Russell Moccasins ?

[Day Dreamer]

Hey Gang, been thinking about ordering a pair of high country hunters. Any info, pros, cons and how long have you had a pair. Also some field pics of any of the russell mocs would be appreciated.

[Pete W]

Been wearing a pair since I did a review on them several years ago. Excelent in workmanship and comfort!!

 Pete

[LBR]

I tried to order a pair a few years ago.  After being put off several times, I was finally told they didn't have sole material wide enough for my feet (the reason I wanted to order custom shoes to begin with--to finally get a good fit).

Other than that, I've heard a lot of good things about them.  Wish I could have given my personal experience of actually wearing a pair.

[Bjorn]

I ordered a pair of the Lace to Toe boots and  pair of shoes. The shoes worked out great, and I still wear them-the boots not so much.
Don't assume the foot tracing and measuring is enough to ensure a good fit in extreme circumstances, like lots of side hilling.
It is obviously a good company and they use top materials; just make sure the fit is going to stand up for more than the flats.

[wapitimike1]

Went round and round for a pair of bow hunters over 6 months. One thing after another size, style they just kept mailing me PHs thinking I'd just takem, nope! Never did get any. There order dept is a mess!

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I'm a big fan.  Hard to fit (like a 9.5 X 4E) have to buy 10.5 or 11 wides in tennis shoes or Rocky/Cabelas boots to get the width.

I thought alot about it (spending like $350 on boots) - then finally pulled the trigger in 2003 on a pair of TLC woodcock's, uninsulated, with the upland sole.  Just got those back from Russell's a month ago from resoling - the leather is like new.  I've worn those boots for LOTS of miles, from Midwest whitetail hunting, elk in MT and ID several times, on the basalt rock in Australia, moose hunting in BC, to north of the Arctic circle.  Love 'em.  They've saved me money as I used to walk through a pair of ($200) Rocky's or Danners every other year.

I also have a pair of insulated "mountain climbers" with a bit more aggressive sole.  Use these on real rocky/shale type ground and later in the season for whitetails (Dec-Jan) they are good for me down to about 15 degrees F.

Keep 'em greased with Montana Pitch Blend or something similar and they'll last a LOONNNGG time.

Ryan

[cacciatore]

I am a big fan too.I love the style and i own 6 pairs with the oldest pair bought some 20 years ago and still running.They are my main hunting boots on dry to rainy days,one day hunts.For elk hunting in the snow out from home for several days I have dreamed my Meindl anyway.It doesn't matter how much care you take waterproofing them,after a day in the Rochies with the snow they are no more waterproof.Sorry Ryan,also with 3 layers of MT Pitch Blend dryed with a hair drayer.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Cacciatore, I agree - it's wet enough NO boots are waterproof.  They'll dry, though.  

[cacciatore]

I was in camp with some better outfitted guys that they used a propane boot dryer overnight and it worked very well.2 pair is the way to go.They are more confortable and quiet than most of the other boots.In the past i had 2 pairs of Rocky booots that collapsed elk hunting,one pair on a horseback hunt.I had to walk downhill with the broken soles and foot beds,really unpleasing at least.Same happened with a almost brand new pair of Meindle,then they changed the design.Russells will never let you down,for construction.

[Bigriver]

I hate mine, I would never buy another pair. It was a waste of 455 bucks.

 The soles were put on crooked, the right boot does not fit & there was a huge leather seam inside by the heel that blistered my feet the first 5 minutes I wore them.

 Other than that, they are great! Anyone want to buy a nice pair of boots, lol.

[Cottonwood]

So far I have looked at the Russel Mocs, SodHoppers and Alpines.

I'm going to get a pair of moccasin boots this year, I just don't know which ones yet.  So far I like the SodHopper bottoms the best.

I want quiet stealth for the woods.

[Don Stokes]

You might check out Mukluk's stuff. I bought the felt-lined boots for next season, but haven't given them a workout yet. Heat index was 105 here yesterday. A little early yet...

[Kevin Dill]

I have the High Country Hunters. These are the absolute epitome of foot comfort in tough terrain. They are not waterproof...but get an 8/10 for holding out water. They are not a sheep hunting or mountaineering boot, but are well built. I recently wore mine 7 consecutive days while hunting mountain lions. My feet were happy. I'd maybe give the company 7/10 for customer relations...but that's not a deal-breaker for me. If you need a totally custom boot, Russell Mocs will do it as good as it can be done.

[lone hunter]

Have three pair and am very happy. Sent first pair back for replacement but it was my error in tracing. I think most issues involve the foot tracing. For better tracing try; put on sock, dampen bottom of sock, stand on paper, lift foot and trace around imprint.

[Eric Krewson]

I bought a pair of PHs last year. Good grief they were wide. I wear a 10D normally and these were marked 9 1/2 EE. Overall a bad fit(the right worse than the left) but I filed the inside with a pair of insoles from some NB running shoes I have and wear thick socks for an OK fit.

After I adjusted the fit and broke them in I have to admit they are very comfortable on level ground but not enough support for traversing around a steep hillside.

[Day Dreamer]

Thanks gang lots of good info here, keep'r comming

[Bowmania]

I've had 4 pair, from wading boots to Sheep Hunter.  Had a pair of Safari's resoled 3 times and the canvas finally wore out.  I would never buy a pair of boots without some type of Air-bob for mt work.  Their Air-bobs leave a lot to be desired.  Had knobs and tits break off after first sheep hunt.  They were pounded in that hunt, but I know that Danner Air-bobs wear out and don't break off.  All that said, they're still my mountain boot and have had another sheep hunt on them and a couple of elh hunts and don't need resoling.

Bowmania

[mjh]

I have a pair of russell and have been happy with them.  Was in WI on business not too far from the russell shop so go measured at the shop.  Spend the few bucks try to find a local shoemaker and get some more professional measureing help.  The more accurate the measurements the more likely to get a finished product that fits better.

[Jim Rocole]

I bought a pair of THUla Thuls Ph and a pair of Mtn PH a year ago. Best boots I have ever owned. THe Thula'a are a mocassin type and I wore them on a week long elk hunt and couldn't be happier. I put a lot of miles on in the fall and spring bird hunting and the Mtn OH are exceptional. Like anything custom built you may love them or hate them. I did go down and get them fitted.

[Otto]

Lovem.

Currently own 6 pairs.

Imperial Triple Vamp
Imperial Double Vamp
Safari PH
Art Carter Sportsman
Casual Trail Shoe
Huron Moccasins

I've had multiple soles put on the Hurons and the PH's as I tend to wear those most frequently.

Danners and Rockies seem to fall apart on me.  Russells are hands down the most comfortable durable boots/shoes I've ever had and I will not buy anything else.

When they make a sneaker I'll buy a pair of those.