Tracking Boots

[johnboy]

Hi,


Im wondering what features make up a tracking boot and why?

Any ideas welcome....

Cheers

John

[rik_uk3]

I think they have to be brown in colour John, seems vital actually. Thin soled too so you can 'feel' the ground under your feet. I don't understand the rationale behind either to be honest, but then, I'm not a tracker.

[johnboy]

I think they have to be brown in colour John, seems vital actually. Thin soled too so you can 'feel' the ground under your feet. I don't understand the rationale behind either to be honest, but then, I'm not a tracker.

I'm not a 'tracker' either Richard... But I have been having a look and a thin flexible sole with no tread pattern seems to be reasonably common amongst tracking boots...

[rik_uk3]

So you could use a pair of cheap 'pumps' as we used to call cheap gym shoes when I was a lad.

Kung fu shoes might be OK
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-MENS-B...item7dbd67c812

[forestwalker]

I vaguely suspect that the flat sole no pattern comes from two things. One is a SA boot I saw a picture of that looked mostly like a military boot, but had such a sole, in order to avoid leaving the distinctive "heel" mark that conventional boots leave. Then there is the fact that if you track you may be more aware of the distinctive wear that most hiking boot soles put on the ground, and want to avoid doing it.

[para106]

What about the Woodland Boot from Bison Bushcraft?? Has a sole pattern but no heel. Bloody dear for what it is but if it's anything like the quality of their shirts it'll be a good un.

[johnboy]

I vaguely suspect that the flat sole no pattern comes from two things. One is a SA boot I saw a picture of that looked mostly like a military boot, but had such a sole, in order to avoid leaving the distinctive "heel" mark that conventional boots leave. Then there is the fact that if you track you may be more aware of the distinctive wear that most hiking boot soles put on the ground, and want to avoid doing it.

Yes from what I've read the flat sole might be something to do with not leaving an impression like a vibram sole might make. So effectively it's an anti tracking function... The question might be I suppose who might be tracking you in a bushcraft context???
Following up spoor of say a ZNLA Terrorist unit is one thing... Tracking foxes and badgers is quite another...

[southey]

Ive done pretty well with these, comfy, dry(after a bit of work), light and the tread aids grip and deadens the sound of your footfall



and at times these did me well too,



Infact the only reason i have stopped wearing the desert boots is that they have spit across the ball of the foot(will replace sooooon) stunningly comfy and quiet boot

these do very well in wet or dry eniviroments too

[Bushwhacker]

Ultimate.

[southey]

I am only guessing here, but I think a lot of ideas my come from this documentary?



Which bears a striking resemblance to this,

[Expat]

I think they have to be brown in colour John, seems vital actually. Thin soled too so you can 'feel' the ground under your feet. I don't understand the rationale behind either to be honest, but then, I'm not a tracker.

Well..... Yes, I was thinking that if YOU are doing the tracking, why do you "need" specialised footwear..

[southey]

Though I guess there could be an argument for a softer thinner sole making you slow down and take in the full picture

[bikething]

Though I guess there could be an argument for a softer thinner sole making you slow down and take in the full picture

It also makes you place your feet with more care so you don't create sound / vibration that can alert animals to your presence and reduce the chances of you getting close?

[shaggystu]

Though I guess there could be an argument for a softer thinner sole making you slow down and take in the full picture....

the flip flops you posted up earlier are perfect for that dude, i got given a pair about a year ago and even though i hated wearing the things i hate throwing stuff away even more so forced myself to get on with them. i think they're pretty much perfect for outdoor summer shoes now, they do exactly what you suggest, they make you slow down and pay attention to things, especially what plants/tracks you're about to squash underfoot. they'd make great "tracking shoes" IMO

[johnboy]

the flip flops you posted up earlier are perfect for that dude, i got given a pair about a year ago and even though i hated wearing the things i hate throwing stuff away even more so forced myself to get on with them. i think they're pretty much perfect for outdoor summer shoes now, they do exactly what you suggest, they make you slow down and pay attention to things, especially what plants/tracks you're about to squash underfoot. they'd make great "tracking shoes" IMO

So crocs would be as good...??


So if I recap based on the responses thus far.

Tracking boots / foot wear should have a thin sole so you can feel the ground also the thin sole unit prevents you from moving too fast and in doing so adversely disturbing the spoor you are following or making a noise which might disturb the subject being tracked if they happen to be armed African insurgents....

The sole unit is void of any tread pattern to prevent any counter tracking or a L type ambush

It needs to be in a size and width fitting suitable for Tommy Lee Jones or Bianco Del Toro

Tracking boots could be worn dancing at Jack Rabbit Slims but only if they are playing dusty spring fields 'son of a preacher man' and in the presence of a 'hot' Uma Thurman

The Tracking boots that Bison Bushcraft sell are robust well made and meet all of the above criteria..

