My Russell boots arrived the other day and, much to my disappointment, they don't fit.

The problem is, I live in Alberta, a long way from Russell Boots so shipping back and forth will take time. And, I'm out of the country for 4 weeks starting Jan.8/10. Then, I'm off to Namibia for a 2 week PG hunt starting the beginning of March and the boots were ordered to accompany me on this, my first safaris.

Russells will 'tweak' the boots until they fit but that's not the problem. The problem is having them fit correctly before I leave for Namibia.

So, what I was thinking was to build a bust of each of my two feet and ship the busts along with my boots back to Russells. For a bust, I thought I could make a mold around my feet using paper mache.

Any other thoughts on how best to resolve this 'fitting' issue within the time constraints I'm facing?

Bobby B.

Don't worry about making a life-sized mold of your feet. Just remeasure and send them back with a note explaining where and how your boots didn't fit. Let them know about your up-comming hunt. They will rush them out.

I had a pair of Russels that sat unworn for six(yes 6) years because they did not fit. When I finally sent them back they returned my new pair in about a month. The new boots are by far the best boots I have ever had.

your problem is not a new situation with Russell but rather an ongoing concern that is inexcusable for a high end "custom" boot maker. do a search here and you will see what i mean. good luck with your problem- you are going to need it. in the mean time. i would like for alternative solutions; i.e. another pair of boots to break in now while you have the time.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
your problem is not a new situation with Russell but rather an ongoing concern that is inexcusable for a high end "custom" boot maker.

I am not going to disagree with jdollar, the situation is not new and yes you should have a back-up pair ready to go just-in-case.

If you go back and look at the threads jdollar refers to you will see that I was one of their biggest detractors. After receiving my new boots I have done a complete 180. My new boots are outstanding in both fit and finish. I even received several complements when I wore them to work for the first time(all from women. Can you believe the stuff they notice? I can't remember ever looking at anyone's shoes.). I have never had anyone comment on my footwear before.

My African Sport Chukkas fit like a glove and did not require any break-in. Well maybe two days....

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
your problem is not a new situation with Russell but rather an ongoing concern that is inexcusable for a high end "custom" boot maker. do a search here and you will see what i mean. good luck with your problem- you are going to need it. in the mean time. i would like for alternative solutions; i.e. another pair of boots to break in now while you have the time.

Stories like that are why I hunt in New Balance 974's. A hundred bucks and waterproof and you can't beat them for stalking buffalo.

Hell, the renowned PH Bloodnut Curtis hunts in Tevas. If you want to spend the money on safari chic, have at it. I choose practicality.

Blood must have been dressed up for you, he wore these shoes while we where there and his toes even stuck out of the shoes

quote:

Stories like that are why I hunt in New Balance 974's. A hundred bucks and waterproof and you can't beat them for stalking buffalo.

Hell, the renowned PH Bloodnut Curtis hunts in Tevas. If you want to spend the money on safari chic, have at it. I choose practicality.

While I'm a big fan of Russell Zephyrs for here at home, for Africa you share my sentiments exactly. I've worn the 974's on 3 safaris and could not be more pleased.

I have a pair of Russells that I wore in Zambia in 2007 and most recently in Zim. In Zambia most of the time was spend riding so I really did not notice any problem with the Russell's. In Zim. where we spent so much time walking I experienced probllems wearing my Russells. I made a mistake in the type of soles I had but on my shoes, and they provided no traction in the rocky area. My left foot was toast after climbing over rocks for 10 hours chaaing a wounded elephant. I could not walk a 100 yards the following day. My choice are my Ecco's. While not quite as quiet, they provide great traction and ankle support.

I will be contacting Russell to see about resoling my shoes.

I have a custom pair that doesn't fit and put blisters on my feet in Zim a few years back, I think I will take them with me to Dallas and see what they can do.

Frank, I hope we have lots of room in the trunk.

quote:

Originally posted by tradewinds:
Blood must have been dressed up for you, he wore these shoes while we where there and his toes even stuck out of the shoes

I recognize the legs but he must have worn those shoes out by the time I got there. He had on Tevas, or the African equivalent. Open sandals with two straps across the top and one around the heel and a sole underneath it all. I'm damned if I know how he avoids getting a thorn under his toenail. Just goes to show you how good he really is.

Russell Boots are the biggest waste of money I ever spent. Drove to the factory and had my feet measured, received the boots and have sent them 3 times. Still don't fit

just wqck your feet with a big stick a time or 2, they'll swell up and the boots will fit fine

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:

quote:

Originally posted by tradewinds:
Blood must have been dressed up for you, he wore these shoes while we where there and his toes even stuck out of the shoes

I recognize the legs but he must have worn those shoes out by the time I got there. He had on Tevas, or the African equivalent. Open sandals with two straps across the top and one around the heel and a sole underneath it all. I'm damned if I know how he avoids getting a thorn under his toenail. Just goes to show you how good he really is.

To be so soft spoken at first, Blood sure not the same after you get to know him. Yep I've seen his teva's. I'm not that tough.

Russell's make a good product. Yes for a custom perfect fit it takes a time or two to get it right. I have custom boots "cowboy" made all the time and my bootmaker gets it right everytime, but he has been doing it for me for about 18 years.

Ed

quote:

To be so soft spoken at first, Blood sure not the same after you get to know him.

It's the quiet ones you gotta watch...

Wow, Who is that wearing "white socks"? Those were only worn by nurds when I went to school!!

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by tradewinds:
Blood must have been dressed up for you, he wore these shoes while we where there and his toes even stuck out of the shoes

Larry that was years and years ago! White is in now with the last election.

White socks make the ticks more evident...

