New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

Hi guys and gals,

I tend to just stomp around in some old trainer type footwear when on gold missions but want to get myself some decent boots now that will take some abuse.

Any recommendations for some footwear / materials to keep in mind that will survive some abuse, being frequently wet wading through rivers, and will keep my feet pretty comfy? Just curious what people out there prefer.

Cheers,
Gavin

For tramping I've got a pair of the older design Stoney Creek Greywacke hunting boots that I have found to be extremely comfortable and hard wearing. But like all quality tramping boots they are a bit more expensive then gumboots or trainers. Good boots are a must though as they give a lot more ankle support when clambering over rocks etc.

With wet wading I reckon there are to ways of handling it: 1. Just say bugger it and get boots that are fairly porous and quick drying or 2. Have all the materials as waterproof as possible to stop the water getting in. This one is a bit of a problem as water will always get in! The best boots seem to have some system or other where they are waterproof but water can migrate its way out through the materials (Goretex etc) so your boots dry out after a while when they do get wet.

If you are planning to work in the rivers more then tramping too them, I would recommend looking at some fishing boots like these. Most fly fishing boots are quick drying but more importantly have a softer rubber sole that gives more grip on rocks in the stream beds. The more costly ones are also fairly good tramping boots.

I also like the muck boots or any good neoprene topped gumboots. I also have a pair of Hi-Tech boots that handle being soaked very well, and give better ankle support in rough conditions or long distance. Redbacks don't like being worn in water, and dry out in a different shape to what they should be.
Never wear steel caps for tramping - one pair I had turned their toes up literally once they'd had a good pounding in a creek, and tried to cut off my toes. I ended up hobbling out in bare feet. Another pair of steelcaps were so cold that I had frost bite symptoms on my toes when walking for a few hours in light snow up in the Lewis pass - the steel conducts all the warmth away from your toes - layers of skin peeled off, but it all came right eventually. NUGGY

Cheers for all the feedback guys - very much appreciated!

I'm currently using old Merrell cross-training shoes myself, but the river and gravels tends to start destroying them pretty quickly. Got through a fair few pairs of old Merrels this way now.

Gum boots are a nice option - but I'm looking for something that are a bit more suitable for hiking in to the middle of nowhere with. Sounds like a lot of people may use them for this - but I'm keen for something a bit more traditional tramping wise. And I always tend to have to wade through some water deep enough to flow over the top at least once every mission.

Interesting regarding steel toe caps - sound lethal! Not the best option when out with the sensitive GPX 4500 either I should imagine :P

Looking like I might be shopping for some non-leather boots that offer some good grip and are made to get rid of the water a bit quicker. If they can take some abuse and so will last a while I don't mind spending a bit more on some.

A pair of dive boots would be great for wading around in streams as I find them ideal on the beach except when it's hot

Would be comfy this time of year in the Southern regions as up north this time of year they are ideal

Give the Hi Tech boots a go then - reasonably priced, good sole and ankle support - had mine for over 5 years and only used them for walking/wading in creeks, carrying loads, they handle being wet then dried often, and they are still good. Dont know which model mine are but well padded - not much leather on them. NUGGY

hi gavin
I wear blandstone work boots for the amount of walking I do which would be at least 150km per 10 days in the bush in and out of rivers boots wet every day put on the boot dryer every night. not to badly price round $250. I find they are lasting about 10 to 12 months
I did have good boots once they lasted a good 10 years I would wear them whenever I went hunting about once a month lol

the old trusty buller gummies very good but a bit slippery in the west coast bush cold in the winter time and you get sore toes when you kick rocks

everyone to their own

cheers keith

Cheers guys - very much appreciated - always good to get a few brands to go look at. Always nice to get some recommendations from people who have used the boots in anger :)

I have a pair Snowbee Rockhoppers that have steel spicks in the sole real good grip,sold to fishman for wading rivers .

yes they take a lot to beat used to use them fishing good in the rivers.