It helps if they are in brown...

[sasquatch]

I have a friend who's into tracking as a hobby, animals not people, even in the winter he'll go barefoot. I'll have to ask him why as I'm curious now...

[southey]

Yup, It think if you seal all that up in a bag of promise you might just have a business opportunity. all so they should be easily identifiable as to which foot the go on.

[shaggystu]

pretty good summation IMO johnboy

[johnboy]

Actually when I asked the question I was kinda hoping that some expert tracking folk would be able to advise on the foot wear requirements needed for tracking..

I think what I've actually ended up with is a collective statement that it makes no real difference what you wear on your feet when tracking...

[southey]

I would go with that,

[Bushwhacker]

I would go with that,

Ditto.
It's like the lads I see at football with their £200 boots and not a shred of talent.
Another lad's boots are held together with gaffer tape and he's a great player.

[Rob]

Really depends on what you are tracking and why.

You need to be protected against the environment that you are tracking in. If you are on the trail of someone or something that you are trying to catch up with - you need to be able to move faster than them - so love your feet and they wont become a distraction.

Thin soles are great for feeling the ground under your feet (and anything else) which can add a bit more awareness of ground factors if you are tracking a dementia sufferer or help you avoid things that will make a noise and give you away when stalking wildlife.

[Expat]

in the presence of a 'hot' Uma Thurman

Some may disagree, but IMO, there is no such animal.... .

[rik_uk3]

Some may disagree, but IMO, there is no such animal.... .

Go and wash your mouth out with soap you must live in a cultural void.

Right, leaving aside the goddess Uma and back to tracking

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Extra...ht_3024wt_1060


Or the ultimate, brown, no tread, and leather so you can sew badges on

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-VINTA...#ht_574wt_1399

[southey]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Extra...ht_3024wt_1060

With these being sanitized, I think they would be best for Johnboy while tracking his ZNLA girl guide det,

[Rabbitsmacker]

25 quid roamer desert boots from eBay? Leather type? I wear them all day every day at work and get six months to a year per pair and that's the sued ones, maybe the leather ones will last longer. Maye I should buy some and rebrand them as ultimate tracker boots and quadruple my money?

[forestwalker]

Yes from what I've read the flat sole might be something to do with not leaving an impression like a vibram sole might make. So effectively it's an anti tracking function... The question might be I suppose who might be tracking you in a bushcraft context??? Following up spoor of say a ZNLA Terrorist unit is one thing... Tracking foxes and badgers is quite another...

Or doing LRP in the bush. If the only people wearing military boots are yout, then you could as well leave your calling card. And the heel of a boot is the easiest part of a human print to spot. For animals it only makes sense if you are stalking game of some sort.

[johnboy]

Really depends on what you are tracking and why.

You need to be protected against the environment that you are tracking in. If you are on the trail of someone or something that you are trying to catch up with - you need to be able to move faster than them - so love your feet and they wont become a distraction.

Thin soles are great for feeling the ground under your feet (and anything else) which can add a bit more awareness of ground factors if you are tracking a dementia sufferer or help you avoid things that will make a noise and give you away when stalking wildlife.

Rob,

Thanks for that... When I did some tracking training with NZLSAR we also used the Dementia sufferer as a tracking scenario. But everyone had regular walking boots on...

Some may disagree, but IMO, there is no such animal.... .

Clearly being an expat you have gone Troppo... I suggest you watch the Kill Bill trilogy, Gattaca, and Pulp Fiction as soon as possible..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Extra...ht_3024wt_1060

How do you find this stuff on eBay Richard?? Clearly I'd need a cardigan ( olive green wool) and pipe ( hand carved) to complete the ensemble...

With these being sanitized, I think they would be best for Johnboy while tracking his ZNLA girl guide det,

Cheeky, if you'd ever suffered a series of hit and run raids on outlying farms by a bunch of Girl Guides selling biscuits then you'd be keen to form a QRF and get some follow up going ASAP...

Or doing LRP in the bush. If the only people wearing military boots are yout, then you could as well leave your calling card. And the heel of a boot is the easiest part of a human print to spot.

Quite possibly but we need to be careful we don't leave the sometimes uncomfortable realm of reality and head into the often happier realm of middle aged male fantasy....

[southey]

Cheeky, if you'd ever suffered a series of hit and run raids on outlying farms by a bunch of Girl Guides selling biscuits then you'd be keen to form a QRF and get some follow up going ASAP...

[Wildgoose]

Our guide in Kenya wore a pair of Nike trainers he won from one of our guys in a bet and he was a great tracker.
I once asked him how he navigated so accuratly.
He smiled and pointed to the night sky.
"ah, of course, the stars!" I exclaimed
no he replied. GPS.