quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
After reading this thread I was a little concerned about the short PHs I was fitted for at the DSC show in January. They arrived yesterday and fit extremely well - like an old pair of well worn upland shooting boots. I wore then for a mile or so while walking the dogs last night and they feel like no breaking in required.

So .. my experience, limited to a statistical population of one, is very good with what appears to be a quality made, well-fitting, comfortable product that was delivered rapidly.

I had the exact same experience. Mine fit very well, and felt broken in when I received them. It's too bad some others have had problems because in my opinion they are great books.

I was not going to bring this BTT but since Greg did I will post again.

After speaking with Russell's rep on the phone, we requested a refund which they promptly sent. The check has already been received.

I am dissapointed in the service and the product we received mostly because I think it would have been a good pair of boots if Russell could have made them properly. After fourteen months my patience just ran out.

Wow, glued on soles, terrible customer service, boots measured wrong..... I could see buying them if there was 1 or 2 complaints but with so many negative reviews I am surprised this company is still in business.

How can a supposed "high end" boot fall apart after a 7 day Safari???

Altama Olive Drab Jungle Vulcanized Boot - Domestic

Save yourself a lot of money and aggravation. Made in America and extensively tested under adverse conditions.

Personally, this is all I ever wear for warm weather hunting. With some Dr. Scholl's gel pads, you are good to go.

I never tried Russell's because I got hooked on Courtneys. I now have two pair of Courteneys and love them.

WTF, $342 before adding any 'custom options'!

I hope there are no extra charges for boots that don't fit, or soles that don't stay glued on!

I have never owned any Russel boots, but after reading this thread (which BTW is basically a reoccurring one), I am somewhat hesitant to jump out there and take any chances with these people.

I don't get it. I have owned a lot of different brands of off-the-shelf boots and NEVER had the soles come off of any of them because the weren't properly glued, or for any other reason.

And the boots don't fit??? How the hell can they not fit you when they personally measure your feet. If someone making minimum wage at REI get your boot size right, how come these clowns have such a poor record?

To the list of backup rifles and backup scopes... must we now add to the list... backup boots!?!?



Buying these 'custom' boots is a vacuous ego trip and a waste of trophy fee money that would be better spent on a good warthog or impala.

Alan,

I have walked over a great deal of the Mountain West and a pair of back up boots comes BEFORE a backup scope--If my feet hurt it aint a good trip

SSR

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:
I have never owned any Russel boots, but after reading this thread (which BTW is basically a reoccurring one), I am somewhat hesitant to jump out there and take any chances with these people.

I have had two pair of Russel's boots. The first pair was a nightmare. The replacement(free of charge) is the best pair of boots I have owned. Lightweight, comfortable and great looking.

That said, I don't see myself buying again. Too expensive and too much trouble.

If you wonder about the price, keep in mind that they have a HUGE boot at SCI staffed with quite a few people. The amount they spend at SCI must be staggering. They have to make that money back somehow.

Well, I guess when Russel's are on top of their game, they make some of the finest boots you can get, but when they ain't, they don't.

You are right Cross L, if you have a problem with your feet, your hunting could be finished. I have to concede that it is a good idea to have backup in that critical area.

Now the tab to be properly shod has just gone up to US$700! Scratch that from the trophy fee fund.

I'm just glad I can get three pairs of jungle boots for the price of one pair these Russel boots and have plenty of change left for the beer.

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:
Well, I guess when Russel's are on top of their game, they make some of the finest boots you can get, but when they ain't, they don't.

That's been my experience. I've had maybe 10 pair of boots made by Russell. Of those, about four pair get a lot of use, two pair mostly sit in my closet because the fit isn't so great, and another four pair have gone back for refunds.

The first pair they ever made for me fit wonderfully (still do) and that's what made me a repeat customer. Later on, I got some duds that went back a time or two. If those duds had been my first experience, I doubt I would have ever ordered a second pair.

I can't believe I am really typing this? Actually agreeing with Alan Bunn on anything will surely bring down the wrath from above upon me, but he is right on with this one.

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:
WTF, $342 before adding any 'custom options'!

I hope there are no extra charges for boots that don't fit, or soles that don't stay glued on!

I have never owned any Russel boots, but after reading this thread (which BTW is basically a reoccurring one), I am somewhat hesitant to jump out there and take any chances with these people.

I don't get it. I have owned a lot of different brands of off-the-shelf boots and NEVER had the soles come off of any of them because the weren't properly glued, or for any other reason.

And the boots don't fit??? How the hell can they not fit you when they personally measure your feet. If someone making minimum wage at REI get your boot size right, how come these clowns have such a poor record?

To the list of backup rifles and backup scopes... must we now add to the list... backup boots!?!?



Buying these 'custom' boots is a vacuous ego trip and a waste of trophy fee money that would be better spent on a good warthog or impala.

Alan is making good sense...

I am with Michael Robinson on this one. I bought a pair of Russells some several years ago for a safari in 2007. I wore my Ecco's more than the Russells. In 2009 I wore the Russells on a hunt in Zim. After climbing over the rocks all day chasing an wounded elephant one of my feet was one complete blister. Upon my arrival back in the states they were sent back to Russell to have a different sole installed to give me a bit more traction. I will take them again to Zim in October, but I will also have my Ecco's along.

