What is the best model and sole for use in Zimbabwe's conditions and are they suitable for a wide foot?
Some models that look good; Short PH, SPORT CHUKKA, SAFARI PH, SAFARI PH II.
What do you use?
ozhunter

I wear High Country Sheephunters with GroCord soles but if I had it to do over I would have them made with AirBobs. I've worn these for 8 safaris to Zim and find them very comfortable.

I've worn both my Safari PH II's and my Country Chukkas on safari. The PH II is much taller for better ankle support. Both of mine have the Vibram Air Bob sole and I've been happy with that.

Both styles are quiet and cool. I've guided in the PH II's for the last two days.

My only complaint with my Russells is that the design is very difficult to keep them AT ALL water-repellent. I don't like goretex lined boots and don't need 100% waterproof but I like to have something that isn't so hard to seal. With that seam on the top every little step in a puddle or drops from the top funnel right into your socks. Wax seems to be the only natural treatment that helps at all but it doesn't last long.

Kyler

On my 2 Safaris I wore Russells PHII that I had made in green all leather with air bob soles.
I sealed them with several coats of Filson Original oil boot finish.
I crossed the UME river several times and even walked in it for quite a distance and they never leaked. On my last trip it rained a bit and the bush was wet, still no leaks.

Try some Filson "juice" on those boots.

The PHII's are the quietest boots I have ever worn.

I got fitted for a pair of the short ph during the DSC this year. I just got them about 6 days ago. Let me say, they are the best looking boot I own. However, they are not even close to fitting properly. They are about an inch longer than they should be. The laces they sent for them are about 12 inches to short, they sent them to the wrong adress, and they left a 1/4 inch indention in the top of foot after wearing them all day. When I called them to ensure my final payment had been recieved and the b oots were in transit, I was left on hold for over 18 minutes and both of the staff I talked to were extremely rude. They are going back Monday when I can get to a UPS office. All I have ever heard is they are the best boots money can buy and I hope my first experience with Russell's is not indicative of their normal business practices and services. I am hoping this is just a fluke and all the above issues will be met with a swift and satisfying end.

Another indication we obsess about these things. My PH in Zimbabwe (Matetsie 2) hunted buffalo in open-toed sandals. There is no way I could have done that. But if that is adequate then just about anything beyond flip-flops would pretty well get the job done.

The key to me is a boot that fits. I have one pair I love, but they are at least a half size too small, and with the wrong sock guaranteed to put silver-dollar sized blisters on both heels. I'm throwing them out.

I have used the PH made from french veal leather and a pair of Mountain PH's in the same leather.

But, when I hunted with Mike Kibble in Namibia this year, I took neither. The bloody things were too prone to giving me blisters.

So I took a pair of Lowa Timpan Desert, the best boot I have worn in Africa, comfortable, quiet, no Gore Tex lining, a PU footbed and good looking.

quote:

All I have ever heard is they are the best boots money can buy and I hope my first experience with Russell's is not indicative of their normal business practices and services. I am hoping this is just a fluke and all the above issues will be met with a swift and satisfying end.

You got lucky, at least yours look good.

I purchase a pair in 2003 after measuring and remeasuering my feet several times. I gulped when I had to plunk down the 300+ price but I was sure that these would be the best boots that money could buy. After all, every report that I had read was glowing. Well the boots arrived and what a suprise! Way too large, the eyelets nearly touch when they are laced up. The stiching was terrible, uneven and missing in some spots. One boot had the toe "lopsided", the other boot had the heel very lopsided. And they were very heavy.

But the real kicker came when I tried to wear them around the house to see if I might actually like them. The sole began to delaminate at the toe, after only a few hours!

I was so disgusted I put them aside and forgot about them until SCI 2004. I went to the booth and told them of my problems and they measured my foot and asked me to send in the boots to have them fixed. When I got home I took the boots out and reviewed their policy which clearly states that the will fix their boots but will not replace. I could not stand the thougt of getting these back "fixed" or not. Well they are still sitting there as a reminder of the $350 I wasted.

I am leaving to Zambia in a week and I have decided that I will send them in when I get back. I will be interested to see if they will make good on their promise of customer satisfaction. I will report back.

Jason

I have two pair. First pair fit like a glove and then...leaked like a seive when the top came unsown...I sent them to Russell and was charged for repair and they didn't even bother to put on a courtesy shine on them. When I take my VW in for oil change they give you a free quickie car wash and vac. the inside. That is service.
The second pair (same style a year later) are too tight in one spot, have been back to Russell once and like someone else wrote...the sole is not even ground off properly. I have a hairlip on one shoe.
I think I am done. For less money and a better boot I will by Browning who is made by who knows but fits and looks finished.
I have worn hand made cowboy boots all my life and the $1,000 I paid for a pair 20 yrs. ago are still going strong. They are comfortable and have needed resoling many times but they are still going strong. I have received full value for my money with those boots but I am way behind on Russell. Never again.

