I'm looking at ordering a pair and have seen numerous posts of folks complaining that they fit too big or are not what they hoped they would be. Do they generally fit a size big? Have the issues with fit and finish been resolved?
Next question....are they worth it? I've always hunted in light hiking boots (read cheap) and always been very happy. Are these worth the extra coin?
Thanks in advance.
Tom Addleman tom@dirtnapgear.com
Posts: 1161 | Location: Kansas City, Missouri | Registered: 03 March 2006
I have two pair. My first, were perfect and I've neer had a better fit.
My second, I wanted made out of my elephant and I had to send them back. They were too tight. After the adjustment, they are great.
My opinion is that you can do just as good if not better with commercial made for a lot less money, but if you want to use your own hides, they are the way to go.
"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
Posts: 4782 | Location: Story, WY / San Carlos, Sonora, MX | Registered: 29 May 2002
I was measured at an sci show so expected good fit. No such luck. Too narrow and poor fit on uppers.(had to lace very tightly) Soles came loose on first hunt and they charged full price to resole. Also, very expensive for average to poor shoe with no warrantee.
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Posts: 989 | Location: Oregon | Registered: 12 June 2009
My personal experience has been with the standard Russell single layer Birdshooter. I bought a pair in St. Louis in the 1970s one-half size larger and added a good inner sole for comfort and support.
I've worn them all over the world, including in heavy snows and in Africa. With liberal use of shoe polish and Sno-Seal, I wonder if they will ever wear out.
The only proviso I would make is that while the hard sole is extremely durable, it is not the most quiet for stalking.
Norman Solberg International lawyer back in the US after 25 years and, having met a few of the bad guys and governments here and around the world, now focusing on private trusts that protect wealth from them. NRA Life Member for 50 years, NRA Endowment Member from 2014, NRA Patron from 2016.
I've had two pairs. Very poor fit and gave me blisters on my hunt in spite of trying to break them in, beforehand. Sent them back for adjustment, still did not fit. Sold one pair and gave the other away, so don't assume because they are "custom" they'll fit.
Posts: 120 | Location: South Florida | Registered: 08 July 2010
Always amazed that people keep going back to Russell. I like the concept and all, but the execution seems to REPEATEDLY leave a great deal to be desired. This has been going on for YEARS and people still keep going back thinking that they will really get a "custom" fit for Russell pricing. It's time to realize that REAL custom shoes/boots will cost you several times what Russell charges.
I have 2 pairs of PH and a pair of Thula Thulas- they all fit perfectly. I may be lucky, or my wife may be an excellent foot tracer. She also has 2 pairs. The PH is perfect, but the casual shoe had to be sent back because it was too tight on the ball of her foot.
Posts: 550 | Location: Augusta,GA | Registered: 01 September 2001
In my opinion they're not worth the money. For me the fit was fine but the leather on the upper part of my boots has stretched a LOT, the glue on the liners wasn't too good so the liners came out leaving a sticky residue and the stitching has unraveled twice. The first time, I sent the boots back for restitching; I'm not going to bother this time.
I've learned my lesson; no more Russell Moccasin anything.
When you have a short fat foot sometimes a custom boot is the only game in town.... I also had problems with the sole coming unglued they fixed them for free, when I spoke with them they about the de-lam they said that new gov regulations prevent them from using their old glues and that they are having problems finding a suitable glue for their boot soles
Posts: 1631 | Location: Vermont | Registered: 27 March 2006
I have three pairs. One pair fit perfectly. The other two have been too narrow despite being sized at SCI at the booth. I've sent them to be stretched but they never felt as good as the first pair.
Posts: 309 | Location: WV | Registered: 14 February 2005
I take a 10D in every boot made out there, so I should be pretty easy to fit. But the "custom measure" seems to really work against proper sizing. My Joe's PH pair is OK, although the sole is splitting away from the leather. My Sheep Hunters went back and forth until I just asked for a refund. I bought a pair of Kennetreks and have never looked back. I've also had good luck with Danners.
