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Yes, Leon had great panache in the bush.... By the way, I have a French Brittany named after him; both hunting fools!

It would be worth taking a look at Kenetrek Hardscrabble lite hikers. I have used these for over 20 years hunting in Arizona and they are very comfortable and are very tough. Expect to pay about $500 shipped.

Never wear sandals, anywhere, anytime. For women and children. Flip flops are dangerous if you do anything outside.
JR

I just wore a pair of light weight Asolo hikers to Mozambique, perfect really, more or less basketball shoes with better soles.

We all enjoyed our sandals after a long day in the bush. I was meaning to snap a picture of my Birkenstocks next to my Buff skull but failed to do so

When you refer to the flip flop wearing PH having “had” great panache, are we to conclude he is now “metaphysically challenged” or, deceased?

Best,
Ted

The sandals in the picture look like my Keen H2's, which I used to use for wet wading in warm weather prior to a couple of snake encounters. Actually a pretty tough shoe.

A good thought and question… “Had” in the sense that it has been a few years since we wandered around the Selous with him, so I can’t necessarily speak for today. That said, I would also say that he’s also quite a ladies man, at least when he has come to visit and we’ve turned him loose on some of our South Georgia belles. That British by way of Botswana accent of his IS pretty effective in the States for making new friends…. 😉

I work in Crocs on the farm, all summer, and have for four years. Wet, dry, snaky, shop work, and driving equipment in the field, it's Crocs and short pants. The only thing that is a problem for me, wearing Crocs, is welding and using a cutting torch. Those hot droplets of slag just seem to find their way through the little holes on top.

Once you get past having sand between your toes all day it's great. I figure if the Egyptians could build the pyramids wearing sandals I can farm in Crocs. 😉

I live in Crocs.Over the years, they have been the best footware for my re-occuring plantar faciitis. The reason there are holes in the tops is to allow all remaining good fashion sense and dignity to escape. Gil

Skeeterbd, very happy to see that you are heading for Africa. My personal preference was always a low ankle rough out type of light weight leather shoe. Here they are often referred to as chukkas but in southern Africa we just called them vellies. They were my everyday wear in the sandy soils and I wore out about one pair a year. For rocky or mountainous areas I preferred a slightly higher and a bit thicker ankle with a little more tread to the soles. The ankle support and grip were worth the higher cost. I wore the lightweight ones without socks because socks collected every seed and “pokey” (as my grandkids call them.). You get used to the sand, as Stan said.

Shorts were/are always a good choice especially now that they are heading into summer there. If I were to go back I would probably dress the same although that was long ago when I could see and hear. With trifocals and hearing aids I would now definitely add gaiters, preferably ones that could ward off a snake strike. They are hard enough to see (especially the puff adders) without aging eyes.

Most people hunting there walk more miles in a day than they do here in a week. I’d encourage you to mind your feet and stop the moment you recognize a hot spot developing and tend to it (liquid skin, pads, whatever you like). Your trip will be the better for it.

Two other suggestions: carry a prescription of doxycycline or some similar antibiotic for those nasty internal bugs. If you’re hunting in a malarial area, it will also work as a prophylactic.

And I’d take a bottle of Naproxen or your favorite NSAID. You’re going to have a lot of soft tissue aches and pains and one of those each morning and evening will maximize your enjoyment of each day.

Hope it’s a trip of a lifetime for you.