I left my Russell PHII's in Tanzania with my PH last year and will never own another pair. They were the worst fitting boots I have ever owned and did not have enough support for me.

I sold my PHII on ebay. No ankle support.
0 arch support.
Sprig

My wife and I both have the ph shoes and love them. She has a pair of cushion casuals that had to be returned because they were too small.

Then what's a good boot you can get with air bob soles? Besides Russell, that is.

It seems like Russell is going through the pains that a lot of other businesses are going through. The old guys that have been the mainstay are aging out. They are likely having a hard time getting new young people with a work ethic and good hands and some givadam about them. I have had 2 pairs of Russell PH II's and a pair of Mountain PH's. The PH II's fit great. The Mountain PH is just so so. It has been back to Russell once but I can't tell that they did anything. My buddy got a pair of PH IIs and they fit great. Another buddy got a pair of Sheep hunters with lots of extras and they never fit. He sent them back twice and had them make a new pair from scratch and still no fit. These were over 400 Usd. Finally he sent them back for a refund. If you get a good pair they will be the best boot you could ever hope for. If not they will give you your money back. Pretty good company but they are definitely having their problems. Good hunting.

I like the pair I have a lot.
I have another pair of PHII and some TLC Sheep Hunters ordered... We will see what happens.

PS, Treated regulary with Filson Original boot oil, mine have never leaked, and as stated I have walked in water quite a bit with them.

I have three pair in my family. The first is 3 years old, Mountain hunters I believe. They fit great out of the box but showed up with the wrong soles and had to be returned. The second and third pair were Joe's PH, one for my wife and one for me. The wife's were fine but mine had too much leather in the center tonque area ( I don't know what this is called), the speed laces damn near touched when laced up, and the laces were 22" too long. They went back, were returned with the leather modified and three different sets of laces to choose from. Two of the top speed studs weren't swaged into their grommets and flopped and rotated. I sent them back overnight air, which they promised to reinburse me for, and expect them back tues or weds. The lady in the office was quite appologetic and told me to write a note and not to spare the criticism. Her words were something
to the effect of "We have to get those boys on the ball out there".
I hope they get their quality control sorted out because the first pair I got from them are a joy to wear. I've hiked 50 miles in the Montana mountain snows with a turned ankle (happened before I left for the hunt) and was able to do so dryly and comfortably.

What prompted me to order 2 new pair of Russells:

While on my recent Idaho Bear hunt I had 2 pair of boots "fail".
Pair one, Filson Highlanders [all leather], when i took them out of my duffle the sole of one had completly come loose, the other was loose for about 25%.

So I hunted in my Montrail boots that I had worn on the trip up as my traveling "shoes" By the time I got home they too were about to loose the soles.

I explained to one of the head guys at Russell that i have trips comming up fast and need the boots to be right the first time...
WE will see what happens.

I will say the lady I talked to and the fella she transfered me to were very nice.
He put forth a genuine effort to get me squared away, and to help me chose the right boots.

I have always treated my Sheep Hunters with the Pecard Silicone Leather Perservative that Russell reccommended when I had them made and have never experienced any leaks and i've walked in quite a bit of water. Keeps the leather in good shape. I had mine built with the military studs that I like for lacing easily. About the only change after 10 years of use would be to add the toe cap (wasn't available when mine were made that I know of) and change the soles to AirBobs. I consider them a GOOD investment.

Back in 2002 I took my youngest son on his college graduation buff hunt in Zimbabwe. In preparation, I bought both of us Russell PH boots, with the gum sole.

5 days into a 10 day hunt the soles on my son's boots separated. My started coming apart a couple of days later.

I had super glue and duct tape along and tried to put his boots back together, but he ended up hunting in running shoes.

Fortunately the boot issue didn't ruin the hunt, but I was not happy with Russell. They put air bob soles on the boots after we got home, but still, the soles should not have separated to begin with.

Used to be, all you heard about Russells was high praise. Based on the many negative comments above, plus my own experience, I'd be leery of Russells--

Another vote for the Lowa Timpan Desert boot. I bought mine at Botach Tactical.

John

Well if this isn't just great news. I just bought a pair of Russell's on closeout from Cabelas. I have only worn them around the house a little. I have been wearing Courtneys in the past and always heard that Russell was the end all. Plus I have always coveted a pair of Art Carter chukkas. Hate to hear the bad reviews.

Russell's have their fans but understand they are moccasins which are fine for casual walking in dry conditions on level ground. I bought a pair of Sheephunters five years ago and wore them on a Dall hunt to the Brooks Range. My foot slipped inside them and they leaked like the sieves they are. Matter of fact, I was so disenchanted I left them in the base camp on the way out rather than pay their weight in overcharges. They might still be there for all I know.

Way to many Russell problems to be "coincidence".

I am currently wearing a pair of Courtney Selous', very comfortable for my size 15's, will have a verdict in a few years.

