non goretex/non padded hiking boots

[mickb]

Bit of a rant lol. These are getting harder to find. GTX and waterproofing is a PIA in rainforest trekking. Move through groundwater above angle height and your boots are going to fill up whether you like it or not and that waterpoofing and thick wet material becomes a foot health liability Tropical boots and armies traditionally accepted the feet would be wet and had single thickness materials and grommets to drain and dry out quicker.
harder to find basic options now, boots even have padding around the ankle and the bloody tongue these days. Might have to look into some army boots again, but I'd rather something lighter. Any suggestions feel free.

[Wapiti]

I gave up on all that also, unless I am in NZ in cold and wet conditions.
In Aus for bush hunting now, I just use Mongrel work boots.
They are Aussie made, and for me, as comfortable when walking, probably more so, than ANY expensive walking boots and way tougher.
I need the steel cap version because I invariably find myself training very heavy bulls and don't often have the luxury of changing shoes.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/29123771018 ... BMtM7u07Zl

I know they don't strictly meet your need for a very quick drying boot, I just take the wet boots off when I walk back and change shoes.
I know some people need all the go-fast gear, but I've given up on fad stuff for Qld bush country.

[bigpete]

I'm guessing leather boots aren't really what you're after ? I have some very traditionally styled redbacks that aren't full of padding and stuff that I'm happy with but they're probably not what you want

[mickb]

No actually thats not a bad suggestion Bigpete. The original army boots I used in the day were Oliveri leather style, they went okay. Might check out safety stores as well, thanks Wapiti. I'd need something I can keep the boot on if I trek out for a day or three. How it works in the rainforest/swamps is wet feet can start breaking down after a few days in boots, especially with cooking temps. I also carry a pair of thongs for drying feet out at night, and if I get onto a decent trail or road for a bit I'll actually march in the thongs as long as I can. The above is slightly less of a problem these days as I dont do the 7+ days I used to. Its more like 2-3 max now. Overnighters it doesnt matter.

[Bugman]

I just use my Mongrel boots as well. Don't do my hiking at my age.

[bigpete]

Screenshot_20250321-100823_Samsung Internet.jpg (197.83 KiB) Viewed 104846 times

These are what I have if you're interested

[Oldbloke]

Years ago I tried all sorts of leather boots. Mainly winter Gippsland area. Found they leaked.

These days where I go it's dryish. Sooo, just wear runners/sneakers. My current ones are expensive but very good. If it rains I just put up with wet feet.

In NZ believe it or not they are keen on gumboots. If they had a good linner perhaps there is something in that??

[mickb]

Gumboots actually work up here too, but not as good for heavy hauling. Runners are okay but get pulled off your feet in the mud, fill up with sand in creeks so I prefer some ankle height.

Most blokes in the scrub do just tend to use a mix of runners, or old workboots though. Anything that isnt too expensive and you dont mind ruining because this terrain will. Ive had army boots and workboots disintegrate in storage during house moves. Put one set on and realised I was losing rubber as I was walking. I think I was down to bare soles by the time I got out the door. Mold loves rubbers etc.

A bloke I know's dad, who was the defence scientist up here back in the 80's said in a recent article that when they were testing materials for the defence force the general rule was for some materials they last 1/7th the time in North QLD as they do in Europe.

Actually just found the article! I used to go over this blokes place as a kid to hang out with my mate. https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/news/202 ... ment-shape

[Blr243]

In New Zealand when I hunted thar used rigid sole scarpas waterproof Ed with beeswax waterproofing. The bond between the sole rubber and the leather shows no separation after 30 years and lots of wet weather and stress .. now in Australia I just use anatom or scarpas without the rigid sole and I don’t bother with the waterproofing.. I was only concerned about waterproofing in New Zealand because over there wet feet are also cold feet and I did not want black toes or amputation from cold

[Bugman]

Toughen up you lot. What is wrong with chinese safety boots aka thongs?

[Wapiti]

Screenshot_20250321-100823_Samsung Internet.jpg

These are what I have if you're interested

Yeah I tried a pair of those mate, very simple boots. No padded lining, super simple. But for me, pretty much no ankle support and not enough lacing length up the boot to snug them up properly. I prefer 8" workboots.

My problem is I am a gorilla, I need size 13 Aus boots, and 3XL gloves. Both are limited in what I can get.

In the workshops, and on the farm, we are on our feet all day over uneven ground, and the best boots soon stand out when at the end of the day, the feet are still rearing to go. When I was an apprentice, I remember the old Victor boots which were like strapping old tyre treads on your feet. Now, they are way better for everyday use. Definitely not suitable for NZ tops hunting, but that's not what the OP was asking.

After trying Keen (crap), Lowa, Mammut, Merrells (buy 2 sizes up with this undersized Chinese crap) even Ridgeline etc,
the Mongrel 541050 and Redback "Cobar" are Aussie made and are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn.

Problem is, they aren't anything to pose off with as go-fast gear, image is important right.

[Damo300]

Mongrels are great, but it sound like you need a pair of crocks.
Best all weather footwear Australia has.

Check out the new Asics work boots.
The young lads at work are wearing them and loving them. I believe they're online order though, not 100% on that, but they're not at the safety shop yet.
No laces, got some twisty thing instead, and they breath very well for QLD climate. Not one complaint from a yard full of riggers.

What bothered me with work boots is they have entry points for leaches etc.
Also makes life difficult with a carry out. The soles cannot support the added weight over rocks and logs and just fold around them.
Feet end up very sore.

[perentie]

When I was a young fella and hunting in NZ back in the 60,s there was not much choice. We all had Army surplus leather soled boots with triple headed hobnails hammered into the soles and Tricounis fixed around the edges. Gave good grip on wet mossy rocks.

Keith

[Wapiti]

Good reflection of views, Keith. Makes the point we made do with what we got, regardless.

A year on from this thread starting, and I've tried a few different hiking boots. Big decider for me, a bloke who's carrying stuff and walking in dirt, rocks and every type of terrain except snow all day, climbing in and out of machines and dirt buggies, is how these hiking boots compare to simple, modern-manufacture Aussie made workboots.
I judge boots maybe differently to others, it's in how my feet feel when the days over.
I get my knees injected with PRP every few weeks by the wife as I've worn out all the cartilage by being an overactive clown all my life, and boots make a big difference to that also.
Every time, at the end of the day, The Mongrels win. The others, well there's always sore feet to some degree. No good compared to Perenties' cleated army boots on that type of scree and ice-rock country though. You can't nail cleats onto these newer type of soles.
But I do appreciate it when one of my animals comes over and steps on my toes. Without having the unobtrusive toe protection as well as the comfort, I'd have more toes missing than I already do.