Boots for the bush
by John Dunn
Australian Shooter October 2001
Everyone who spends time outdoors knows that good footwear is essential. This is particularly important for those folk who routinely leave the walking tracks behind and venture into rough terrain - especially hunters and fishermen.
In the bush, a good pair of boots does so much more than protect the feet from environmental hazards, the primary function for which all footwear was originally designed.
Boots also support and complement the human locomotive system - the joints and muscles in the feet and ankles, legs, knees, hips and back, allowing them to function reliably, sometimes for extended periods of time under the stresses of load and uneven terrain. In doing that they help reduce the risk of injury, give grip, provide a stable platform for movement and, ideally, keep the feet warm, dry and comfortable.
No matter how you look at it, that’s a pretty big ask. Most boots will meet some or most of those criteria, but very few will do it all, every time. Accordingly, manufacturers are increasingly designing purpose-built boots for particular outdoor activities and conditions. The boot styles available, the different cuts, the materials they utilise and the way they’re made vary enormously - as does quality and price.
Just as it is with guns, dogs and 4WD vehicles, everyone has their own idea about what boot best meets their requirements. The boots reviewed here are a representative sample of what is available in the marketplace today, though the list is by no means exhaustive. Other makers were invited to supply boots for review. Some declined the opportunity - apparently happy to deal with bushwalkers rather than hunters or shooters - while others promised boots for review that never arrived.
Price-wise the boots vary from affordable to expensive. I believe all represent good value for money, with the final decision depending entirely on how much money a buyer has to spend. All are well made and designed and each has its own particular niche in the market.
Most importantly, all are leather boots, which in my opinion are still the best option for bush footwear, no matter what you’re doing or where you roam. A good pair of boots is a long-term investment in your personal comfort and safety. The wrong choice can make or break a hunting trip. Choose them wisely - the effort will be worth it.
Blundstone
Based in Tasmania, Blundstone Pty Ltd is a family business that can trace its involvement in the manufacture and retailing of footwear back to the 1840s. Since WWII, Blundstone have been at the forefront in developing safety footwear and today they are recognised as a major manufacturer of heavy-duty footwear for farming, forestry, mining and industrial usage. Their boots are exported worldwide and while safety footwear remains a major portion of both their export and local markets, the needs of recreational users are also addressed.
The boots offered for review were style #208 hiking boots. With a high cut, they are made from waterproof leather with a DRI-LEX comfort zone lining designed to transport moisture away from the feet. Internally they have a cambrelle foot bed and are conventionally lasted for strength and durability, with a steel shank for added arch support and torsional stability.
The moulded heel is reinforced at the back. The tongue is padded for comfort and the boot is laced to the foot by a conventional ‘D’ ring and hook arrangement.
The soles are made of dual density polyurethane, which is directly injection moulded to the boot. This extends up onto the toe section of the boot and incorporates a shock protection system for long-term comfort of the wearer.
These all-Australian boots are available in brown only, with a size range of 4-12 and 5½-10½. The #208 boots would be suitable for both range work and hunting, as well as general day-to-day wear. Blundstone #208 hiking boots have a recommended retail price (RRP) of $130 (including GST). More information on Blundstone boots can be obtained from your local distributor or by contacting:
Blundstone Pty Ltd
PO Box 316
Moonah, Tasmania 7009
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.blundstone.com.au
Rossi
Rossiter’s Pty Ltd is another Australian company that has been making boots for a long time, marketing them under the well-known Rossi label.
For review, Rossi sent two different boots, the 424 Eagle and the 254 Cobar. The Rossi Eagle is a boot that needs no real introduction to the hunting and shooting fraternity. It has a well-earned reputation as one of the best bush boots on the market and there are a lot of sambar hunters in the mountains who wouldn’t wear anything else. As good as it is in the bush, it is equally at home on the range - providing a level of comfort and stability that range shooters appreciate.
The Eagle is an all-leather boot with a high cut collar to protect and support the ankle. It features durable leather insoles that mould to the feet and allow them to breathe. The rear of the boot and the quarters are lined with full-grain leather, while the forepart is lined with suede (split) leather.
The collar is internally padded with closed-cell foam for comfort and provides a snug fit around the ankle. The tongue is leather lined, comfortably padded and dust proof. The fastening system consists of eight brass eyelets and six hooks with braided synthetic laces.
Internally, the foot bed is cambrelle covered. This Dupont material absorbs perspiration to keep feet dry, yet dries rapidly to help keep boots fresh. At the same time it breathes to let air in and moisture out, which helps to keep feet cool.
The upper is double stitched to the rubber resin sole, which has the time-tested Sherpa tread pattern, which is well recognised for its grip and durability.
With a RRP of about $260, Rossi Eagles remain one of the best boots available.
The Rossi Cobar is an all-leather, lightweight walking boot that is stylish enough for everyday wear. The rear section has a cambrelle lining, while the forepart is lined with linen. The collar is leather and padded with closed cell foam. The tongue is cambrelle lined, padded and is dust proof. Fastening is provided by four brass hooks and eight ‘D’ rings. The foot bed is cambrelle covered and the upper is cement bonded to the sole and lasted under.