I have two pair of the Ecco's and am fixing to get a third. I wear them every day. If I do not have them on, I have on my Ecco sandles.

quote:

Originally posted by h kittle:
... I wore my Ecco's more than the Russells. In 2009 I wore the Russells on a hunt in Zim. After climbing over the rocks all day chasing a wounded elephant one of my feet was one complete blister. ... I will take them again to Zim in October, but I will also have my Ecco's along.

I have two pair of the Ecco's and am fixing to get a third. I wear them every day. If I do not have them on, I have on my Ecco sandles.

Well, another resounding recommendation... but not for Russell.

The most expensive boots Ecco has on their website cost US$225. I wasn't a math major, but it appears to me that for the price of one of these blister making, sole flopping luxury boots (plus a few options)... one could have two pairs of these Ecco boots... which are recommended as comfortable enough to be worn every day.

Somebody help me with the math here.

Track 5 Moc Boot

to summarize, the comments seem to run about 60-70% in favor of Russel's -AND 30-40% AGAINST!! NOT EXACTLY ODDS TO INSPIRE GREAT CONFIDENCE. and to make matters worse, the major complaint( other than outrageous cost) seems to be that the experts can't measure your foot directly and produce a boot that fits. not exactly a ringing vote of confidence. think i will stick with my Courtenays- fit perfectly from Day 1 and still going strong 6 safaris later.

I used their instructions to measure myself for a pair of "Joes PH" after winning a gift certificate in a silent auction. They didn't come even close to fitting. After visiting the Russell booth at an outdoor show, they didn't hesitate to make me a new pair at no charge and they measured me right then and there. I opted for the replacement pair to be the "Thula Thula" model. I've never had a pair of footwear fit this well. I doubt I'll go through the frustration of ordering another pair from scratch at full price from Russell, but when my Thula's get worn down I'll definitely send them in to get repairs done.

I was really close to buying a pair of Russells but it seemed like a pretty hit or miss affair. I ended up buying Eccos. Every pair of Ecco shoes I have had have been superb.

I'm about a month late returning to a thread that I started, but I'm glad alteast that there has been some dialogue since the last time I visited. I don't get on to AR much these days just due to time and such. My boss and I were talking a few minutes ago and he asked about the boots and if I knew when they'd be here. I know when I HOPE they'll be here, but when they actually arrive might be a completely different story.

Oday450, I'm excited to hear that you already received your pair from the DSC show. Hopefully that bodes well for me. It took until well into Feb. before I got the little pink carbon receipt for my pair and if I recall the date was "On or after May 16th". 4 1/2 months later. They did however set the right expectations and told me up front that it would be a four month wait.

As for the fitting, on one hand I'm extremely excited about getting the boots. One because I expect them to be a work of art in the boot world, two because they were made from hide from an elephant that my father killed. That means alot. On the other hand, I'm scared as hell that there might be an issue based on some of the feedback above. However, as a friend of mine says, if I have to be I can be "TENACIOUS LIKE BUUUL!" and stay on them until they get them fixed and make them right. Sadly though, I'll have waited so long to get them, the last thing I want to do is send them back. The only thing I hope to have going for me here, is that I ordered a pair of Joe's PH and was sized by Joe himself. So, if anyone should know how they fit, it should be him. Only time will tell. When they get here though, rest assured I'll throw a couple of pics up. I plan to adjust my wardrob according so that I can wear them daily for a while. I'm that excited about it. <xing fingers>

Hi-Tek leather lites, less than $2oo-oo

I dropped off a pair in Reno that had a sizing issue on the right boot. I received them last week, and they feel incredible now. I wish I had returned them 3 years ago!

Just received my eighth or ninth (can't remember) pair-South 40 Birdshooters-and they are absolutely perfect!!! Fit my size 14 AA feet like a glove.

No doubt some folks have some problems but boy when they fit, they're a real treat!

BTW, Russell is so busy they're not accepting any expedited orders and at last check they were 20 weeks out!!! Seems business is booming!

I get the feeling that the big shows, like Reno and Dallas represent a huge chunk of yearly business for them. Without those, it probably wouldn't be nearly as bad... then again, they might not be able to turn enough business without them.

I just visited the plant and ordered a pair of boots. Nice people, looks like a quality product. More to follow when I receive them. I was shocked to hear of a twenty week lead time for custom boots. That tells me alot about the product. In this economy, people are standing in line to buy this expensive product.

Well, I believe the receipt said they would be here on or after May 19th. I figured they'd be here any time, and actually emailed Russell today for an ETA just because I was getting anxious. As luck would have it, the boots were on the doorstep when I got home.

First impressions...

They look great. They look as good as I had hoped, and I'm glad I made the changes I did. Going with the black canvas vs. brown, and black soles vs. brown was definitely the right move. With the dark blue hue of the hide, the cotton almost looks navy.

As for the fit, when I got measured for them in Dallas, I had Joe measure me in my normal "shorties". The socks I wear with my tennis shoes. The boots are short enough that I can wear socks that low. However, with those socks on the boots were a little sloppy on my feet, just a little. They feel great to walk in, but I could tell that the fit just had a little too much room. This is completely opposite of what I was expecting, in fact I was worried about them being too tight, so I'm ok with this for the moment. I went ahead and switched to a pair of taller cotton socks, and voila. Perfect fit. Obviously I haven't worn them except around the house this evening, so the next few days (and beyond) will be the real test, but I'll be wearing them to work tomorrow so they're going to get a workout straight away.

In the meantime, here are a few pics I fired off real quick. Again, it might be hard to tell in the pictures but the leather varies from a light gray to a near blue color.