Posts: 20177 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009
having a "snake phobia" I aquired a pair of their snake boots for chukar hunting here in Nevada. I think I would rather be bitten by the snake than wear those things all day. Pinch, rub, slip, un-comfortable. Couldn't seem to tighten them up enough after the first couple times I used them. And I have worn them enough times to have them broken in. The funny part about the fitting was the Russel people did it themselves at SCI. What ever the formula it didn't work for my foot.
Posts: 3617 | Location: Verdi Nevada | Registered: 01 February 2013
Between us, my wife and I have purchased 11 pairs of Russells, ranging from dress shoes and loafers to PH boots. Only one was improperly sized. All of them seem to be indestructible.
I hope that all the naysayers are wrong, I was fitted by the old man at DSC and paid the money. For the boots that don't fit, have any of you tried what we did in the Marine Corps, fill them full of hot water and let them stand overnight. Put them on the next day with 2 pair of socks on and let them dry to their feet?
Originally posted by pagosawingnut: I hope that all the naysayers are wrong, I was fitted by the old man at DSC and paid the money. For the boots that don't fit, have any of you tried what we did in the Marine Corps, fill them full of hot water and let them stand overnight. Put them on the next day with 2 pair of socks on and let them dry to their feet?
Rick,
Didn't you Marines also use black magic markers to highlight the important parts of books?
Seems like one of my Marine friends also kept complaining that all the books he bought were printed upside down!
Uh Oh ... I'm betting my reloading components just took another price hike!
Originally posted by pagosawingnut: I hope that all the naysayers are wrong, I was fitted by the old man at DSC and paid the money. For the boots that don't fit, have any of you tried what we did in the Marine Corps, fill them full of hot water and let them stand overnight. Put them on the next day with 2 pair of socks on and let them dry to their feet?
let me see if i have this right. you pay an obscene amount for a pair of "custom fit' boots,.then you fill them with water and let them stand, THEN you wear them for a while with 2 pairs of socks. yep, seems like a great idea to me..... the overwhelming consensus here is that they are an over priced POS.YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.
Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP
Posts: 13654 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 28 October 2006
I didn't know Russell had a bad reputation for QC. All the people I know that have them are very happy. I hope they are all right because I ordered a pair at Reno that I intend to use in the Selous this summer.
Todd, Reloading equipment is getting astronomical, more by each post. jdollar, it was just a thought for boots that are just a smidge tight. But you're right, for the money they cost, they should fit like a custom boot. I am withholding my opinion until I see for myself how these fit. I hope I get a better fit than not.....
Besides, Todd, I don't believe they had even made magic markers when I was in the Corps, we still used a granite slate and a chisel. I do have to admit the crayons and the big chief tablets they gave the Navy pilots were somewhat of an improvement.
Originally posted by pagosawingnut: Besides, Todd, I don't believe they had even made magic markers when I was in the Corps, we still used a granite slate and a chisel. I do have to admit the crayons and the big chief tablets they gave the Navy pilots were somewhat of an improvement.
Yep, hard to haul around those granite slates and chisel's in the airplane! I did like all the pretty colors in the crayon box though!!
I used to really want a pair, but after reading so much about their fit, it seemed to be a roll of the dice whether what you got was crap or great. Not willing to do that, personally.
Good luck with yours if you change your mind, because they look really nice.
Hunting: Exercising dominion over creation at 2800 fps.
Posts: 3114 | Location: Southern US | Registered: 21 July 2002
I haven't walked very far in these so far but the fit is impeccable. They feel very nice, seem to fit me just right. I will use them over the next 2 weeks to "break them in" but so far I am not unhappy.......
Okay, after wearing them for a day and a half, I am not dissatisfied at all. The fit is great and I believe that I could put them in my hunting gear without further "break in" and wear them all day in Zim chasing buff. Hopefully they will stand up but they fit great and feel wonderful.
Alright, After wearing these shoes for a couple of days now, the fit is right on, the soles I picked out are quiet and I am definitely happy with my purchase. Now we'll see how they hold up.
I have a pair of PHs that were measured up by Russell at SCI in 2010. They fit great and the best thing about Russell is the number of different options for sole type. These are the quitest boots I own. For just over $200 I think there was alot of value and they have held up well over several hunts.
I hunt to live and live to hunt!
Posts: 299 | Location: Big Sky Country! | Registered: 19 March 2011