The boot has a Texon 480 insole, polyurethane midsole with air cavities for cushioning and a Rossi Lite II rubber outsole. The tread is a series of round lugs under the heel and ball of the foot. Around the rim of the sole is a series of bridged lugs to provide edge grip. It looks different but is time proven to be both durable and effective.
The Cobar is probably best suited to relatively flat going or track walking, primarily due to the underslung heel. It’s a good boot for day-to-day wear, but in rough going, the Eagle outshines it by a mile. With a RRP of about $180, the Rossi Cobar is very good value for money.
More information about Rossi boots can be obtained from local retailers or by contacting:
Rossiters Pty Ltd
PO Box 515
Marleston, SA 5033
Phone: 08 8352 7844
Fax: 08 8352 2316
E-mail: [email protected]
Bunyip
Bunyip boots are manufactured by the Harold Boot Company at Abbortsford in Victoria. This Australian company produces a good range of walking shoes, boots and snow boots suited for Australian conditions.
Three styles of boot were provided for review, the Cooroy, Ellery and Selwyn. These boots are available through various outlets or direct from the manufacturer. All have common features that include a combination moulded-fibrous nylon and leather insole with a breathable, removable foot bed; a stainless steel shank for maximum arch support and compressed moulded leather heel stiffeners with fully foam padded collars and heel cup. All are fully Blake stitched and have rust-resisting locking hooks and ‘D’ rings.
The Cooroy is a traditional bushwalking and trekking boot. It has a one-piece leather upper made of 3mm water-resistant bull hide and a full kangaroo leather lining. It has a full bellows padded tongue and Vibram Andermatt dual density rubber soles with an aggressive tread pattern. Broad fittings of sizes 40-48 are available, with narrow fittings in sizes 38-44. RRP is $295 plus GST and freight.
The Ellery is designated a mountaineering and trekking boot. It has a one-piece upper of 3.5mm water-resistant bull hide and is fully leather lined. It has a full bellows tongue padded with high-density, open cell foam and a reinforced toe. The rubber sole has a strong tread and is manufactured from dual density Vibram Diffida. Broad fittings are available in sizes 40-47, narrow fittings in sizes 38-44. RRP on the web is $325 plus GST and freight.
The Selwyn is a maximum-level mountaineering and rugged-terrain trekking boot with a one-piece, water-resistant upper made of 4mm bull hide. It is fully leather lined with a double padded bellows tongue and reinforced toe. The sole is made of Vibram with a Calgary tread and features crampon fittings. Broad fittings are available in sizes 40-47 and the boot has a RRP of $365 plus GST and freight.
Overall, this is an impressive range of boots displaying good design and excellent workmanship. Additional information about construction and materials is available on their web site.
Bunyip Boots can be contacted at:
205 Gipps Street
Abbotsford, Victoria 3067
Phone: 03 9417 2122
Fax: 03 9416 0830
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.bunyipboot.com.au
Meindl
Meindl is a Bavarian company that’s been producing footwear for more than 320 years. All their current boots incorporate the patented ‘Meindl Walking System’, which was developed for the military to reduce accidents and injury to soldiers traversing rough terrain or climbing in steep country. This fully orthotic walking system ensures correct walking motion and posture, which assists people with joint and back-related problems.
Proper fit is essential and Meindl (pronounced mine-dl) asks for an outline of each foot in a thin sock, as well as the user’s weight when boots are ordered. This information is scanned into a computer to ensure that the correct fit between foot and boot is achieved.
The boots sent for review were the Pamir style. These are graded B/C on the Meindl scale - tramping or trekking boots, which are ideal for hunters or farmers.
They have a Nu-Buck leather upper and are fully Gore-Tex lined. A unique feature is a flexible leather gusset in the back of the boot that supports and moves with the ankle while walking instead of holding it upright and straight. The boots are fitted with an Air Active foot bed that is easily removable and washable and is quick drying to ensure long-term comfort. Meindl boots have fibreglass carbon inserts in the shank, an inbuilt air pumping system and a moisture drainage and synthetic support system to prevent the boot losing shape or support when wet. All seams are quadruple stitched.
The tongue of the boot is fully padded and combines with the ‘D’ ring and hook lacing system to ensure water cannot get into the boot unless it actually comes over the top. The lacing system draws the foot back into the heel section of the boot - the most important fit area - while the high padded uppers offer excellent ankle support and stability.
The Vibram soles have a very aggressive tread pattern that ensures a good grip under all conditions. A rubber rand runs right around the boot.
Of the boots sent for inclusion in this review, the Meindls were the only ones I was able to physically wear rather than simply assess. Without a doubt they are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever put a foot into. They felt that way right from the start and in the time I’ve had them there’s been no reason to change that view. I’ve worn them everywhere - in the workshop, in town, taking the dogs for their daily walk along the creek, around the hills on a couple of leisurely hunts and shooting on the range. They required no breaking in and really do make walking a pleasure, regardless of ground conditions or terrain.
With a RRP of $475 (inc GST), they’re not cheap but the level of fit and comfort they deliver makes them - in my opinion - worth every cent.
Meindl boots are made in Germany and are imported and distributed within Australia by:
Stager Sport Australia Pty Ltd
Phone: 1300 231 700
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.meindl.com.au or www.stagersport.co.nz