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So I've taken to hunting in my socks in the Bush, and it has definately improved my kill rate in public land NI bush.
While It's generally OK for navigating but there are times in more rocky spots and creek bottoms where the feet take a bit of hiding.
Thought I would upgrade camp shoes to something that can be stalked in to balance out the quiet vs risk and also maybe save going through a pair of socks every hunt.
What are people using? Anyone tried the barefoot style shoes?
vibram toe shoes are mint, worst thing is seed heads between your toes and people feet shaming you, but once you wear them in they are just like a really good summer crust
The Ashley boots by skellerup are super quiet in the bush and surprisingly grippy, and if you don't like the height of them they can be trimmed down to a buller height
Socks over boots - Vietnam Trick I learned off a vet
I used a pair of vibram 5 fingers on my roar trip last week. They were awesome for stalking, but after 11hrs and about 10km of up, down and sidling, my ankles and calves were cooked and the soles of the shoes were peeling away from the upper (granted they are over 10yrs old). I don't think I'll replace them tbh.
If I had a honey hole that I hunt regularly, which didn't require much of a walk to get there, or I could pack in with normal boots then do short day hunts out of close to camp, then the vibrams would be a good option
yeah my vibrams died of the same thing after 3years of using them in the orchard working, i would use them the same as you dorkus - walk in then chuck them on
There’s any number of trail running shoes that will do the trick, like Solomon cross runners ?
Socks and crocs, lightweight and if it gets rough chuck on 4wd mode
Yeah I always take the big boots for hike to and from hut/camp to hunting area then socks on for the sneaky bits. Hate carrying a load of meat without boots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dorkus
Yeah I've tried trail runners/light boots and while better than stiff alpine style boots they are still pretty noisy comparitvely.Quote:
Originally Posted by woods223
The best thing with socks is being able to feel what's under your feet. You can also move quicker while still quiet so good to cover more ground without spooking the next 3 gullies
I dont have an absolute best answer but perhaps shearers moccasin's made of deer skin would be the answer - like these traditional 17th century scottish ones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfi12ljLNlw
Nick-D. You must be one heavy footed hua to be worried about spooking game three gullies over. There’d be any number of hunters on here who, like me, regularly sneak up on animals close enough to near touch or stand on them. I live in boots so a bit tenderfoot, don’t walk without foot ware unless absolutely necessary. Each to their own though.
Haha try hunting sika of clements! Clever buggers! I've shot heaps of deer in boots, I just see and shoot them at a higher rate in socks. I can move at the same noise level but faster so cover more ground and more likely to get onto a deer, or can be pretty much perfectly quiet.Quote:
Originally Posted by woods223
Why bother with socks, just warmth?
My vibrams wouldn't weigh much more than a pair of thick wool socks. Would definitely go back down that track if I was stalking japs more often
I wear my Merrell trail running shoes, zero drop barefoot, or Inov8 barefoot shoes. I have tried cheaper nasty ass ones before but if they slip on your foot they are a waste of time, buy quality sneaky trail running barefoot shoes and you wont go wrong.
I have seen some folk wearing beach/rock pool shoes for stalking
this took me down a rabbit hole! :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Moa Hunter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idsZ-h1HArU
Know a couple guys running these for North Island bush stalking & bowhunting, positive reviews from all accounts. Essentially a super lightweight boot version of the 5 finger with well gripped sole.
https://trekntravel.co.nz/shop/vivob...er-forest-esc/
If one personally knows an All Black, perhaps one could find oneself in possession of some Seal skin, which provides good climbing gripQuote:
Originally Posted by 7mmwsm
They actually look like they could be pretty good. Although at that price point I probably just use some old huckery runnersQuote:
Originally Posted by Pav
Way back in the late ‘80’s we made up some moccasin type shoes out of deer skin. They were pretty cold on the feet after a day of stalking and I reckoned they were not much quieter than normal boots.
How many off you have tried the barefoot sneak and got zapped by sting nettle.
It makes you think twice about lightweight footwear.
I’ve heard of dive boots being used..
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I think Ewen MacDonald could confirmQuote:
Originally Posted by tiroahunta
To chuck something else in the mix. I bought these as a non-hunting boot a while back.
https://obozfootwear.com/en-au/produ...mid-waterproof
Went for a walk in the bushand noticed they’re super quiet because of the rounded heel. Not the best for traction but they’ve replaced my socks and crocs as my bush stalking footwear
Kathmandu have them on clearance + 20% off in certain sizes at the moment. Just got another pair for $150. They them in wide too for those with spades for feet
I tried a pair of these ($20 from the Field days https://boonies.co.nz/product/reef-shoes/
stalking in on red and sika stags this year.
