The two brands are similar in price but not in comfort. I the comfort department the Courteneys take the prize, and are much quieter to walk in. Both brands have something in common and that is the size and fit numbers don’t seem to mean much.

Though the Russels are said to be custom fit they rarely fit properly when you get them. In the case of the Courteneys, the sizes stamped on them mean absolutely nothing. So, for either brand if you can’t try them on when you buy them you may find they may have been made for someone with larger or smaller feet!

I had a pair of Courteneys that were sent to me as being a USA size 10, and they were closer to a size 13 than a 10, and with even a arch support liner in them I could do an about face with out moving the shoes! I gave them to Rusty because they fit him perfectly. I’ve never owned a pair of Russels but have friends who have had them made, and had to send them back because they had fit and build problems.

I will buy another pair of Courteneys but will buy them where I can try them on before I leave! Also Tag makes a pair that look almost like Courteneys and I may try them and the Courteneys as well at the DSC show in January.

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DCS:

That's them -- Palladium. I really like mine. Now thorns could be a problem, but they make similar in leather as well -- for a little more money, but a whole lot less than Russel's. That said, I like my Russel's too.

Courtney are an excellent boot, comfortable and durable (had mine for almost 15 years and only recently realized that my left "pinky" wore a tiny hole in the leather! (lifetime guarantee my ass - am demanding a refund ).
I guess everyone has their favorite brand fro whatever reason, an opinion to be respected.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
DCS:

That's them -- Palladium. I really like mine. Now thorns could be a problem, but they make similar in leather as well -- for a little more money, but a whole lot less than Russel's. That said, I like my Russel's too.

I've got the Palladiums in leather. I think they were $70. They are comfortable boots, but like others said they have a little ankle or arch support. They are not serious hunting boots though. I wore mine in SA and had several thorns penetrate the sole all the way thru and stick me in the foot. No such problems with my Irish Setters though.

Hi,
My Company Afrikanska kompaniet sells Courteney in Scandinavia. I am surprised that you have problems with getting the right size.

The sizes are UK sizes not US sizes -but I guess that you are aware about that.

We have Selous, Safari, Veldshoe and Patrol in stock, also in half sizes, so getting a pair of Courteney´s that fit you shouldn´t be a problem!

There are also 3 different soles now, so you can really get something that fit´s you.

quote:

By Husky;
The sizes are UK sizes not US sizes -but I guess that you are aware about that.

Husky the little card that comes with them, when shipped to the USA, that is supposed to convert from UK to USA size is worthless!
Having said that, if I had a pair that fit properly I find them to be one of the best hunting shoe for Africa, or the desert Southwest of Texas that money can buy! I will see if I can find a fit at DSC in January!

I have a pair of TIMBERLAND hiking shoes that I bought back in 1991 that have been to Africa a few times, and to Alaska many times and are still in fine shape with absolutely no problem, but I have had two pair of TIMBERLAND hunting boots since that didn’t make it through one hunt in Canada before the sole came off the brand new boots. I sent them back to Timberland and they sent me a new pair, which did the same thing on the next hunt within two days in the field. The compound used in the soles simply melted, It seems to have chemical reaction and breaks down in short order. I will never buy another pair nor reccomend them to another hunter, from that maker.

I find the ”New Balance” sport shoes are the easiest to find a proper fit, and they rarely cost more than $100. They have a very wide list of sizes in both width, and over all sizing. They also have a wide choice of arch and ankle support styles as well. These are cheap enough so you can take two or three pairs on Safari, and give them to the trackers or camp staff when you leave for home!



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Bought Russels for both my wife and I for our Safari. the soles on my boots started to delaminate at the toe after about 10 hours of walking prior to our trip sent them back and they were promptly repaired and returned no charge. About 5 days into our Safari both pairs of boots mine and my wife's the soles started to delaminate at the toe if this had been a 21 day Safari and not a 14 day Safari we would have finished our days walking in Merrels and Cabela shoes. when we returned a spoke with Ralph at Russell and he said return them they would fix them free of charge as they were having a glue problem. My wife's pair just returned and I'm thinking of sending them back, there is space between the last and the sole were dirt can work in and once again start delaminating there is glue all over the bottom of the soles and the grinding job to bring the new sole to the boot last is sophomoric at best. Will probably call this Monday and speak with them again.

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Originally posted by bwanamrm:

quote:

Does anyone know if it's legal to bring elephant skin Courteneys into the US?

It is not legal unless you killed the elephant under a CITIES permit and then used the leather to make the boots... then you have to PROVE that to the USF&WS

I also think you then have to have the boots listed as a curio under the regs to get them in with the rest of your shipment. You can't claim the boots as a trophy. Convoluted to be sure... our Government in action!

If this is true--how is it that I can buy elelphant cowboy boots off the shelf here in the states?

Two different issues really. You cannot personally bring elephant leather products into the U.S. unless you go the route I mentioned above. Buy em in Bulawayo, declare em at customs, and watch em get confiscated.

Buying products made of elephant hide in the U.S. like Justin or Tony Lama boots means the leather was legally imported some years ago. I don't think it is as easy for the boot companies to get elephant as it once was... maybe somebody in the business can clarify.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Two different issues really. You cannot personally bring elephant leather products into the U.S. unless you go the route I mentioned above. Buy em in Bulawayo, declare em at customs, and watch em get confiscated.

Buying products made of elephant hide in the U.S. like Justin or Tony Lama boots means the leather was legally imported some years ago. I don't think it is as easy for the boot companies to get elephant as it once was... maybe somebody in the business can clarify.

