Stalking Boots

Growing up, nearly everyone I knew hunted. Whether it was white tail, rabbits, dove, pheasant, and even hogs back when we had them in central NC. And in all those years, you had three general types of boots- Cowboy boots for dressing up, work boots in the field, and hunting boots in the Fall- and that was about it. It wasn’t until I went into the Army that I gave much thought at all to footwear or even knew the value of a good pair of boots, much less different boots for different tasks. Fort Benning fixed that.

Back when I was in High School I saw a movie called The Hunted with Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro, about a ex-Special Forces or something-guy having some mental issues and looking for his old mentor from a SERE school, because…reasons. It hasn’t aged well, but, there was a few decent takeaways from it. Most notably was the fact that Jones’ character, LT, wore moccasins everywhere. It might have seemed like some hippy-back-to-the-land BS back then, but, its one of the few things about that movie actually rooted in reality. Light, soft soled shoes are critical for stalking in woodland environments. He used moccasins to effectively stalk, having little more than rawhide and a thin rubber bottom for basic tread.

Years later, when I was learning to do the same, one of the issues all of us ran into was using boots that either had too hard a sole or limited our ability to feel the terrain under our feet. Literally all of the qualities you don’t want when you’re carrying a heavy ruck on your back are the ones you do want when stalking. Thick soles designed for load bearing and stability also limit what you feel under your feet. This in turn leads to guys making errors in their stalking lanes- crunching deadfall sticks and limbs, rustling leaves and knowing what type of terrain you’re leaving too much spoor or trailsign in. Thin and light works well.

A student learning to stalk in the Scout Course.

These days I’m doing a lot less heavy rucking and a lot more stalking work in the woods. The reality is that I’m likely not going to carry a 100lb ruck like I did back in Afghanistan for a lot of reasons, but it boils down to: a) my fighting kit selection is lighter now that what I had no option to use back then; b) a lot of my support gear, ie commo equipment, is far smaller & lighter now than before and c) I know a heck of a lot more now than I knew back then. Above all, my mission is entirely different today. A lot of what people are showing off as their “bugout bag” or third line patrolling kits is flat out unrealistic. But on the other hand, learning to effectively stalk in your operating environment will carry you a heck of a lot further down the tactical path then having a bag full of crap to leave for the guy who actually knew how to hide.

You’re a hunter of men, start thinking like one.

What makes an animal as larger as the Black Bear in eastern NC such an effective stalker? You’d think that due to its size it would make tons of noise, and yet it doesn’t. As any bear hunter familiar with eastern NC can tell you, its not just thick underbrush, but that a bear will be on top of you in no time if you’re not completely aware of your surroundings. Bear, like all effective predators, understand how to move in their terrain. They use their senses first before committing to make the movement, smelling and watching while moving slowly and deliberately. For a human, once we’re re-awakened our senses in the wild, the next step is to understand how to actually move.

Do not rush to be over-encumbered. If you’re carrying more gear than you can effectively remain quiet while moving with, then you’re carrying too much gear. This was the same philosophy of two of the best special reconnaissance units in modern history- the Selous Scouts and the South African Recces– with first hand accounts from both units frequently favoring blacked-out Converse Chuck Taylors in the field. While that made plenty of sense for the time, our options have gotten better today.

There’s a lot of good brands for lightweight boots out there- Solomon makes a good one, as does Rocky (what I wore in the winter months in Afghanistan) and even Nike with the SFB. A couple of solid options that have served me well in recent years have both come from Danner. I’ve become a big fan of their boots over the years because of their consistently high quality as well as their overall designs. One of the big selling points for me has been the lace-to-toe layout that allows me to control exactly how much tension the boot has on the sides of my feet; road marches, let them out because your feet are going to swell, for field work, tighten them up for greater dexterity in lateral movement. I’ve worn other brands over the years for field use that have been decent, but I keep coming back to Danner for a reason.

Danner Elk Hunter, Danner Reckoning

The first pair are a newer design they call the Reckoning- a lightweight boot that I’m assuming is their modern take on the jungle boot by its drain holes and breathable design. Its been a great boot so far in the two years I’ve worn them and is completely flexible from heel to toe. I’ve beat the living snot out of this pair and aside from a small tear in the outer nylon from getting hung up in some heavy briars, they’ve held up well. They’ve been on my feet for every Scout Course and most other classes I’ve run for the past couple of years and while they’re definitely military-looking boots, they’ve done everything I’ve asked them to do and more.

