Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
We keep getting the “what’s the best boot for stalking” question and its really almost impossible to answer. I am just old enough to remember when the basic boot was a variation of the Army boot with a combat sole. Or a desert boot or as us Africans called them - fellys. And we had dunlop gumboots for when it was muddy.
Nowadays there is a huge choice and many different brands. So instead here are a few things to think about. Just one type won’t cover everything, and what you will need very much depends on what you are actually doing.
Barefoot - these have been used hundreds of thousands of years. With a bit of use they really toughen, are fully waterproof and self cleaning, lubricating and if they do punctured or cut are self healing. They give give fantastic feel of the ground, and when you step on a snappy twig they tell you that you are about to snap the twig and get a sharp pain. So you lift your foot off. There is nothing better than stalking barefoot on nice grassy field into rabbits with an air rifle. But for us soft modern humans they do have a few drawbacks
Lightweight shoes / trainers / approach shoes - plenty of good options. I like leather type moccasin/ boat shoe. Almost as good as bare feet. Ideal for pottering about in fine summer weather on dry ground.
Walking / Hiking / Work boots - these are really the allround boots. They are bit tougher than normal shoes and give more protection and support to your foot. Sole should have good grip, with good lugs to grip into soft ground. Some soles are bloody useless in the wet and seem to just lubricated by water so can be very slippery on rocks / wet ground.
Sole should also be soft enough to allow you to feel the ground somewhat, but many now have so much spring / softness built in that this is almost impossible.
As regards the spring, impact adsorption etc etc - a lot is branding / sales pitch etc. it works well for a while, but doesn’t last forever.
They should be comfortable from first fitting, and get more so as they mould to your feet.
Height of leg, lacing etc is really down to a matter of choice. I am not sure it makes much difference to water proofness.
Type of boot also very much dictated by what you are doing. So if your stalking / shooting is driving lots from field to field and then walking a few hundred yards, then back to vehicle to next bit / drive, will be very different to if you are on foot all day.
Trekking / Mounteering Boots - these are designed for serious walking on tough broken ground. Trekking boots are softer and really for walking on trails / mountain paths, whereas mountaineering boots are very stiff and come into their own off the trail.
These sorts of boots come into their own when you are stalking rough hill ground and constantly needing to support your feet, or kicking into the side of slopes etc. i was stalking yesterday in Argyl - relatively low ground, but end of a terminal morrain so lots of little 30 ft high humps and tussock grass. Anything less than a mountain breaks you. I use the Same boot used on big mountains and in clear fell forestry.
Waterproofness of Boots - leather if well treated and maintained is a pretty effective barrier to water. Seams and stitching between bits of leather are not. Nor is fabric. If you want a waterproof boot look for a boot made from a single piece of leather.
Many modern boots are made from lots of pieces all stitched together. Then have a goretex liner. They will be waterproof for a little while, but those goretex liners soon wear and they leak.
But when its wet most of the water comes in down your legs, trousers and socks.
Decent gaiters that come to the knee and go over the boot are essential piece of kit with boots when it is wet / snowy etc.
Wellies - everybody needs a pair. When its wet and muddy, nothing beats them. Many now have decent soles and you can actually use them on rougher ground. I like a neoprene lined one as I prefer the additional support the give.
Wader’s - not essential for deer stalking, but if you are in a marshy ground / lots of rivers stream etc or after wildfowl an essential item. Just go for a cheap tough pair of vinyl / neoprene with an integral boot. And go for full chest waders. When you need them going through bull rushes, salt marshes etc you want full protection, especially when you go down in a trink. They do get trashed so no point spending lots.
Thigh Waders are fantastic if you acting as a model in the latest charity calendar. But if you going through a marsh and need waders, they are very heavy when they are full.
Breathable goretex stocking foots are great for fishing. Just get trashed when pushing through rough stuff. And they are ££££
I hope this gives some ideas. Most brands off a “hunting boot” - these are usually a walking / trekking boot in brown leather with an extra high leg for protection from brambles etc. Most are European brands and most of their hunting is from stands in reasonably flat terrain. A lot of Europeans don’t really cover large walked distances when they hunt.
