Advice on jungle footware needed

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Karl5

Life Member
May 16, 2007
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Switzerland
Going on a 2 week bushcraft course to the jungle on Borneo at the end of April.
An amazing christmas gift from my lovely girlfriend.

However, before leaving to the jungle, I would need some advice regarding footwear.
Is "the one and only" thing to wear on my feet the classic jungle boot, seen in basically all jungle movies ever made?
Or is it possible to use shoes thought for watersports instead / as well? I'm thinking about shoes like the Salomon TA 2 MET
http://www.backcountry.com/salomon-ta-2-mat-sandal-mens

Or should I look for something different altogether?

I'm sure there's good advice to be had out there in this vast source of knowledge I know you guys are.

/ Karl
 

JonathanD

Ophiological Genius
Sep 3, 2004
12,809
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Stourton,UK
I use Magnum Jungle Boots when in the rainforest environ. You really do need some specialist shoes like that as the wide and deep tread is essential if you don't want to be slipping over and gumming up your whole foot with clods of mud. Boots also supply a well needed ankle support and further protection from sharp thorns, rocks and creatures that like to bite. Shoes like that won't cut it in any way and you'll end up in serious trouble, unless just using them around basecamp. Boots are the most comfortable and safe option for jungle trekking and exploration.

wellco-jungle-boots-300x277.jpg


Some beardy bloke called Fenna did a light review here...

http://www.gunmart.net/accessories_review/magnum_jungle_boots/

I highly recommend them. But you do need to put them on, stand in a bucket of warm water for a minute or two and then walk about in them well until almost dry. Then treat them with lather balm and walk some more before considering any serious trekking. Breaking in is of great importance before your trip and you will be very comfortable indeed.
 
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JonathanD

Ophiological Genius
Sep 3, 2004
12,809
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Stourton,UK
I've used the US issue boots and they are very good boots. Several people I know swear by the MOD issue versions too. Again, the trick is to wear them in hard. I think the Magnums have the edge on the other two for overall comfort for a civvy foot over extended periods though.
 

swyn

Life Member
Nov 24, 2004
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227
Eastwards!
Here's a q for you JonathanD. Are these the Vietnam type with the steel insert or have these now been superceeded with a better one?....Not that I'm going into the jungle in the near future, just for iterests sake!
Thanks in advance.
Swyn.
 

JonathanD

Ophiological Genius
Sep 3, 2004
12,809
1,479
Stourton,UK
Here's a q for you JonathanD. Are these the Vietnam type with the steel insert or have these now been superceeded with a better one?....Not that I'm going into the jungle in the near future, just for iterests sake!
Thanks in advance.
Swyn.

Yes, they do have a steel insert to stop penetration from sharp objects underfoot.
 

Karl5

Life Member
May 16, 2007
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Switzerland
That's quick and good advice, thanks!
So, it seems like jungle boots is the way to go.
Any idea where I can find the Magnum jungle boot?
I'm guessing nowhere near Switzerland, i.e. no chance to try them on for size.
/ Karl
 

JonathanD

Ophiological Genius
Sep 3, 2004
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Stourton,UK
No idea, but Google should be able to answer that for you. Or Magnum themselves will give you the nearest supplier.
 

Karl5

Life Member
May 16, 2007
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Switzerland
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Karl5

Life Member
May 16, 2007
340
0
58
Switzerland
Oh, and since I'm asking foot related questions anyway:

Any advice regarding socks?
Material, thickness, single or double pairs on, ...??

/ Karl
 

JonathanD

Ophiological Genius
Sep 3, 2004
12,809
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Stourton,UK
I use nylon football socks. Knee length and quick drying, easy to wash, cool wearing etc. If you break your boots in really well, you only need to wear a single pair.
 
Have US Army Jungle boots, love them but before that I just got what the locals got in Malaysia: Adidas Kampung ;-)

10%2520Johanson%2520Crusoe.jpg


Basically a rubber shoe with some yellow stripes to the side that looked like Adidas (Kampung meaning village)... if it works for them, it works for me, at least it did for me....

And in other parts of SE Asia and Central America I went with 'trail runners'. No problems

04%20El%20Florido.jpg


Mind you: bare footing I had no problems either.... it was NOT wise though....

002%20Hard%20core%20camping.JPG


Anyway, have fun, rumble in the jungle!

Grtz Johan
 

JonathanD

Ophiological Genius
Sep 3, 2004
12,809
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Stourton,UK
Borneo is a great place. Has some of my favourite snakes there and is home to the best parang design ever (so pick a couple up). I'm sure you'll have an amazing time and come back with some happy memories.
 
Borneo is a great place. Has some of my favourite snakes there and is home to the best parang design ever (so pick a couple up). I'm sure you'll have an amazing time and come back with some happy memories.

Ok OT from the original post but which is your fav design JD?. There was a design from a village with a famous market on Sulawesi between Palu & Poso where, of course, I can not find any pics any more. I couldn't make the market (had to leave, catch a bus due to visum expiry date) and still kick myself for that one. It resembled the original design from Lofty Wiseman's book iirc....

Sorry to be OT...

Grtz Johan
 
Jan 9, 2012
2
0
United States
I had the same question a while back. I did some Googling and started a post on some other forum. Thinking I had the right answer I flew into Rainy Season Costa Rica with a pair of Altama Jungle boots with the Anti pungi insert, and panama sole. The tractor tread like Panama sole is the best you can get for slick deep mud. It holds you to the ground when your toes are pointed down or up the slope(not not side ways, you slip worse), better than other hikers wearing multi-directional Vibram soled boots. After some muddy spots people would walk around with an overboot sized piece of turf that would follow them around making walking pretty slippery. The holes on the bottom are great for creek crossings too. After several days of soaked feet, I ran out of dry socks, nothing would dry, cotton, and nylon clothing, wool and cool max sock. It was all damp, even with the breathable canvas duck and drain holes. Than I noticed the Tico guides and farmers that lived there were using knee high tall rubber boots. While the boots werent breathable they actually managed to stay drier than my jungles. The second I got back into town from hiking, I went and grabbed a pair with a Panama knock off sole. It worked great! Snake proof too. The only time I got my wool socks wet was when I crossed deeper than the tops, but since there is no fabric or foam or leather to soak, they dried in the sun faster than the Jungles which spent the rest of the vacation strapped to my backpack. The second time I went to jungle hike was in Vietnam. This time I brought a lighter pair of Paladium boots, and a much nicer pair of Lacross rain boots (with a panama like tractor tread, a supportive steel shank and orthodontic insole. Turned out the land leeches were out in force. Terrifyingly enough, they could crawl up the sides of my rain boots and back down. The rain boots eventually became filled with my blood dripping from my bites. I used my palladium with the pants tucked into the socks, and learned to suck it up about wet feet. Here is a picture of Costa Rican Botas and video of a leech to close things up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X19xdawIPg0
rain-boots-matthintsa.jpg
 

SCOMAN

Life Member
Dec 31, 2005
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Perthshire
I did a few days trek in Malaysia with some ex Malaysian army chaps. They all wore football boots with a fully moulded sole. We were all in walking/combat boots slipping all over the place, they had no problems. Met a yank and an English girl with them he wore military/military style boots she had copied the locals. Don't know if either had the edge though.
 

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