Most of the elephant leather the boot companies have was bought pre-ban legally from countries and from hunters who brought it back from pre-ban hunts. Tony LLama once had a warehouse full of pre-ban exotic hides.

I'm not sure but I think if you have a legally importd ele hide you may sell it to the boot companies, but I certainly could be wrong about that today.

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quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Has anyone used Meindl boots ? They are very popular among tahr hunters here in NZ http://meindl.co.nz/technology. Full replacement warranty too!

BTW - I googled and found Courtney Boots in South Africa and a Courtney custom boots in the US. The US ones start at $1,800!

Naki:

I have hunted with Meindl "Perfekt" hunters for the past 5 years or so.. A lot of mountain hiking, hot summer, freezing winter and everything in between. The boots are still going strong. I couldn't recommend them enough..

Besides the fit and construction, another problem with Russells (and this is not so much an issue for Africa) is that they are not waterproof. Russell claims their triple vamp construction on sheep hunting boots makes a goretex liner unnecessary. It's just not true. I've soaked them in the silicon oil Russell sells and polished them with Russell's polish, but slugging around in wet snow for just 1 day soaks the boots completely. Plus, as someone else mentioned, seams rip. Their construction places seams right where they will rub on sharp rocks so I don't see any way to avoid that.

By all means you don't have to wear Courteneys but they are very comfortable and allow plenty of toe room, something a lot of boots don't have. They do have a flat arch, which is good for me, but inserts can fix that if you have a higher arch. They also wear and wear and wear--both the uppers and the soles. Yes, the sizes are UK, not US, but beyond that some fit issues may be with people being unused to the toe freedom. I know it was strange for me at first.

quote:

but beyond that some fit issues may be with people being unused to the toe freedom. I know it was strange for me at first.

My wife used to say they looked like Ronald MCDonald shoes...but I find the toe room extremely welcome!

quote:

Originally posted by Cross L:

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:

quote:

Does anyone know if it's legal to bring elephant skin Courteneys into the US?

It is not legal unless you killed the elephant under a CITIES permit and then used the leather to make the boots... then you have to PROVE that to the USF&WS

I also think you then have to have the boots listed as a curio under the regs to get them in with the rest of your shipment. You can't claim the boots as a trophy. Convoluted to be sure... our Government in action!

If this is true--how is it that I can buy elelphant cowboy boots off the shelf here in the states?

if you look in the USFWS display cases( there are 3-4 cases) in the Atlanta airport( international terminal) at the confiscated items taken from returning travelers, you will see a pair of elephant hide Courtney boots identical to the pair i wear over and back every year. i luckily got mine in years ago so they obviously don't look new now- and i threw the box away and wore them home from Vic Falls- after scuffing and dirtying them up prior to travel.

I was custom-fitted by Russell's at the Convention one year and when I tried to walk in them I thought I broke my ankle - they went back the same day.

I bought a pair of courtney's in Vic Falls and they felt good in the shop but when really started to use them I found the lack of cushioning made my knee's hurt so I gave them to my son and he's still wearing them 11 years later. I bought a 2nd pair at the Convention about 6 year's ago and had them fit me and I custom-ordered them with a softer sole and combined with a set of arch-supports they are my favorite "boot" -- I've had them resoled twice since they arrived.

I ordered Russells once.

They did not fit - by a long stretch, and the craftsmanship and finishing were appalling for a supposedly "custom-made shoe".

Courteney every time, if you have to choose.

This thread has certainly confirmed my concerns about the headaches associated with ORDERING custom boots (even from "high end" makers) . I think I will just continue to buy good quality boots from REI/Cabelas etc and if there is ever a problem they will both refund or replace on the spot. Footwear is just too important a piece of gear to fool around with!

Found these in a local Chinese store. They are a remake of the classic Converse. Soles wear out after 20km hard walking but at $2 a pop I own a bag full and carry a couple of spare pairs when hunting.

I've used Paladium Pampa ($30) everywhere between the kalahari desert and the rainforest of Cameroun. I love them! Best shoes I've ever had!

Thanks for all the advice. Not what I would have guessed; so I'm glad I asked. I think I'll be ordering a pair of Courteney Safaris soon.

I too have very similar observations on the two Boot lines, Courtney and Russell.
I think Todd W. nailed it in his post....
I have two pairs of each brand....
The Russell's were simply ordered by "size" from the sale list and have worked out....

The charade of their custom "made to measure" is a farce to me.....Both attempts were returned same day received....

I once called Ralph and told him the boots had arrived,he asked if they were satisfactory,and I replied " I don't know yet, but I bet that other guy is probably mad"
He asked "what other guy"
I responded,"The guy that got the ones I ordered, 'cause these could not have possibly been made from my measurements"
All joking aside the people at Russell will Bust their Hump to make a customer happy.

I bought a pair of Courtney Selous in Bulawayo (from the Indian merchant) in late 90's or so and they have made 10+ trips back to Africa,plus seeing a good of deal of wear in West Texas.

They don't suit many Americans who are used to more support,arch and heel....
I find them more quiet than just about any other shoe for stalking...

I spent 3 weeks in Zim. in 2011 hunting in New Balance walking shoes after talking Jeff Wimmer into building me a shoe type gaiter( which he now has added to his line)...I got along fine ,but returned to the Courtney shoe as I find it quiter and more sustainable for me if many miles are on the schedule...

Boots,like preferences in Rifles,Shotguns, and Women are a very personal thing...

The Courtneys have outlasted a couple of wives....