Nowadays there is a huge choice and many different brands. So instead here are a few things to think about. Just one type won’t cover everything, and what you will need very much depends on what you are actually doing.
Barefoot - these have been used hundreds of thousands of years. With a bit of use they really toughen, are fully waterproof and self cleaning, lubricating and if they do punctured or cut are self healing. They give give fantastic feel of the ground, and when you step on a snappy twig they tell you that you are about to snap the twig and get a sharp pain. So you lift your foot off. There is nothing better than stalking barefoot on nice grassy field into rabbits with an air rifle. But for us soft modern humans they do have a few drawbacks
Lightweight shoes / trainers / approach shoes - plenty of good options. I like leather type moccasin/ boat shoe. Almost as good as bare feet. Ideal for pottering about in fine summer weather on dry ground.
Walking / Hiking / Work boots - these are really the allround boots. They are bit tougher than normal shoes and give more protection and support to your foot. Sole should have good grip, with good lugs to grip into soft ground. Some soles are bloody useless in the wet and seem to just lubricated by water so can be very slippery on rocks / wet ground.
Sole should also be soft enough to allow you to feel the ground somewhat, but many now have so much spring / softness built in that this is almost impossible.
As regards the spring, impact adsorption etc etc - a lot is branding / sales pitch etc. it works well for a while, but doesn’t last forever.
They should be comfortable from first fitting, and get more so as they mould to your feet.
Height of leg, lacing etc is really down to a matter of choice. I am not sure it makes much difference to water proofness.
Type of boot also very much dictated by what you are doing. So if your stalking / shooting is driving lots from field to field and then walking a few hundred yards, then back to vehicle to next bit / drive, will be very different to if you are on foot all day.
Trekking / Mounteering Boots - these are designed for serious walking on tough broken ground. Trekking boots are softer and really for walking on trails / mountain paths, whereas mountaineering boots are very stiff and come into their own off the trail.
These sorts of boots come into their own when you are stalking rough hill ground and constantly needing to support your feet, or kicking into the side of slopes etc. i was stalking yesterday in Argyl - relatively low ground, but end of a terminal morrain so lots of little 30 ft high humps and tussock grass. Anything less than a mountain breaks you. I use the Same boot used on big mountains and in clear fell forestry.
Waterproofness of Boots - leather if well treated and maintained is a pretty effective barrier to water. Seams and stitching between bits of leather are not. Nor is fabric. If you want a waterproof boot look for a boot made from a single piece of leather.
Many modern boots are made from lots of pieces all stitched together. Then have a goretex liner. They will be waterproof for a little while, but those goretex liners soon wear and they leak.
But when its wet most of the water comes in down your legs, trousers and socks.
Decent gaiters that come to the knee and go over the boot are essential piece of kit with boots when it is wet / snowy etc.
Wellies - everybody needs a pair. When its wet and muddy, nothing beats them. Many now have decent soles and you can actually use them on rougher ground. I like a neoprene lined one as I prefer the additional support the give.
Wader’s - not essential for deer stalking, but if you are in a marshy ground / lots of rivers stream etc or after wildfowl an essential item. Just go for a cheap tough pair of vinyl / neoprene with an integral boot. And go for full chest waders. When you need them going through bull rushes, salt marshes etc you want full protection, especially when you go down in a trink. They do get trashed so no point spending lots.
Thigh Waders are fantastic if you acting as a model in the latest charity calendar. But if you going through a marsh and need waders, they are very heavy when they are full.
Breathable goretex stocking foots are great for fishing. Just get trashed when pushing through rough stuff. And they are ££££
I hope this gives some ideas. Most brands off a “hunting boot” - these are usually a walking / trekking boot in brown leather with an extra high leg for protection from brambles etc. Most are European brands and most of their hunting is from stands in reasonably flat terrain. A lot of Europeans don’t really cover large walked distances when they hunt.
