Boots made by Russell Moccasin Company -- experiences

[hoit1981]

So I was keeping an eye on the in-stock & sale items section of the website a pair of Mountain Safari "PH" pop up in my size (12.5D) with the latest revision (01/19/15). They arrived yesterday and I'm more than impressed.

Specifications:
7” tall - 5 eyelets & 3 speed-hooks
All brown Horween Driftwood grain leather
Leather lined uppers
Triple vamp
Poron slip sole
Vibram Newporter
Turkey hunter wedge

The Driftwood leather seems excellent, and while similar to Chromexcel should be more waterproof. They are amazingly comfortable out of the box, and the Newporter sole has proven itself to be very sturdy on the icy conditions during my NYC commute this morning. I can see these things lasting a lifetime, and probably much longer.

 

[jet]

been wanting a pair of russells for about 6 years now haha

maybe next fall

 

[A10ACN]

I wore the dickens out of a pair of PHs ordered about 25 years ago, only change was to their standard leather, now on their 3rd sole. Then I added a pair of Navigator triple vamp Bowhunters but soled. They are on their second soles. Both were, and still are, outstanding boots. I ordered the PHs to specifically wear without socks, which wears boots out even quicker from the inside, but no problems with that.
A few years on I ordered a pair of the Krymperoos. Well made, good fit, but I never gelled with the Weathertuff. Loved the fine grain Kangaroo, though.

About that time is when things started going down. I picked up a pair of McIntosh Birdshooters off the sale page, fabulous, butter smooth suede, well made but never fit right (my fault for not ordering but they were a great price). Those went back. Then a pair of Knockabouts off the rack. They have never worked out and are in the back of the closet. Again, my fault. Learning my lesson, I ordered a pair of Imperials measured by the staff to make sure I got the right size. They came in months on down the line and looked terrible, really bad black dye job, didn't have the eyelets I expected, nothing like the pics of the boot I ordered, and just didn't fit quite right. They were returned for another go around. The boots that came in months later when I was overseas, I couldn't even get my foot into! They were NO WHERE near my size. This order had been going on over a year now and I didn't have a reliable way of returning until I made a trip back to the States. I finally carried them to a show and turned them back in straight to the crew. Months later (probably over two years since original order) I got a pair of plain Imperials. They fit but have the old Gro-Cord sole which is hard as a rock and negates the soft French veal leather in my opinion. Never gelled with these. There may be some others in there that came and went.

After that I tried a pair of Courteney boots from Zimbabwe and have been around the world in them. I used to say that my original PHs were the best boots I've ever owned but the Courteneys have surpassed them with better fit from their lasts (especially now that I'm wearing orthodics), better support from their construction, and one of the longest wearing, but still comfortable and useful soles I've ever had on a pair of boots.

With all that said, I just yesterday paid a visit to Russell's booth at the Safari Club show and got lured into a ordering two more pairs. A pair of the new Kangaroo PHs on the Munson last and a pair of Oneidas that I've always wanted. Lefty himself fitted me and updated my tracings and measurements. I like Russell's for what they are and what they represent. I considered myself a lifelong customer with the first two pairs I bought over 20 years ago. The problems I encountered with the off the rack boots I don't hold against them but the ordeal I had to deal with on the 3x ordered Imperials really pissed me off.

If you're going to go with Russell's I HIGHLY recommend getting custom but not going crazy trying to option out a pair too far away from standard. Educate yourself and know what you want to do with the boots/shoes. Russell's have no arch support or any other support on the inside, so these are not White's or even Alden's. The number one thing is patience. Make your decision, accurately trace and measure with the type of socks you'll wear, know what you want to do with the boots/shoes, place your order, and then forget about them. When the time comes for the expected delivery, let it go. A month after that date and they haven't shown up, then call and ask about them. Don't get your silk panties wadded if they don't show up with a FEDEX number and armed guard on the EXACT date/time that YOU expected. That will only frustrate you and they aren't going to get on your feet any faster. They were making Russell's well before you or I came along and with luck they will be making them well after, that is the life of custom made. If you can't handle that investment of time and patience then Russell's may not be for you and there are plenty of other shoe makers out there waiting to make you happy.

 

[CEE88]

Guys - this thread needs more photos. Here's my Russell Mocs after a nice rainy, muddy hike with my dog:

 

[CEE88]



I wore the dickens out of a pair of PHs ordered about 25 years ago, only change was to their standard leather, now on their 3rd sole. Then I added a pair of Navigator triple vamp Bowhunters but soled. They are on their second soles. Both were, and still are, outstanding boots. I ordered the PHs to specifically wear without socks, which wears boots out even quicker from the inside, but no problems with that.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

A few years on I ordered a pair of the Krymperoos. Well made, good fit, but I never gelled with the Weathertuff. Loved the fine grain Kangaroo, though.