I shot a sika @ 8m & 35m( heading out fast but still quiet) and a red @10m (had a hind with him) wearing them also could have shot a sika hind @10m . I was WAY quieter and faster than with my boots on. It was rare to break any sticks/twigs with them on.
This helped balance the noise of my dog with me. (his first hunts in the bush - what champ he is already)
I stashed my boots after walking into the 'stalk zone' and then returned to them so I didn't have to carry meat too far with the sneaky shoes on.
I wore bushbuck waterproof socks to keep my feet warm and dry in the Boonies. It was wet bush stalking most days except for the red stag was dry bush.
I am on my second pair of vivo barefoot boots. There are light warm and confortable and very quiet .
Has anyone tried using neoprene socks? I've been thinking about doing it. The ones I use for wet wading have grippy soles and might do quite well. You'd feel everything, stay warm and dryish but quiet.
Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.
I tried a pair of my dive socks, they fell to bits in a day. Although to be fair they were a bit old allready. They were comfy while the lastedQuote:
Originally Posted by Eat Meater
No, but the Wettie ones have kevlar soles. Could be useful for this purpose? Expect very sweaty feet, not healthy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eat Meater
https://www.wettie.co.nz/products/gl...r-booties-3mm/
I have a pair of inov8 xtalon260....paired with Bridgedale waterproof socks....great lightweight option
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I have recently (earlier this year) gone to trail running shoes, after talking to a few guys who do really well in the bush. Previously, I have been a die-hard leather hiking boots guy. 95% of my hunting is bush stalking in the Ruahines, Kawekas & Kaimanawas. If I have a big walk in or over rough terrain I walk in with the big shoes and have my trail shoes in the pack for stalking. The ones I have are Salomon speedcross 5's. I believe they are a tad over 300 grams per shoe so weigh nothing in the pack. I was intially worried about the lack of ankle support but, I think partly due to knowing that there is less support, I have taken far less slips and falls than in my leather boots. Personally, I think they are at least twice as quiet and don't suck as much energy out of you when slowly stalking through the bush. I don't mind the wet feet as that's part of bush stalking most of the time anyway after crossing a few creeks and gully heads. I would not use bare feet or socks. To much risk of hurting yourself and if you're a few hours from the car with meat, it's a slow painfull walk out. Don't think I will ever go back to stalking in leather boots. Cheers
Like the speedcross 5's so much have a pair here at home an another pair at the bach. Such good grip on slippery ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by RuahineReds94
Yea mate. They trump any hiking boot I've tried for grip. You feel much more nimble as well instead of having boots the weight of bricks on your feetQuote:
Originally Posted by AMac
I used surfing booties a lot in the past - they’re like dive boots but with a supple sole. Just like anything made to go in the ocean the more you spend the better quality you get, but some reasonable options can be had for $60 if you want to try them out. Buy 5mm if you’re wanting warmer, but 3mm should be enough for north island.
Something like this or similar https://www.hydrosurf.co.nz/wetsuits.../ewp2749m.aspx
The more expensive ones will be warmer and softer and easier to put on. They’re epic for river crossings as you’d imagine.
I’ve been using the vivomove brand ones from Australia now for a couple years and can confirm they are the ducks nuts! They are expensive but so so good, you can feel the ground and flex the sole but also get good ankle support etc. if you’re buying on a budget they do come out with a couple sales a year - check them out https://vivobarefoot.com.au/collecti...42705087103193
The Vivomove options are barefoot shoes without the split toes so warmer, more comfortable and less freaky to look at.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Archie
Archie, any idea how long they last? Of course depending on usage, but maybe you can give a rough idea?
Use the Salomon Speedcross 5s. Awesome for bush hunting Kaimais, Kaimanawas, and have used them in tops trips to Kawekas etc. They have great grip, and the rubber is really durable. Won't be going back to a boot for these trips.
Try the studded trail shoes (mostly used for ice running in Europe). Weigh nothing and have small titanium studs on some of the treads. You will never slip on rocks, trunks, roots again. I have used them for all my North Island hunting for the last 10 years, perfect for the slippery Galatea creeks. "Click" a bit on the rocks but once in the bush soundless. Sarva, Innov8 are some options. Look at Varuste.net