Another nay vote for Russell. I went to their shop and had them measure me there for PHII's. The boots arrived and my first trip resulted in terrible blisters and the sole starting to detach. I've sent them back twice and now they gather dust in the back of my closet.

I like the Browning Lightweights or their Cabela clones. Also have a pair or Red Wing "work" boots that although a bit heavy they are three times the boot the Russells are.

I have the HSeep hunter, 2 pairs of the PH2 and a pair of the high country boots. I used the 1st pair of PH 2 with the crepe sole in Zimbabwe in 2004 and again on a Sonora mule deer hunt in 2006. For me they have worked just fine. I also have several pairs of Courtneys but prefer the Russells. My oldest pair of Russells is 6 years old and doing fine.

Good Hunting,

RLWC

Perhaps those who are not happy with their Russell's should email this thread to them. It might wake them up.

Anybody have a web address for the Lowa boots a couple of you mentioned? Never really heard of them, but would like to check them out. As far as Russell's , I have looked at them at SCI, just never really turned my crank. Maybe that's good with all the negatives posted here. I have a couple of pairs or Courtneys and have had no problems.

Larry Sellers

Since I haven't been happy with the Courtneys I have I was thinking of Russells, but the price tag seemeda little steep so I had held back. Guess I'll stay on hold. Using a pair of Cabelas righ now.

I have had terrible luck with Russell boots. I live not too far from the shop. Drove over on a Saturday, was fitted by a nice old gentleman who had been there forever, got a pair of the green ones with the crepe sole. I thought at the time that all new boots need a break-in and allowances should be made for how funky they felt in the store. They were the most ill-fitting uncomfortable pair of boots I have ever
owned. Gave them to the teenage son of a friend of mine. I replaced them with a pair of Courtney PH's and never looked back. I have put many miles on my Courtney's with out a problem or a blister in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Maybe I just got a bad pair of Russell's, I hope your experience is better.

Head, nope I got a pair in 05 for Buffalo hunt in Zim. wore them around and wore them for a solid week in Zim while hunting Leopard (not so much walking). First day Buffalo hunting in the Omay big blister. Tried to cover with moleskin etc. changed to old pair of Rocky boots I have had for ever and completed the hunt with as little discomfort as possible under the circustances. Sent them back for adjustment and got them back in a few weeks but haven't had the courage to try them again.

Larry- go to www.botac.com The boots I am using are called "Lowa Task Force Seeker Desert" boots and cost $129.00.

They are light, quiet, have great ankle support and are inexpensive. They are designed for hot conditions so there's no Gore Tex.

John

Russells are crap. I walked right out of mine in Zim. The stitching failed. The PH said he saw it happen once before with Russells. Russell wouldn't respond to my calls.

Around 2 pm today I got my news pair of Russells PHII's.
They look good. I wore them around the house till the wife got home, and we went on a mile ore so speed walk. Still have them on. They feel fine so far.

Having been fitted by the Russell rep. for a pair, I was pleased to find when they arrived, after a 6 week wait, that they didn't fit, even close!!! Sent them back with a new measure and the second pair were fine, even used then to hunt in...They must make quite a few wrong, check e-bay.....

Way too many problems for a high end company. Ill stay with my $90 chukkas from Irish Setter. I have gotten 6 hard years out of them and truthfully abuse the hell out of them. A lot of hunting in swamp areas and not allowing the boots to dry properly after being soaked. I guess it just proves price is not always an indication of quality. I have always thought about getting a pair of Russels but the price tag and hearing about problems from my friends like Matt has kept me from it. I figured I could buy 3 pairs of the cheaper boots and still come out ahead. I also own Danners and a couple others. So far I am happy with all of them. I would say any good mid range boot would do for most of us and we all obsess about this kind of stuff way too much. Not that it isnt fun.

I agree with and am one of those who have been disappointed by the Russell boot.

No arch support, barely any ankle support and poor over all construction really don't make for a boot I want to spend a nickel on, and that's pretty much the Russell.

Eccos are the best constructed and most comfortable I have worn, and I have worn a lot of them.

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Eccos are the best constructed and most comfortable I have worn, and I have worn a lot of them.

Which Eccos do you wear?

Charles, the ones I have been wearing now for five or six years (I have two pairs of them) are called the Track II High:



They require virtually no break in time and are soft and silent, owing to their construction and the soft polymer sole. And they are very comfortable.

Plus the sole is thick enough that thorns don't penetrate all the way through, although I do have to pull quite a few out from time to time with my Gerber multi-tool.

That's just the price you have to pay for a quiet boot with good traction.

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Charles, the ones I have been wearing now for five or six years (I have two pairs of them) are called the Track II High:

Thank you sir!

quote:

I like the Browning Lightweights or their Cabela clones.

I especially like the kangaroo leather lightweights. I've been told both brands are USA made by Redwing.