Thread: Light Non waterproof boots for river hopping

Trim your snug fitting gumboots down to ankle boot profile, comfortable and grippy on rock etc, no squeaks either so they’re quiet in the Kaweka scrub when creeping up on Sika

I thought the Kiwi way was to just stomp through and deal with it

If i know that I'll be on snow (and wanting dry, warm boots) once I've reached the bush line, then I use a trail runner or approach shoe for the riverbed, then change into proper boots when I'm above the river. If the river is low enough, then I might try to keep my feet dry, using hiking poles for balance if I need them.

Swapping back and forth for river crossings has never seemed like an option to me, but I guess it could make sense if there's only one or two crossings.

There's also the option of waterproof socks. Put up with the wet feet while doing the crossings, then change to waterproof socks once you know that you're on dry land.

if the river isn't too deep, and you only have a few crossings, it's impressive how dry you can stay with boots + gaiters. Just don't stand around for too long

Originally Posted by Lauries Hut

I’ve always wondered about those “barefoot” shoes, they usually have individual toes, and some have pretty good grip.
Don’t do any close encounter type bush stalking these days, so no need..

Vibram five fingers I've used them for a few years I really like them the trail style ones I use for all my hunting even backpack hunts

Im avoiding anything waterproof . Hauling a couple of pales of cold water up rivers in your boots sux.
Ive just bought vivo barefoot tracker forest esc which is nz made . More money than I wanted to spend but are Light boots that drain water with a bit of support for my dickey ankle .
Will report back once I've used them for awhile.

Correction - they are not nz made.

What about jungle boots - nylon canvas doesn't hold water and filtered grommets drain water fast.

I used jungle boots in New Guinea tramping along trails and they were excellent. Kept some of the leeches off as well. The water just runs out of them and they dry quickly. Life span is about 6 months and then they have rotted enough to be a bit too fragile.

I understand crocs as an option but I don't exactly think of them as light. My current pick for multiple river crossings and wet feet being a dead certainty is trail running shoes with a bit of a tread on them and a spare pair of socks. get all the wet walking done and out of the way, switch to boots and carry on. I've got some barefoot style Merrel trail gloves, super light and fast drying but quite thin on the sole and a bit hard on the feet in rocky rivers. May as well just wear socks at that point.

Trim those snug fitting gumboots to ankle boot profile

Never rot
Grips to most surfaces
Easy to clean the blood out of them
Hard wearing 3-6 years of Kaweka hunting
Cheap
Rivers
Scrub
Hills
Beach fishing
Boat fishing
Farm hunting in wet grass
Hunting in the rain

Has saved me an awful lot of $$$$$$$$ over the years

Nice, Do you drill holes in them so that the water can drain out?

No I Havnt

Because they’re a snug fit you can’t feel the water in them, and the amount of water is about 25-30 ml

But you could easily drill them to self drain

Originally Posted by Reedo

Nice, Do you drill holes in them so that the water can drain out?

Just don't forget to take your feet out before you drill them

Good point!
Update, I went with Brooks cascadia low heel drop , non waterproof trail runners. I also purchased an ankle support brace from rebel for cheap for my shit ankle. I Lightly strapped my ankle and it was perfect . It's trail runners for me from now on. I was light on my feet and the brace gave me a bit of support.
Only problem was it didn't help me see any deer whatsoever on a 4 day hunt. The wind, river levels and multiple humans conspired to skunk me. The f
irst time in a long time that that's happened so maybe I have just been spoilt.
Time to up my bush hunting game!! There seems to be alot of people on the fringe urewera rivers nowadays.

Have a pair of Salomon boots from Torpedo 7. Brought for bush stalking Sika, light and flexible. Ok for river hopping but eventually you start to feel it, doubt you will get something that does not result in sore feet based on what you are looking for if spending more than half a day in a river.