Edition 46: Spring 2009

Traditionally confined to the interior of 4WDs for their wildlife experiences, most safari-goers haven’t put too much thought towards their choice of footwear. However, with more and more people wanting to experience the rewards associated with walking safaris, the decision of what to lace up is now more important than ever. Huw Williams reviews five pairs and gives you some insight into what you should be looking for.

No matter what you see from the back of a 4WD, for a true sense of safari nothing can quite compare with the reality of feeling the earth of Africa under your feet. Walking through the untamed bush in the company of a highly trained and knowledgeable guide is truly memorable, not something you want to risk ruining just because your feet are sore. The maxim “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing” can also apply to wearing the right footwear for the terrain. If your shoes are not up to the varying challenge of the bush, then your whole enjoyment of the wilderness walk may be compromised.

The ideal footwear for a walking safari needs to not only be comfortable, but also to have a secure-grip sole and be lightweight, protective, breathable, sturdy and durable. Not an easy task as some of these demands are contradictory; thick leather boots will give the best puncture-protection from acacia thorns and such, but they are also very heavy, take a lot of breaking in and aren’t particularly breathable, so your feet will get hot and sweaty. And when feet get warm they swell, and are thus more likely to rub against the shoe and cause blisters. For these reasons, traditional leather hiking boots aren’t suited for a walking safari holiday.

The five pairs we have selected meet each of our walking safari criteria to varying degrees, but as everyone’s feet are different, there is no substitute for going for the pair that simply feels right when on your foot.

Salomon Exit Aeros: £50

Walking in Africa can be warm work, and these shoes are really well designed for it. A large proportion of the Exit Aeros uppers are made with a durable mesh to allow air circulation, which means your feet are less likely to overheat. To add some durability, the remainder of the upper is made from suede. Although feather-light and low-cut, these shoes have a reinforced band that runs around the heel to grip the foot tightly and give added stability. The inside of the heel is also padded to improve fit and comfort. Unlike the other shoes in this selection, which all possess Vibram soles, the Exit Aero’s was constructed by Salomon. Designed for a variety of terrain – particularly good in dry climates – the large lugs in the tread improve braking and stability on rough ground. Salomon has also specifically constructed an Exit Aero version for women.

Merrell Chameleon Iso Sport: £70

At first glance these look like they’d be more at home in the gym than trekking through the bush. However, these stylish low-cut options are great for wildlife tracking. The Vibram sole has wide-spaced lugs on that are ideally suited to shedding mud in wetter conditions, but are also more than capable of dealing with the drier dirt of Africa. As a low-cut shoe they may not seem to have the inherent stability of an ankle-length boot, but they feel very nimble and give impressive feedback, so you are well aware of what type of terrain is underfoot. This is thanks to the narrow heel profile of Merrell shoes. The idea is, if the heels are gripped firmly then your feet won’t shift around inside the shoe and disturb your balance. The upper is made from a combination of a highly-breathable synthetic mesh and protective synthetic rubber. This gives a good balance between keeping your feet cool and offering some protection against thorns and rocks. There is also a nylon shank plate that ensures the shoe bends in the right place for maximum arch support and also prevents sharp objects penetrating the sole. There is no women’s version of the Chameleon Iso Sport, but the nearest equivalent would be the Siren Ventilator, which has full grain leather as well as mesh on the upper for a little added protection.

Rogue Desert Boot: £70

Unlike the other options discussed here, these boots have not been designed for heavy duty walking. Aimed at those of you who are heading out to Africa on Safari, but want one pair of boots to do three things: handle the occasional day walking in the bush; look smart enough to wear out for dinner (in town or in camp); and be comfortable enough to wear all day long. This unique desert boot made by Rogue in South Africa, and imported into the UK by Kendrick Imports, has lightweight crepe soles which provide decent traction on gently sloping dirt and rock surfaces. However, without large lugs, the soles don’t provide as much traction on steeper slopes or rougher terrain. The uppers are made of soft suede, which offers better protection against thorns and sharp rocks than those made partially of mesh. Although not as breathable as those options, overheating isn’t likely unless activity is strenuous. They are also comfortable enough inside to wear without socks if need be. The uppers are padded for comfort, and their high sides give support when walking over uneven ground (though not to the same degree as the Patagonia and Scarpa options). 

Scarpa Hydrogen: £85

From the ground up, these boots have been designed for hiking in hot climates. For starters, the footbed in many shoes tends to soak up moisture, trapping it inside, while the Hydrogen’s is breathable. The upper also works to keep your feet as dry as possible. Composed of both hard-wearing suede (more breathable that full-grain leather) and airy mesh, these boots have the ability to allow water vapour out easily – particularly important as feet produce a lot of sweat in hot hiking conditions and moist skin is more prone to blistering. They also have a good balance of other features that make ideal walking safari footwear: the long-lasting Vibram sole has large lugs on the tread, which are necessary for good grip on rough terrain; the midsole has EVA to dampen the impact of footfalls, although they aren’t as well cushioned as some of the others; and the high ankle support provides that added security over rough ground. Even though these are a high-cut style, they are still pretty lightweight, not only a bonus when you are wearing them but also a benefit if you are worried about exceeding your baggage allowance.  

Patagonia Vagabond: £110

Africa isn’t always dry, and when it rains it is often biblical in proportion. With that in mind, this option, the Patagonia Vagabond, has a waterproof GORE-TEX liner. Although these boots will keep your feet from getting sodden during a downpour, purchasing them does not guarantee a moisture-free experience, especially in persistently hot climates. This is because waterproof GORE-TEX linings don’t perform as well at removing sweaty moisture when the temperature inside the boot is similar to that outside. Besides dampness inside the shoe causing blistering, it can also lead to a fertile environment for fungal infections to form. That said, if you want to use your walking safari shoes for some light hiking in lower temperatures (Ethiopian highlands during the rainy season etc) or at home while walking in Britain, having a waterproof membrane will be invaluable. The only pair reviewed here without mesh in their construction, the Vagabond’s uppers are composed of full-grain leather and canvas with rubber bumper. While this puts them bottom of the rankings for breathability, in terms of durability and foot protection they are top dog. Many walking injuries are from twisted ankles so the added support of the high cut will give added confidence over rough terrain. Despite being a sturdy, ankle-length boot, the Vagabonds are surprisingly light. Like most Patagonia products, their green credentials are important. These boots are made from a high percentage of recycled materials, making them as friendly to the environment as they are to your feet. These boots are available in both men’s and women’s versions.