Stalking Footwork 101: Step with the outer edge of the foot, dropping the heel first then rolling the foot to the toe. As your first foot rises, do the same with the opposite foot. Get into a rhythm of walking like this in the woods- it’ll greatly mitigate your noise signature.

The second pair is in many ways a polar opposite- the traditional looking, excellent Elk Hunter. Mine are uninsulated and are definitely old school in appearance. But that said they work, and work well. The soft suede is very much like a moccasin and molded to my feet nearly immediately. The soles on the other hand took some time. While they were soft on the outsole like many hunting boots I’ve worn in the past to mitigate noise, they were definitely on the rigid side and took about 25-30 miles of walking before they had enough flex to effectively roll the feet while moving. Since then though, they’ve been great in the woods. These are some of the grippiest boots I’ve ever worn as well, which also takes some getting used to- wherever you place your foot, its staying there. But they’re quiet and feel a heck of a lot lighter on the feet than the listed 59oz in the specs.

Both boots have two critical qualities in common- a lace-to-toe design and flexibility of the soles. The lace-down allows me to adjust the tension on different parts of my foot. Loosen them up for a longer movement (your feet will swell) or tighten them when you need more precision in stepping during a stalk. The second factor is the lack of a defined heel. No heel allows the foot to roll from your natural heel to the toe, greatly mitigating noise and making an overall better stalking technique.

They’re not quite as feral as wearing moccasins everywhere, but they’re comfortable, durable, and have served me well. As alumni from the Scout Course know, your proper selection of footwear are the tools that make or break your ability to successfully move undetected. Shooting is either a failure of bad tactics or the culmination of a really good one- remaining undetected and fighting on your terms will always win over an adversary dressed for door kicking in thick woodlands.

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

21 Comments

  1. anonymous July 29, 2020 at 06:48

    I live in the desert southwest where the terrain is generally either very hard (high clay content) with sandy areas where the terrain has eroded. Desert chuka boots (Clarks) had a soft crepe sole that allowed for softer footfalls and didn’t easily crush vegetation. They no longer make that style of boot due to shorter life of sole.

    For stalking, take shorter steps so can easier freeze in place. The key is stealth and seeing game before it spots you. Stop – start like a grazing animal, slowly gliding to advance and stop.

    Thanks for the advice and tips on the above boots.

  2. Matt Bracken July 29, 2020 at 08:53

    All valid points. Hunting and stalking skills are paramount when you are hunting humans who can shoot you. The noise of one broken stick or kicked rock can give you away, while giving your enemy a chance to melt down into the concealment and ambush you. This is why damp rainy weather is considered best for hunting 4 or 2 legged critters.

    Related: on the border, it’s SOP for coyotes and illegals to wrap their feet in about an 18″ piece of old blanket. Cuts are made for a “lace” to go around the ankle. These blanket pieces both quiet the footsteps of folks with random footwear, avoid lost sneakers in rough terrain, and confuse trackers.

  3. Anonymous July 29, 2020 at 10:14

    Goruck makes a modern jungle boot that is very comfortable and has a sturdy yet soft sole that perfectly suits stalking needs.

    • NC Scout July 29, 2020 at 10:21

      I hadn’t seen those before. Thats pretty cool.

  4. Anonymous July 29, 2020 at 11:24

    5

  5. GK July 29, 2020 at 11:52

    My Grandfather taught me to stalk. Interestingly, he taught my Father as well. There could be no more difference between our abilities if one of us grew up and lived only in the city (DAD).

    Have been stalking around and found myself in the middle of several ELK, Deer, etc. It’s happened enough times to not be by accident, at least not anymore. Believe this, when you wind up in the forest and elk start whistling a mere 20 yards from you, it will send a chill up your back, you will never forget. Have had a cougar do it as well, that by the way, I never did locate!

    My Dad used to call me “Tenderfoot.” It was a play on my stealth, but mostly a slam, because I never took the conventional route. Well, that, and I’m not a committed killer. It’s hard to explain, but when the animals just walk right up to you, it’s kind of like you are one of them. Anyway, there’s a secret to stealth, no matter which boot/shoe/moccasin you wear. Foot placement is important, but foot strength is everything. Here’s the big reveal.

    Walk around barefoot…1 or 2 miles of around the house stuff. You will realize there are muscles in your feet you forgot about, and that the boots were supporting. Do this and your foot placement has a greater effect. Like not letting your heel down too soon, etc.