About that time is when things started going down. I picked up a pair of McIntosh Birdshooters off the sale page, fabulous, butter smooth suede, well made but never fit right (my fault for not ordering but they were a great price). Those went back. Then a pair of Knockabouts off the rack. They have never worked out and are in the back of the closet. Again, my fault. Learning my lesson, I ordered a pair of Imperials measured by the staff to make sure I got the right size. They came in months on down the line and looked terrible, really bad black dye job, didn't have the eyelets I expected, nothing like the pics of the boot I ordered, and just didn't fit quite right. They were returned for another go around. The boots that came in months later when I was overseas, I couldn't even get my foot into! They were NO WHERE near my size. This order had been going on over a year now and I didn't have a reliable way of returning until I made a trip back to the States. I finally carried them to a show and turned them back in straight to the crew. Months later (probably over two years since original order) I got a pair of plain Imperials. They fit but have the old Gro-Cord sole which is hard as a rock and negates the soft French veal leather in my opinion. Never gelled with these. There may be some others in there that came and went.

After that I tried a pair of Courteney boots from Zimbabwe and have been around the world in them. I used to say that my original PHs were the best boots I've ever owned but the Courteneys have surpassed them with better fit from their lasts (especially now that I'm wearing orthodics), better support from their construction, and one of the longest wearing, but still comfortable and useful soles I've ever had on a pair of boots. 

With all that said, I just yesterday paid a visit to Russell's booth at the Safari Club show and got lured into a ordering two more pairs. A pair of the new Kangaroo PHs on the Munson last and a pair of Oneidas that I've always wanted. Lefty himself fitted me and updated my tracings and measurements. I like Russell's for what they are and what they represent. I considered myself a lifelong customer with the first two pairs I bought over 20 years ago. The problems I encountered with the off the rack boots I don't hold against them but the ordeal I had to deal with on the 3x ordered Imperials really pissed me off. 

If you're going to go with Russell's I HIGHLY recommend getting custom but not going crazy trying to option out a pair too far away from standard. Educate yourself and know what you want to do with the boots/shoes. Russell's have no arch support or any other support on the inside, so these are not White's or even Alden's. The number one thing is patience. Make your decision, accurately trace and measure with the type of socks you'll wear, know what you want to do with the boots/shoes, place your order, and then forget about them. When the time comes for the expected delivery, let it go. A month after that date and they haven't shown up, then call and ask about them. Don't get your silk panties wadded if they don't show up with a FEDEX number and armed guard on the EXACT date/time that YOU expected. That will only frustrate you and they aren't going to get on your feet any faster. They were making Russell's well before you or I came along and with luck they will be making them well after, that is the life of custom made. If you can't handle that investment of time and patience then Russell's may not be for you and there are plenty of other shoe makers out there waiting to make you happy. 

That's awesome! I am on my 4th or 5th(?) pair and counting, including a pair of casual chukkas. The sheer range of options can be a bit overwhelming when you shop their site. But it's well worth it. Good luck on your new pairs!

 

[broken_oracle]

Anyone here have a pair of the Minimalist Thula Thula? Curious about those

 

[A10ACN]

I was familiar with them from the online catalog. I looked over a pair at SCI and decided that I needed more support than what they offered. Word of experience, here, the canvas sides offer NO support and minimal protection. I've racked my ankles several times with the PHs. In fact, the canvas wore through and ripped in a few places over the years and I had Russell's repair them when they went back for resole. Lightweight, though, especially with the suede.

 

[broken_oracle]

Good to know. I already have a great pair of White's boots for situations requiring rock solid arch & ankle support. Was considering the 4" all-leather MTT for something like a less-blister inducing moccasin, tall enough to keep out dirt & debris. Very thorough review of the 7" version here - http://secondwindbook.blogspot.com/2012/06/russell-moccasin-thula-thula.html

 

[rpiotr01]

Three year old Joe's PH after a fresh coat of Obenauf's. Been to Europe and Armenia with these, seen snow, mud, ice etc. Great boots. They built them with the wrong color inserts on the side, was supposed to be dark brown but they used tan instead. Thinking of sending them back to replace with dark brown or green this summer, or maybe leather (though I'm a little concerned that might make them too stiff).

 

[hoit1981]

Really happy with the Mountain PH I picked up. So comfortable and absolutely waterproof!

 

[A10ACN]

Three year old Joe's PH after a fresh coat of Obenauf's. Been to Europe and Armenia with these, seen snow, mud, ice etc. Great boots. They built them with the wrong color inserts on the side, was supposed to be dark brown but they used tan instead. Thinking of sending them back to replace with dark brown or green this summer, or maybe leather (though I'm a little concerned that might make them too stiff).

Man, I wouldn't. They look way cool with the tan. Wish my original PHs had tan.

 

[Bingham]

So I have a pair of the camp mocs that I purchased through a retailer in Atlanta. I'm interested in getting a pair of the Sporting Clays Chukkas and wanted to know if the tan color listed on the Russell website is the tan suede that is often shown in pictures online. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[hoit1981]

Wore my Mtn PH's in the chopper yesterday.

 

[do15]

Anyone here have a pair of the Minimalist Thula Thula? Curious about those

I am sorry I couldn't respond sooner. I have a pair in black, with All Weather Tuff Leather option, standard Newporter sole. Comfortable as slippers, Munson last rules (wider in a toe-box), a little too cold on more blistery winter days in Montreal. About four or five years old, probably another five before I will have them resoled.

 

[broken_oracle]

Thanks so much for the reply! Do you have the 4" or 7" option? How's the Newporter sole on snow & ice?