doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Off Topic: Boots for Namibia

I have no experience with these boots, but they're named appropriately, and I enjoy this guy's videos (especially the bandsaw portion):

Good video, and helpful. The design of those Jim Green boots remind me much of my last pair of Courteneys, and they look to be equal in quality. The Courteneys are almost indestructible. I farmed in them everyday for several years, putting them to the test thoroughly, and they did duty hunting as well. And BTW, I never had one bit of an issue with either pair being hard to break in. However, both pairs I had have been dropped from their lineup, I see. So, I think I'll give these Greens a try.

Thanks, Bluestem. Very helpful.

I have a pair of the Jim Greene hiking boots and they aren’t on par with the Courtney boots. When I bought them three years ago they were new to the US and the price point was about $125. Too good to pass up. Pros: if you need a wide toe box these will fit the bill. They are comfortable and provide good support. They tend to fit large though, so a half size down worked for me. Required break in was minimal. Cons: leather is cheap and the mid soles are made of some sort of composite material. First time I got them wet the dye leached out of the leather where it was wet. Insoles shriveled up and began to separate from the soles. Chemicals used in the tanning process left blotchy white stains on the leather. I applied leather dye and used a good dressing and that helped restore looks and leather condition to a degree. Whether JG has improved their quality with this boot I can’t say but I would not buy another pair. YMMV

Bluestem, thanks for the Jim Green review of the game ranger boots. I’m not familiar with that particular model but I will say that they are remarkably similar to the step up boots that I mentioned earlier that I liked for mountainous or kopje country. The ones I used were the Bushwacker model made by a company in Stellenbosch but I have no idea if they are even still available.

Skeeterbd, Strassbergers & Veltshoen are good RSA brands to consider for traditional vellies. I don’t know if you will transit through Windhoek or Joberg but if you have a day or two you might consider picking up a pair or two. At the least it would help the factory workers there and all others downstream to the point of sale. And even if you don’t hunt in them there I think you will appreciate vellies in camp in the evening and back home after your hunt.