Thread: What kind of boots for NZ?

I am unsure how something with the same sole as a Redband can be that great.
Love my redbands but they are my town/boat/dry weather gumboot, the soles on them are actually bloody terrible for any kind of lateral grip if it's wet I'd almost put them in the downright dangerous basket if hopping creeks etc with a pack on

Originally Posted by Nathan F

This is the type of thread where there is no right answer. Here’s my 10 cents based on my experience. I wore out a pair of Ashley’s followed by a pair of bullers in the kawekas as a young fella. Yeah they are cheap but like anything else you get what you pay for. Cart a pack load of venison out of back ridge biv over the main range and tell me your feet are not sore. No real ankle support when carrying heavy loads. Yes good having holes in the instep and they dry quickly. No good in summer when your mate takes his boots off in the evening and they have been sweating in rubber all day !
I brought my first pair of meindls in 2007 for a South Island hunting trip. I wore them out and had them re soled. I’m on my fourth pair now. Would I ever go back to the buller express ? No friggin the way. My bullers these days live at my camp and serve as slippers in the evening. Best use for them. Will leave carrying big loads to a boot more suited.

Same, meindl's for hunting, Ashley's for round camp and cutting wood as they have steel toe caps......just get what works for you......no right answer

Originally Posted by Jukes

Meindl guffert gtx, has a wider sole than the Island Pro model. Found this great as an all-round boot. Med stiffness shank, good leather, medium rand. Covers all of the North Island hunting I get to do.

Second this. I ran a pair of island pro’s for a few years until they were toast and they were great less a bit tight on my small toes. Just got a pair of the guffert the other day ready for my tahr trip and bloody happy with them! Lightweight flexible boots are good in places but on some of my recent south island tahr hunts I have been in places where flexible light boots would not have allowed me to go where I needed and would have just been dangerous. Great on the farm or low lying bush/terrain though!

Getting good boots here is extremely difficult.
I really like the boots that grisport has to offer and would like to hear what others think, they are lightweight and have great ankle support.
I am yet to buy a pair but I want to get some. I have a pair or ridgeline boots that only cost $150 but they are great quality for the money, but a bit on the heavy side.
They do have their place in rough terrain however.
Its hard to find anything these days with the traditional down stitched sole.
There was a company called earthwalk that was selling them, but their quality was nothing fancy.

I have been wearing Bestard boots for the past 20 years. Quality boot made in Spain. Last 3 years have had on Desert Adventure mod 723. Light, waterproof, great sole. I have hunted in the snow & never had cold feet...even though they are advertised as a warm weather boot.