In the past I went through 3 different pairs of Russell Moccasin boots (variations of the PH model). However, none of them fit right, and the arch support was not as strong as I like, so I returned them all. But I also had a pair of Russell PH boots from Cabelas. These did not fit properly either, so I tried several different insoles, all without a satisfactory result.

But finally, a solution. I purchased socks that have built in arch support (strong elastic and thicker material in the arch area) and now my Russell boots fit great and are a pleasure to use.

So now I have officially changed my religion and am a member of the Russell Moccasin boot cult.

Where did you get them ??

Your soles would have been saved sooner if you had first tried these.

Ecco Track II High

MR

I too have found the ECCO's. I never knew boots could feel that good.

I doubt that I can ever wear anything else.

Les

I am an Ecco man myself. It just pissed me off that I had to go to Nieman Marcus to get my safari boots. Only place in town that carried them.

The shoe salesman asked if I was going on a trip, I said "yes, to Africa."

He asked if I was a missionary.

I felt like saying "No, mercinary."

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
He asked if I was a missionary.
I felt like saying "No, mercinary."

Oh, now that would have been classic! I'm going to have to remember that one!

Best,

JohnTheGreek

Those Ecco Track IIs look good. Only problem is that I did a search for them, and it appears they are only made in medium widths, and I need a EE

500Grains, from my experence you would like the Ecco. I tried a pair and found the arch just too high. I have a pair of mephesto boots I like and took them on my first safari and the PH was reaally pissed as the damn boots squeeked. I now have a pair of Mbogo that are very nice. I stated on a string here a while back that when they say wear the socks you will be wearing with the boots they mean it, the fit is great. I will know better after a couple of weeks in Zim. come Sept. Then I will be able to give a better endorsement, as of now it is a day here and a day there of usage.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
I am an Ecco man myself. It just pissed me off that I had to go to Nieman Marcus to get my safari boots. Only place in town that carried them.

The shoe salesman asked if I was going on a trip, I said "yes, to Africa."

He asked if I was a missionary.

I felt like saying "No, mercinary."

mrlexma,

Ecco, love'em (for around town)...The PU soles are wicked slippery on rocks with even the slightest moisture on the surface....Be careful!

I ran an off-road marathon (Bataan Death March - a military event, placed 3rd) a few years back in the predecessor to that boot - Super comfort and excellent dry-ground performance - get-em wet and look out!

500grains - I too have reverted back to my Russels after using them on this past trip over yonder - I used the Mtn PH made up in tan suede! Excellent comfort, great traction, but a bit noisy for stalking (mine have the Vibram Sierra sole - too hard for stalking).

I bought a new pair of Courtneys while in country (Selous model, Elephant hide version). although these lack the support of the russels, they have excellent traction and are REALLY quiet. They broke-in after 2 long outings and will now be part of my Safari kit - so to speak.


JW

I value most a quiet boot. Boots with vibram type soles have been too noisy for me. I have several old pairs of vaal schon (not sure if that is spelled correctly) made by Bata. I wear them without socks. Only probem with them is that when they get wet they streatch. I also use a pair of Tevas interchangeably. A PH in Zim put me on those and they seem to be becoming more popular with Zim PHs. I only wear socks when I am in an area with spine bone apple. Very nasty stuff that can turn your shines into hamberger.

465H&H

Ecco fans,

Don't you find that the Gore Tex lining on the Ecco Trak II high makes them too hot/wet with perspiration for summer use (100 degrees plus)? Personally I find a gore tex lining inhibits evaporation enough that if the temp is over 60 degrees, I would be better off without the gore tex.

500grains,
You still haven't given us the brnad name of the sock you found. Could you do that please!

I have done a search and found several kinds of arch support socks. which one did you pick? I too would like ot wear them in my Russell boots.

Rusty,

The socks are Thorlos brand Running Maximum Protection Level 3. They also make a Hiking sock that is Level 3, but that one is too insulative for hot weather use IMO. I bought them in person at an REI store.

The boots are the Russell PH model available from Cabelas.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link....earch-results1.jhtml

I have worn Russels for most of my hunting. In hot weather they are the best.


Aleko

I have been very pleased with both Russell's and Courtney Safaris.

Since we are talking about boots for hunting in Africa, has anyone used US military desert boots? I am talking about quality ones from Corcoran, Bates, or the new Danner Acadia, not the cheap knock offs you see in some army surplus stores.

Thanks. I hope I am not hijacking the thread but rather expanding the topic.

Regards,

RCG

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:

The socks are Thorlos brand Running Maximum Protection Level 3.

Thanks. Since my arches were destroyed in Iraq, I'll be checking out these socks.

Thanks for sharing the information.

Russ

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Ecco fans,

Don't you find that the Gore Tex lining on the Ecco Trak II high makes them too hot/wet with perspiration for summer use (100 degrees plus)? Personally I find a gore tex lining inhibits evaporation enough that if the temp is over 60 degrees, I would be better off without the gore tex.

I wear fairly thick socks with mine, even in hot weather, and the Gore-Tex has never been a problem for me--although I know some people don't like it.

With these boots, my feet get warm, but the Gore Tex lining does seem to "breathe" and allow sweat to evaporate. And no water gets inside, which of course is the main benefit of Gore Tex.

