I'm off to the rainforest next month and am wondering if anyone has any experience of these boots in that sort of environment? if they are ok with the heat and humidity i will take them as i don't want to use up my hard earned on new products if i don't have to.I'll be there for 3+ weeks so any advice about this or anything else to do with being in this environment and not just a quick trip to an eco lodge would be most helpful

I've never spent a prolonged period in rain forest, but from what I've read something like the Explorer wouldn't be a good idea - they'd soon be wet inside and then stay wet for the rest of your time there.

You'd probably do better with a pair of mesh trail shoes. Rubber shoes are popular with the locals in Borneo and cost next to nothing.

Here's a bit from the Altberg site about their jungle boots (note the bit about the boots having holes in them to let the water OUT!)

The Alt-berg jungle Boot was first developed for use in Belize and later in Malaysia. The jungle boot design is similar to the desert boot design. The jungle boot underfoot support and the jungle boot underfoot protection is excellent. In a jungle boot, moisture retention is even more crucial than in a desert boot. The 1000 denier cordura jungle boot panels do not hold moisture and the jungle boot leather is Pittards WR100 water repellent jungle boot leather. It is tested to absorb no more than 6% of its weight in moisture in jungle boot or wet conditions for a period of 100 minutes. A jungle boot that absorbs moisture makes for a less hygienic jungle boot and a heavier jungle boot. The Alt-berg jungle boot is designed to have less jungle boot weight gain and better jungle boot drying out properties.

Almost all sponge has been removed from the inside of the jungle boot and the jungle boot removable footbed is an airgrid design. On the inside instep of the jungle boot there are two ventilation eyelet holes for expelling water. This is an essential design feature in all jungle boots.

In 2004 Alt-berg developed a microlite jungle boot - the microlite jungle boot sole is an open cleat and has performed well in a range of jungle boot activities. The microlite jungle boot has also been used by some military training personnel as a lightweight tabbing boot. The microlite jungle boot has excellent shock absorption qualities as well as having all the other main jungle boot features of low moisture absorption and high jungle boot underfoot support and quick drying abilities.

The Alt-berg original Jungle boot and the Alt-berg microlite jungle boot are a key part of the Alt-berg military boot range and are acknowledged as being one of the best jungle boots in the world. Unlike most jungle boots which are either soft and bendy or use steel plated soles, the Alt-berg jungle boot has all appropriate jungle boot properties of jungle boot underfoot support, jungle boot sole grip and jungle boot low moisture absorption. Another world beating product from Alt-berg - the Alt-berg jungle boot.

I'm with David,

Try looking at something like these.

Bin the Berghaus for this trip they'll do you more harm than good.

At least if wear something like a military jungle specific boot your less likley to get foot rot. Also it offers your foot/ankles protection against cuts and abrasions (not good thing to get in a Jungle)

A pair of converse boots (All Stars) is the best for recreational wear.

Drew

Alternatively, you could give your Explorers a good Nikwaxing (inside and out) and then take an electric drill to them.

I like John Bailey's idea.

As I said before I'm no expert, BUT, you may want to consider getting leech socks. Many people work on the two sets of clothing principle - one set for "doing stuff" which you must accept will be wet or damp all the time, and the other, dry, set which you use for the evenings. Waterproofs are pretty useless unless you are at altitude (and therefore in a cooler climate) or doing absolutely nothing (and even then you'll probably still make them wet inside).

I think Geographical magazine had an article on jungle gear a few months ago. And Ray Mears probably has something to say on this subject in one of his books.

If you go on the mesh-trail shoe approach, I can recommend the Salomon Tech Amphibian or Pro Amphibian if you can find them (TKMaxx often has them at £20). I have used these for single-day hikes & canoeing in the rainforest in French Guyana. They coped very well with the damp and submersion getting in and out of my canoe and gripped as well on wet logs as anything else wouldn't! Because the uppers dry so quickly, it was easy enough to keep my feet relatively comfortable by changing socks regularly (something like these )

I can't comment on how they'd cope with longer jungle treks, especially if you have to carry a lot of gear. But if you are travelling light they might be a very good option.

As for waterproofs - I would say Poncho all the way in the tropics. You won't have to contend with wind in the jungle unless you eat too much papaya, and a ponch will allow more air circulation. You can also get a model that converts into a tarp/basha for extra camp space...

John

Thanks guys,
I'll try both boot options and see which I prefer. As for the poncho and leech socks, both are great ideas and I'll give both a go
Steve

Steve

Another vote for simple mesh boots and shoes in preference to something that will just hold water in. And if it is really leechy I found longer army boots good for tucking long trousers in - those sods are amazing at working their way through socks etc.. I don't know leech socks but if these do the same job, then great. Finally I know some people like lycra / cycle style shorts in such environments for protection - those leeches can get everywhere!

steer well clear of anything that has plasticbag-tex in it, you'll sweat like a Para at a spelling test.

poncho/basha sheet is the way forward, i like the idea of the mesh shoes/those feck-awful cut down wellies that so many 'fashionable' folk are wearing in the jungle, what you want is something uber-simple that doesn't care if its wet for a month and acts in the same way regardless, however, i found the jungle to full of little things that either wanted to eat me or penetrate my skin for shits and giggles, so i'm a bit unsure about something that gives relatively little protection for the foot, particularly when you think about how many river-crossings you'll have to do. avoiding sharp/hungry things when you can see them is hard enough, trying to do so in 3ft of water is even less fun.

jungle boots may well be your best bet, they look shite but they work...

Any thing that stays in the jungle for prolonged periods gets soaked....take plenty of socks....your feet wil always be wet during the day and will stay wet during the day...keep your wet socks for the daytime milling about on your wet boots,,and use the spares for evening when your settled in lighter drier footwear that you can manage to keep dry....by doing nothing :)