As for the hockey boots - they're what I like to use too. Green and black one - nice thin sole.

[Buckshot]

CHEAP AS CHIPS THOSE STU!!

thats why (with the help of the pattern you lent me) I'm making my own :-D

which by the way are almost finnished

You don't fancy making me a pair as well do you stuart ???
:biggthump

Mark

[Stuart]

Its probably best we wait and see how my first pair turn out before asking that!!! :shock:

[Buckshot]

Seriously, those mochs look like just the thing I'm after - but not at that price.

Cheers

Mark

[ESpy]

There are a fair few patterns online... No idea how they compare with the ones you're using, natch. All I have to hand at the moment is veg tanned leather, and the premium grade stuff at that!

[bushblade]

Can anyone help?

My old walking boots have just about had it and so it's time to find a replacement.
Because I only wear them in the summer I'm not looking for hardcore walking boots, more waterproof, strong mochasins. Perhaps with a slightly thicker sole. I want to use them for stalking so feel is important

Any ideas?

I'm not able to get on the net over the week end so don't think I'm ignoring you if I don't reply till next week.

ThanksMark

Have you considered a pair of Tabi boots? Available from most martial arts supplies, are very comfortable if you don't mind the split toe. They're pretty tough excellent sensitivity/feel and very grippy, good for climbing in. You can also cotton proof them and/or wear sealskins underneath them. The're also very lightweight, I often carry them for use arround camp and as a spare set of footwear, though mine are looking a bit tatty, they have survived for about 5 years with the occasional repair with vulcanising solution. :-)

[jamesdevine]

Tabi are excellent I had a pair for years. They can be rolled up and only take up the size of the sole in your pack.

Mine I am afraid have mysteriously disappeared whilst moving house. I have asked my wife but she says she hasn't seen them :-?

James

[Buckshot]

That's a good idea Bushblade, you don't have any info on them do you ?

What do you mean by 'Sealskins' ? Are they waterproof socks like the goretex ones ?

Cheers

Mark

[Andy]

what about sandles and a pair of gortex socks. cheap and light.
I use a pair of clarks active air shoes.the RRP is £80 but i got 2 pairs for £30 from an outlet shop. very good seem to last well

[ditchfield]

Have you got any links to where you can buy 'Tabi's? I've seen pictures in a book I have on war in the pacific. They were worn by Japanese soldiers and were even fitted with crampons!

[jamesdevine]

Any Store that sells Martial arts equipment should have some in stock. They are the foot ware of choice for your local Ninja's.

I have a look and see if I can find some links do.

James

[jamesdevine]

Me again,

Found a link for the UK. This site sells both long and short versions plus the split toed socks to be worn inside them.

http://www.combatgear.co.uk/default.php?cPath=38

Hope that helps

James

[bushblade]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner I've been away.

Just found this link http://www.paragonmartialarts.co.uk/acatalog/Footwear.html

These appear to be the same as mine but have a velcro closer, perhaps thats a new thing... mine have a metal hook and eye closer at the back.

Sealskins a waterproof socks using a porelle waterproof breathable membrane, they are quite stretchy. For wearing inside tabi you will probably need to get a size larger than you would normaly. Put the socks on with space left at the toe section then push the sock between your toes, adjust the sock and put your foot in the boot. It can be quite tricky to get it comfortable if you're not used to wearing them like this.
I would also recomend wearing a pair of army wool puttees (spel?) over the top of the Tabi (Polar proof these) for extra protection and weather proofing.
Then go get stealthy in the woods 8-)

[Buckshot]

Thanks for all the replies and sugestions.

I've just received a pair of Tabi boots and two pairs of socks. I plan to Nikwax the material to try to make it water repellant.
I've gone for the long boot with the rubber sole.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Mark