I also haven't had any problems with the Track IIs slipping around on me when they're wet--although I can't say that I have done much wet weather rock climbing in them.

Maybe they changed the composition of the soles? They are very soft and pliable. (Especially since I fell asleep with my feet propped next to the campfire last year and half-melted them--but that's another story. )

Anyway, I like them because they are (1)comfortable, (2) soft and quiet and (3) durable.

I was on a trip awhile ago and while browsing around in a boot store came across these insoles that have a decent arch in them. What I really liked is that you can heat them up in the oven and wear them to form them to your feet. They we're not cheap but their the best insoles I have found yet.

quote:

Originally posted by RCG:
Since we are talking about boots for hunting in Africa, has anyone used US military desert boots? I am talking about quality ones from Corcoran, Bates, or the new Danner Acadia, not the cheap knock offs you see in some army surplus stores.

RCG,

I've looked at the Issue US boot, and I don't like the sole unit on them. IMHO, It looks too hard and heavy for a stalking boot...Wimpie who posts here was telling me that they used to get the issue RSA army boot resoled with a flat "foam" sole better suited to stalking...that might be an idea with the US boot...

Regards,

Pete

Add me to the growing list of Ecco fans. I had a pair of those boots I bought as seconds from Ross of all places. Paid $60 for them instead of the $200+ They lasted very welltrhough much daily abuse and would have kept going had I resoled them using Eccos cobbler instead of a local hack who ruined my boots. I'd buy these again for sure...just not at the moment.

You guys should try a pair of Wrangler Horseshoes and save yourself a bunch of money.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
He asked if I was a missionary.

I felt like saying "No, mercenary."

THIS HAPPENED TO ME TODAY!

I drove to Peoria, IL, for a yellow fever shot -- and, as it turned out, a typhoid shot, too -- and the elderly lady who was giving me the shot, knowing I was going to Tanzania, asked... "Are you a missionary?"

I IMMEDIATELY thought of this thread and had a hard time saying "No, a safari." I was DYING to give her the "mercenary" response. She probably thought I was smiling to be polite, but I was really smiling because I was fighting back LAUGHING about how I should have told her I am a mercenary!

Cracked me up!

Russ

Try these socks for you folks that have to be on your feet all day. I have used them for around 10 years!
http://www.thorlo.com/corporate/homepage/homepage.asp

Damn Russel, You really have turned in to upstanding citizen!

Good luck on the hunt. Got to be "Short" by now

Regards

Elmo

I have used Danner desert boots extensivly. I am taking a new pair of Bellvue desert boots to Namibia in 20 days.

I will post how everything went when I get home.

The Bellvues suck, I ended up buying a pair of canvas military boots while in Windhoek and wearing them. FYI

A couple of years ago I bought some ECCO Receptor Rugged Terrain II boots and I find them a great fit. Since my sister works for ECCO I also got a good price.

I have never heard anything but good things about the Ecco but haven't tried them. Before my first African Safari in May, I went to Bass Pro and tried on numerous kinds of hunting boots that I hoped would be good for "walk and stalk". I am stuck with high arches and have difficulty finding the right support. Ecco's and Russel's were not an available option at Bass Pro.

I ended up with Danner's. They were GREAT. Prior to that I bought whatever was on sale in discount catalogs. I don't see using anything else again but the Danner's. It is worth paying for the quality and taking time to try them on in person.

I've been through a lot of fairly high dollar boots and now I'm stuck on LL Bean's Goretex Mountain Treads, especially good for guys with a high volume foot. I'm about to order my third pair.

Fred, your right. I spent the whole 12 days wishing that I had my black duty Danners on or at least my insulated elk hunters.

Next time, Danner.

After wearing tan desert military Bellvues for 12 days I will say this. Tan boots are obviously very suceptable to blood. I left them in camp for the boys as I didn't want to deal with flying through London with blood covered desert boots!

Might be better to find some Danners that have no insulation or gore tex liner in brown.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.....same with boots.....

I'm sticking with Danner.

I am a Danner fan with SmartWool socks. I use the liners as well. Learned this while hiking with my sons in Boy Scouts. The test was hiking 100 miles at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM in 11 days. Never had a blister or foot issues. I have worn the Danner's (due to the ankle support) everywhere for the last 7 years.

I have a pair of Ecco's, like in the picture above. Fit great but do not give any ankle support. The soles are slippery as well. I use them in the yard.

I have tried nearly every boot out there and found that there is no single magic bullet - you have to try several to get what you need.

Good Luck.

Ankle support is a big issue for me. Which of the boots being discussed offer the best support?
P.S. Dogcat: Got my first taste of Philmont the summer of 1968. We only went about 55 miles. I caught a bug toward the end of the trip and remember hiking past the Tooth of Time with a fever of 104 during a lightning storm. Great stuff!

Bill,

I am in the same boat as you and need decent ankle support. I've looked at the various Courtneys boots and bought a similar pair, but they were simply too soft in the uppers. Although I have not actually seen a pair, I suspect the Russell PH boots are the same especially after D99 comments on his recent trip to Namibia..The trouble is that here in the UK its difficult to get decent uninsulated plain leather boots without goretex...The whole market seems to be aimed at the "hi tec" boots for walking ect..I like the look of the various upland bird hunting boots you get in the States, but i am reluctant to buy boots mail order for obvious reasons..

Regards,

Pete