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:

quote:

Originally posted by tradewinds:
Blood must have been dressed up for you, he wore these shoes while we where there and his toes even stuck out of the shoes

I recognize the legs but he must have worn those shoes out by the time I got there. He had on Tevas, or the African equivalent. Open sandals with two straps across the top and one around the heel and a sole underneath it all. I'm damned if I know how he avoids getting a thorn under his toenail. Just goes to show you how good he really is.

We where there after you in August. Like i said he was dressed up for your group. White sox belong to Gerard Ambrose

The Tevas are formal wear, so it seems...

He had a great bushy beard when we got there but chopped a lot of it off. Never understood why. Ed and I grew our beards because by the time we had our coffee served in the tent with the wakeup, the shaving water was cold. I still have mine and won't get rid of it. I wore one during the late 70's and early 80's and had to shave for work, but now I'm retired and don't give a shit, so I am cultivating an old-fart bush... Paddy is a remarkable guy. Anyone who can stalk ninjas wearng Tevas has my vote as badass PH of Kitiangare, for sure. Such an accomplished man, and so unassuming. A real gentleman and a wild man all wrapped up in one package. I would love to spend some serious beer time with him, but I don't drink, so that's out. It was a privilege to know him.

I guess we hijacked the hell out of this thread...

Hey, Bobby B...my apologies. I highly recommend the New Balance 974's. I got mine from Cabela's. They probably still have them. You won't be sorry. Promise.

Fred

I too got a pair of Russell's several years ago to wear on a safari. They fit my foot fine...when I got them on...they were the hardest boot to get on and off, I've ever owned, including most cowboy boots. I just wore my New Balance walking boots and they worked great. At this point I don't even know where the Russell's are. What a waste of money.

Well I have a pair of Russell Sheep-hunter boots and would never get anything else. They fit perfect and required zero break in. Oh my right foot is quite a bit larger than my left foot and they still got everything right the first time.

I'll try and make a mold of each of my feet and ship them back to Russell's with my new boots.

As back up, I'll check out the New Balance 974's. Also, it appears any decent running shoe will serve the purpose as well.

Bobby B.

quote:

As back up, I'll check out the New Balance 974's. Also, it appears any decent running shoe will serve the purpose as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
I'll try and make a mold of each of my feet and ship them back to Russell's with my new boots.

As back up, I'll check out the New Balance 974's. Also, it appears any decent running shoe will serve the purpose as well.

Bobby B.

Not a back up that is what U should be wearing. Russell measured my feet at SCI and the shoes are too big, I just bought a heavier sock, but they are not as confortable as Tennis shoes.

This is not the first thread expressing some concerns with Russell. Sorry to see it.

I have an odd foot. Wide with a very high arch. Never could find a store bought boot that fit. My first pair of Russells fit perfectly and lasted 35 years.

Wasted three years trying to find a ready made boot that worked for me. Ordered another pair of Russells knowing that I'd never wear them out. Again, fit the first time.

Sorry to hear that others have had some difficulty. Were I you I'd certainly express my concern to Russell management. I'd sure hate to see them fold because their quality is thought to be poor!

Why not go to to redwing shoes and get each foot measured. Send the info to Russels...problem finished.

What measurements are performed by Redwing that Russell's didn't ask for? It's easy for me to drive over to Redwings and obtain additional measurements.

Bobby B.

The 974's are designed for walking, not running. They call them Country Walkers and they are unbeatable. I'm wearing them in 2011, too, perbably the same pair I have on now.

I wore thik Cabelas boot socks I bought in 2005. They don't sell them anymore. I wonder how Cablea's does it. They get a great product and then switch to something else to replace it. Not very smart.

Those tennis shoes are good for tracking buffalo. The sooner you get up on the herd the sooner you can step in a pile of $hit and cover them up.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
What measurements are performed by Redwing that Russell's didn't ask for? It's easy for me to drive over to Redwings and obtain additional measurements.

Bobby B.

answer to your question? NONE!!. as you have probably gathered from this thread,occasionally they get it right the first time- more often they don't and never do. for the price they charge, this is just bullshit. it should be right first time, every time or pretty damn close. to send an expensive product back for adjustment repeatedly is unacceptable.

This thread is a lot like the one about wearing traditional kit, and also the one about the H&H Land Rover.

Guys who spend $600 and more on footwear only to have to deal with shitty results aren't going to get a lot of sympathy. Ditto the guy pulling his 200k vehicle into the service bay every other week.

Wear what is comfortable, and what works.
Drive what gets you there---and back.
Nobody gives a shit about what's on your feet---unless you can't keep up.

I dunno about that, the people at my Jaguar dealership all greet me by name, and take very good care of Mamma's convertible. I did not buy it there either.

Rich

The shoes I wore to Africa cost me 45 bucks and they worked just fine, I left my good boots at home. Redwing has a pretty cool way of measuring feet and they measure both-results may vary I doubt a plaster cast would be a good option either.

The best option is to take your feet to a store and try on the boots in person. That's what I did with my kennetreks and after a couple hours in the store trying on different makes, models and driving the salesman crazy I walked out with happy feet. Different boots fit different people and one person might like a different manufacturer than another.

There is a boot maker named loveless in oklahoma lovelessboots.com he will make any kind of boot in any stile , in any skin...... give him a call, he is a great guy

jetdvr:
I believe one reason that Cabela's (as well as other large stores) replace the products is that they initially accept the product then, after the catalog hits the mailboxes, request that supplier to pony up money to advertise their spot in the catalog. If you don't go along you are out. My spot was to cost $1700.00 and I simply requested that they order at least $5,000.00 of product that year to make it worth my while. I was out.

Dutch