    Danner makes excellent boots. Here’s what I’m working with right now. Disclaimer: Durability is yet to be determined! 5.11 Tactical Halcyon. It’s a funky tread, but works. Laces are awesome! It’s like a tennis shoe/boot hybrid. Have yet to 50lb ruck these bad boys, but I have boots for the big haul. Anyway, pretty stealthy…Pack boots, not so much.

    • NC Scout July 29, 2020 at 15:33

      What a great comment brother. I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you!!

  6. PJ July 29, 2020 at 12:16

    The other important part is not wearing fabric that will make a “zipping” noise as you move through vegetation. Even on wet days this can cause a problem, as a lot of rain gear is very apt to make that noise. Surplus wool trousers work very well because it is warm when wet (yes it will get wet from the vegetation) yet it doesn’t “zip”.

    • NC Scout July 29, 2020 at 15:32

      Yup.

  7. SemperFido July 29, 2020 at 13:01

    One thing I started doing decades ago for foot health was to take a floor mat, the type with the little spikes on one side to keep it from moving on carpet and flip it upside down and step several times on the spikes over and over. The concrete that we walk on is flat and hard and our feet were not designed to tread on it. Stepping on the spikes isn’t as painful as you might think and it helps to keep your nerves and muscles healthy like acupuncture would. I try to remember to use it a couple of times a week. More if I have been putting alot of walking in. My feet feel wonderful after having used the mat.

  8. Alan Burquist July 29, 2020 at 14:15

    Being a PNW guy, I wear Danner boots..
    Daily wear, Danner 453 hiking boots in Slate Gray..
    Duty/Tactical, Danner Recons in Black..
    Work/Door Kickin/Bone Breaking, 5lb Danner Supers!

  9. Jon July 29, 2020 at 17:34

    Scout
    Great article as usual.

    My $0.02. Wedge sole carpenter boots are great for woods walking. Quiet. Grippy. Flexible. Definitely NOT military looking. Also useful for carpentry work, like wall walking to set rafters on that second story. Pick an American made brand; there aren’t many to choose from.

    Improvements to leather boots. First, KG boot kote on the toe cap and other high wear areas. This is a paint on polymer that prevents wearing a hole in your boots. Stays on well. I learned about it during my brief stint as a roofer. That job was awful and didn’t pay much.

    Second, boot grease. Waterproofs and softens much better than polish, wax, or snow seal. I like Hubards brand; there are others probably as good.

    File under: things I learned the hard way.

  10. Reader July 29, 2020 at 18:53

    Any perspective for the Arizona terrain?

    • NC Scout July 29, 2020 at 19:13

      Certainly the basics are similar, y’all just have more rock and loose soil.

  11. Ben Leucking July 29, 2020 at 21:07

    This comment is directed to Reader who asked “Any perspective for the Arizona terrain?” For some reason, I could not post a reply directly to him.
    Assuming your question pertains to stalking/tracking footwear in the highly varied terrain of Arizona, I’ve had very good experience with Merrill gear in the mountains and basins from Central Arizona all the way down to the border. As you are probably aware, there is a lot of steep, rocky ground, wilderness areas with few (or no) developed trails, and a lot of sandy washes. I have four pair of Merrills, the oldest of which is approaching four years. I have found them to be exceptionally quiet and, after a modest break-in period, provide the ground contact sensitivity that NC Scout describes in his excellent post. I imagine that everyone’s feet are somewhat unique and that’s why there are so many brands on the market. It’s just my own opinion, but I don’t think you could go wrong with Merrills. And that’s not a knock against Danner or any other brand.

  12. Esteban July 29, 2020 at 22:48

    I’ve been a fan of Merrell hiking boots for backpacking trips for ever. Their 8″ tactical boots are quite comfortable, and hike well, although I have never been to a training class in them. Any thoughts?

    • NC Scout July 29, 2020 at 23:17

      Anything by Merrell is top notch.

  13. hillbillynick July 30, 2020 at 10:42

    I’m a huge fan of Tactical Research Mini-Mals. I call them combat moccasins. 2mm vibram sole zero heel drop. Obviously jungle boot inspired. They were recommended to me by John Hurth combat tracking instructor and I can’t thank him enough. As an aside, if your back is as messed up as mine hard soled boots with heels are not your friend.

    • NC Scout July 30, 2020 at 10:49

      Those are cool! Hurth is, by all accounts, a top notch instructor.

  14. […] head, the laser in necessary for aiming. If I’m in a hide site or final firing position after I’ve stalked to make a kill, my PVS-14 is mounted in front of the ACOG. Lasers point both ways at night, but with a picatinny […]

  15. Anonymous August 6, 2020 at 14:38

    4.5

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