I know the topic of footwear has been discussed MANY times at length. Everytime I start reading the material resulting from a search, I start day dreaming, lose my focus and become side tracked.

If all goes well, I'm off to Gras Ranch March 2010 for PG. My feet are broad at the ball, skinny at the ankle and calf, and have exceptionall high arches. I'm seriously thinking that the custom fitted Russells are the way to go. They offer a large number of options to choose from. Can anyone recommend the type of boot and the options best suited to a hunt on the Gras Ranch?

Due to earlier input from memebrs here, I'm going with the Smartwool socks, cotton pants, shorts and shirts. For my birthday, my wife bought me an Outback Oilskin safaris style hat but I found it too warm on a hot 90F day. Could anyone could suggest a suitable hat as well?

Bobby B.

Bobby

I have taken a hat on all 3 of my trips, but always go back to a ball cap as I seem to always be in fairly thick bush.

I have 2 pair of Russels for Africa. Both the PH model.

One is all leather with air bob soles.
I use them here in Texas as well and like the all leather [green] in cactus country.

The second pair is brown leather and canvas, again with the airbob soles.

The russels are the quietest boots I have ever worn.

I also wear smartwool socks and synthentic liners.
In winter I wear wool liners.

Leave the oilcloth hat in Canada for sure.

I have several pairs of Russel's and would wear nothing else in Africa -- I like the Courtney's almost as well, but can't get those custom made and that makes a lot of difference to me.

I wear the regular PH's whenever I hunt where it's either cold or where there are lots of rocks to contend with in hunting -- ie most of South Africa. Where it's hot and/or there are fewer rocks, I use the "short" PH's. They're both wonderful boots and I've never had a single complaint about either style -- and I most like the couple of pair that I had made from my own Cape Buff hides, they're fantastic!

I also wear Russel's around camp before and after the hunt, but these are the "Kalahari's" -- soft-soled boots. I've also worn these a few times when the stalk had to be especially quiet -- and they worked great, but I don't like them for long treks because the soft sole makes my toes work too hard.

The "mountain PH" model still has canvas tops, but it also has a padded leather collar around the tops, and a leather strip up the back with a loop to help you pull them on. Agree with comments on air bob soles. The boot works well in loose sand, but is substantial enough to handle rockier terrain as well. Easy to break in too.

Am I the only Russell user who walked right out of a pair? (My first and only.)

I only have one pair of Russell's a pair of High Country Sheephunters with GroCord soles. Have never wanted any others in 8 safaris, the last few of a couple of months each. If I were to do it again I would have AirBob soles as the only change. I got heel counters,military studs and they are triple ply leather. Will be my last pair I'm sure. I like a higher more supportive boot than the PH offers. My favorite boot for many years since the Army were custom Corcoran's but don't think they are in business any more.

Thanks for all the help. According to the Russell wensite, there's 11 different PH models.

According to recommendations, I'm thinking the Russell 'Joe's PH' is the way to go. As options, I'd add the Vibram Air Soles Brown Soles (ST, QU, PF, SA, GR, MT) and the Speed Laces.

Seems like a tall enough boot for around The Gras Ranch, plus I can add gaitors. The sole should be quiet and the speed laces are a definite plus.

For a hat, I can go with the standard baseball type cap and add a cloth to hang down from the back and sides to protect my neck.

Does the approach make sense?

Bobby B.

I like full leather construction to decrease thorns and the like, although it may be hotter than the partial canvas ones, and they can add an insert to line the sole to further thorn-proof it.

Have not tried that particular model though.

I have not found my all leather PHII to be hotter than my Canvas PHII.

The Air Bob soles are great on wet grass too.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
Could anyone could suggest a suitable hat as well?

Bobby B.

The Canadian brand www.tilley.com make good hats.

Bobby,
Hat in Namibia is essential, but easy to find. I've used a boonie hat there for hunting over the last 15 years. Brim keeps the ears protected and sunscreen keeps the back of the neck and throat protected. These floppy hats are cheap -- get them a Holz in the Kalahari Sands arcade. They are fine in the toughest Namibian cover -- if a thorn hooks it off just retrieve it and put it back on...

Regards, Tim

I've had nothing but Bad Luck with Russells.
Drove to the factory and had my feet measured. Ended up sending both pair back three times, they still didn't fit. Ended up trowing them away and going to Cabela's.

I've worn the "Joe's PH Special", which has canvas uppers and just the double moccasin bottom w/ the Huez sole, for two years now and IMO they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. Went to SA last year with them and walked A LOT with no problems at all. I also wear them at my ranch in the hill country where there is quite a bit of Prickly Pear and don't have any problems (thorns can penetrate but as long as I somewhat watch where I'm going they're fine) I have a pair with the Turtle Skin and don't recommend them as they are very stiff and difficult to break in. BTW, I think I'd probably order the Mtn PHs if planning to hunt rocky country in warm weather.

I must mention my feet are very sensitive and hard to fit and Russells just plain work for me! I just ordered two more pairs last week in fact which will put me at 8 pairs (maybe I have a problem....?)

Anyway, call and ask for Ralph. He'll answer any questions and give recommendations.

Good luck!

Regards,
Scott

I have never had any luck with Russell boots. Despite being fitted, they dont work for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Brice:
Am I the only Russell user who walked right out of a pair? (My first and only.)

By chance, were the soles of your boots crepe?

I have the mountain PH's with the brown airbob sole. They are quiet. Having just completed a hunt in pretty rocky country, I could have used a little more rigidity. Maybe a steel shank would do this without compromising the quietness? You can order whatever height you want, mine are 7 inches. Mine are all leather.
They aren't cheap, but for the extra hundred or so over top quality off the shelf boots, you get quite a lot. My feet are nearly a whole size differant, so custom fitting is a decided plus.

Buzz (Charlton) is the only one I know that can wear one of those leather hats in Africa and stand the heat!

Rich
DRSS

I wore a leather hat last Oct. 15th-30th in the Caprivi and it was a mistake. I almost baked my brain.

Get a "bonnie" hat! Caps are great for pictures but not very pratical.

Pretty much every square inch of the Gras ranch is covered with baseball to football sized rocks except for the dry river beds. Whatever boot you choose get one with good ankle support.

P.S. Have fun

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Carney:
Bobby,
Hat in Namibia is essential, but easy to find. I've used a boonie hat there for hunting over the last 15 years. Brim keeps the ears protected and sunscreen keeps the back of the neck and throat protected. These floppy hats are cheap -- get them a Holz in the Kalahari Sands arcade. They are fine in the toughest Namibian cover -- if a thorn hooks it off just retrieve it and put it back on...

Regards, Tim

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
Pretty much every square inch of the Gras ranch is covered with baseball to football sized rocks except for the dry river beds. Whatever boot you choose get one with good ankle support.

P.S. Have fun

That is true, i have both Courtney and Russells but like the Hi Tec Hiking boot better. Never had a problem with thorns,

I have had better luck with Danners than I have had with Russell's. You can get Danner's custom made if you contact the factory or so I've been told. I went to the Russell factory with Larry01 and was fitted for the PH style. Boots were acceptable, nothing special, but way to expensive to be mundane.

Make sure you have good ankle support. There is no flat ground where you are going, it's all rocks....Tom