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01-19-2020, 05:07 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 467
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Spot and stalk shoes/socks/pads?
I’ve been spot and stalk bow hunting for 20 years... the last 15 years in SE Alberta where cactus and spines are to be expected. I’ve found gear or experience has helped me with every single aspect of a spot and stalk hunt, EXCEPT the last hundred yards or so. I’ve been searching and looking for something that’ll protect my feet from cactus and thorns, yet let me feel every bit of the ground, and not snap branches underneath.
Right now i just use the thickets socks i can find. It helps a bit, but thorns and cactus go through.
I’ve tried those pad things that attach to the bottom of boots, and those aren’t great. Especially if there’s any bit of precipitation, frost or dew.
These “protection socks” are interesting to me. Made of Kevlar - and while I’m sure they’re not gonna stop cactus, i would hope they’d stop thorns and maybe “resist” cactus.
https://hiconsumption.com/swiss-protection-socks/
Anyone have any better ideas?
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01-19-2020, 05:30 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,931
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Wet shoes perhaps? I made myself a pair of moccasins for stalking. They work good but I messed up and got them a bit tight
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01-19-2020, 05:46 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,697
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There’s an African (or is is Australian ) tribe that uses kind of a mop attached to their feet. In Africa I used some plain old mop heats turned upside down and attached to my feet with straps. They were surprisingly quiet.
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01-19-2020, 06:00 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: AB
Posts: 808
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Leather moccasins. Have the sole made of moose. Deer or elk upper is fine. I put a couple felt pads for rubber boots in mine as a bit of added cushion. I just run slip on footwear until I’m about to enter the bubble and then toss on the moccasins. Only takes a minute or two.
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01-19-2020, 06:10 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 467
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarychef
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I’m sure those are quiet - but would they hold up to cactus and rose spines?
It’s a bit of an oxymoron - but I’m looking for something soft enough to be quiet, yet tough enough to protect my feet. Or at least the best balance between the two.
I’ve looked into moccasins, but the best ones I’ve seen are super pricey.
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01-19-2020, 06:38 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SageValleyOutdoors
I’m sure those are quiet - but would they hold up to cactus and rose spines?
It’s a bit of an oxymoron - but I’m looking for something soft enough to be quiet, yet tough enough to protect my feet. Or at least the best balance between the two.
I’ve looked into moccasins, but the best ones I’ve seen are super pricey.
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You just strap them over some running shoes, cactus shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
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01-19-2020, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 255
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https://youtu.be/XdQrhkjIjiw
These rimrok stalkers have peaked my interest. They seem like a decent option, thicker than a sock but not as clumsy as a shoe. If you were to purchase a set I would definitely be interested to hear your opinion and an honest review.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
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01-19-2020, 09:39 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 338
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Stalking footwear
Keep it simple, I know it’s not the latest hunting fashion but keep it simple and go buy a pair of comfortable running shoes. You will anchor yourself better wearing a shoe compared to going barefoot or similar.
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01-20-2020, 08:11 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 358
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Comfy, thin running shoes and cover them in a wool sock for that last 100 yds.
__________________
"Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” - Henry David Thoreau
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01-20-2020, 08:18 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Look behind you :)
Posts: 27,780
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbrown
https://youtu.be/XdQrhkjIjiw
These rimrok stalkers have peaked my interest. They seem like a decent option, thicker than a sock but not as clumsy as a shoe. If you were to purchase a set I would definitely be interested to hear your opinion and an honest review.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
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I’d be pulling a wool sock over top of those that material looks noisy.
LC
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01-20-2020, 08:58 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck
I’d be pulling a wool sock over top of those that material looks noisy.
LC
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Yeah that is my concern too. That's why I don't own a pair. I don't like buying things online because you don't know for sure what the material is like. I've also thought of trying the finger toe shoes. There is lots of options out there, but I am current just using a lightweight sneaker.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
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01-20-2020, 09:35 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,873
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I good pair of moose hid moccasins I use for years ,when it got colder I just used my felts out of my boots.
I bought a pair of military boots took the wool liners out and a women sewed me two pieces of moose hid around the bottoms up a few inchs on each side and water proofed the hid and I used them for many stalks ,I could wear a good sock or a light in sole with a slight arch to enable my feet to last .
I even wore them in my younger days for snow showing in late fall hunts if the snow was deep,as long as it is cold out your feet stay very dry.
Cheers
JD
Last edited by JD848; 01-20-2020 at 09:43 AM.
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01-20-2020, 02:21 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: central Alberta
Posts: 12,629
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbrown
Yeah that is my concern too. That's why I don't own a pair. I don't like buying things online because you don't know for sure what the material is like. I've also thought of trying the finger toe shoes. There is lots of options out there, but I am current just using a lightweight sneaker.
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
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The problem with isolating the toes individually is they could be more exposed to sprains or breaking. Toes would get cold quicker too.
Some of the rubber soled shoes for river running might work good.
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This country was started by voyagers whose young lives were swept away by the currents of the rivers for ten cents a day... just for the vanity of the European's beaver hats. ~ Red Bullets
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It is when you walk alone in nature that you discover your strengths and weaknesses. ~ Red Bullets
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01-22-2020, 08:48 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,167
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Thin wool sock, reef/snorkel shoes, medium wool sock on the outside.
Really, really quiet. I haven’t tested them against cactus but the rubber bottom of the shoes is enough to stop coral (and rose bush/pine needles) yet thin enough to feel through. Much quieter than running shoes
But ya they are slippery, especially on hills. I’ve yet to find a perfect solution
__________________
“Nothing is more persistent than a liberal with a dumb idea” - Ebrand
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